It was added to the Drowning Shadows edition of Smith’s debut album, In The Lonely Hour – a reissue that hit the shops at the end of 2015. It’s a controlled, tender performance that strips away the mid-80s fuss of the original to reveal the fragile, emotional melody beneath. This gorgeous cover of the Whitney Houston classic demonstrates the seemingly effortless power of Smith’s voice.

The song even inspired the name of a pop-up wig shop in London’s Soho, opened by Smith as part of the long campaign to launch the record. Issued as a promotional track for 2020’s Love Goes, this gorgeous ballad arguably deserved better billing, but the pairing with Jimmy Napes, who had worked with Smith on some of his biggest hits such as “Stay With Me”, and production team Stargate created a strong showing nonetheless. Listen to the best of Sam Smith on Apple Music and Spotify. From the choppy dance classic “Promises,” sensitive torch ballad “Stay With Me’ and blistering “I’m Not Here To Make Friends” there are plenty of high points to choose from in our run-down of the best Sam Smith songs. Blessed with an extraordinary voice, however, their love songs speak to millions and have become standards. The Londoner announced they were gay in 2014 and used their platform to tackle the demons of a difficult childhood plagued with insecurities about their sexuality and body image. Since 2012, the Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Sam Smith has been building a discography of enviable scale.

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