Sam Smith, I Feel Love | Track Review

With the release of single “I Feel Love,” Grammy-winning pop musician Sam Smith covers a classic by the late disco/R&B icon, Donna Summer.

It’s safe to say, Grammy-winning pop musician Sam Smith has been embracing their identity.  Prior to the release of their latest single, “I Feel Love,” Smith opted for non-binary pronouns they and them. Via Instagram, Smith asserted, “I’ve decided I am changing my pronouns to THEY/THEM after a lifetime of being at war with my gender I’ve decided to embrace myself for who I am, inside and out.” Fair enough.  Moving beyond Smith’s personal life, on the song at hand, he covers a Donna Summer classic.

As one might expect, “I Feel Love” is sleekly produced – the case with disco as well as contemporary dance-pop.  The synths are ripe, while the beat is nothing short of hard-hitting – a surefire catalyst to hit the discotheque. Of course, the biggest attraction is Smith’s upper-register vocals.  His falsetto is nothing short of awe-inspiring on this gem that’s short on lyrics and chocked-full of ‘vibes.’  That said, was there a reason to cover the 1977 Donna Summer classic 32 years later? Probably not.

Final Thoughts 

Sigh, covers are so hard to pull off, period.  Sam Smith has some things working for him on this cover of “I Feel Love.” They’re voice is amazing, and always has been.  The production is also a respectable modern take on a 32-year old song in a genre that no longer exists.  But the biggest rub is that Smith doesn’t deliver such a powerful, game changing cover that it makes his version the definitive take.  Donna Summer still reigns supreme and the question is, will we remember that one time that the fearless Smith decided to tackle a disco icon? Time will tell.  Still, kudos for the vocals.

Sam Smith • I Feel Love [Single] • Capitol • Release: 11.1.19

Photo Credit: Capitol