Arts & Entertainment
Sam Smith releases acoustic version of latest single, ‘To Die For’
Less than a month after the recent release of their new single, “To Die For,” singer Sam Smith has debuted a new acoustic version of the song.
Smith dropped the new recording on Friday, which features a stripped-down musical accompaniment of piano and cello, along with an “ambient visual” which was filmed and recorded live in Los Angeles. The pop superstar’s vocals are placed front and center in a sentimental performance that evokes their earliest releases.
The original version, which was released on Valentine’s day, was itself accompanied by a profound Grant Singer- directed video, in conjunction with the announcement of Smith’s long-awaited third album, “To Die For,” which is scheduled to drop May 1 on Capitol Records.
The original recording opens with a sample from the 2001 cult film “Donnie Darko,” pairing soaring strings and evocative piano with Smith’s distinctive vocals expressing their plaintive confession, “I just want somebody to die for.” The introspective tune was recorded with Jimmy Napes and Stargate, who also collaborated with Smith on 2017’s 4x US Platinum track, “Too Good At Goodbyes.” Smith also recently released a behind-the-scenes video about the making of their official video for the title track.
Since the release of their 2014 debut album, “In The Lonely Hour,” Smith has sold over 25 million adjusted albums worldwide, in addition to winning four Grammy Awards, an Oscar, a Golden Globe, and three BRIT Awards. Their second album, “The Thrill Of It All,” debuted in the number one spot on the Billboard 200 in 2017, also topping charts worldwide, and was awarded four stars by Rolling Stone. A 2019 collaboration with Normani, “Dancing with a Stranger,” sold more than 10 million units and racked up over two billion streams worldwide, becoming a number one airplay hit in the US and UK and achieving Platinum status in 19 countries. A follow up single, “How Do You Sleep?,” amassed over 600 million streams worldwide.
You can watch the video for the new acoustic version below.
Impulse Group DC held “10’s Across the Board: A Celebration of 10 Years” at Bravo Bravo (1001 Connecticut Ave., N.W.) on Sunday, Dec. 14. Impulse Group DC is a volunteer-led 501(c)(3) and affinity group of AIDS Healthcare Foundation dedicated “to engaging, supporting, and connecting gay men” through culturally relevant health and advocacy work.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
Rob Reiner, most known for directing untouchable classics like “The Princess Bride,” “Misery,” “When Harry Met Sally…,” and “Stand by Me,” died Dec. 14 alongside his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, in their Los Angeles residence. While investigations are actively underway, sources have told PEOPLE Magazine that the pair’s son, Nick Reiner, killed his parents and has been taken into custody.
Reiner was a master of every genre, from the romantic comedy to the psychological thriller to the coming-of-age buddy movie. But in addition to his renowned work that made him a household name, Reiner is also remembered as a true advocate for the LGBTQ community. In 2009, Reiner and his wife co-founded the American Foundation for Equal Rights, helping fight against California’s Prop 8 same-sex marriage ban. They were honored at the 2015 Human Rights Campaign Las Vegas Gala.
In a statement, HRC President Kelley Robinson said: “The entire HRC family is devastated by the loss of Rob and Michele Reiner. Rob is nothing short of a legend — his television shows and films are a part of our American history and will continue to bring joy to millions of people across the world. Yet for all his accomplishments in Hollywood, Rob and Michele will most be remembered for their gigantic hearts, and their fierce support for the causes they believed in — including LGBTQ+ equality. So many in our movement remember how Rob and Michele organized their peers, brought strategists and lawyers together, and helped power landmark Supreme Court decisions that made marriage equality the law of the land — and they remained committed to the cause until their final days. The world is a darker place this morning without Rob and Michele — may they rest in power.”
Reiner’s frequent collaborators have also spoken out as the industry is in mourning, including figures like Ron Howard and John Cusack.
A joint statement from Jamie Lee Curtis and Christopher Guest (who starred in Reiner’s “This is Spinal Tap”) reads: “Christopher and I are numb and sad and shocked about the violent, tragic deaths of our dear friends Rob and Michele Singer Reiner and our ONLY focus and care right now is for their children and immediate families and we will offer all support possible to help them. There will be plenty of time later to discuss the creative lives we shared and the great political and social impact they both had on the entertainment industry, early childhood development, the fight for gay marriage, and their global care for a world in crisis. We have lost great friends. Please give us time to grieve.”
While attending the 2019 HRC Los Angeles Dinner, Reiner spoke out about the need for equality: “We have to move past singling out transgender, LGBTQ, black, white, Jewish, Muslim, Latino. We have to get way past that and start accepting the idea that we’re all human beings. We’re all human beings, we all share the same planet, and we should all have the same rights, period. It’s no more complicated than that.”
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington perform “The Holiday Show” at Lincoln Theatre (1215 U St., N.W.). Visit gmcw.org for tickets and showtimes.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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