From the futuristic, dark cover art to the usage of strong guitar licks, haunting string arrangements, delicate guitar chords and contemplative lyrics, Sade’s “Soldier of Love” is worth the 10 year wait. Earlier Sade albums have always touched on storytelling of a particular down and out/slice of life style including “Maureen” and “Tar Baby” or featured various social injustices in songs like, “Immigrant” and “Pearls” but, were always remembered by passionate and lush love songs like, “Paradise”, “I Couldn’t Love You More”, “Kiss of Life” and “The Sweetest Taboo”.
The lyrics in “Soldier of Love” are raw, honest, melancholic and deep, mainly focusing on love gone and the wounded heart. However throughout the entire album there is a sense of optimism and hope especially with the title track, “Soldier of Love”. There is a sense that Sade is looking over the horizon licking her war wounds but, keeping the fire alive of a hopeful future.
Since it’s been a 10 year wait from such an iconic artist I felt like each of the 10 songs on “Soldier Of Love” needed to be broken down:
1. “The Moon And The Sky” is the opening track setting the tone both musically and lyrically. With lyrics like, “You’ll always know the reason why we couldn’t have the moon and the stars”, shows a reflective and yearning side of Sade singing her heart out thus, creating a powerful opener. The lush arrangement combined with the eery constant guitar chords have the song building alongside a steady mid tempo beat. Great opening track!
2. “Soldier Of Love” is the title track and first single which has been heard now for a couple of months along with the vivid cover art and dramatic music video. I think this is one of the most powerful songs ever come out of the Sade camp especially when you hear the staccato soldier drums, aggressive electric guitar and Sade singing the final refrain, “…still waiting for love to come, turn it all around,” over and over again. An overall tone is set for the entire album paralleling a soldier’s endurance to withstand an unending war but, still marching ahead, wounded yet strong. Watch the music video for “Soldier Of Love” below:
3. “Morning Bird” brings the tempo down to a beautiful string arrangement and piano composition yet still keeps a trace of underlying, fast paced drum rhythms. If “Soldier Of Love” were a soundtrack to a film, this could easily be the song that preludes the number, “Soldier Of Love”. The most impactful line has to be, “If you set me free, I won’t run”.
4. “Babyfather” tells a story like only Sade can do in such a sweet harmonious manner featuring a reggae groove, male Jamaican vocalist and a children’s choir, singing, “Your Daddy don’t come with lifetime guarantee”. This may be the most beautiful song on the album!
5. “Long Hard Road” features once again Sade’s yearning voice over a steady acoustic guitar alongside a string arrangement that is haunting. With lyrics like, “It’s a long road ahead” has the listener feeling the cold chill of loneliness but, the overall message is to keep moving on. There is an assurance of hope with the lyrics sung over and over, “it’s gonna be alright”.
6. “Be That Easy” is a little gem in the middle of the album showcasing a twangy guitar arrangement sounding as if it was recorded on the Lone Peak Wilderness. Favorite line: “I could’ve been fallin’ free, fallin’ all of these years, now it’s easier for me to see.”
7. “Bring Me Home” has a steady driving beat with contemplative lyrics which state, “…I know nothing, so bring me home”. The song implies a long hard life experienced by its protagonist, sung effectively by Sade. “Bring Me Home” is perhaps a cry to the skies above about surrendering completely to life. Once again this track brings the theme of “Soldier Of Love” back to the listener’s vision.
8. “In Another Time” has Sade consoling the receiver of this beautiful song sharing that “in another time girl and in another place, your tears won’t leave a trace”. Such carefully constructed lyrics pair perfectly well with the gorgeous arrangement. Listen for the violins, sax and piano arrangement…simply breathtaking!
9. “Skin” is the one song that conjures up earlier Sade material that feature a heavy bass and infectious R&B hook. But, it’s the lyrics that leave an impression of sadness yet a feeling of moving on as Sade sings, “now as I begin to wash you off my skin, I’m gonna peel you away, cuz you’re not right within.” Sade lovers will appreciate the sexy groove and newbies will relate to the bittersweet lyrics.
10. “The Safest Place” closes “Soldier Of Love” as an ode to protecting one’s heart creating an image that no one has the power to destroy the walls that protect one’s heart. The blatant parallels to a soldier who fights in war show that the human spirit is the strongest soldier of all.
Download “Soldier Of Love”
