imported>George Ho: /* Composition and lyrics */ for mobile viewing

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Composition and lyrics: for mobile viewing

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{{short description|1984 single by Sade}}
{{About|the song by Sade||Smooth operator (disambiguation)}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2011}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Smooth Operator
| cover = Sade - Smooth Operator.png
| alt =
| border = yes
| type = single
| artist = [[Sade (band)|Sade]]
| album = [[Diamond Life]]
| B-side = {{flatlist|
* "Spirit"
* "Red Eye"
}}
| released = {{Start date|1984|8|28|df=yes}}<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Music Week]]|date=25 August 1984|page=20|title=New Singles|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-UK/Music/Archive-Music-Week-IDX/IDX/1984/Music-Week-1984-08-25-IDX-20.pdf|issn=0265-1548|via=World Radio History}}</ref>
| recorded = 1983
| studio = [[Morgan Studios|Power Plant]] (London)
| genre =
* [[Quiet storm]]<ref>{{cite web|first= Eric |last= Harvey |title= The Quiet Storm |website= [[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] |url= https://pitchfork.com/features/underscore/8822-the-quiet-storm/|date= May 19, 2012|accessdate= October 11, 2022}}</ref>
* [[sophisti-pop]]<ref>{{cite web |date=2011-09-04 |title=Sophisti-Pop - The Bluffer's Guide |url=http://www.stylusmagazine.com/articles/bluffer/sophisti-pop.htm |website=[[Stylus Magazine]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110904011326/http://www.stylusmagazine.com/articles/bluffer/sophisti-pop.htm |archive-date=2011-09-04 |access-date=2019-12-07}}</ref>
* [[bossa nova]]<ref>{{cite book|first= Jim |last= Harrington |editor-first= Robert |editor-last= Dimery |year= 2005 |title= [[1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die]] |chapter= Sade - Diamond Life |publisher= [[Cassell (publisher)|Cassell Illustrated]] |location= London |page= 518}}</ref>
* [[smooth jazz]]<ref name= "Pitchfork Staff 2018">{{cite web|last= Pitchfork Staff |title= The 200 Best Albums of the 1980s |website= [[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] |date= September 10, 2018 |url= https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/the-200-best-albums-of-the-1980s/|quote= ''Diamond Life'', the group’s debut, is impeccably balanced between honeyed smooth jazz and gripping pop—as its blockbuster singles, “Smooth Operator” and “Your Love is King,” demonstrate.|accessdate= April 25, 2023}}</ref>
| length = 4:58 (album version)<br>4:15 (single version)
| label = [[Epic Records|Epic]]
| writer = * [[Sade (singer)|Sade Adu]]
* [[Ray St. John]]
| producer = [[Robin Millar]]
| prev_title = [[When Am I Going to Make a Living]]
| prev_year = 1984
| next_title = [[Hang On to Your Love]]
| next_year = 1984
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|4TYv2PhG89A|"Smooth Operator"}}}}
{{External music video|{{YouTube|C0sr0ZnUc7I|"Smooth Operator" (12″ version)}}
| header = no
}}
}}

"'''Smooth Operator'''" is a song by English band [[Sade (band)|Sade]] from their debut studio album, ''[[Diamond Life]]'' (1984), and was co-written by [[Sade (singer)|Sade Adu]] and [[Ray St. John]]. It was released as the album's third [[Single_(music)|single]] in the United Kingdom as a [[7-inch single]] with "Spirit" as its [[A-side and B-side|B-side]], and as a [[12-inch single|12-inch maxi single]] with "Smooth Operator" and "Red Eye" on side A and "Spirit" on side B. Released on 28 August 1984, it reached number 19 on the [[UK Singles Chart]].

In the United States, "Smooth Operator" was released in February 1985, serving as the album's second US single. The song became Sade's first top-10 entry in the US, peaking at number five on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] for two weeks in May 1985. It spent 13 weeks in the top 40, and also topped the ''Billboard'' [[Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks|Adult Contemporary]] chart for two weeks.

Although "[[Your Love Is King]]" remains Sade's highest-peaking single in the UK to date, "Smooth Operator" is the band's breakthrough single on the US charts, and their most successful single internationally.

==Background==
[[Ray St. John]], who co-wrote "Smooth Operator" with [[Sade (singer)|Sade Adu]], was previously a member of Adu's former band Pride, although he was not a member of the band Sade. The pair co-wrote the song in 1982 while still members of Pride, but did not get around to recording it.

==Composition and lyrics==
"Smooth Operator" is about a fashionable [[Confidence trick|con-man]] who moves within high social circles. He is popular with women and breaks many hearts. The lyrics "Coast to coast, [[Los Angeles|LA]] to [[Chicago]], western male / Across the north and south, to [[Key Largo]], love for sale"<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sade.com/lyrics/smooth-operator |title=Smooth Operator |website=Sade.com |access-date=3 March 2021}}</ref> imply that he also uses women to obtain his income. It is also clear that he does not hold sincere affection for these women, as Adu sings near the end, "his heart is cold".

The video to this song reinforces the message and the operator, played by actor [[Michael Feast]], appears to be a professional criminal. In one scene, he displays a gun to an interested customer, and in others, he appears to be a pimp. Apparently, he succeeds in evading law enforcement, who have him under surveillance. In the video, the operator cheats on Sade with a waitress of the nightclub (played by actress [[Amanda Pays]]).

As revealed in the extended version of the video, which contains the composition "Red Eye" (the next song on 12-inch single), Sade, cooperating with the police, hides behind the nightclub equipment and sees the criminal return to the club. Then she bumps into a box, causing a noise, and the criminal chases after her. When the police arrive outside, he tries to escape from them from rooftop to rooftop until he is shot and then falls from a rooftop to his death. The video was directed by [[Julien Temple]], who would later cast Sade in his 1986 film musical ''Absolute Beginners''.

This song is noted for Adu's spoken recitation in the song's introduction. Some radio edits have omitted the spoken introduction and proceeded with the opening sung line of the title of the album, "Diamond Life". Some radio edits have shortened the instrumental saxophone solo, as well as the first repeat of the lines that come after the chorus portions.

The song's sheet music is in the key of [[D minor]] ([[D (musical note)|D]] [[Dorian mode|dorian]] for the intro).<ref>[https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0041568 Smooth Operator]</ref>

==Reception==
Tanya Rena Jefferson of [[AXS (company)|AXS]] stated: "The warm tonal voice of Sade sings about a smooth operator con artist lover boy. 'Smooth Operator' reached number 1 on the ''Billboard Adult Contemporary'' charts in 1985."<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.axs.com/sade-s-10-best-songs-47376 |title=Sade's 10 best songs |last=Jefferson |first=Tanya Rena |date=2015-04-02 |publisher=[[AXS (company)|AXS]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190620205657/https://www.axs.com/sade-s-10-best-songs-47376 |archive-date=2019-06-20 |access-date=2019-12-07}}</ref> Sophie Heawood of ''[[The Guardian]]'' commented: "Arguably the band's signature single, the accuracy with which its suave music, complete with sax solo, conveyed the business-class lifestyle of its subject set the tone for how they would be perceived over their entire career. As a credo, 'We move in space with minimum waste and maximum joy' remains revelatory."<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/mar/13/why-sade-bigger-adele-us |title=Why Sade is bigger in the US than Adele |last=Heawood |first=Sophie |date=2012-03-13 |work=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=2019-12-07 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190620205657/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/mar/13/why-sade-bigger-adele-us |archive-date=2019-06-20}}</ref> Frank Guan of ''[[Vulture magazine|Vulture]]'' commented: "Along with an ace lead saxophone and winding bass line, the secret to success for Sade's biggest early hit is hiding in plain sight: the heartless playboy traversing cities and continents in search of pleasure that she narrates serves as an allegory for Global Capitalism, but also for herself: her international range and her voice – every time she croons 'smooth operator', there's a measure of self-reference. Her amoral protagonist's villainy is rendered in such lovely phrases that the listener can't help but be seduced."<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.vulture.com/2017/10/all-73-sade-songs-ranked-from-worst-to-best.html |title=All 73 Sade Songs, Ranked From Worst to Best |last=Guan |first=Frank |date=2017-10-26 |website=Vulture |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621131007/https://www.vulture.com/2017/10/all-73-sade-songs-ranked-from-worst-to-best.html |archive-date=2019-06-21 |access-date=2019-12-07}}</ref>

The song became associated with Spanish Formula One driver, [[Carlos Sainz, Jr.]] who often sang the song during his post-race radio celebrations, a tradition that dated back at the [[2019 Hungarian Grand Prix]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/sainz-explains-his-smooth-operator-mclaren-f1-team-radio-messages-4984744/4984744/|title=Sainz explains his "Smooth Operator" McLaren F1 team radio messages|date=25 December 2019|access-date=14 January 2025|work=[[Autosport]]|last=Karpov|first=Oleg|last2=Benyon|first2=Jack|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901173550/https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/sainz-explains-his-smooth-operator-mclaren-f1-team-radio-messages-4984744/4984744/|archive-date=1 September 2024|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/sports/motor-sports/ferraris-sainz-wins-singapore-end-red-bulls-run-2023-09-17/|title='Smooth operator' Sainz ends Red Bull's winning streak|date=17 September 2023|access-date=14 January 2025|work=[[Reuters]]|last=Westbrook|first=Tom|last2=Baldwin|first2=Alan|editor-last=Ferris|editor-first=Ken|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921132944/https://www.reuters.com/sports/motor-sports/ferraris-sainz-wins-singapore-end-red-bulls-run-2023-09-17/|archive-date=21 September 2023|url-status=live|location=[[Singapore]]}}</ref>

The song also became associated with [[Professional wrestling|professional wrestler]] [[Pentagón Jr.|Penta]] during his time in [[WWE]] after [[Twitter|X]] user @HaangEmHiigh edited the song over Penta performing his signature walk.<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1911959249498112164 |user=HaangEmHiigh |title=NO NEED TO ASK HE'S A SMOOOOOOOTH OPERATOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOR #WWERaw |date=15 April 2025 |access-date=13 May 2025}}</ref> The trend became popular on X and [[TikTok]], and was acknowledged by fellow WWE wrestler [[Big E (wrestler)|Big E]] during the [[Backlash (2025)|Backlash]] [[List of WWE pay-per-view and livestreaming supercards|event]] countdown show.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Joest |first=Mick |date=11 May 2025 |title=WWE's Big E Shouted Out The Awesome Penta Meme During Backlash, And I Really Hope The Viral Trend Sparks One Change |url=https://www.cinemablend.com/wrestling/wwe-big-e-shouted-out-awesome-penta-meme-during-backlash-i-hope-viral-trend-sparks-change |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250513030213/https://www.cinemablend.com/wrestling/wwe-big-e-shouted-out-awesome-penta-meme-during-backlash-i-hope-viral-trend-sparks-change |archive-date=13 May 2025 |access-date=13 May 2025 |website=Cinemablend |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/live/yyMOn6VyMbk?feature=shared&t=6220 |title=Countdown to WWE Backlash: May 10, 2025 |date=10 May 2025 |last=[[WWE]] |language=en |access-date=13 May 2025 |via=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>

==Track listings==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
*'''UK, US, Dutch, and Australian 7-inch single'''
:A. "Smooth Operator" – 4:15
:B. "Spirit" – 5:28
{{col-2}}
*'''UK, US, Canadian, Dutch, and Japanese 12-inch maxi single'''
:A1. "Smooth Operator" – 5:25
:A2. "Red Eye" – 3:18
:B. "Spirit" – 5:28
{{col-end}}

==Charts==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}

===Weekly charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ 1984–1985 weekly chart performance for "Smooth Operator"
! scope="col"| Chart (1984–1985)
! scope="col"| Peak<br />position
|-
! scope="row"| Australia ([[Kent Music Report]])<ref>{{cite book |last=Kent |first=David |author-link=David Kent (historian) |title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 |edition=illustrated |location=St Ives, N.S.W. |publisher=Australian Chart Book |year=1993 |page=263 |isbn=0-646-11917-6}}</ref>
| 20
|-
{{single chart|Austria|12|artist=Sade|song=Smooth Operator|rowheader=true|access-date=3 October 2019}}
|-
{{single chart|Flanders|19|artist=Sade|song=Smooth Operator|rowheader=true|access-date=3 October 2019}}
|-
{{single chart|Canadatopsingles|5|chartid=0536|rowheader=true|access-date=25 February 2019}}
|-
{{single chart|Canadaadultcontemporary|5|chartid=8332|rowheader=true|access-date=3 October 2019}}
|-
! scope="row"| Europe ([[European Hot 100 Singles|European Top 100 Singles]])<ref>{{cite magazine |title=European Top 100 Singles |magazine=[[Music & Media|Eurotipsheet]] |volume=1 |issue=31 |date=29 October 1984 |page=4 |oclc=29800226}}</ref>
| 7
|-
{{single chart|France|9|artist=Sade|song=Smooth Operator|rowheader=true|access-date=3 October 2019}}
|-
{{single chart|Ireland2|17|song=Smooth Operator|rowheader=true|access-date=3 October 2019}}
|-
! scope="row"| Italy (''[[Musica e dischi]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.musicaedischi.it/classifiche_archivio.php |title=Classifiche |magazine=[[Musica e dischi]] |language=it |access-date=2 June 2022}} ''Select "Singoli" in the "Tipo" field, type "Sade" in the "Artista" field and press "cerca".''</ref>
| 16
|-
{{single chart|Dutch40|19|artist=Sade|rowheader=true|access-date=3 October 2019}}
|-
{{single chart|Dutch100|12|artist=Sade|song=Smooth Operator|rowheader=true|access-date=3 October 2019}}
|-
{{single chart|New Zealand|22|artist=Sade|song=Smooth Operator|rowheader=true|access-date=3 October 2019}}
|-
! scope="row"| South Africa ([[Springbok Radio]])<ref>{{cite web |last=Currin |first=Brian |url=http://rock.co.za/files/springbok_top_20_(S).html |title=SA Charts 1965–1989 (As presented on Springbok Radio/Radio Orion) – Acts S |website=The South African Rock Encyclopedia |access-date=11 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011005536/http://www.rock.co.za/files/springbok_top_20_%28S%29.html |archive-date=11 October 2016}}</ref>
| 6
|-
{{single chart|Switzerland|14|artist=Sade|song=Smooth Operator|rowheader=true|access-date=3 October 2019}}
|-
{{single chart|UKsinglesbyname|19|artist=Sade|artistid=21427|rowheader=true|access-date=28 December 2017}}
|-
{{single chart|Billboardhot100|5|artist=Sade|rowheader=true|access-date=3 October 2019}}
|-
{{single chart|Billboardadultcontemporary|1|artist=Sade|rowheader=true|access-date=3 October 2019}}
|-
{{single chart|Billboarddanceclubplay|11|artist=Sade|rowheader=true|access-date=3 October 2019}}
|-
{{single chart|Billboardrandbhiphop|5|artist=Sade|rowheader=true|access-date=3 October 2019}}
|-
! scope="row"| US ''[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cash Box]]'' Top 100 Singles<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/19850601.html |title=Cash Box Top 100 Singles – Week ending June 1, 1985 |magazine=[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cash Box]] |access-date=3 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190316050953/http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/19850601.html |archive-date=16 March 2019}}</ref>
| 6
|-
! scope="row"| US Top 100 Black Contemporary Singles (''[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cash Box]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://cashboxmagazine.com/archives-r/80s_files/19850518R.html |title=The Cash Box Top 100 Black Contemporary – Week ending May 18, 1985 |magazine=[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cash Box]] |access-date=24 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210129045418/https://cashboxmagazine.com/archives-r/80s_files/19850518R.html |archive-date=29 January 2021}}</ref>
| 6
|-
{{single chart|West Germany|11|songid=1174|artist=Sade|song=Smooth Operator|rowheader=true|access-date=3 October 2019}}
|}

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ 2023 weekly chart performance for "Smooth Operator"
! scope="col"| Chart (2023)
! scope="col"| Peak<br />position
|-
! scope="row"| Greece International ([[IFPI Greece|IFPI]])<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ifpi.gr/digital_iel.html |title=Official IFPI Charts – Digital Singles Chart (International) – Week: 26/2023 |publisher=[[IFPI Greece]] |access-date=5 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705131941/https://www.ifpi.gr/digital_iel.html |archive-date=5 July 2023}}</ref>
| 66
|-
! scope="row"| Lithuania ([[AGATA (organization)|AGATA]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.agata.lt/lt/naujienos/s24-2/|title=2023 24-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)|publisher=[[AGATA (organization)|AGATA]]|language=lt|date=16 June 2023|access-date=16 June 2023}}</ref>
| 47
|}
{{col-2}}

===Year-end charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Year-end chart performance for "Smooth Operator"
! scope="col"| Chart (1985)
! scope="col"| Position
|-
! scope="row"| Canada Top Singles (''RPM'')<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.0619&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.0619.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.0619 |title=RPM's Top 100 Singles of 1985 |magazine=RPM |volume=43 |issue=16 |date=28 December 1985 |issn=0033-7064 |via=Library and Archives Canada |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402041222/http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.0619&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.0619.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.0619 |archive-date=2 April 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| 71
|-
! scope="row"| US [[Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1985|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1985/hot-100-songs |title=Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 1985 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=3 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003025828/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1985/hot-100-songs |archive-date=3 October 2019}}</ref>
| 62
|-
! scope="row"| US Adult Contemporary (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1985/adult-contemporary-songs |title=Adult Contemporary Songs – Year-End 1985 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=3 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191207144902/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1985/adult-contemporary-songs |archive-date=7 December 2019}}</ref>
| 10
|-
! scope="row"| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1985/hot-r-and-and-b-hip-hop-songs |title=Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 1985 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=3 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831184817/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1985/hot-r-and-and-b-hip-hop-songs |archive-date=31 August 2018}}</ref>
| 32
|-
! scope="row"| US ''Cash Box'' Top 100 Singles<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/1985YESP.html |title=The Cash Box Year-End Charts: 1985 – Top 100 Pop Singles |magazine=[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cash Box]] |date=28 December 1985 |access-date=3 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190326081321/http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/1985YESP.html |archive-date=26 March 2019}}</ref>
| 57
|-
! scope="row"| US Top 100 Black Contemporary Singles (''Cash Box'')<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://cashboxmagazine.com/archives-r/80s_files/1985YESR.html |title=The Cash Box Year-End Charts: 1985 – Top 50 Black Contemporary Singles |magazine=[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cash Box]] |date=28 December 1985 |access-date=2 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220526170617/https://cashboxmagazine.com/archives-r/80s_files/1985YESR.html |archive-date=26 May 2022}}</ref>
| 21
|}
{{col-end}}

==Certifications==
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "Smooth Operator"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|artist=Sade|title=Smooth Operator|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=1984|certyear=2024|id=14722|access-date=4 December 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|artist=Sade|title=Smooth Operator|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=1984|certyear=2025|access-date=6 February 2025}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|artist=Sade|title=Smooth Operator|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=1984|certyear=2023|id=11184|note=sales since 2009|access-date=1 August 2023}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=single|artist=Sade|title=Smooth Operator|award=Platinum|certyear=2023|source=radioscope|access-date=19 January 2025}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Sade|title=Smooth Operator|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=2004|certyear=2024|id=16101-1537-1|access-date=19 August 2024}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|noshipments=true|streaming=true}}

==See also==
* [[List of number-one adult contemporary singles of 1985 (U.S.)]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Sade}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1980s ballads]]
[[Category:1984 singles]]
[[Category:1984 songs]]
[[Category:Epic Records singles]]
[[Category:Music videos directed by Julien Temple]]
[[Category:Portrait Records singles]]
[[Category:Sade (band) songs]]
[[Category:Songs about prostitutes]]
[[Category:Songs written by Ray St. John]]
[[Category:Songs written by Sade (singer)]]

Smooth Operator - Revision history

imported>George Ho: /* Composition and lyrics */ for mobile viewing