Diamonds

Album: Love Goes (2020)
Charted: 11 39
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Released as the second single from Love Goes, this glittering dance tune marks a departure in style from the acoustic-y pop-soul music that Sam Smith is best known for. He explained that after the release date of his album was pushed back because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it gave him a fresh perspective on the record and impacted the recording of the tracks. "Every time I went into the studio, I promised myself I would shoot for the stars and have no limitations," Smith said.
  • Lyrically, this crying-on-the-dancefloor anthem finds Sam Smith in a defiant mood. He refuses to give into heartbreak after his gold digger lover reveals their true colors and leaves after they'd got what they wanted out of the relationship. It belongs to the same ballpark as "Dancing With A Stranger" and "How Do You Sleep?," two other songs that pair lyrics about an acrimonious breakup with upbeat instrumentation.
  • Smith wrote the track with:

    Frequent Max Martin collaborator Johan Shellback. His other writing credits include Maroon 5's "Moves Like Jagger," Taylor Swift's "I Knew You Were Trouble" and Ed Sheeran's "I Don't Care."

    Swedish writer-producer Oscar Holter, who also worked on hit singles by Hailee Steinfeld ("Love Myself"), Pink ("Just Like Fire") and The Weeknd ("Blinding Lights").

    Shellback and Oscar Görres (Troye Sivan, Marina) produced the song.
  • Luke Monaghan directed the video, which sees Smith dancing alone around an empty house, reveling in his newfound freedom. Outside, a raging storm builds around the singer. Monaghan has previously teamed up with Smith on such clips as "I'm Not The Only One," "Writing's On The Wall" and "Too Good At Goodbyes."
  • Sam Smith has not disclosed whether the lyrics about a mercenary ex are autobiographical or not, but it's unlikely to be on the playlist of his last boyfriend before he penned this song: 13 Reasons Why actor Brandon Flynn.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Timothy B. Schmit

Timothy B. SchmitSongwriter Interviews

The longtime Eagle talks about soaring back to his solo career, and what he learned about songwriting in the group.

Matthew Wilder - "Break My Stride"

Matthew Wilder - "Break My Stride"They're Playing My Song

Wilder's hit "Break My Stride" had an unlikely inspiration: a famous record mogul who rejected it.

Susanna Hoffs - "Eternal Flame"

Susanna Hoffs - "Eternal Flame"They're Playing My Song

The Prince-penned "Manic Monday" was the first song The Bangles heard coming from a car radio, but "Eternal Flame" is closest to Susanna's heart, perhaps because she sang it in "various states of undress."

Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne

Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of WayneSongwriter Interviews

The guy who brought us "Stacy's Mom" also wrote the Jane Lynch Emmy song and Stephen Colbert's Christmas songs.

In The Cards

In The CardsSong Writing

Songwriters have used cards and card games to make sense of heartache, togetherness, and even Gonorrhea.

Rick Springfield

Rick SpringfieldSongwriter Interviews

Rick has a surprising dark side, a strong feminine side and, in a certain TV show, a naked backside. But he still hasn't found Jessie's Girl.