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Sam Smith was raised in Great Chishill, Cambridgeshire, and attended St Mary’s Catholic School in Bishop’s Stortford before enrolling in London’s Youth Music Theatre UK and the Sylvia Young Theatre School. Early on, they pursued training in both music and performance, laying the foundation for a professional career in entertainment. However, it wasn’t until Smith’s vocal contribution to Disclosure’s 2012 single “Latch” that they first captured widespread attention. The track’s success across the UK and European charts introduced a new voice in electronic and soul-pop fusion and set the stage for Smith’s rapid ascent in the music industry.
The next pivotal moment arrived in 2013 when Smith featured on Naughty Boy’s “La La La,” a chart-topping hit that earned them their first number-one single on the UK Singles Chart. Riding this momentum, Smith released their debut single “Lay Me Down,” followed by “Money on My Mind,” which became another UK chart-topper. These songs helped build anticipation for their debut studio album, In the Lonely Hour, which was released in May 2014. The album included the breakout hit “Stay with Me,” which became an international success, reaching the top ten in numerous countries and becoming a defining ballad of the decade.
In the Lonely Hour cemented Smith’s position in global pop music. The album produced other major singles such as “I’m Not the Only One,” “Like I Can,” and “Leave Your Lover,” each marked by Smith’s expressive vocal delivery and themes of unrequited love and vulnerability. The project was both a commercial and critical triumph, earning Smith four Grammy Awards in 2015, including Best New Artist, Record of the Year, Song of the Year (for “Stay with Me”), and Best Pop Vocal Album. The album also won the Brit Award for British Breakthrough Act and the MOBO Award for Best Song.
Smith followed their debut’s success with a high-profile contribution to the James Bond franchise. In 2015, they released “Writing’s on the Wall” as the theme song for Spectre. The track made history as the first Bond theme to reach number one on the UK Singles Chart and later won both the Academy Award and the Golden Globe for Best Original Song. This achievement not only added to their award collection but also reinforced their versatility and broad appeal across genres and audiences.
In 2017, Smith returned with their second studio album, The Thrill of It All, which debuted at number one in both the UK and the US. The lead single “Too Good at Goodbyes” continued their streak of chart success, reaching number one in the UK and top five in the US. The album’s tracks, including “One Last Song” and “Pray,” reflected themes of heartbreak, self-reflection, and emotional growth. While maintaining the soulful foundation of their debut, the second album introduced more gospel and R&B influences, showcasing an evolving sound.
The next phase of Smith’s career brought changes not only musically but also personally. In 2019, they released the upbeat, disco-influenced single “Dancing with a Stranger” with Normani, which became a global hit and marked a sonic departure from their ballad-heavy catalog. This shift continued with the release of their third studio album, Love Goes, in 2020. The album featured a variety of collaborations and incorporated pop, dance, and electronic influences while still retaining their signature vulnerability. Tracks like “Diamonds” and “How Do You Sleep?” demonstrated a willingness to embrace different styles while remaining emotionally resonant.
In 2022, Smith released “Unholy,” a provocative and genre-bending collaboration with Kim Petras that became a massive global success. The song topped charts in over 20 countries, including the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States—marking Smith’s first number-one single in the U.S. as a lead artist. The track’s success culminated in a Grammy Award win in 2023 for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, making Petras the first openly transgender woman to win in that category, with Smith playing a key role in elevating the moment’s visibility.
Their fourth studio album, Gloria, arrived in 2023 and showcased a confident, experimental version of Smith, willing to tackle themes of self-empowerment, gender identity, and liberation. The album featured collaborations with artists such as Jessie Reyez and Ed Sheeran, and while it drew mixed critical responses, it reinforced Smith’s refusal to be boxed into any one genre or artistic image. Songs like “I’m Not Here to Make Friends” and “Gimme” pushed boundaries in both lyrical content and visual presentation.
Outside of music, Smith has become an outspoken figure on issues of gender identity and mental health. In 2019, they publicly came out as non-binary and adopted they/them pronouns, using their platform to advocate for better representation and understanding of non-binary individuals in media and entertainment. Smith has discussed their personal struggles with body image, anxiety, and identity in interviews and public appearances, further connecting with fans through openness and honesty.
In addition to their advocacy work, Smith has contributed to various charitable initiatives, supporting organizations focused on LGBTQ+ rights, homelessness, and mental health awareness. Their influence extends beyond their discography, as they continue to use their fame to bring attention to critical social issues. Smith’s visibility and openness have helped broaden the cultural conversation about gender and identity within mainstream music.
Smith’s live performances remain a major component of their artistry, with tours supporting each album drawing large international audiences. Their concerts blend dramatic visuals, heartfelt ballads, and up-tempo crowd favorites, often accompanied by messages of love, inclusivity, and resilience. Smith has headlined festivals and appeared on major televised stages, further establishing their status as a global performer.
As of 2025, Sam Smith’s catalog includes four studio albums—In the Lonely Hour (2014), The Thrill of It All (2017), Love Goes (2020), and Gloria (2023). Their list of accolades includes Grammy Awards, a Brit Award, a Golden Globe, and an Academy Award, among others. Across all their work, Smith has consistently delivered deeply personal music, exploring the complexities of love, identity, heartbreak, and healing.
Smith’s ability to navigate the evolving landscape of pop while staying true to their voice has earned them a dedicated global fanbase. With a career marked by critical recognition, commercial success, and meaningful cultural impact, they continue to shape what it means to be an artist in today’s world—one who leads not only with talent but with authenticity and purpose.
Complete List Of Sam Smith Songs From A to Z
- Another One – Love Goes – 2020
- Baby, You Make Me Crazy – The Thrill of It All – 2017
- Blind Eye – The Thrill of It All – 2017
- Breaking Hearts – Love Goes – 2020
- Burning – The Thrill of It All – 2017
- Dance (‘Til You Love Someone Else) – Love Goes – 2020
- Dancing with a Stranger (live from the Royal Albert Hall) – Gloria – 2023
- Dancing with a Stranger (with Normani) – Love Goes – 2020
- Diamonds – Love Goes – 2020
- Dorothy’s Interlude – Gloria – 2023
- Fire on Fire – Love Goes – 2020
- Fix You (live) – Love Goes – 2020
- For the Lover That I Lost – Love Goes – 2020
- Forgive Myself – Love Goes – 2020
- Gimme (with Koffee and Jessie Reyez) – Gloria – 2023
- Gloria – Gloria – 2023
- Good Thing – In the Lonely Hour – 2014
- Heavenly Sent – Gloria – 2023
- Him – The Thrill of It All – 2017
- How Do You Sleep? – Love Goes – 2020
- How Do You Sleep? (live from the Royal Albert Hall) – Gloria – 2023
- How to Cry – Gloria – 2023
- Hurting Interlude – Gloria – 2023
- I’m Not Here to Make Friends – Gloria – 2023
- I’m Not the Only One – In the Lonely Hour – 2014
- I’m Not the Only One (live from the Royal Albert Hall) – Gloria – 2023
- I’m Ready (with Demi Lovato) – Love Goes – 2020
- In the Lonely Hour (Acoustic) – In the Lonely Hour – 2014
- I’ve Told You Now – In the Lonely Hour – 2014
- Kids Again – Love Goes – 2020
- Kissing You – Gloria – 2023
- La La La (Naughty Boy featuring Sam Smith) – In the Lonely Hour – 2014
- Latch (Acoustic) – In the Lonely Hour – 2014
- Laurel Canyon – Love Goes – 2020
- Lay Me Down – In the Lonely Hour – 2014
- Leader of the Pack – The Thrill of It All – 2017
- Leave Your Lover – In the Lonely Hour – 2014
- Life Support – In the Lonely Hour – 2014
- Like I Can – In the Lonely Hour – 2014
- Lose You – Gloria – 2023
- Lose You (live from the Royal Albert Hall) – Gloria – 2023
- Love Goes (featuring Labrinth) – Love Goes – 2020
- Love Me More – Gloria – 2023
- Make It to Me – In the Lonely Hour – 2014
- Midnight Train – The Thrill of It All – 2017
- Money on My Mind – In the Lonely Hour – 2014
- My Oasis (featuring Burna Boy) – Love Goes – 2020
- Nirvana – In the Lonely Hour – 2014
- Nirvana (Acoustic) – In the Lonely Hour – 2014
- No God – Gloria – 2023
- No Peace (featuring Yebba) – The Thrill of It All – 2017
- Not in That Way – In the Lonely Hour – 2014
- Nothing Left for You – The Thrill of It All – 2017
- One Day at a Time – The Thrill of It All – 2017
- One Last Song – The Thrill of It All – 2017
- Palace – The Thrill of It All – 2017
- Perfect (with Jessie Reyez) – Gloria – 2023
- Pray – The Thrill of It All – 2017
- Promises (with Calvin Harris) – Love Goes – 2020
- Reminds Me of You – In the Lonely Hour – 2014
- Restart – In the Lonely Hour – 2014
- Safe with Me – In the Lonely Hour – 2014
- Say It First – The Thrill of It All – 2017
- Scars – The Thrill of It All – 2017
- Six Shots – Gloria – 2023
- So Serious – Love Goes – 2020
- Sober – Love Goes – 2020
- Stay with Me – In the Lonely Hour – 2014
- Stay with Me (Darkchild Remix) – In the Lonely Hour – 2014
- Stay with Me (Darkchild Remix featuring Mary J. Blige) – In the Lonely Hour – 2014
- Stay with Me (live from the Royal Albert Hall) – Gloria – 2023
- The Thrill of It All – The Thrill of It All – 2017
- To Die For – Love Goes – 2020
- Together (Disclosure, Sam Smith, Nile Rodgers and Jimmy Napes) – In the Lonely Hour – 2014
- Too Good at Goodbyes – The Thrill of It All – 2017
- Too Good at Goodbyes (live from the Royal Albert Hall) – Gloria – 2023
- Unholy (featuring Kim Petras; live from the Royal Albert Hall) – Gloria – 2023
- Unholy (with Kim Petras) – Gloria – 2023
- Who We Love (with Ed Sheeran) – Gloria – 2023
- Young – Love Goes – 2020
Albums
In the Lonely Hour (2014): 22 songs
The Thrill of It All (2017): 16 songs
Love Goes (2020): 20 songs
Gloria (2023): 22 songs
Check out our fantastic and entertaining Sam Smith articles, detailing in-depth the band’s albums, songs, band members, and more…all on ClassicRockHistory.com
Complete List Of Sam Smith Albums And Discography
Top 10 Sam Smith Songs
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