Sam Smith Goes Gospel on "Saturday Night Live" & Talks About His New Song "Pray"

On October 7, English singer Sam Smith goes Gospel on the stage of Saturday Night Live. Smith played two songs from his sophomore effort, The Thrill of It All.
Smith was Introduced by host Gal Gadot where he delivered a Gospel-ish rendition of his current hit single "Too Good at Goodbyes," backed by a coterie of gospel singers. Then Smith goes on sing "Pray," the final song on his yet-to-be-released new CD. "Pray" is unlike anything Sam Smith has released before, one assumes because of the collaboration with and influence of Timbaland, who co-produced it with Jimmy Napes.
It is characterized by a thumping beat, rhythm in three-four time and strong gospel influences. The gospel choir backing and Sam's voice are more aggressive and powerful than is usual for Sam.
Unlike "Too Good at Goodbyes" Sam has said very little about this track. However, in an interview with Zane Lowe on Beats 1 Radio he refers to having attended a Catholic school as a child. He also once said that, without adhering to a formal religion, he believed that there was 'something out there'.
In the same interview, Sam talked about his struggles with fame and learning to cope with the media - not always a happy experience - and using the pain of his mistakes to grow more mature and responsible. Subtle references to all these issues can be identified in the lyric.
But "Pray" is more than Sam's personal inner struggles. He told Billboard magazine about a recent visit to Iraq: "I spent five days in Mosul and came back embarrassed that I had known so little about the world and other people's lives ... I wanted to write about what is going on in the rest of the world, and that it's not always pretty."
,
O
Tags : sam smith sam smith faaith sam smith pray saturday night live the thrill of it all sam smith new album
Hot Trends
-
Forrest Frank & Crowder Release New Collab “The Rock”
-
Comedian John Crist Announces Engagement to Lydia Fielder
-
William McDowell Walks Away From Car Crash After Black Bear Encounter
-
"Finished" by Caleb and John: A Soul-Stirring Anthem Celebrating Christ’s Complete Victory
-
Cory Asbury Apologizes to Forrest Frank, Emphasizes Grace and Growth Amid Viral Song Trend
-
Watch John Crist's “Tonight Show” Debut Here
-
What We Know About "American Idol" Winner Jamal Roberts' Faith
-
The Tragic End of Kingdom Heir's Founder Steve French
-
New TV Series "Testament" Tells the Story of Acts with a Modern Twist
-
Hillsong's Reuben Morgan Opens Up About What Darlene Zschech Taught Him About Worship
-
Critically Acclaimed SKETCH Now Available for Streaming
-
Pat Robertson’s Daughter-in-Law, Lisa Robertson, Passes Away
-
Crowder Undergoes Emergency Surgery Following Leg Injury
-
Cory Asbury Speaks Out: "Everyone Knew" About Michael Tait Allegations
-
Former IHOPKC Worship Leader Misty Edwards Accused of Affair with Kevin Prosch
Most Popular
-
Forrest Frank & Crowder Release New Collab “The Rock”
-
Comedian John Crist Announces Engagement to Lydia Fielder
-
William McDowell Walks Away From Car Crash After Black Bear Encounter
-
"Finished" by Caleb and John: A Soul-Stirring Anthem Celebrating Christ’s Complete Victory
-
Cory Asbury Apologizes to Forrest Frank, Emphasizes Grace and Growth Amid Viral Song Trend
-
Watch John Crist's “Tonight Show” Debut Here
-
What We Know About "American Idol" Winner Jamal Roberts' Faith
-
The Tragic End of Kingdom Heir's Founder Steve French
-
New TV Series "Testament" Tells the Story of Acts with a Modern Twist
-
Hillsong's Reuben Morgan Opens Up About What Darlene Zschech Taught Him About Worship
-
Critically Acclaimed SKETCH Now Available for Streaming
-
Pat Robertson’s Daughter-in-Law, Lisa Robertson, Passes Away
-
Crowder Undergoes Emergency Surgery Following Leg Injury
-
Cory Asbury Speaks Out: "Everyone Knew" About Michael Tait Allegations
-
Former IHOPKC Worship Leader Misty Edwards Accused of Affair with Kevin Prosch