I so vividly remember clicking the Facebook tab on my Firefox window, some time last semester, to mindlessly scroll through my news feed. I stumbled across a video of some guy singing, which was posted by a friend with extremely reliable taste in music -- so naturally, I clicked play. My ears were not fully prepared for the goodness that ensued.
It was a singer I hadn’t heard of. Sam Smith performed "Lay Me Down” on SNL, and it was one of the most honest performances I’ve ever seen. His voice is smooth like butter and his songs contain the perfect ingredients for every hopeless romantic or victim of unrequited love.
Like most of today’s radio sensations, it seems as if he popped up out of nowhere and took off at lightning speed. You’ve probably heard one of his songs on the radio or someone posting the lyrics on Twitter. His songs are catchy, his voice undeniably good. So who is this mysterious Sam Smith and where did he come from?
First off, Smith is 22 years old. While Stillwater is a great place to be chasing dreams and making magic, it is a mind blowing concept that the T-Swifts and Ariana Grandes, who are conquering the world, are our same age.
Secondly, Smith is British, which means he has a charming accent. It also means we have a male Adele, of sorts -- an average looking, but exceptional singing sensation who is producing songs that put love into words. Sam Smith has a musical background from his youth and high school days, but he hasn’t attended Juilliard or won "Britain’s Got Talent," which means he’s basically a freak of nature -- also like Adele.
In May of this year - the same month his album, In the Lonely Hour, came out - Smith too came out, revealing his homosexuality to the world. He has granted the world access to a major part of his personal life, one that is not detracting from his raw talent and is, in fact, providing many fans with a topic of sympathy and encouraging his courage.
Smith's album depicts the inner monologue of a 20-something. With singles like, "Money On My Mind," topping the UK charts, people are responding positively. "Stay with Me," his most recent radio single, went straight to the top. Smith's songs are easy on the ears, full of passion and accessible to the age group that’s listening to the Top 40 stations.
As a singer, I am most fascinated by his voice. All voices are unique. Some have a rich tone quality, some can sing a run like nobody’s business and some prefer to stick to the notes on the staff. But the key is that singing, and all types of music, are forms of expression. There should be intention behind every song a singer sings, and if he or she is not feeling anything, then the listeners won’t either. Sam Smith holds this key and treasures it, totally and completely. He gives value to each and every word he sings. His voice is expressive and purposeful. It has the power to move people.
I may never getting tired of Lil Jon and DJ Snake telling me to turn down for absolutely nothing. But I must say, it is quite refreshing to know that the beauty and simplicity of a naturally gifted singer is getting some much deserved credit.
