"Smooth Operator" is the lead single released from
Big Daddy Kane's second album, ''
It's a Big Daddy Thing''. Arguably one of Big Daddy Kane's most popular songs, the song topped the newly formed ''Billboard''
Hot Rap Singles chart and was a hit on the R&B and dance charts, peaking at number 11 and 17 on the charts respectively. Actor and comedian
Chris Rock
Christopher Julius Rock (born February 7, 1965) is an American stand-up comedian, actor, and filmmaker. Known for his work in comic film, television and stage, he has received multiple accolades, including three Grammy Awards for best comedy ...
appears in the music video getting his hair cut. He appears 2 minutes, and 23 seconds into the video.
Samples
The song contains samples of "
All Night Long" by
Mary Jane Girls, "Do Your Thing" by
Isaac Hayes
Isaac Lee Hayes Jr. (August 20, 1942 – August 10, 2008) was an American singer, actor, songwriter, and composer. He was one of the creative forces behind the Southern soul music label Stax Records, where he served both as an in-house songw ...
from his
soundtrack
A soundtrack is recorded music accompanying and synchronised to the images of a motion picture, drama, book, television program, radio program, or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack o ...
to the film ''
Shaft
Shaft may refer to:
Rotating machine elements
* Shaft (mechanical engineering), a rotating machine element used to transmit power
* Line shaft, a power transmission system
* Drive shaft, a shaft for transferring torque
* Axle, a shaft around whi ...
'' (1971),
"
Sexual Healing" and "
Let's Get It On" by
Marvin Gaye
Marvin Pentz Gay Jr., who also spelled his surname as Gaye (April 2, 1939 – April 1, 1984), was an American singer and songwriter. He helped to shape the sound of Motown (music style), Motown in the 1960s, first as an in-house session player ...
, "
The Champ" by
The Mohawks, and "
Impeach the President" by
the Honey Drippers.
Single track listing
A-Side
#"Smooth Operator" – 4:42
#"Smooth Operator" (Instrumental) – 4:40
B-Side
#"Warm It Up, Kane" – 4:12
#"Warm It Up, Kane" (Instrumental) – 4:12
Charts
Weekly charts
References
1989 singles
Big Daddy Kane songs
1989 songs
Warner Records singles
Songs written by Big Daddy Kane
Cold Chillin' Records singles
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