Sam Smith updates 'Stay With Me' lyrics to reflect non-binary identity
Sam Smith revealed a "very special surprise" in a letter to fans about their 2014 song 'Stay With Me'.
Sam Smith is celebrating the 10th anniversary of their smash hit, 'Stay With Me', by re-recording the song with new lyrics.
The 32-year-old English singer wrote a letter to their fans, known as Sailors, detailing the plans.
"Sailors, I have a very special surprise to share with you at the end of this message," the letter read.
Before making the big announcement, Sam reflects on the success of 'Stay With Me'.
"When me, Jimmy and Tourist wrote this song, none of us would’ve expected it to become what it has in the world. I will never forget Will (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. I’ve never once got sick of singing it," Sam wrote.
'Stay With Me' is a gospel-inspired ballad that was released as the third song from Sam's debut studio album, 'In the Lonely Hour'.
"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."
Sam concludes the letter by revealing the lyric change that was made to the re-recorded version of the song.
"This song is truly so special to me, so 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.
"It's beautiful to know that sometimes, we can change the past," the 'Unholy' hitmaker wrote.
The original lyric read: "But I still need love, because I’m just a man." Sam updated it to reflect their non-binary identity.
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Sam included behind-the-scenes pictures from the 'Stay With Me' music video. Since its release in March 2014, the video has been watched over 1.2 billion times on YouTube.
Sam's letteralso includes a snap of the singer with music icon Mary J. Blige, who featured on a Darkchild remix of the song.
"With the powerhouse that is Mary J Blige. I have so much admiration for her brilliance and talent. What an honour to have her on our edition of the song."
Sam will release the 10th anniversary edition of their album, 'In The Lonely Hour', on August 2.
The new edition will include all 10 tracks from the original version and a new song called 'Little Sailor'. The collector's edition will feature 25 songs, including his tracks with Mary J. Blige, John Legend, and A$AP Rocky.
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Main image credit: YouTube/Sam Smith (Stay With Me music video)