As an artist who had been established as a frontrunner in Pop music with the release of two back-to-back chart-toppers, ‘In the Lonely Hour’ and ‘The Thrill of It All,’ pressure has undoubtedly been mounting for Sam Smith to meet or exceed those critical and commercial successes with a follow-up.
Seemingly en route to doing just that with the Normani-assisted ‘Dancing with a Stranger’ – one of 2019’s biggest hits – but the rollout of the era in its entirety, christened ‘To Die For,’ went downhill from there.
The lack of buzz for the project – coupled with a global pandemic – certainly served as reason enough to not only delay the LP from its original May 1 release date (as we reported here), but also rename it to avoid perception of insensitivity to said health crisis.
Taking to our friends at PopBuzz recently, Smith spoke on the strategy behind revamping ‘To Die For,’ gave insight into its rerouted conceptual direction (which potentially includes omitting ALL of the previously released singles), and so much more.
See what they said inside:
Interview Highlights
2:50 – why Demi Lovato was perfect pick for new single ‘I’m Ready’
3:51 – how ‘I’m Ready’ was almost a ballad
5:30 – how the video concept for ‘I’m Ready’ was born
6:26 – on renaming new album, replacing its cover art, and omitting ALL of the previously released singles
7:17 – concepts for fourth album already being developed ahead of the release of his third
Your thoughts?
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Well, his fans should be happy, that means more room for other songs. Unless he’s going for a short album with 10 tracks.
They will just have to add them and do their own version of the record.
I do understand he wants to do whatever he likes. And if that’s what makes him happy, then good for him.
But I think a part of his audience kind of disconnected with him when almost all of his work and image and interviews had to be related to his sexuality.
Completely agreed with the last part. Most celebrities fail to Find the balance between their private concerns and their public art.
? @Andrew
Who gives a damn about his album? We are trying to survive out here.
@Nip… -hahaha
I mean yes.
He pretends normani is never existed????
DWAS came out almost a year ago. Sam has already stated to changing things with the album. This has nothing to do with Normani, he’s going with a new direction for his album dumb ass.
Why he never perform the song with her then??? Answer me! U sensitive, insecure bish
They performed it at iheart twice I believe
https://youtu.be/6RwIEBwmzfc
What a mess….
Lmfaooooo
It’d be a bad look to include songs that are more than a year old on an album. his entire album campaign has been sloppy. It seemed good in the beginning but quickly became sloppier than a mixtape from a love and hip hop artist
That’s what happens when you suffer an identity crisis. He needs a therapist.
Many therapists bcuz “They” ?
At this level of exuberance, it’s not just his album campaign that’s sloppy. ?
Does anyone really care about him anymore though?
I think not.
His weight loss has cancelled album listening parties his obese t*** fans attended to cry, eat, then cry again. Or docs prescribed stopping listening to his music after too many antidepressant overdoses occurred in listening parties cited above. Or he’s dull. ?
RiP to what could have been a great career.I was thinking that this person would have an ed sheeran level of success by now.
It annoys me because sam smith has the most distinctive male vocals of the last 30 years.
Really? I’d give that title to Groban or Miguel. Sam’s either goaty or heady. ?
chart data
Top 10 on the Pop Songs airplay chart:
#1 Blinding Lights
@theweeknd
#2 My Oh My
@Camila_Cabello
#3 Say So
@DojaCat
#4 Don’t Start Now
@DUALIPA
#5 Adore You
@Harry_Styles
#6 everything i wanted
@billieeilish
#7 Intentions
@justinbieber
#8 Circles
#9 hot girl bummer
chart data
@chartdata
Top 10 on the Pop Songs airplay chart:
#1 Blinding Lights
@theweeknd
#2 My Oh My
@Camila_Cabello
#3 Say So
@DojaCat
#4 Don’t Start Now
@DUALIPA
#5 Adore You
@Harry_Styles
#6 everything i wanted
@billieeilish
#7 Intentions
@justinbieber
#8 Circles
#9 hot girl bummer
#10 RITMO
Congrats Camilla?
Doja Cat is #5 in Hot 100 about to snatch Dua Peep lol. I feel sorry for normanly she a flop bish
She’s not a flop you brought her up so she’s on your mind
I thought this was billboard 100 thought you and Clarkson said that’s the only chart that matters ?
Made up chart data hot girl bummer is number 24 on hot 100 so it being number 9 makes no sense
“Your makeup harms your msg!” in Iyanla’s voice
Just put out the album you had, flop and work on your next one or just walk away. Artists kill their own momentum so much these days that I just don’t even care anymore by the time their albums come out. And then just to totally disregard the songs used to promote it? ???????????????
His bosses connected the flamboyancy-disinterest dots. Straight men can no longer justify listening to his sad tunes in memory of a loved one. Dug his own musical grave, might as well be buried in it (face-down).
How long have you had A***?
@MistyKnight: Aides? For as long as your dad’s been refusing to give you his name. God knows I need ALL the help I can get – undocumented or not. I’m sorry your mother disowned you.