Smooth Operator

by Sade
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How to Play This Song

Learn a simple version, phrase by phrase: the melody, then easy chords.

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Sing this song instead — backing track for “Smooth Operator”
Backing track + lyrics — toggle the vocal, change the key, practice singing over piano.

Other arrangements of Smooth Operator

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Lyrics

He’s (Dm7)laugh ing with an oth er girl and play ing

with an (Dm7)oth er heart;

(Dm7)plac ing high stakes, mak ing hearts ache.

He’s (Dm7)loved in sev en lan guag es.

Dia mond nights and ru by lights

high in the sky,

heav en help him

when he falls.

(Dm7)Dia mond life,

(Dm7)lov er boy,

he (Dm7)move in space with (Gm7)min i mum waste and (Dm7)max i mum joy.

(Dm7)Cit y lights

and (Dm7)busi ness nights,

when (Dm7)you re quire street (Gm7)car de sire for (Dm7)high er heights.

No place for be (Am7)gin ners or sen si tive (Dm7)hearts,

when sen ti (Am7)ment ’ries is left in to (Dm7)chance,

no place to be (Am7)end ing but some where to (Dm7)start.

No need to ask he’s a (Dm7)smooth op er (Am7)a tor,

(Dm7)smooth

(Am7)op er (Gm7)a tor,

(Dm7)smooth op er (Am7)a tor,

(Dm7)smooth

(Am7)op er (Gm7)a tor.

(Dm7)Coast to coast, L.

A.

to Chi (Am7)ca go, (Dm7)west ern male.

A (Dm7)cross the north and south to Key (Am7)Lar go, (Dm7)love for sale.

(Dm7)Face to face

each (Dm7)clas sic case,

we (Dm7)shad ow box and (Gm7)dou ble cross yet (Dm7)need the chase.

A li cence to (Am7)love, ners in sur ance to (Dm7)hold,

melt all your (Am7)mem ’ries and change in to (Dm7)gold,

his eyes are like (Am7)an gels but his heart is (Dm7)cold.

No need to ask he’s a (Dm7)smooth op er (Am7)a tor,

(Dm7)smooth

(Am7)op er (Gm7)a tor,

(Dm7)smooth op er (Am7)a tor,

(Dm7)smooth

(Am7)op er (Gm7)a tor.

(Dm7)Coast to coast, L.

A.

to Chi (Am7)ca go, (Dm7)west ern male.

A (Dm7)cross the north and south to Key (Am7)Lar go, (Dm7)love for sale.

(Dm7)love for sale.

Smooth Operator — Karaoke: Lyrics & Chords to Sing & Play Along

94 people have learned this song

Free karaoke for "Smooth Operator" by Sade: lyrics on screen with the chords above each line and a bouncing ball that lands on every word in time. Sing along, or play along on guitar or piano from the chord chart. Change the key to fit your voice, slow the tempo down. Key of C, 110 BPM.

Tip: Use the speed control to practice at 70% tempo first. Focus on tricky chord transitions before attempting the full arrangement.

About “Smooth Operator”

What key is "Smooth Operator" by Sade played in?
Smooth Operator is arranged in the key of C on Super Simple Piano. You can transpose to any other key live in the player.
What's the tempo (BPM) of "Smooth Operator"?
The arrangement plays at 110 BPM. Use the speed control (10-200%) to practice slower or play faster.
Is "Smooth Operator" easy to play on piano?
This is a medium-difficulty arrangement. Most players can learn it within a few practice sessions using the speed control.
Can I download sheet music for "Smooth Operator"?
Yes — registered users can download PDF sheet music, plus MIDI and MusicXML files for use in other notation software.
Who composed "Smooth Operator"?
"Smooth Operator" was originally performed by Sade. The Super Simple Piano arrangement is simplified for beginner-to-intermediate players.
What chords are used in "Smooth Operator"?
This arrangement uses 6 chords: Am7, Dm7, Em7, G, Gm7, Gsus4.
What other songs by Sade can I play here?
Try "NO ORDINARY LOVE", "THE SWEETEST TABOO", "BY YOUR SIDE". All are in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.
Is there a karaoke version of "Smooth Operator" with lyrics?
Yes — this is a free karaoke slide for "Smooth Operator" by Sade. The lyrics appear on screen a line at a time and each word lights up exactly when it's sung, with a bouncing ball leading you word to word. A backing plays underneath so you can just sing.
Does it show chords so I can play along on guitar or piano?
It does — a chord symbol sits on a thin row just above the lyric it changes on, so the same screen doubles as a lyrics-and-chords chart. Guitarists can strum the changes and pianists can comp while singing; the chords are colour-coded and move with the live transpose if you change key.
Can I change the key of "Smooth Operator" to match my voice or capo?
Yes. The original is in C, but the live transpose control shifts the whole song up or down semitones until the melody sits in your range (or maps to an easier guitar shape / capo position) — the on-screen chords and the backing move with it.
Can I slow "Smooth Operator" down to learn the words and chords?
Yes — the tempo control lets you take it as slow as you need while the lyrics still light up in time and the ball keeps you on the beat. Speed it back up once you can sing and play it through.