Music Friday: Brokenhearted Sam Smith Cries Out, ‘My Diamonds Leave With You’

Welcome to Music Friday when we bring you brand new songs with jewelry, gemstones or precious metals in the title or lyrics. Today, English singer-songwriter Sam Smith tries to wrap his mind around a bitter breakup in his sensational, new single, “Diamonds.”

Throughout the song, Smith acknowledges that his ex-lover was using him for his money and fame. But, Smith hardly cares that his ex has walked away with “glitter and gold.” What’s most painful is the loss of the thing that is most precious in his world — his love, which is represented in the song as his “diamonds.”

Smith sings, “Material love won’t fool me (Mmm) / When you’re not here, I can’t breathe (Mmm) / Think I always knew / My diamonds leave with you.”

Penned by Smith and Shellback, “Diamonds” was released as the second single from Love Goes, an album that’s scheduled to drop on October 30. Today’s featured song premiered on September 17 and the official music video has become a global sensation, averaging more than a million views per day (8.7 million and counting). The official lyric video has been played more than a half million times.

On his Instagram page, Smith wrote, “I’m extremely happy and overjoyed to announce my third album (I can’t believe I’m saying that) ‘Love Goes’. This album marks a time of experimentation and self discovery in my life. I wrote this from the age of 26-28 and it’s been one hell of a ride. I hope the people who listen to it enjoy it and love it like I have and do.”

Born Samuel Frederick Smith in London in 1992, the velvety-voiced singer developed his love for music in musical theater and youth choirs. As a 20-year-old, he was featured on the Disclosure song, “Latch,” which charted in 15 countries. A year later, he would release his debut album, Lay Me Down.

To date, Smith has captured four Grammy Awards, three Brit Awards, three Billboard Music Awards, an American Music Award, a Golden Globe and an Academy Award.

Please check out the audio track of Smith performing “Diamonds.” The lyrics are below if you’d like to sing along…

“Diamonds”
Written by Sam Smith and Shellback. Performed by Sam Smith.

Have it all, rip our memories off the wall
All the special things I bought
They mean nothing to me anymore
But to you, they were everything we were
They meant more than every word
Now I know just what you love me for (Mmm)

Take all the money you want from me
Hope you become what you want to be
Show me how little you care
How little you care, how little you care
You dream of glitter and gold
My hеart’s already been sold
Show you how little I care
How little I care, how little I care

My diamonds leave with you (Mmm)
You’re never gonna hear my heart break (Mmm)
Never gonna move in dark ways (Mmm)
Baby, you’re so cruel
My diamonds leave with you (Mmm)
Material love won’t fool me (Mmm)
When you’re not here, I can’t breathe (Mmm)
Think I always knew
My diamonds leave with you (Diamonds, diamonds, diamonds, diamonds)

Shake it off, shake the fear of feeling lost
Always me that pays the cost
I should never trust so easily
You lied to me, lie-lied to me
Then left with my heart ’round your chest (Mmm)

Take all the money you want from me
Hope you become what you want to be
Show me how little you care
How little you care, how little you care
You dream of glitter and gold
My heart’s already been sold
Show you how little I care
How little I care, how little I care

My diamonds leave with you (Mmm)
You’re never gonna hear my heart break (Mmm)
Never gonna move in dark ways (Mmm)
Baby, you’re so cruel
My diamonds leave with you (Mmm)
Material love won’t fool me (Mmm)
When you’re not here, I can’t breathe (Mmm)
Think I always knew
My diamonds leave with you (Diamonds, diamonds, diamonds, diamonds)

Woah-oh (Diamonds, diamonds, diamonds, diamonds)
Woah-oh (Diamonds, diamonds, diamonds, diamonds)
Always knew
My diamonds leave with you (Diamonds, diamonds, diamonds, diamonds)
Woah-oh (Diamonds, diamonds, diamonds, diamonds)
Woah-oh (Diamonds, diamonds, diamonds, diamonds)
Always knew (Diamonds, diamonds, diamonds, diamonds)

You’re never gonna hear my heart break
Never gonna move in dark ways
Baby, you’re so cruel
My diamonds leave with you
Material love won’t fool me
When you’re not here, I can’t breathe
Think I always knew
My diamonds leave with you, oh

You’re never gonna hear my heart break (Mmm)
Never gonna move in dark ways (Mmm, oh)
Baby, you’re so cruel (So cruel)
My diamonds leave with you (Mmm)
Material love won’t fool me (Mmm)
When you’re not here, I can’t breathe (Mmm)
Think I always knew
My diamonds leave with you (Diamonds, diamonds, diamonds, diamonds)

Woah-oh (Diamonds, diamonds, diamonds, diamonds)
Woah-oh (Diamonds, diamonds, diamonds, diamonds)
Always knew
My diamonds leave with you (Diamonds, diamonds, diamonds, diamonds)
Woah-oh (Diamonds, diamonds, diamonds, diamonds)
Woah-oh (Diamonds, diamonds, diamonds, diamonds)
Always knew
My diamonds leave with you

Credit: Photo by marcen27 from Glasgow, UK / CC BY.