
Sam Smith's How Do You Sleep? was released on July 19, 2019, through Capitol Records. The song is a follow-up to their globally successful single Dancing With A Stranger and is co-written with renowned songwriters Max Martin, ILYA, and Savan Kotecha. In the song, Smith explores the emotions of heartbreak and moving on, questioning how a deceitful partner can sleep at night. The lyrics reflect on self-hatred, crying, and the desire to heal and move forward. The track is characterized by a hypnotic beat, a danceable rhythm, and Smith's distinctive vocal range and timbre.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Song Title | How Do You Sleep? |
| Artist | Sam Smith |
| Release Date | 19 July 2019 |
| Record Label | Capitol Records |
| Co-Writers | Max Martin, ILYA, Savan Kotecha |
| Genre | Dance |
| Theme | Heartbreak, Self-Love |
| Notable Lyrics | "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" |
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What You'll Learn

The song's hypnotic beat and danceable rhythm
Sam Smith's "How Do You Sleep?" is an upbeat song with a hypnotic beat and a danceable rhythm. The song, which was released in July 2019, is a follow-up to Smith's globally successful single "Dancing With A Stranger".
"How Do You Sleep?" is characterized by its catchy and danceable rhythm, with a hypnotic beat that showcases Smith's vocal range and distinctive timbre. The song's upbeat and hypnotic vibe contrasts with the emotional and heartfelt lyrics, which delve into the themes of heartbreak, self-reflection, and moving on.
In the lyrics, Smith expresses the sentiment of being done with self-loathing and crying, and the need to begin the healing process. They also touch on the idea of feeling trapped in a cycle of shame, danger, fear, and pressure due to lies and deceit. Despite the emotional weight of the lyrics, the song's melody and rhythm create a sense of liberation and empowerment, almost as if Smith is dancing through the pain.
The hypnotic beat and danceable rhythm of "How Do You Sleep?" make it a perfect song to groove to, with a tempo that invites listeners to move and lose themselves in the music. The contrast between the emotional lyrics and the liberating melody showcases Smith's ability to create complex and multifaceted music that resonates with listeners on a deeper level.
Overall, the hypnotic and danceable nature of "How Do You Sleep?" makes it a captivating and memorable song, showcasing Smith's artistic range and their ability to transform personal struggles into empowering anthems.
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Sam Smith's distinctive vocal range
Sam Smith is widely recognised for their vocal prowess and emotional ballads. Their distinctive vocal range has been described as angelic, bright, warm, and youthful. Smith's voice is characterised by its high tessitura, with ease in the 4th octave and a range spanning from C3 to C5 to G5. This places them in the light-lyric fach and identifies them as a tenor.
Smith's vocal talent is particularly notable in their ability to challenge themselves vocally, a rarity among current male singers. Their timbre, or unique tonal quality, is a defining feature of their voice. This, combined with their impressive range, contributes to the hypnotic and danceable rhythm of their songs, including "How Do You Sleep?"
While Smith's upper register showcases their vocal strength and comfort, their lower register tends to be weaker and less effortless. Despite this, they have achieved success and critical acclaim for their soulful and understated delivery, capturing the universal emotions of heartbreak and loneliness in a deeply personal yet relatable way.
Smith's vocal range and style have been showcased in various popular songs, including "Latch" (F#4), "Lay Me Down" (G4), "I'm Not The Only One" (A4), and "Stay With Me" (B4). Their songs often explore the complexities of love and heartbreak, and their distinct voice effectively conveys the emotional depth of their lyrics.
Overall, Sam Smith's distinctive vocal range, characterised by its high tessitura and light-lyric tenor classification, has played a pivotal role in their artistic success. Their ability to express emotion and challenge themselves vocally has solidified their place as one of the few current male vocalists.
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The song's lyrics and their meaning
"How Do You Sleep?" is a song by Sam Smith that was released on July 19, 2019, through Capitol Records. The song is characterized by a hypnotic beat and a danceable rhythm, showcasing Smith's vocal range and distinctive timbre. In the song, Smith sings about moving on from a painful romantic break-up and the frustration and loneliness of heartbreak.
The lyrics of the song reflect the theme of heartbreak and the emotional turmoil that comes with it. In the chorus, Smith asks, "Baby, how do you sleep when you lie to me?" implying that the singer is struggling to come to terms with the lies and deceit in the relationship. The lyrics "all that shame and all that danger / I'm hopin' that my love will keep you up tonight" further emphasize the pain and disappointment they feel.
In the verses, Smith acknowledges the self-hatred and crying that have plagued them, but expresses a desire to move on and start healing. They recognize the toxic nature of the relationship, singing, "I'm done hatin' myself for feelin' / I'm done cryin' myself awake / I gotta leave and start the healin'" '. But the pull of the relationship is still strong, as indicated in the lines, "But when you move like that, I just wanna stay / What have I become now?"
The pre-chorus continues the theme of heartbreak and betrayal, with Smith singing, "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." The singer is aware of their partner's infidelity and the emotional toll it is taking on them.
Overall, the lyrics of "How Do You Sleep?" by Sam Smith reflect the singer's emotional journey through heartbreak, self-reflection, and the struggle to move on from a toxic relationship. The song resonates with listeners going through similar experiences and provides a sense of catharsis and understanding.
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The song's co-writers: Max Martin, ILYA and Savan Kotecha
"How Do You Sleep?" by Sam Smith was co-written with Max Martin, ILYA, and Savan Kotecha. The song was released on July 19, 2019, through Capitol Records. It is characterized by a hypnotic beat and danceable rhythm, showcasing Smith's vocal range and distinctive timbre.
Max Martin is a well-known songwriter and producer who has written several UK No. 1s, including "Baby One More Time" by Britney Spears and "Roar" by Katy Perry.
ILYA, also known as Ilya Salmanzadeh, is a songwriter and record producer. He has worked with artists such as Ariana Grande, Demi Lovato, and Selena Gomez.
Savan Kotecha is a songwriter and producer who has written chart-topping hits for artists like One Direction ("What Makes You Beautiful") and Ariana Grande ("Break Up With Your Girlfriend, I'm Bored").
The song "How Do You Sleep?" marks the first time Sam Smith has collaborated with all three songwriters. The lyrics of the song reflect on a painful romantic break-up, with the singer questioning how their former lover can sleep at night after lying to them. The song also expresses the singer's desire to move on from the heartbreak and start healing.
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The song as a follow-up to 'Dancing With A Stranger'
Sam Smith's "How Do You Sleep?" is the follow-up to their globally successful single "Dancing With A Stranger," which was released in January 2019. The song, co-written with Max Martin, ILYA, and Savan Kotecha, was announced on July 10, 2019 and released on July 19, 2019, through Capitol Records.
"How Do You Sleep?" marks a departure from Smith's previous heartbreak ballads, indicating their personal growth and newfound freedom. The song's lyrics reflect a journey of self-acceptance and healing after a painful break-up. In the chorus, Smith questions how their former partner can sleep at night despite lying to them, highlighting the emotions of shame, danger, fear, and pressure associated with the relationship.
The pre-chorus reveals the narrator's introspection and self-blame as they ask, "What have I become now?" and acknowledge that "love to you is just a game." The second verse showcases the narrator's determination to move on and not lose themselves in the process: "I am not this desperate, not this crazy / There's no way I'm sticking 'round to find out / I won't lose like that, I won't lose myself."
The song's hypnotic beat and danceable rhythm, combined with Smith's distinctive vocal style and range, resulted in a catchy and upbeat track. "How Do You Sleep?" received positive responses from fans and critics alike, with many praising its relatable themes and Smith's powerful vocals.
Overall, "How Do You Sleep?" serves as a compelling follow-up to "Dancing With A Stranger," showcasing Smith's evolution as an artist and their ability to transform personal experiences into captivating music.
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Frequently asked questions
The name of the song is "How Do You Sleep?" by Sam Smith.
The song revolves around the idea of moving on from a painful romantic break-up and the frustration and loneliness that comes with it.
Some notable lyrics from the song include "I'm done hatin' myself for feelin'" and "Baby, how do you sleep when you lie to me?".
The song is characterised by a hypnotic beat and a danceable rhythm, showcasing Sam Smith's vocal range and distinctive timbre.
"How Do You Sleep?" was released on July 19, 2019, through Capitol Records.































