Didn’t I give you/
All that I’ve got to, give baby?

What is this “not ordinary” love that Sade is talking about? Is she saying that the love between her partner and her is special? Clearly not. The word “love” has so many meanings that songs like this can sometimes get lost in translation.

In “No Ordinary Love”, Sade describes a relationship where she kept giving and he kept taking. She is not saying that their love is special, she is saying that the affection she shows him and the effort she puts into him are extra-ordinary. The love she has for him and the effort she put into this relationship is “no ordinary love”. She feels deeply for him, but the relationship is not working.

Sade’s sound is so unique that it almost sounds like a genre unto itself. It is smooth and sensual. Enya has that similar vibe. If you want to hear a more rock version of “No Ordinary Love” check out The Civil Wars excellent version. It is so good that it elevates the song in the list. There are few songs on this list that have multiple, unique versions that could probably make the list separately.

No Ordinary Love Lyrics

I gave you all the love I got
I gave you more than I could give,
I gave you love.
I gave you all that I have inside
And you took my love,
You took my love.

Didn’t I tell you
What I believe?
Did somebody say that
A love like that won’t last?
Didn’t I give you
All that I’ve got to, give baby?

I gave you all the love I got
I gave you more than I could give,
I gave you love.
I gave you all that I have inside
And you took my love,
You took my love.

I keep crying.
I keep trying for you.
There’s nothing like you and I, baby.

This is no ordinary love,
No ordinary love.
This is no ordinary love,
No ordinary love.

I keep crying.
I keep trying for you.
There’s nothing like you and I baby.

This is no ordinary love,
No ordinary love.
This is no ordinary love,
No ordinary love.

Keep trying for you.
Keep crying for you.
Keep flying for you.
Flying, falling…

written by Sade