Stay With Me: Sam Smith’s Hit Song Gets a Non-Binary Makeover
It’s the middle of Nonbinary Awareness Week, and what better time to share some exciting news: singer Sam Smith, one of our absolute favorites here at Q+, has officially changed the lyrics of their 2014 hit Stay With Me to reflect their non-binary identity. Y’all don’t know this, but Smith’s songs are staples on all our playlists, so we’re especially thrilled about this update.
Stay With Me is the third track on Smith’s debut album, In the Lonely Hour, and was the single that put them on the international radar. The song has become Smith’s most successful single to date, peaking at number one on the UK Singles Chart (becoming Smith’s third chart-topper there, second as a solo artist), topping the charts in Canada and New Zealand, and reaching number two on the US Billboard Hot 100. It has also reached top ten status in over twelve countries worldwide.
Originally, the lyrics went: “Guess it’s true, I’m not good at a one-night stand, but I still need love ’cause I’m just a man.” But Smith, who came out as non-binary in 2019 and uses they/them pronouns, has now changed the lyrics to: “…but I still need love, baby understand.” This fresh version of the song will be part of the 10th anniversary re-release of In the Lonely Hour.
In an email to fans, Sam Smith wrote: “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,” the release reads. “Including the updated lyric ‘but I still need love, baby understand’ which felt really important to me.”
Smith also shared a bit of the song’s backstory. “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. 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.” They concluded, “It’s beautiful to know that sometimes, we can change the past.”
The 10th anniversary edition of In the Lonely Hour is currently available for pre-order and is set for release on August 2. In the meantime, you can relive the magic of the OG song in the video below.
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Featured Image: Courtesy of Capitol Records
