Enigma - Sadeness (legendado)
The song "Sadeness (Part I)" is a landmark single by the musical project Enigma, created by German-Romanian producer Michael Cretu. It was released on October 15, 1990 as the first single from Enigma's debut album "MCMXC a.D." (1990).
Origin and concept:
Inspiration by the Marquis de Sade: The title of the song "Sadeness" (and not "Sadness" – "sadness" in English) is a direct reference to the French nobleman Marquis de Sade, whose writings and lifestyle became the source of the term "sadism". The song "questions" the sexual desires of the Marquis de Sade and, more broadly, explores the duality of human nature: good and evil, religion and sexuality, the spiritual and the carnal.
Michael Cretu's idea: Michael Cretu himself recalled that the idea for the song came after watching a French TV show about the Marquis de Sade. He wanted to create something that was cultural, hip, and completely new in sound, so that people couldn't identify its origins.
Genre Mixing: "Sadeness (Part I)" became famous for its revolutionary genre mixing at the time. It combined:
Gregorian Chants: The song featured samples of actual Gregorian chants (in Latin), which gave it a mystical, "churchy" atmosphere. For example, the Latin lines include "Procedamus in pace. In nomine Christi, Amen" (Let us walk in peace. In the name of Christ, Amen).
Electronic beats and dance rhythms: This was a new, "chill-out" dance beat that contrasted with the ancient chants.
Pan's Flute: The melodic part of the Pan's Flute (or a synthesizer that imitated it) added a "new age" sound.
Sensual Female whispers: The female vocals performed by Cretu's wife, Sandra Cretu, consisted of sensual whispers in French, which enhanced the erotic overtones. The French lines include "Sade, dit moi Sade. Qu'est ce que tu vas chercher?" (Garden, tell me, Garden. What are you looking for?).
Record and success:
Fast rise: "Sadeness (Part I)" became one of the fastest selling No. 1 hits in the history of the German music industry. Kretu recalled: "The single was sold out immediately and the record company could not keep up with the demand".
Global success: The song topped charts in many European countries, including the UK, Italy, Spain, France, Switzerland, and also reached the top 5 in the US (Billboard Hot 100). It has sold over 5 million copies worldwide.
The novelty of the sound: "Sadeness" was perceived as something completely new and unique, blending antiquity with modernity, spirituality with sensuality. This has sparked much discussion and even some controversy due to its explicit sexual connotations and blending with religious themes.
Music video:
The accompanying music video was directed by Michel Guimbard. It depicts a scribe who falls asleep and has a dream in which he finds himself at the "Gates of Hell," which echoes the dark and mystical themes of the song.
Heritage:
"Sadeness (Part I)" not only catapulted Enigma to international fame, but also defined the "new age" and "dream pop" genres, inspiring many other artists to experiment with blending ethnic, religious, and electronic elements in their music. In 2016, a sequel to the song, "Sadeness (Part II)," featuring the singer Anggun, was released as part of Enigma's eighth studio album, "The Fall of a Rebel Angel."
"Sadeness" remains an iconic work that still captivates with its depth, counter-intuitive themes, and, of course, its innovative sound.
