Sam Smith Updates "Stay With Me" Lyrics

Sam Smith, the pop superstar, has officially updated the lyrics of their 2014 hit "Stay With Me" to reflect their non-binary identity.

"Stay With Me" became Smith's international breakthrough, garnering two Grammy Awards and topping the charts in the UK. The gospel-infused single tells the story of a longing for a one-night stand to last longer, and originally included the lyric: "Guess it's true, I'm not good at a one-night stand, but I still need love 'cause I'm just a man."

However, Smith, who came out as non-binary in 2019 and uses they/them pronouns, has altered the lyrics to read: "...but I still need love, baby understand." This updated version of the song will be featured on the re-release of Smith's debut album "In The Lonely Hour" marking its 10th anniversary.

In an email to fans, Smith shared their thoughts on the lyric change, stating, "This song is truly special to me. So, for the anniversary, I re-recorded the track which will be available on all platforms and physical. Including the updated lyric felt really important to me."

Smith further explained the song's genesis and how they feel about it now, considering its global impact: "When me, [songwriters] Jimmy [Napes] and Tourist wrote this, none of us would've expected it to become what it has in the world. I will never forget Will [Phillips, aka Tourist] playing those three chords on the piano. I stopped everything I was doing and said: 'What is that?' Those chords and this song still stir me in the same way to this day."

Smith continued, "I've never once got sick of singing it. The meaning of this song changes for me whenever I sing it. The words 'stay with me' can mean a million different things and follow me throughout my life like an old friend. It's beautiful to know that sometimes we can change the past."

Since the release of "Stay With Me", Smith has gone on to record numerous global hits, including the Oscar-winning James Bond theme "Writing's On The Wall" and "Unholy" with trans singer Kim Petras. Notably, "Unholy" made them the first out non-binary and trans musicians, respectively, to top the US Billboard Hot 100.

Recently, Smith announced the launch of The Pink House, an LGBTQ+ charity, to celebrate Pride Month.

"In The Lonely Hour (10th Anniversary Edition)" will be released on August 2nd. This re-release is a testament to Smith's artistic evolution and their commitment to authenticity.