Move in space with minimum waste and maximum joy.
I only make records when I feel I have something to say. I’m not interested in releasing music just for the sake of selling something. Sade is not a brand.
Once a song’s out there, it’s no longer mine. And that’s the whole purpose of music: to belong to people.
I think you only really feel like an outsider if you’ve been an insider.
I just aspire to pick people up. That’s my ambition.
Whatever I’m doing, I’m in that moment and I’m doing it. The rest of the world’s lost. If I’m cooking some food or making soup, I want it to be lovely. If not, what’s the point of doing it?
I always said that if I could just find a guy who could chop wood and had a nice smile, it wouldn’t bother me if he was a thug or an aristocrat, as long as he was a good guy. And I’ve ended up with an educated thug.
When I go into the studio, I completely detach. I let my emotions come out.
My musical career was an accident.
If you’re only making an album every 10 years, it better be good.
People generally let me be me. People are aware that I’m not someone particularly begging for attention. They hold back a bit with me.
I don’t like looking outrageous.
The anxiety I feel when I’m late is nothing like the anxiety I feel when I’m on time.
From being at art college, I’ve always hated people that have the gall to think that they’re being incredibly different when they’re doing something in a very acceptable way, something safe that they’ve seen someone else doing.
I have no technical training and am completely uneducated in music.
To be a mother you must be strong. Even if you don’t feel it, you have to pretend.
I’ve made sacrifices. I’m not anti-fashion but I’ve always had a bit of a punk attitude. That’s important, I think. I do my own thing.
I’m not over the top; I’m not wacky. I’m fairly understated, and that reflects in the way I sing.
What could equal the bliss? / The thrill of the first kiss / It’ll blow right to you / It’s never as good as the first time.
All the cliches of glamorous sophistication have little appeal to me. Do I want to live the British version of ‘Dynasty?’ No thanks!
I am fairly classless because it is very difficult to class someone who comes from a mixed marriage.
I’m not shy or reclusive. I just spend my time with people rather than journalists.
I’m uneasy with fame so I do my best to avoid places that will bring me more attention.
I always see myself as much more of a musician than a celebrity.
I am a reluctant celebrity, in some ways.
