Paradise (Sade song)

"Paradise" is a song by English band Sade from their third studio album, Stronger Than Pride (1988). It was released in May 1988 by Epic as the album's second single. It is Sade's most successful track on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, peaking at number one for one week. The single also reached number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 21 on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart. Its music video was directed by Alex McDowell. "Paradise" is often considered one of the band's signature songs, alongside "Smooth Operator" (1984), "The Sweetest Taboo" (1985), and "No Ordinary Love" (1992).

"Paradise"
Single by Sade
from the album Stronger Than Pride
B-side	"Keep Hangin' On"
Released	May 1988
Recorded	1987
Genre	Sophisti-pop[1]
Length	4:02 (album version) 3:37 (single version)
Label	Epic
Composer(s)	Sade Adu Andrew Hale Stuart Matthewman Paul S. Denman
Lyricist(s)	Sade Adu
Producer(s)	Sade
Sade singles chronology
"Love Is Stronger Than Pride" (1988) "Paradise" (1988) "Nothing Can Come Between Us" (1988)
Music video
"Paradise" on YouTube

Composition

"Paradise" is written in the key of F minor in common time with a tempo of 102 beats per minute. Adu's vocals span from F₃ to A♭₄.^[2]

Critical reception

The song was described as "swaggering" and "sinewy" by Lloyd Bradley of BBC Music.^[3] Pan-European magazine Music & Media viewed it as a "brooding, percussion-orientated, summery track. Highly swinging through its persistent, up-tempo, although at the same time somehow restrained, groove."^[4] John Tague from NME said, "...well, 'Paradise' is no different to any other song she's done in the last four years, as cooly sculpted as her features and about as engaging as an average Daily Telegraph leader."^[5] Frank Guan of Vulture commented, "Any song titled 'Paradise' had better sound like it, and her version doesn't disappoint – in fact, no song better expresses the phase of love where disappointment is impossible."^[6]

Music video

Released in June 1988 and directed by British narrative designer and creative director Alex McDowell, the accompanying music video for "Paradise" features Sade joining in a celebration in a Mexican village and dancing with a young girl.

Track listings

• 7-inch single^[7]

A. "Paradise" (remix) – 3:35

B. "Paradise" (instrumental) – 4:00

• 12-inch single^[7]

A. "Paradise" (extended remix) – 5:33

B1. "Paradise" (extended instrumental) – 4:01

B2. "Paradise" (extra beats) – 2:11

• UK and European CD single

1. "Paradise" (extended version) – 5:30
2. "Hang On to Your Love" (US remix) – 5:13
3. "Keep Hangin' On" (live) – 2:59
4. "Paradise" (instrumental) – 4:02

• US mini CD single

1. "Paradise" (remix) – 3:35
2. "Super Bien Total" – 4:03

• Japanese mini CD single

1. "Paradise" (remix) – 3:39
2. "Paradise" (instrumental) – 4:03

Charts

Weekly charts Weekly chart performance for "Paradise" Chart (1988) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[8] 86 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[9] 28 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[10] 18 Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[11] 1 Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[12] 28 France (SNEP)[7] 38 Italy (Musica e dischi)[13] 19 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[14] 26 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[15] 33 UK Singles (OCC)[16] 29 US Billboard Hot 100[17] 16 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[18] 3 US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[19] 21 US Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)[20] 44 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[21] 1 US Cash Box Top 100[22] 20 US Top Black Contemporary Singles (Cash Box)[23] 1

Year-end charts Year-end chart performance for "Paradise" Chart (1988) Position US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[24] 43 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[25] 41 US Top Black Contemporary Singles (Cash Box)[26] 12