Smooth Operator – English Lyrics

• By: Sade

Lyrics & Translation

Learning a language through music can be an incredibly immersive experience, and Sade's "Smooth Operator" offers a unique opportunity to delve into the nuances of English storytelling. The song's narrative lyrics paint a vivid picture of a sophisticated yet heartless character, allowing learners to explore descriptive language and subtle emotional tones. The clear and deliberate vocal delivery of Sade Adu makes it easier to follow the story and pick up new vocabulary. What makes this song special is its timeless elegance and the captivating way it weaves a tale of charm and deception, making the language learning process both engaging and memorable.

[English]

He's laughing with another girl

...

And playing with another heart

Placing high stakes making hearts ache

He's loved in seven languages

Diamond nights and ruby lights high in the sky

Heaven help him when he falls

Diamond life, lover boy

...

We move in space with minimum waste and maximum joy

...

City lights and business nights

When you require streetcar desire for higher heights

No place for beginners or sensitive hearts

When sentiment is left to chance

...

No place to be ending but somewhere to start

No need to ask

He's a smooth operator

Smooth operator

Smooth operator

Smooth operator

Coast to coast, LA to Chicago, western male

Across the north and south, to Key Largo, love for sale

Face to face, each classic case

...

We shadow box and double cross

Yet need the chase

A license to love, insurance to hold

Melts all your memories and change into gold

His eyes are like angels but his heart is cold

No need to ask

He's a smooth operator

Smooth operator

Smooth operator

Smooth operator

Coast to coast, LA to Chicago, western male

Across the north and south, to Key Largo, love for sale

Smooth operator

Smooth operator

Smooth operator

Smooth operator

Smooth operator

Smooth operator

Smooth operator

Smooth operator

Smooth operator

Smooth operator

Smooth operator

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
operator /ˈɒpəreɪtər/ B1	noun - a person who operates equipment or a system
smooth /smuːð/ A2	adjective - having a surface free from roughness
diamond /ˈdaɪəmənd/ A1	noun - a precious stone consisting of highly compressed carbon
ruby /ˈruːbi/ A2	noun - a precious stone of a deep red color
stake /steɪk/ B1	noun - a share or interest in a venture
ache /eɪk/ A2	verb - to feel a steady, continuous pain
desire /dɪˈzaɪər/ A2	noun - a strong feeling of wanting something
beginner /bɪˈɡɪnər/ A1	noun - a person who is starting to learn or do something
sensitive /ˈsɛnsɪtɪv/ B1	adjective - easily affected or hurt
sentiment /ˈsɛntɪmənt/ B2	noun - a thought, opinion, or feeling about something
shadow /ˈʃædoʊ/ A1	noun - a dark area where light is blocked
license /ˈlaɪsəns/ B1	noun - official permission to do something
insurance /ɪnˈʃʊrəns/ B1	noun - a means of protection against financial loss
memory /ˈmɛməri/ A2	noun - the faculty of retaining and recalling past experiences
angel /ˈeɪnʤəl/ A1	noun - a spiritual being believed to act as an attendant of God
cold /koʊld/ A1	adjective - lacking warmth or emotion