An atypical standout

Today, I'm starting another recurring feature.  I'll elaborate on the appeal of a song that isn't typical of the way an artist or group usually sounds.  First up: "Maureen" by Sade.  Many listeners tend to think of "Smooth Operator," "The Sweetest Taboo," or "Your Love Is King" in connection with her first; those songs, with their sultry vocals and mid-to-uptempo arrangements, typify her usual sound.  If you prefer her slower numbers, "Is It A Crime" might be one of her first songs that comes to mind.  In my opinion, "Maureen" is her most appealing song.  Maureen won't get to meet the protagonist's new friends, according to the lyrics, but Sade sings this lament with such a breezy bounce that you get the feeling she's at peace with it.  Instrumentally and vocally, the tune has a spring in its step that makes it an atypical Sade song.  Also, as I discovered this morning, my cat seems to like washing herself in time to it; apparently, she likes the song's energy, as well, so there's an endorsement I trust.