ChordSongs
Jazz, Pop

Smooth Operator Chords

Sade Intermediate Key of A 5 Chords 2 min read
Amtap to play
Dmtap to play
Gtap to play
Ctap to play
Emtap to play
Key
A Major
Difficulty
Intermediate
Capo
None
Chords
Am · Dm · G · C · Em

Sade’s smooth jazz-pop classic about a charming but elusive lover. Intermediate difficulty in the key of A.

Smooth Groove (4/4 Time)
↓↑↓↑↑
12345678

Tip: Use a light, percussive strum and let the chords ring out to capture the cool, laid-back feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
D A Bm
Diamond life, lover boy
F#m E D
He moves in space with minimum waste and maximum joy
A Bm
City lights and business nights
F#m E D
When you require streetcar desire for higher heights
 

Chorus

 
A Bm F#m E
No place for beggars or choosers, he wants the smooth operator
A Bm
Smooth operator, smooth operator
F#m E
Smooth operator, smooth operator
 

Verse 2

 
D A Bm F#m
Coast to coast, L.A. to Chicago, western male
E D A
Across the north and south, to Key Largo, love for sale
 

Chorus

 
A Bm F#m E
No place for beggars or choosers, he wants the smooth operator
A Bm
Smooth operator, smooth operator
F#m E
Smooth operator, smooth operator
 

Bridge

 
E D
Face to face, each classic case
E D
We shadow box and double cross
E D E
Need to know the code of the road
 

Verse 3

 
D A Bm F#m
You’re the director, he’s the consumer, she’s the reasons
E D
That you make the trades
A Bm F#m E D
He comes alive, he’s playing in the movie, quiet in the shade
 

Chorus

 
A Bm F#m E
No place for beggars or choosers, he wants the smooth operator
A Bm
Smooth operator, smooth operator
F#m E
Smooth operator, smooth operator
 

Outro

 
E D
Smooth operator, smooth operator
E D
Smooth operator, smooth operator
E D
Smooth operator, smooth operator
E D
Smooth operator, smooth operator
 

Practice tip: Work on the Bm and F#m barre chords separately to build strength and speed before trying to play the whole song fluidly.

Amtap to play
Dmtap to play
Gtap to play
Ctap to play
Emtap to play
Key
A Major
Difficulty
Intermediate
Tuning
G-C-E-A
Chords
Am · Dm · G · C · Em

Sade’s smooth jazz-pop classic about a charming but elusive lover. Intermediate difficulty in the key of A.

Smooth Groove (4/4 Time)
↓↑↓↑↑
12345678

Tip: Use a light, percussive strum and let the chords ring out to capture the cool, laid-back feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
D A Bm
Diamond life, lover boy
F#m E D
He moves in space with minimum waste and maximum joy
A Bm
City lights and business nights
F#m E D
When you require streetcar desire for higher heights
 

Chorus

 
A Bm F#m E
No place for beggars or choosers, he wants the smooth operator
A Bm
Smooth operator, smooth operator
F#m E
Smooth operator, smooth operator
 

Verse 2

 
D A Bm F#m
Coast to coast, L.A. to Chicago, western male
E D A
Across the north and south, to Key Largo, love for sale
 

Chorus

 
A Bm F#m E
No place for beggars or choosers, he wants the smooth operator
A Bm
Smooth operator, smooth operator
F#m E
Smooth operator, smooth operator
 

Bridge

 
E D
Face to face, each classic case
E D
We shadow box and double cross
E D E
Need to know the code of the road
 

Verse 3

 
D A Bm F#m
You’re the director, he’s the consumer, she’s the reasons
E D
That you make the trades
A Bm F#m E D
He comes alive, he’s playing in the movie, quiet in the shade
 

Chorus

 
A Bm F#m E
No place for beggars or choosers, he wants the smooth operator
A Bm
Smooth operator, smooth operator
F#m E
Smooth operator, smooth operator
 

Outro

 
E D
Smooth operator, smooth operator
E D
Smooth operator, smooth operator
E D
Smooth operator, smooth operator
E D
Smooth operator, smooth operator
 

Practice tip: Work on the Bm and F#m barre chords separately to build strength and speed before trying to play the whole song fluidly.

Amtap to play
Dmtap to play
Gtap to play
Ctap to play
Emtap to play
Key
A Major
Difficulty
Intermediate
Left Hand
Root notes
Chords
Am · Dm · G · C · Em

Sade’s smooth jazz-pop classic about a charming but elusive lover. Intermediate difficulty in the key of A.

Smooth Groove (4/4 Time)
↓↑↓↑↑
12345678

Tip: Use a light, percussive strum and let the chords ring out to capture the cool, laid-back feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
D A Bm
Diamond life, lover boy
F#m E D
He moves in space with minimum waste and maximum joy
A Bm
City lights and business nights
F#m E D
When you require streetcar desire for higher heights
 

Chorus

 
A Bm F#m E
No place for beggars or choosers, he wants the smooth operator
A Bm
Smooth operator, smooth operator
F#m E
Smooth operator, smooth operator
 

Verse 2

 
D A Bm F#m
Coast to coast, L.A. to Chicago, western male
E D A
Across the north and south, to Key Largo, love for sale
 

Chorus

 
A Bm F#m E
No place for beggars or choosers, he wants the smooth operator
A Bm
Smooth operator, smooth operator
F#m E
Smooth operator, smooth operator
 

Bridge

 
E D
Face to face, each classic case
E D
We shadow box and double cross
E D E
Need to know the code of the road
 

Verse 3

 
D A Bm F#m
You’re the director, he’s the consumer, she’s the reasons
E D
That you make the trades
A Bm F#m E D
He comes alive, he’s playing in the movie, quiet in the shade
 

Chorus

 
A Bm F#m E
No place for beggars or choosers, he wants the smooth operator
A Bm
Smooth operator, smooth operator
F#m E
Smooth operator, smooth operator
 

Outro

 
E D
Smooth operator, smooth operator
E D
Smooth operator, smooth operator
E D
Smooth operator, smooth operator
E D
Smooth operator, smooth operator
 

Practice tip: Work on the Bm and F#m barre chords separately to build strength and speed before trying to play the whole song fluidly.

Amtap to play
Dmtap to play
Gtap to play
Ctap to play
Emtap to play
Key
A Major
Difficulty
Intermediate
Tuning
gDGBD (Open G)
Chords
Am · Dm · G · C · Em

Sade’s smooth jazz-pop classic about a charming but elusive lover. Intermediate difficulty in the key of A.

Smooth Groove (4/4 Time)
↓↑↓↑↑
12345678

Tip: Use a light, percussive strum and let the chords ring out to capture the cool, laid-back feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
D A Bm
Diamond life, lover boy
F#m E D
He moves in space with minimum waste and maximum joy
A Bm
City lights and business nights
F#m E D
When you require streetcar desire for higher heights
 

Chorus

 
A Bm F#m E
No place for beggars or choosers, he wants the smooth operator
A Bm
Smooth operator, smooth operator
F#m E
Smooth operator, smooth operator
 

Verse 2

 
D A Bm F#m
Coast to coast, L.A. to Chicago, western male
E D A
Across the north and south, to Key Largo, love for sale
 

Chorus

 
A Bm F#m E
No place for beggars or choosers, he wants the smooth operator
A Bm
Smooth operator, smooth operator
F#m E
Smooth operator, smooth operator
 

Bridge

 
E D
Face to face, each classic case
E D
We shadow box and double cross
E D E
Need to know the code of the road
 

Verse 3

 
D A Bm F#m
You’re the director, he’s the consumer, she’s the reasons
E D
That you make the trades
A Bm F#m E D
He comes alive, he’s playing in the movie, quiet in the shade
 

Chorus

 
A Bm F#m E
No place for beggars or choosers, he wants the smooth operator
A Bm
Smooth operator, smooth operator
F#m E
Smooth operator, smooth operator
 

Outro

 
E D
Smooth operator, smooth operator
E D
Smooth operator, smooth operator
E D
Smooth operator, smooth operator
E D
Smooth operator, smooth operator
 

Practice tip: Work on the Bm and F#m barre chords separately to build strength and speed before trying to play the whole song fluidly.

Amtap to play
Dmtap to play
Gtap to play
Ctap to play
Emtap to play
Key
A Major
Difficulty
Intermediate
Tuning
G-D-A-E
Chords
Am · Dm · G · C · Em

Sade’s smooth jazz-pop classic about a charming but elusive lover. Intermediate difficulty in the key of A.

Smooth Groove (4/4 Time)
↓↑↓↑↑
12345678

Tip: Use a light, percussive strum and let the chords ring out to capture the cool, laid-back feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
D A Bm
Diamond life, lover boy
F#m E D
He moves in space with minimum waste and maximum joy
A Bm
City lights and business nights
F#m E D
When you require streetcar desire for higher heights
 

Chorus

 
A Bm F#m E
No place for beggars or choosers, he wants the smooth operator
A Bm
Smooth operator, smooth operator
F#m E
Smooth operator, smooth operator
 

Verse 2

 
D A Bm F#m
Coast to coast, L.A. to Chicago, western male
E D A
Across the north and south, to Key Largo, love for sale
 

Chorus

 
A Bm F#m E
No place for beggars or choosers, he wants the smooth operator
A Bm
Smooth operator, smooth operator
F#m E
Smooth operator, smooth operator
 

Bridge

 
E D
Face to face, each classic case
E D
We shadow box and double cross
E D E
Need to know the code of the road
 

Verse 3

 
D A Bm F#m
You’re the director, he’s the consumer, she’s the reasons
E D
That you make the trades
A Bm F#m E D
He comes alive, he’s playing in the movie, quiet in the shade
 

Chorus

 
A Bm F#m E
No place for beggars or choosers, he wants the smooth operator
A Bm
Smooth operator, smooth operator
F#m E
Smooth operator, smooth operator
 

Outro

 
E D
Smooth operator, smooth operator
E D
Smooth operator, smooth operator
E D
Smooth operator, smooth operator
E D
Smooth operator, smooth operator
 

Practice tip: Work on the Bm and F#m barre chords separately to build strength and speed before trying to play the whole song fluidly.

Amtap to play
Dmtap to play
Gtap to play
Ctap to play
Emtap to play
Key
A Major
Difficulty
Intermediate
Harp Key
C Diatonic
Chords
Am · Dm · G · C · Em

Sade’s smooth jazz-pop classic about a charming but elusive lover. Intermediate difficulty in the key of A.

Smooth Groove (4/4 Time)
↓↑↓↑↑
12345678

Tip: Use a light, percussive strum and let the chords ring out to capture the cool, laid-back feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

 
D A Bm
Diamond life, lover boy
F#m E D
He moves in space with minimum waste and maximum joy
A Bm
City lights and business nights
F#m E D
When you require streetcar desire for higher heights
 

Chorus

 
A Bm F#m E
No place for beggars or choosers, he wants the smooth operator
A Bm
Smooth operator, smooth operator
F#m E
Smooth operator, smooth operator
 

Verse 2

 
D A Bm F#m
Coast to coast, L.A. to Chicago, western male
E D A
Across the north and south, to Key Largo, love for sale
 

Chorus

 
A Bm F#m E
No place for beggars or choosers, he wants the smooth operator
A Bm
Smooth operator, smooth operator
F#m E
Smooth operator, smooth operator
 

Bridge

 
E D
Face to face, each classic case
E D
We shadow box and double cross
E D E
Need to know the code of the road
 

Verse 3

 
D A Bm F#m
You’re the director, he’s the consumer, she’s the reasons
E D
That you make the trades
A Bm F#m E D
He comes alive, he’s playing in the movie, quiet in the shade
 

Chorus

 
A Bm F#m E
No place for beggars or choosers, he wants the smooth operator
A Bm
Smooth operator, smooth operator
F#m E
Smooth operator, smooth operator
 

Outro

 
E D
Smooth operator, smooth operator
E D
Smooth operator, smooth operator
E D
Smooth operator, smooth operator
E D
Smooth operator, smooth operator
 

Practice tip: Work on the Bm and F#m barre chords separately to build strength and speed before trying to play the whole song fluidly.