I could never say that I have ever been a huge Sade fan. I will happily listen to her music if it happens to be on, but I would never deliberately go looking for one of her CD's. That was until she came back from a self imposed break of eight years, and released 'Lover's Rock', which was lapped up by her fans who had waited eagerly for her return, and there are few singers who would be able to manage that, especially without bowing down to the present day electronic pop that we hear so often. Sade co-wrote every track on the album, so they all have that personal touch. I don't know if it just came along at the right time for me, or whether I had matured enough to start and appreciate her talent, but whatever it was, this was certainly one of my best albums for 2000, which was also the year I became a mum, and this was the only CD which would get my daugher off to sleep when she was a baby.

**BY YOUR SIDE**
This is one of the best opening tracks of an album that I have ever heard. Through the lyrics and her voice, Sade conveys the emotion other singers can only dream of being able to achieve. 'YOU THINK I'D LEAVE YOU DOWN WHEN YOU'RE DOWN ON YOUR KNEES?' is a line which gets me everytime, as it is a line which is so apt for my relationship. I am sure all of you reading this have a similar song. This song is all about supporting the person you love, and showing them truly how much they are worth and how much they can achieve. This track is Sade showing us all what she can do, and it certainly sets the tone for the rest of the album.

**KING OF SORROW**
'I'M CRYING EVERYONE'S TEARS' is the opener to this song. Haven't we all felt like that at times? When we think that we feel enough grief and sorrow for everyone, but you have no choice but to carry on and wonder if you will ever feel any different. This is a beautiful track, and it hits the spot everytime. Sade's voice conveys anguish and sorrow with her every word. If you need a good cry then sit down and listen to this song closely, you will soon be wailing!

**ALL ABOUT OUR LOVE**
This is a hard song to describe, and if I was made to choose my least favourite on the album then it would be this track. Again it has a touch of reggae to it, but it just falls short of the standard set by the other tracks which have preceeded it. It is a very simple song which does not try too hard, and this means that it falls short in terms of satisfying the listener.

**THE SWEETEST GIFT**
Not a ballad this time, but a lullaby, and it certainly does the job, as this is the song that I used to sing to my daughter, which such beautiful lines as 'QUIETLY WHILE YOU WERE ASLEEP, THE MOON AND I WERE TALKING, I ASKED THAT SHE'D ALWAYS KEEP YOU PROTECTED'. Isn't this how every new parent feels? I am sure that the song started off as a poem, which then had a melody added to it. Sade dedicated this song to the Rainbow's Trust Children's Charity.

**IMMIGRANT**
You may have deduced from the title, that this song is very much in the same vein as 'Slave Song'. It is very political, but this time Sade looks at the problem of racism. The story she tells is an all too familiar one, and the creative lyrics are supported by an electronic melody, heading towards a dance/ethnic beat. Nothing I can say can create the impression that this song leaves.

**IT'S ONLY LOVE THAT GETS YOU THROUGH**
The final track ends the album with a delicate touch, and sends you on your way with the message that in life you will get hurt, but when it comes down to it, love is what actually gets you through the day. A nice thought! The whole album leaves you feeling quite melancholy, but in a way quite positive about what you can be if you just let yourself open up from time to time even if it means being vulnerable.