# Lay Me Down (Sam Smith song)

"Lay Me Down" is a song by English singer Sam Smith, released on 15 February 2013 as the lead single from their debut studio album In the Lonely Hour (2014). It originally peaked at number 46 on the UK Singles Chart and at number 25 on the US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart in 2014.
The song was re-released in February 2015 as the sixth single from the album, this time reaching number 8 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 15 on the UK Singles Chart. A third version featuring John Legend recorded for the British charity telethon Comic Relief reached number one in the UK in March 2015.

## Composition

The song was written by Smith, Jimmy Napes and Elviin and produced by Napes and Steve Fitzmaurice. In a statemend for the 2015 re-release of the song, Smith said about the writing and meaning of the song:
   "This was the first song I wrote for this record and the first song I ever wrote with my writing partner Jimmy Napes. This song changed my life and sent me in the direction where it was all about the voice. I'm not looking a certain way, or singing a certain sound it's about the soul, the voice, and the passion, and the truth. "Lay Me Down" continues to teach me lessons every day"

## Reception

Britt Julious of Pitchfork wrote that, "although the song's vibe isn't as upbeat as the last time the artists teamed up, the production is light and highlights, rather than overshadows, Smith's powerful voice," which results in "a love song that sounds as equally spiritual as it does romantic."

## Music video

The original music video showed Smith and their friends at a casino. Following the announcement of the re-release, it was removed from YouTube and Vevo.

## Charts

| Chart (2014) | Peak position |
| Scotland (OCC) | 60 |
| UK Singles (OCC) | 46 |
| US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard) | 25 |

## Release history

| Region | Date | Format | Label |
| United Kingdom | 15 February 2013 | Digital download | CapitolMethod |

## 2015 re-release

It was announced on 30 January 2015 that Smith would re-release "Lay Me Down" as the sixth single from their album In the Lonely Hour following commercial success with its previous singles. Smith recorded a new version of the song for its re-release with the track's original producers.

### Music video

The music video for the re-release, which replaced the original, was recorded in St Margaret's Church, Lee, South East London, with the permission of the Rector the Revd. Dr. Alan Race. It was shot in one sequence and depicts Smith at a funeral in the church standing in front of the deceased's coffin. A flashback reveals that Smith actually married the man in question in the same church. The video then returns to present day, some time after the funeral, with Smith mourning the loss of their husband in the empty church.

### Release history

| Region | Date | Format | Label |
| United States | 3 February 2015 | Mainstream radio | CapitolMethod |
| United States | 23 February 2015 | Adult album alternative radio | CapitolMethod |
| Australia | 20 February 2015 | Digital download | CapitolMethod |
| Ireland | 20 February 2015 | Digital download | CapitolMethod |
| New Zealand | 20 February 2015 | Digital download | CapitolMethod |
| United Kingdom | 22 February 2015 | Digital download | CapitolMethod |

## Red Nose Day 2015 release

On 9 March 2015, it was announced that Smith and John Legend had joined forces for a third version of "Lay Me Down" to be used as the official Red Nose Day charity single. This version was released the same day and all proceeds from the track's sales benefit the charity. Smith sings the opening verse and first chorus with Legend on the piano, then Legend joins in with the second verse. Some later parts are a duet by the two artists.

### Music video

Smith and Legend also appear in a new video for the charity. It was posted by Smith on their official Vevo account. The music video is also broadcast nationally on BBC One. The video features Smith and Legend recording the song in a recording studio.

### Live performances

On 13 March 2015, Smith and Legend performed "Lay Me Down" together for the first and only time together during Comic Relief – Face the Funny, a major event broadcast live on BBC One from the London Palladium.

### Charts
#### Weekly charts

| Chart (2015) | Peak position |
| Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders) | 8 |
| Belgium Urban (Ultratop Flanders) | 8 |
| Euro Digital Songs (Billboard) | 1 |
| Iceland (RÚV) | 9 |
| Ireland (IRMA) | 4 |
| Netherlands (Tipparade) | 18 |
| Scotland (OCC) | 1 |
| UK Singles (OCC) | 1 |

#### Year-end charts

| Chart (2015) | Position |
| UK Singles (Official Charts Company) | 96 |

### Certifications

| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
| Spain (PROMUSICAE) | Gold | 30,000$^‡$ |
| United Kingdom (BPI) | Platinum | 421,000 |
| $^‡$ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |||

### Release history

| Region | Date | Format | Label |
| United Kingdom | 9 March 2015 | Digital download | Capitol |