Readers of That Grape Juice know what avid music lovers we are – especially of hits past.

So, as our retrospective features ‘From the Vault’ and ‘TGJ Replay’  allow us the chance to re-spin the gems and jams of yesterday of one artist, our newest feature Chart Rewind – a variation of our current Retro Rewind assay – accedes salutes to an entire era of music history.

This week we’ll unlock the sweet sounds of Sade‘s 1985 hit, ‘Sweetest Taboo.’  

The legendary U.K. soul band, fronted by its namesake, had just begun getting their feet wet on the Billboard Hot 100’s when their inaugural top 10 hit (and later signature tune), ‘Smooth Operator,’ dialed into the #5 position.  Giving the group its first run at that Hot 100 height, the accomplishment only helped build anticipation for the follow-up to ‘Operator’s parent album, ‘Diamond Life.’  They didn’t disappoint.

Breaking through with the 1985’s ‘Promise’ album, the lead single from the set – ‘Sweetest Taboo’ – lived up to its moniker thanks to a delectable mix of African and Island-inspired instrumentation coupled with Sade’s sensual and smoky tone.  Released in the United States in fall of that same year, the tune – like ‘Operator’ before it – worked its way to #5 on the Hot 100 (where it was found this week in 1986).  Becoming Sade’s second and last appearance in the Hot 100’s top 5, ‘Taboo’ may have not earned its own certifications from the RIAA but it undoubtedly helped fuel its parent project’s sales past the 4x platinum mark in the U.S. alone.

Curious to see who joined the band in the top 25 this week 33 years ago? Look inside to see:

Hot 100 This Week in 1986

Hot 100 This Week (2019)

Click here to see this week’s full TGJ Chart Check list.

Your thoughts?