Paradise (Sade song)
Introduction "'''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).
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.
Critical reception The song was described as "swaggering" and "sinewy" by Lloyd Bradley of BBC Music. 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." 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." 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."
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''':A. "Paradise" (remix) – 3:35:B. "Paradise" (instrumental) – 4:00* '''12-inch single''':A. "Paradise" (extended remix) – 5:33:B1. "Paradise" (extended instrumental) – 4:01:B2. "Paradise" (extra beats) – 2:11* '''UK and European CD single'''#"Paradise" (extended version) – 5:30#"Hang On to Your Love" (US remix) – 5:13#"Keep Hangin' On" (live) – 2:59#"Paradise" (instrumental) – 4:02* '''US mini CD single'''#"Paradise" (remix) – 3:35#"Super Bien Total" – 4:03* '''Japanese mini CD single'''#"Paradise" (remix) – 3:39#"Paradise" (instrumental) – 4:03
Charts ===Weekly charts===+ Weekly chart performance for "Paradise" Chart (1988) Peakposition Australia (ARIA) 86 Canada Top Singles (''RPM'') 18 Canada Adult Contemporary (''RPM'') 1 Finland (Suomen virallinen lista) 28 Italy (''Musica e dischi'') 19 US ''Cash Box'' Top 100 20 US Top Black Contemporary Singles (''Cash Box'') 1===Year-end charts===+ Year-end chart performance for "Paradise" Chart (1988) Position US Adult Contemporary (''Billboard'') 43 US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (''Billboard'') 41 US Top Black Contemporary Singles (''Cash Box'') 12
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