Sadeness (Part I)

History

"Sadeness" was written by Michael Cretu (under the pseudonym Curly M.C.), Frank Peterson (under the pseudonym F. Gregorian), and David Fairstein. The lyrics are in Latin and French; the Latin text includes a quotation from Psalm 24:7-8. The Extended Trance Mix from the CD single contains some additional male French lyrics. The female French lyrics in both this version and the regular one are whispered by Cretu's then-wife, Sandra, who at the time of Enigma's formation had already had hit singles as a solo artist.

The Gregorian vocals were mostly taken from the 1976 album Paschale Mysterium by the German choir Capella Antiqua München with conductor Konrad Ruhland, specifically from their track "Procedamus in pace! (Antiphon)". The vocals were at first used without permission; a lawsuit followed in 1994 and was settled by compensation.

The song was named "Sadeness (Part I)" on its single release in Germany, and "Sadness Part I" on its single release in the United Kingdom and Japan. It is a sensual track with an insistent beat based around "questioning" the sexual desires of Marquis de Sade; hence the German release name of "Sadeness", as opposed to the English word of "Sadness" used in the UK release.

It was followed by a pseudo-sequel named "Mea Culpa (Part II)", which was a moderate commercial success compared with "Sadeness (Part I)".

The 1991 opening theme tune for the video game Streets Of Rage released on Sega Megadrive shares an identical drum beat to Sadeness (Part I) which is believed to be a major influence on the music heard in the game.

Track listings

1. "Sadeness Part I" (Radio Edit) – 4:16
2. "Sadeness Part I" (Extended Trance Mix) – 5:04
3. "Sadeness Part I" (Meditation Mix) – 3:01
4. "Sadeness Part I" (Violent US Remix) – 5:03

1. "Sadeness Part I" (Violent US Remix) – 5:03
2. "Sadeness Part I" (Meditation Mix) – 3:01
3. "Sadeness Part I" (Extended Trance Mix) – 5:04
4. "Sadeness Part I" (Radio Edit) – 4:17
5. "Introit: Benedicta sit sancta Trinitas" – 3:04

1. "Sadeness Part I" (Ebi-Kuma Mix)
2. "Sadeness Part I" (Meditation Mix)

1. "Sadeness Part I" (Radio Edit) – 4:17
2. "Sadeness Part I" (Meditation Mix) – 2:57

Music video

The video, directed by Michel Guimbard, shows a scholar, possibly a reference to Marquis de Sade, who falls asleep at a desk in his room while writing ... and has a fantastic, seductive, and enlightening dream. The scholar finds himself wandering among cathedral ruins. He comes up to Auguste Rodin's The Gates of Hell, which is probably the "Forbidden Door", according to the album concept. As the young man looks on, he sees a beautiful, succubus-like young woman (played by French model Cathy Tastet) beyond it. She whispers the main lyrics to him in a seductive tone "Sade, dis-moi; Sade, donne-moi" or translated, "Sade, tell me; Sade, give me". The man turns and tries to flee, but relents to his desires and is "sucked" back through the door. At this point, the young man wakes from the dream and looks around anxiously, but finds only a light from his window shining down on him. The video was featured in The Brothers Grunt pilot episode "The Ceremony".

Charts

The single reached number one on the UK Singles Chart in January 1991, as well as in over 20 other countries around that period. It remained at number one on the Eurochart for nine weeks. In the United States, it peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in April 1991. The record sold over 500,000 copies in the US and was certified Gold there. The single has sold more than 5 million copies worldwide.