Babyfather (song)
"Babyfather" | ||||
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Single by Sade | ||||
from the album Soldier of Love | ||||
Released | 13 April 2010[1] | |||
Recorded | 2009 | |||
Genre | Reggae fusion | |||
Length | 4:40 | |||
Label | Sony | |||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) | Sade Adu | |||
Sade singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Babyfather" on YouTube |
"Babyfather" is the second single from English band
Background and writing
In this reggae-flavoured song, Adu sings of a male figure who can be the father of a woman's child and a strong male role model, without necessarily being a lifemate.[5] Frontwoman Sade Adu told People that "Babyfather," is "about how great it is to be a parent, what a great honor and privilege that is, and what a terrible thing that is to waste. As long as you feel good about yourself, you can be a good parent, and then it becomes an endless fruitful cycle". As for the sound of the new song, "I wanted it to sound quite rough and scrappy, not too honed," says the Grammy-winning singer, 51. "The beginning," says Sade, "feels like the ice cream van coming down the street".[6]
Thirteen years old at the time, Sade Adu's child sang backing vocals on the track, along with Clay, the teenage son of veteran Sade band-member Stuart Matthewman, who co-wrote the song.[7][2] Sade’s child later transitioned to male and took the name Izaak.[8]
Reception
A preview of the song was teased online by People in late January 2010, before the album was released.
Music video
The music video, which featured people wearing bright-coloured outfits, is directed by Sophie Muller, who also photographed and designed the single's cover art. It premiered on 4 May 2010 and featured frontwoman Adu as a home-maker who is doing daily chores from cooking to washing dishes and laundry.[4][11]
Promotion
The band performed the song on many
Charts
Chart (2010) | Peak position |
---|---|
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[13] | 53 |
US | 10 |
References
- ^ "Urban AC – Week Of: April 13, 2010". Radio & Records. Archived from the original on 15 June 2012. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
- ^ a b "SADE'S 'BABYFATHER': AN ODE TO HER DAUGHTER ILA". Bckonline.com. 30 April 2010. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
- ^ "Soldier of Love – Sade". Sade. 27 April 2010. Archived from the original on 2 May 2010. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
- ^ a b ""Babyfather" music video". 947thewave.radio.com. 4 May 2010. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
- ^ Babyfather by Sade - Songfacts Songfacts.com Accessed on May 2010
- ^ a b First Listen: Sade's New Song - Music News, Sade. People.com, Accessed on May 2010
- ^ Pareles, Jon (5 February 2010). "A Reluctant Return to the Spotlight". The New York Times. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
- ^ Janes, DeAnna (27 September 2019). "Sade's Transgender Son Thanked His "Mumma" for Her Support in the Sweetest Post". Oprah Daily. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
- ^ Nissim, Mayer (7 June 2010). "Sade: 'Babyfather'". Digitalspy.com. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
- ^ Guan, Frank (26 October 2017). "All 73 Sade Songs, Ranked From Worst to Best". Vulture.com. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
- ^ "A look at Sade's new video "Babyfather"". WSJ. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
- ^ "It's Sade's Flowery "Babyfather" Cover Art". Idolator.com. 28 April 2010. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
- ^ "Sade Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "Sade Chart History (Smooth Jazz Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 8 June 2022.