Ashwin Lewis
Sam Smith's How Do You Sleep? is a song about moving on from a painful break-up. Released on July 19, 2019, the song showcases Smith's vocal range and distinctive timbre, with an electro-pop style and danceable rhythm. The lyrics, however, tell a sad story of inner turmoil after a break-up, with Smith questioning a past relationship and expressing their feelings about a lover who did not reciprocate their love. The song's music video, directed by Grant Singer, features Smith and a group of shirtless male dancers performing intricate choreography.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Song Name | How Do You Sleep? |
| Artist | Sam Smith |
| Genre | Electro-pop, Pop ballad |
| Theme | Moving on from a breakup |
| Lyrics | Self-reflection, sadness, lost love, lying |
| Music Video | Dance choreography, shirtless male dancers, circus-style environment |
| Release Date | July 19, 2019 |
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What You'll Learn
The song's music video was directed by Grant Singer
The music video for "How Do You Sleep?" by Sam Smith was directed by Grant Singer and released on July 19, 2019, the same day as the track's release. The video features Smith and a group of shirtless male dancers dancing in various lit-up areas. There are also scenes of Smith being dragged around a set to different locations and singing in a circus-style environment.
The video's choreography is described as "dance-tastic" and "incredible" and includes hip-dance choreography. Smith commented that they wanted to move on from heartbreak ballads, which is reflected in the video's upbeat and danceable nature. The song's hypnotic beat and danceable rhythm are a new sound for Smith, marking a departure from their usual heartbreak beats.
The video's visuals complement the song's themes of moving on from a painful romantic break-up. The lyrics, which question a relationship and a lover's honesty, are brought to life through the video's dynamic and playful aesthetic.
Grant Singer is known for their work in music video direction, and their collaboration with Sam Smith on "How Do You Sleep?" successfully captures the song's emotion and energy. The result is a visually captivating and choreographically impressive music video that enhances the impact of the song.
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It features choreography and shirtless male dancers
Sam Smith's "How Do You Sleep?" is a track that marks a departure from their usual ballads, showcasing a new electro-pop sound. The song, released on July 19, 2019, is an upbeat dance track with a hypnotic beat and a catchy rhythm.
The music video for "How Do You Sleep?" is just as captivating as the song itself. Directed by Grant Singer, the video features Smith and a group of shirtless male dancers performing intricate choreography. The dancers move in sync with Smith, showcasing their well-rehearsed and carefully crafted routine. The lighting and set design add to the overall impact of the performance, with Smith being dragged to different locations, creating a sense of dynamic movement and fluidity.
The choreography in the music video is a key element that enhances the song's message and adds a layer of visual storytelling. The dancers' movements complement the song's themes of heartbreak and emotional turmoil, with graceful yet powerful gestures and formations. The all-male dance crew, including Smith, presents a united front, conveying a sense of brotherhood and shared experience.
The inclusion of shirtless male dancers in the music video is a bold and memorable choice. It adds a layer of sensuality and vulnerability to the performance, as the dancers expose their bare chests, conveying a sense of openness and emotional rawness. The choreography, combined with the shirtless attire, creates a visually striking and evocative performance that captures the complexities of the song's themes.
The combination of the song's upbeat sound, Smith's powerful vocals, and the captivating choreography in the music video makes "How Do You Sleep?" a multi-dimensional artistic expression. The shirtless male dancers add an element of physicality and raw emotion to the performance, making it a memorable and impactful visual experience that enhances the song's overall message.
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Sam Smith's partner is a pathological liar
Sam Smith's 2019 single "How Do You Sleep?" is a song about moving on from a painful breakup. The lyrics suggest that Smith's partner was a pathological liar. In the song, Smith questions a relationship, realising it isn't right and that they don't trust the lover.
The chorus of the song includes the lines: "Baby, how do you sleep when you lie to me? / All that shame and all that danger / I'm hopin' that my love will keep you up tonight". These lyrics indicate that Smith is addressing a former partner who has lied to them, and the singer is hoping that the guilt of their lies will keep the partner awake at night.
The pre-chorus hints at the discovery of the partner's deception: "Lookin' through your phone now / Oh now, love to you is just a game / Look what I have done now / Dialling up the numbers on you / I don't want my heart to break". Here, Smith describes the suspicion and subsequent confirmation of the partner's infidelity, a revelation that breaks their heart.
In the verses, Smith expresses their determination to move on and heal from the relationship: "I'm done hatin' myself for feelin' / I'm done cryin' myself awake / I gotta leave and start the healin'". This part of the song showcases Smith's decision to stop blaming themselves and to start the healing process, acknowledging that staying in a toxic relationship will only cause further pain.
The song "How Do You Sleep?" is a powerful expression of the emotions that follow a breakup with a deceitful partner. Through the lyrics, Sam Smith conveys the pain, anger, and resolution to move forward, providing a relatable narrative for listeners who have experienced similar relationship struggles.
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The song is a new sound for Smith
"How Do You Sleep?" is a new sound for Sam Smith. The song, released in July 2019, is a departure from Smith's usual heartbreak ballads, showcasing an electro-pop style with a danceable rhythm.
In the song, Smith questions a relationship, realising it isn't right and that they don't trust their lover. The lyrics still contain a sad story, with Smith expressing their feelings after a breakup and struggling with self-hatred and crying themselves to sleep. However, the music video and the song's beat showcase a new, upbeat side to Smith's music.
Smith themself acknowledged this shift, stating in a press release: "This year, both personally and musically, I feel so free. More than ever I have had so much fun making this record and this video…" This new-found freedom is reflected in the song's hypnotic beat and danceable rhythm, marking a clear evolution in Smith's artistic expression.
The song's release was highly anticipated, with Smith teasing it on social media in the weeks leading up to its release. "How Do You Sleep?" is a testament to Smith's artistic growth, demonstrating their ability to explore new sonic territories while still maintaining their distinctive vocal style and timbre. This blend of familiar and innovative elements has been well-received, with Rolling Stone describing the song as a "pop ballad about trying to move on".
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It's a pop ballad about trying to move on from a breakup (moving on from heartbreak ballads)
Sam Smith's "How Do You Sleep?" is a pop ballad about trying to move on from a breakup. The song, released on July 19, 2019, marks a departure from Smith's usual heartbreak ballads, showcasing a new sound with an electro-pop style while maintaining the theme of a love ballad.
The lyrics of "How Do You Sleep?" reflect on the emotions experienced after a relationship ends, with Smith questioning themselves and the relationship, acknowledging that it isn't right and that they don't trust their lover. In the song, Smith expresses their struggle to move on and heal from the heartbreak, as evident in the lines, "I'm done hatin' myself for feelin'/ I'm done cryin' myself awake/ I gotta leave and start the healin'/ But when you move like that, I just wanna stay."
The chorus, "Baby, how do you sleep when you lie to me?" reveals the pain and betrayal felt due to the partner's lies and deceit. Despite the sadness in the lyrics, the song is characterized by a hypnotic beat and danceable rhythm, showcasing Smith's vocal range and distinctive timbre.
In a press release, Smith expressed their freedom and enjoyment in creating the song and its music video, which was directed by Grant Singer and released simultaneously with the track. The video features Smith and a group of shirtless male dancers performing intricate choreography in lit-up areas, along with Smith being pulled through different sets, creating a captivating visual experience.
"How Do You Sleep?" serves as a testament to Smith's artistic evolution, demonstrating their ability to explore new musical styles while continuing to resonate with listeners through heartfelt and relatable themes.
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Frequently asked questions
The song is about moving on from a painful breakup.
The song was released on July 19, 2019.
The song has an electro-pop style with a danceable rhythm.
The lyrics deal with themes of lost love, lying, shame, danger, fear, and pressure.
The music video, directed by Grant Singer, features Smith and a group of male dancers dancing in lit-up areas. It also includes scenes of Smith being dragged around a set to different locations and singing in a circus-style environment.
