Released 15 February 2013 Recorded 2012 Length 4:13 | Format Digital download Genre Soul
R&B Label Capitol
Method | |
"Lay Me Down" is the debut single by English singer Sam Smith and the lead single from his debut studio album In the Lonely Hour (2014). The song was released in the United Kingdom on 15 February 2013. It originally peaked at number 46 on the UK Singles Chart and at number 25 on the US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles in 2014. The song was written by Smith, Jimmy Napes and Elviin and produced by Napes and Steve Fitzmaurice.
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The song was re-released in February 2015 as the sixth single from the album, this time reaching number 8 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 15 on the UK Singles Chart. A third version featuring John Legend recorded for the British charity telethon Comic Relief reached number one in the UK in March 2015.
Musically, according to the sheet music published at musicnotes.com, the song is written in E major, with a tempo of 118 bpm.
Music video
The original music video showed Smith and his friends at a casino. Following the announcement of the re-release, it was removed from YouTube and Vevo.
2015 re-release
It was announced on 30 January 2015 that Smith would re-release "Lay Me Down" as the sixth single from his album In the Lonely Hour following commercial success with his previous singles. Smith recorded a new version of the song for its re-release with the track's original producers.
Music video
The music video for the re-release, which replaced the original, was recorded in St Margaret's Church, Lee, South East London, with the permission of the Rector the Revd. Dr. Alan Race. It was shot in one sequence. It depicts Smith at a funeral in the church standing in front of the deceased's coffin, then a flashback reveals that Smith actually married the man in question in the same church. The video then returns to the present day, some time after the funeral, with Smith mourning the loss of his husband in the empty church. Critics have pointed out the similarities between this and Guns N' Roses's music video to "November Rain".
Red Nose Day 2015 release
On 9 March 2015, it was announced that Smith and John Legend had joined forces for a third version of "Lay Me Down" to be used as the official Red Nose Day charity single. This version was released the same day and all proceeds from the track's sales benefit the charity.
Smith sings the opening verse and first chorus with Legend on the piano, then Legend joins in with the second verse. Some later parts are a duet by the two artists.
Music video
Smith and Legend also appear in a new video for the charity. It was posted by Smith on his official Vevo account. The music video is also broadcast nationally on BBC One. The video features Smith and Legend recording the song in a recording studio.
Live performances
On 13 March 2015, Smith and Legend performed "Lay Me Down" together for the first and only time together during Comic Relief – Face the Funny, a major event broadcast live on BBC One from the London Palladium.
Cover versions
Connie Talbot released a single of her cover version of "Lay Me Down" in 2014.