If there was one clear winner at The Grammy’s on February 9th, it was Sam Smith. The 22-year-old artist took home four awards, including the coveted award for Record of the Year for his massive hit “Stay With Me” that debuted last summer. His debut album The Lonely Hour sold over one million copies last year, making it the third best selling album of the year in the US. Smith’s appeal stretches further than just his musical talent, though. In addition to his beautiful, soothing voice, the man behind it is just as beautiful.
Smith’s story is one tailored for the times: he’s dealing with his broken-heartedness, questions about his sexual orientation, and struggle to find himself in the public eye, and impressing us all with his methodology. In his speech accepting the award for Record of the Year, Smith expressed gratitude for the broken heart that inspired his acclaimed album. “Thank you so much for breaking my heart, because you got me four Grammys,” Smith said in his acceptance speech at the awards show, thanking the straight man who did not love him back who served as inspiration for the album.
“What’s beautiful about this record to me is I didn’t play a character,” he said, citing the simple principle of being true to himself as the most liberating and rewarding creative decision he has ever made.
The differences between Smith and other artists of his caliber are striking when considered further. Being completely unreliant on the aid of sex, alcohol and drugs to create success in the music industry today is rare among artists. Rather, Smith opts for an emotional appeal in his music and personal life that feels both personal and universal, aiming to allow people to understand who his songs are about, but also making sure they have mass appeal.
Smith is possible one of the best role models in promoting equality and acceptance for people of all sexual orientations. “It’s about a guy and that’s what I wanted people to know,” Smith said of his wildly popular breakout album. Even with his willingness to be honest about his sexual orientation, Smith insists it shouldn’t be the focus of his story. Calling the issue of sexuality a “non-issue”, “I wanted my voice to be Story no. 1 when you Googled my name,” he said, “I didn’t want it to be ‘Sam Smith, the gay singer.’ I wanted it to be ‘Sam Smith, the singer who happens to be gay.’ ”
If there’s anything to take away from Smith’s story, it’s that honesty and humility will serve you well. Role models and simply people like Smith are much needed in today’s oversexed music culture, and we can only hope Smith continues to be willing to share his story and music with the rest of us.
- http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/08/arts/the-crowds-stay-with-him-and-grow.html?rref=arts/music&module=ArrowsNav&contentCollection=N.Y.%20%2F%20Region&action=keypress®ion=FixedLeft&pgtype=article
- http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/08/arts/the-crowds-stay-with-him-and-grow.html?_r=0
- http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-et-ms-grammys-notebook-sam-smith-beck-upset-20150209-column.html