Closing out my look at the year 1984, here’s an album I had forgotten I knew so well: Diamond Life, the debut release by English band Sade (fronted by Nigerian-born Brit Sade Adu).
This release kicked off a 26-year career that saw every album (six in total) achieve multi-Platinum status. Most of those records came out between 1984 and 1992, with eight and 10-year gaps between the final two albums. But through it all, Sade’s smooth jazz meets R&B groove hit a consistent sweet spot.
Diamond Life was the most successful of them all, spawning a #1 hit in ‘Smooth Operator’ and placing three other singles on the charts: ‘Hang On To Your Love,’ ‘When Am I Going To Make a Living,’ and ‘Your Love is King.’
When I fired up this album, I knew I would easily recall those hits, but I wasn’t prepared for how deeply the rest of the record had burrowed into my memory. Diamond Life was a go-to album in my parents’ home when I was growing up, and I guess I spent enough time with it to have every note etched into my brain. It might be 25 years since I last listened to the whole album, but it may as well have been a week.
Those memories, as well as the album’s undeniable groove and Adu’s sultry vocals, made this one of the best listens of this Decades installment.
Thanks for following along, and stay tuned for the next chapter of Decades, which will bring us to 1994.
In Heaven’s name, why are you walking away?
Hang on to your love
In Heaven’s name, why do you play these games?
Hang on to your love
[Verse 1]
Take time if you’re down on luck
It’s so easy to walk out on love
Take your time if the going gets tough
It’s so precious
[Pre-Chorus]
So if you want it to get stronger
You’d better not let go
You gotta hold on longer
If you want your love to grow
Gotta stick together
Hand in glove
Hold tight, don’t fight
Hang on to your love
[Chorus]
In Heaven’s name, why are you walking away?
Hang on to your love
In Heaven’s name, why do you play these games?
Hang on to your love
[Verse 2]
Be brave (Be brave) when the journey is rough
It’s not easy when you’re in love
Don’t be ashamed (Afraid) when the going gets tough
It’s not easy don’t give up
[Pre-Chorus]
If you want it to get stronger
You’d better not let go
You gotta hold on longer
If you want your love to grow
Gotta stick together
Hand in glove
Hold tight, don’t fight
Hang on to your love
[Chorus]
In Heaven’s name, why are you walking away?
Hang on to your love
In Heaven’s name, why do you play these games?
Hang on to your love
[Bridge]
Da da da dee dee da
Da da da dee dee da
Da (Dee dee da)
Da da da dee dee da
Da da da dee dee da
Da (Dee dee da)
Da da da dee dee da
Da da da dee dee da
Da (Dee dee da)
Da da da dee dee da
Da da da dee dee da
Da (Dee dee da)
[Pre-Chorus]
So if you want it to get stronger
You’d better not let go
You gotta hold on longer
If you want your love to grow
Gotta stick together
Hand in glove
Hold tight, don’t fight
Hang on to your love
[Chorus]
In Heaven’s name, why are you walking away?
Hang on to your love
In Heaven’s name, why do you play these games?
Hang on to your love
[Verse 3]
When you find a love (To your love)
Don’t let it walk away
When you find your love (Hang on to your love)
You’ve got to make it stay (Hang on)
Hang on to your love
Don’t let it walk away (Hang on)
When you find your love (Hang on to your love)
Got to make him stay (Hang on)
[Bridge]
You’ve got to hang on to your love (To your love)
You’ve got to hang on to your love (To your love)
Why are you walking away? (Why are you walking away?)
Why do you play these games? (Hang on, why do you play these games?)
[Outro]
Da da da dee dee da (Hang on to your love)
Da da da dee dee da
Da da da dee dee da (Hang on to your love)
Da da da dee dee da
Da da da dee dee da (Hang on to your love)
Meet Me In Montauk 
I’m sure I would have the same experience you did if I were to listen to this album today, as it was a go-to staple through my high school and college years – particularly if I was in or wanted to create a mellow or romantic mood.
Always love to hear this music ❤️
Love this album. It’s been too long since I listened to it.