Sam Smith admits he was naive about James Bond Spectre theme: 'I thought everyone would love it'

The singer said the response to Writing's On The Wall has been "unbelievable" 
Naive: Sam Smith was shocked by the reaction to his Bond theme
John Phillips/Getty
Emma Powell29 October 2015
The Weekender

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Sam Smith has admitted that he was naïve when it came to writing a Bond theme and assumed everyone would “love it”.

Smith, 23, recorded Writing’s On The Wall, the theme for the 24th film in the spy franchise, Spectre.

The singer said being part of the Bond hype has been “absolutely mad” but that he was shocked by the initial response from fans to his theme.

Speaking to Annie Mac on BBC Radio 1 he said: “I was very naïve about the whole thing. I love the song so much and I still love it.

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“I play some of my songs to my parents and they don’t like them. I remember playing Stay With Me to my mum and dad and they were like ‘I really don’t like this’.

“[Writing’s On The Wall] was the only song that my mum and dad were like ‘I really like this’ so I was feeling really confident. When I released it I thought everyone would love it.

“But it’s impossible for everyone to like a Bond song – it’s impossible for everyone to like James Bond whoever plays him.”

Speaking about the fan reaction to the song – some of whom dubbed it "dull" – he continued: “That initial release with the mixed response I was finding my feet, then when it went to number one it was unbelievable.”

The Lay Me Down singer also revealed that he already has a title and a handful of songs for his next album and refuses to believe the cliché that an artist’s second album is the hardest.

“This is what I do, this is what I love,” he told Mac. “I write love songs and I’m forever going in and out of relationships and wanting to say things about life and love. It’s coming quite naturally to me with what I want to say.

“I’ve got a title to the album and I’ve got four songs I’m really proud of. I’m trying to be as honest as I possibly can because as you become more famous people seem to think you can do no wrong.”

The singer said he often goes in and out of relationships to get inspiration for his song writing.

When asked by Mac, "Do you ever feel like you have to go in and out of relationships just to create content for your songwriting?" Smith replied: "I'd be lying if I said no."

He continued: "Sometimes I'll be lying in bed with someone and think, 'This would be a sick song'."

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