Sam Smith on his songs changing opinions in homophobic countries
Sam Smith has said his songs could be ‘changing opinions’ in countries where being gay could get you killed, despite never mentioning male lovers in his lyrics.
The British singer sparked criticism last year when he said he was “not trying to be a spokesperson” for the gay community. He also previously defended only singing about gender-neutral “lovers” to ensure his songs are universal and “apply to everyone” – though straight male singers sing about girlfriends all the time.
In an interview with NME this week, he tried to address some of his past comments.
He said: “I’m a gay man who came out when I was 10 years old, and there’s nothing in my life that I’m prouder of.
“What I was trying to say was that I didn’t want the album to appeal to just one community, I wanted it to appeal to all of them. I wanted anyone, gay or straight, to be able to relate to me singing about men, like I was able to relate to Stevie Wonder or John Legend singing about girls.”
The singer hinted that he had changed his stance on the issue somewhat, and given he is already working on his second album, it is possible that his upcoming material could see him explicitly singing about men.
Referring to his previous comments, he added: “I want to be a spokesperson. I want to be a figure in the gay community, who speaks for gay men.
“I sell records in countries where gay men get killed and that’s a big thing for me, because maybe one person in that country will pick up my album, realize it’s by a gay artist, and it might change their opinion.”
Years & Years singer Olly Alexander has hit out in the past at gay musicians who sing about gender-neutral “lovers” in songs, saying: “It is kind of sad to me that we don’t have gay pop stars singing about men using a male pronoun, but that could change hopefully.”
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5 Comments
Max
October 26, 05:07☺
#TeamKizito
October 26, 06:35*NP: Sam Smith – Writings On The Wall.
john
October 26, 07:59I think Everyone is accepting him coz of his good music. I have core straight friend who loves his music, despite telling him he is gay, it never changed. if u are good for nothing, n comes out of ur own closet. Then you are good as dead.
Delle
October 26, 09:46Firstly, I have to say is way cuter and hotter than when I last saw him!
Yes he’s a great musician, yes he’s got some pretty huge fan base…but I really do think its because, just like he said, his songs are mainly for the ‘gender-neutral’ folks. One of my roomies in school (a straight guy) absolutely adores or should I say ‘adored’ Sam Smith. It was quite unfortunate when I found out he didn’t know Sam was gay. Immediately I told him Smith was gay, he was so irritated and swore never to listen to his songs again. Not only was I baffled, I was very pissed and I bashed my roomie with terrible spite. I really don’t know if the guy was pretending to hate (cos Sam is gay) or if he actually hated Sam in just 3 seconds! Imagine?
What I’m saying is this, Sam should realise that his huge fan base is because he isn’t all-out on the gay activist thingy. If he decides to become an activist, he should be prepared for a fan decline even in the countries he really wants to impact on.
P.S: Sam is a big time crush of mine. Anyone with his digits please?
PETROVICH
October 26, 13:58I have em digits….but it’s up for grab only one condition..