“To Be Free“: Sam Smith Unveils a Raw, Soulful Anthem of Self-Acceptance and Liberation
“To Be Free,” a profoundly emotional single from Sam Smith, was released today, July 24, 2025, marking their second single of the year and a compelling return to intimate, soulful songwriting.
This track, co-written with Simon Aldred half a decade ago, was held back until Smith felt truly ready to share it, describing the piece as “more than special” and deeply personal.
Musically, the song features a single live take of Smith’s powerful vocals accompanied by an acoustic guitar, further enriched by the resonant backing of the TwoCity Chorus, a talented choir hailing from Philadelphia and New York.
“To Be Free” delves into themes of vulnerability, persistent hope, and the journey towards self-acceptance.
Central to its imagery are rivers, serving both as a personal metaphor and a symbol of life’s continuous flow.
Smith described the song as born “during a time in my life where I became free within myself,” and its message wholeheartedly embraces authentic living and discovering light even in the darkest periods.
The official music video, filmed at Warsaw in Brooklyn and directed by the French collective (LA)HORDE, contrasts Smith’s understated performance with dynamic scenes of people dancing in a dimly lit bar.
Fans and critics have enthusiastically hailed the track as a powerful return to the raw, soulful essence that initially defined Smith’s career, with many describing it as profoundly moving and “a kiss of heaven.”
The song was originally conceived during sessions for Smith’s 2023 Gloria album but was consciously reserved for a more appropriate moment.
Smith’s recent relocation to New York, now considering the city home, directly inspired the single’s cover art—a poignant image of the Hudson River.
Complementing the single’s release, Smith announced a 12-date residency at Warsaw in Brooklyn this October, deepening the personal connection to their new creative era.
“To Be Free” truly stands out as a powerful ode to self-acceptance, showcasing Smith at their most vulnerable and artistically candid, and it is readily available now across all major streaming platforms.
Quotable Lyrics:
Pray your heart be lighter
Brave and free like mine
Floating like a feather
Hope waits down the line
To be free
Like the river tends to be
To be free
Wings of freedom, fly to me
Eh
Shake off all your burdens
Shame’s no friend of mine
Lost my faith in perfect
We’ll be home in time, oh
To be free, yeah
Like the river, oh, it tends to be, yeah
To be free
Wings of freedom, fly to me
Fly
Oh, oh, oh
Yeah, oh
To bе free, yeah
Like the rivеr, oh, it tends to be
To be free
Wings of freedom, fly to me
Ah
May your heart be open
Let no one change your mind
