Sam Smith just can’t help getting into a holiday mood on their surprise Christmas single “The Lighthouse Keeper.” The kind of blue orchestral ballad written by Smith with producer Labrinth is a throwback to a Bing Crosby-style of holiday song, with an emotional story at its center about a long-sought reunion at Christmastime.
“I know it’s November but I can’t help but feel Christmassy already and so I’m beyond excited to share that my new song,” Smith tweeted on Friday (Nov. 20) morning. The instant new holiday classic opens with an image of a lover sailing across a wide sea in search of a beacon to guide them home.
“When you set sail on your journey/ And happiness is far away/ Love will guide you ’til the mornin’/ Lead your heart down to the bay/ Don’t resist the rain and storm/ I’ll never leave you lost at sea/ I will be your lighthouse keeper/ Bring you safely homе to me,” Smith sings on the swaying chorus. The singer finally gets around to mentioning Christmas in the second verse, where they hope that their beloved will be home in time to celebrate together.
“If any year could make me look forward to the sounds of Christmas, it would be 2020 as more than ever before we are yearning to be around our friends and family once again. Christmas symbolises that for me and earlier this year I was inspired to write a Christmas love song,” Smith said in a statement. “Labrinth and I poured our hearts into this one and it has honestly been pure joy to create and make.”
Watch the animated video directed and conceptualized by Smith here.
Listen to “The Lighthouse Keeper” below.
