Sade's taboo.

It always makes me smile when songs make it on the radio, especially the light-rock, business-friendly format stations, which have lyrics or implied meanings that would surely get them banned from such stations were people actually listening rather than grooving out to the catchy tune as they typed up dictated memos. No doubt there are much more egregious examples, but one such song which comes to mind is "Sweetest Taboo" by Sade Adu. This was one of those mega-hits in the 80s, and was played over and over on MTV and lots of soft (easy-listening) music stations, be they rock, jazz, or R&B. And it's a great song. But check out the lyrics:

If I tell you
If I tell you now...
Will you keep on
Will you keep on loving me?
If I tell you
If I tell you how I feel...
Will you keep bringing out the best in me?

You give me, you give me the sweetest taboo
You give me, you're giving me the sweetest taboo
Too good for me...

There's a quiet storm
And it never felt like this before
There's a quiet storm
That is you
There's a quiet storm
And it never felt this hot before
Giving me something... that's taboo

You give me the sweetest taboo
That's why I'm in love in with you
You give me the sweetest taboo
Too good for me...

I'd do anything for you - I'd stand out in the rain
Anything you want me to do - don't let it slip away

You've got the biggest heart
Sometimes I think you're just too good for me
Every day is Christmas, and every night is New Year's Eve
Will you keep on loving me?
Will you keep on, will you keep on
Bringing out the best in me?


Now on the surface, nothing too risqué here. In fact it's a very sweet song, telling her beau how much he means to her. But wait... a few key phrases give the game away. What exactly is the taboo? It's never felt this good before? Or hot before? And then there's that quiet storm, building to a crescendo presumably, and she specifically says it's because of him.

Now, you could go PG-13 on me and explain this all away as metaphor, but it seems to me she's talking about a very specific act. After all, in this day and age of porn all over the 'Net, nevermind the more-conservative (in ways) 1980s, what is one sex act that is still somewhat "taboo" - uncomfortable to talk about? And it just so happens to build like a quiet storm (then into a not-so-quiet one, if you're following me here). According to the song, she's had it before but never like that or as hot. And she views it as him being "good to her." Because, as it happens, not many guys enjoy what she's talking about all that much, despite what they'll say beforehand.

And then there's don't let it slip away. That could be innocent too, but in the context...

So... am I way out on a limb here or is the "taboo" Sade's receiving from this unknown Lothario a subject that is probably inappropriate for easy listening stations to be broadcasting to Dilbertville? It doesn't bother me one bit of course, I love it (the subterfuge, you pervs). And I could listen to her sexy voice 25 hours a day (please, please, Sade, put out another album soon!). I just also love situations where artists get one over on the suits that run big conservative businesses. In fact, you could say I eat it up.