Sam Smith & Demi Lovato, I’m Ready | Track Review 🎵

Pop powerhouses Sam Smith and Demi Lovato collaborate on “I’m Ready,” a relatable record where both seek to take a risk on love.

“I’m ready, I’m ready, I’m ready, I’m ready / For someone to love me.” Yep, those simple lyrics appearing on the chorus pretty much sum up “I’m Ready.”  “I’m Ready” encompasses matters of the heart – tried and true subject matter.  That said, adding magic to familiarity in this particular instance is a superstar collaboration – Academy Award and Grammy-winning artist Sam Smith and Grammy-nominated artist Demi Lovato.  For the first time, these two powerhouse vocalists come together on this soulful, contemporary pop number.

As aforementioned, the theme is pretty familiar on “I’m Ready.”  Still, that doesn’t inhibit it from being potent. Both Sam Smith and Demi Lovato are ‘ready’ to take a risk on love.  Smith sings, on the first verse, “It’s a cold night in my bed in the heat of summer / I’ve been waitin’ patiently for a beautiful lover…” For Smith, a good man is hard to come by, but they’re willing to take chance – “I gotta take that risk tonight.”  The case is the same for Lovato on the second verse, who contrasts the summer of Smith’s verse with winter: “It’s a hot night in my head in the chill of the winter.”  For most of the song, Smith and Lovato sing independent of one another, both a pro and con.  The con definitely doesn’t outweigh the pro – it would’ve merely been nice to hear them sing together more (they don’t do so until the final line of the final chorus).

Besides the vocals, which are awesome, the production is quite ripe (Ilya).  This is among the more modern-sounding, sleek records I’ve heard Sam Smith sing on.  Not that Smith isn’t ‘hip to the times,’ but many of his records have more retro sensibilities.  Even as slick as “I’m Ready” is, the gospel-infused choir remains intact – a clear pro for both parties.

Final Thoughts 

Sam Smith continues to impress – what a tremendous musician they are.  The same can be said of Demi Lovato, who has returned in 2020 stronger than ever.  “I’m Ready” is relatable, well-performed, well-produced, and well-written.  There are no glaring cons; just wished there was more duetting between two of pop’s best vocalists, ultimately.

Sam Smith & Demi Lovato • “I’m Ready” • Capitol • Release: 4.16.20

Photo Credit: Capitol