Sam Smith may be one of the newer musical artists on the music scene, yet he has quickly become one of the most acclaimed and celebrated singers of his generation. Born in London in 1992, Smith’s early life as a churchgoer was what allowed him to develop his beautiful, sensitive, charming, and powerful vocal style. His spectacular range and ability to connect with an audience have led to numerous awards and he is firmly established as one of the most popular artists in the World. Let’s take a look at the life and career of Sam Smith and what makes him stand out from other artists.
Early Life and the Origins of Sam Smith’s Music Career
Smith’s earliest musical inclinations began in a London church as part of the congregational choir, which was a defining influence on the sound and aesthetics of his later music. By his teen years, Smith had started writing songs and even touring with a local band. By the time he was 18, he had released his first single, “Latch”, with his band.
The song was met with critical acclaim, and Smith soon came to international attention. He secured a record deal and released his debut album, In the Lonely Hour, in 2014. It peaked at number one on the UK and US charts. The album’s twelve songs were all written by Smith, and they quickly demonstrated his lyrical and vocal talent as a singer-songwriter, as well as introducing his signature melancholy sound and delicate yet powerful, soulful voice.
Themes and Style of Sam Smith’s Music
Smith’s music is primarily pop with soulful and gospel influences that are both soothing and emotive. His lyrics focus mainly on heartache, love and loss, with a strong sense of vulnerability, loneliness, and longing. His writing touches on healing from personal heartbreak and difficulties and his sounds often lend themselves to both softness and complexity. Smith’s sound is unique and brings a heartfelt authenticity and emotion to his music.
One of Smith’s most successful songs is “Stay With Me” and its powerful themes of pain and sorrow remain a huge part of Smith’s artistry. Every song and every album has references to love and relationship struggles, be it broken hearts, unrequited love or the failure of relationships. Smith is rarely explicit in his lyrics and his approach to love and hurt is often more subtle and understated.
Smith’s song “Writing on the Wall” is a perfect example of his lyrical and musical style. The opening verse is a declaration of love and hope, while the chorus speaks of emptiness and exploring the unknown instead of safety and comfort. The flow of the song reflects the themes perfectly and it’s a poignant reflection of Smith’s innermost thoughts and feelings.
Accolades, Success, and Impact
In 2016, Smith recorded the theme for the James Bond movie Spectre, titled “Writing’s On The Wall”, which would become the first Bond theme to win an Oscar, a Golden Globe, and a Grammy. The song demonstrated Smith’s vocal prowess and ability to evoke emotion and his theatrical performance at the party celebrating the release of the track only added to his success.
As of 2021, Smith has released 3 studio albums and numerous hit singles, as well numerous awards including 9 BRIT Awards, 6 Echos and 4 Grammys. His albums and singles have sold millions of copies across the World and his YouTube videos have been viewed millions of times.
Throughout his career, Smith has shied away from the spotlight. Much of his music is an ode to vulnerability and self-acceptance, yet the themes of his songs, such as those of being hurt and healing, have resulted in his receiving many messages of admiration and praise from his audience, showing just how powerful and impactful his music is.
There can be no doubt that Sam Smith is one of the best singers of his generation. His powerful and soulful voice, his heartfelt and emotive lyrics, as well as his gentle yet intricate musical styling have resulted in many hits and awards. He is unafraid to tackle difficult topics, such as loneliness, heartache and loss and he does so with pain and grace. Sam Smith is the vulnerable crooner with a powerful voice that the World deserves.