"The Lighthouse Keeper"
Single by Sam Smith
from the EP The Holly & the Ivy
Released20 November 2020 (2020-11-20)
GenreTraditional pop
Length4:07
LabelCapitol
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Labrinth
Sam Smith singles chronology
"Kids Again"
(2020)		 "The Lighthouse Keeper"
(2020)		 "You Will Be Found"
(2021)

"The Lighthouse Keeper" is a song by British singer Sam Smith, released through Capitol Records on 20 November 2020 as a single from their extended play, The Holly & the Ivy (2020).[1][2][3] The song was written by Labrinth and Sam Smith. It peaked at number 72 on the UK Singles Chart.

Background

"The Lighthouse Keeper" is the second time that Smith has worked with Labrinth, he features on the title track that features on Smith's third studio album Love Goes. Labrinth also produced the song.

"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. Labrinth and I poured our hearts into this one and it has honestly been pure joy to create and make."

— "Listen to Sam Smith's new Christmas song ‘The Lighthouse Keeper’", NME[4]

Composition

Written in partnership with Labrinth it is unlike anything Sam Smith has produced before. It is a throwback to the 1940s, a song with a story of Christmas reunion. The result is an unusual mix of sombre anthem and gentle lullaby, with classical-style choral backing and soft strings. The Christmas theme is subtle; the reference “home for Christmas time” doesn’t come until the end of verse two.

Music video

A music video to accompany the release of "The Lighthouse Keeper" was first released onto YouTube on 23 November 2020. The animation video was created by Babekühl. It was animated by Alexis Pepper Hernandez, Andrew Yee, Billy Ryan, Chris Yee, Eva Li, Opal Liang, Patrick Santamaria and Steffie Yee while Sam was its director.[5]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[6]

  • Labrinth – producer, composer, lyricist, associated performer, background vocalist, electro-acoustic realisation, recording engineer, studio personnel
  • Sam Smith – composer, lyricist, associated performer, vocals
  • Mark Deml – assistant mixer, studio personnel
  • Alison Dods – associated performer, violin
  • Andy Parker – associated performer, viola
  • Bruce White – associated performer, viola
  • Caroline Dale – associated performer, cello
  • Chris Laurence – associated performer, bass
  • Chris Worsey – associated performer, cello
  • David Pyatt – associated performer, French horn
  • Everton Nelson – associated performer, violin
  • Ian Burdge – associated performer, cello
  • Ian Humphries –associated performer, violin
  • Joby Burgess – associated performer, timpani
  • John Metcalfe – associated performer, viola
  • Louisa Fuller – associated performer, violin
  • Lucy Wilkins – associated performer, violin
  • Natalia Bonner – associated performer, violin
  • Patrick Kiernan – associated performer, violin
  • Reiad Chibah – associated performer, viola
  • Richard George – associated performer, violin
  • Stacey Watton – associated performer, bass
  • Steve Morris – associated performer, violin
  • Tony Woollard – associated performer, cello
  • Warren Zielinski – associated performer, violin
  • Randy Merrill – mastering engineer, studio personnel
  • Steve Fitzmaurice – mixer, studio personnel

Charts

Chart performance for "The Lighthouse Keeper"
Chart (2020) Peak
position
Ireland (IRMA)[7] 97
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[8] 27
Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan)[9] 8
UK Singles (OCC)[10] 72

References

  1. ↑ "The Lighthouse Keeper - Single by Sam Smith". Apple Music. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  2. ↑ "Sam Smith Shares New Christmas Song 'The Lighthouse Keeper'". Rolling Stone. 20 November 2020. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  3. ↑ "Sam Smith is in a Blue Christmas Mood on Surprise 'The Lighthouse Keeper' Single". Billboard. 20 November 2020. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  4. ↑ "Listen to Sam Smith's new Christmas song 'The Lighthouse Keeper'". NME. 21 November 2020. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  5. ↑ "Sam Smith - The Lighthouse Keeper (Animated Video)". Retrieved 11 December 2020 – via YouTube.
  6. ↑ "Credits / The Lighthouse Keeper / Sam Smith – TIDAL". Tidal. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  7. ↑ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Sam Smith". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 25 December 2020.
  8. ↑ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 30 November 2020. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
  9. ↑ "Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 52". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  10. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
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