Sam Smith is gearing up to release an anniversary edition of their debut album, In the Lonely Hour, which originally hit the airwaves in 2014. As part of this celebration, a rerecorded version of their hit single “Stay With Me” will be featured, showcasing updated lyrics that reflect their non-binary identity.
Since bursting onto the music scene, Sam Smith has gained acclaim for various singles, but “Stay With Me” remains their most iconic track. Upon its release in 2014, the song topped charts in the UK and several other countries, securing Grammy Awards and numerous other accolades.
In 2019, Sam announced their non-binary identity and requested the use of they/them pronouns. Reflecting this evolution, they have revised the lyrics of “Stay With Me” for the tenth-anniversary edition of In the Lonely Hour. Originally, the song opened with: “Guess it’s true, I’m not good at a one-night stand, but I still need love ’cause I’m just a man.” The new version updates this to: “but I still need love, baby understand.”
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Sam shared this news in an email to fans, as reported by Out magazine, describing the song as “so special” and emphasizing the significance of the lyric change. “This song is truly so special to me,” Sam said. “For the 10-year anniversary, I re-recorded the track, which will be available on all platforms & physical. Including the updated lyric ‘but I still need love, baby understand’ which felt really important to me.”
Despite performing “Stay With Me” countless times, Sam revealed they “never once got sick” of the song, noting that its meaning evolves with each performance. “The song can mean a million different things,” Sam explained. “It’s beautiful to know that sometimes, we can change the past.”
Announcing the anniversary edition on Instagram in June, Sam expressed gratitude and excitement: “This year marks a decade since the release of my debut album. I feel so incredibly lucky to be celebrating this milestone with you. My team and I have created this beautiful anniversary edition for us all, and for the last 10 years. Today is only the beginning, Sailors, we have so much to celebrate with you between now and August. I can’t wait to look back on ‘In the Lonely Hour’ together. Coming August 2nd.”
Sam Smith’s decision to update the lyrics of “Stay With Me” highlights their journey and commitment to authenticity, promising fans a fresh and meaningful experience with the song that started it all. Be sure to listen to the anniversary edition of In the Lonely Hour when it drops on August 2nd.
