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Pray (Sam Smith song)

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"Pray"
Promotional single by Sam Smith featuring Logic
from the album The Thrill of It All
Released6 October 2017 (2017-10-06)
GenreGospel[1]
Length3:41
LabelCapitol
Songwriter(s)
  • Larrance Dopson
  • Darryl Pearson
  • Sam Smith
  • Timothy Mosley
  • Jose Velazquez
  • James Napier
Producer(s)

"Pray" is a song by English singer and songwriter Sam Smith. It was written by Smith, Larrance Dopson, Darryl Pearson, Timbaland, Jose Valasquez and Jimmy Napes, with production handled by Timbaland, Napes and Steve Fitzmaurice. The song was released on 6 October 2017 through Capitol Records, as a promotional single from Smith's second studio album, The Thrill of It All (2017).[2][3][4]

Background

On 4 October 2017, Smith teased the song on social media by posting a video, alongside the song's release date.[5] He tweeted shortly after the song's release: "I hope you love 'Pray', I hope it becomes your friend in those deep dark nights of confusion and loneliness. Love you all so much."[6] He explained to Billboard that "Pray" was prompted by time spent in Iraq with the charity War Child, saying: "I spent five days in Mosul and came back embarrassed that I had known so little about the world and other people's lives. I went back to that great Nina Simone quote, that it is important to speak about the times you live in. I hadn't done that; I'd just written a bunch of songs about love. So I wanted to write about how I'm now starting to open my eyes, at 25, to what is going on in the rest of the world, and that it's not always pretty."[7]

Critical reception

Daniel Kreps of Rolling Stone called "Pray" a "gospel-inspired track" that is "bolstered by a textbook but understated Timbaland beat".[8] Winston Cook-Wilson of Spin deemed it a "half spare R&B, half gospel shuffle downbeat track".[9] Nick Reilly of NME wrote: "The soul-infused track features Timbaland on production duties, and comes complete with powerful choral backing."[10] Alex Ross of Vice regarded it as "a soulful downtempo ballad that showcases Smith's vocal versatility and conjures a little more drama", writing that it is more interesting when compared with "Too Good at Goodbyes".[11] Lauren O'Neill of the same publication wrote that the song "pretty much follows the structure" of "Too Good at Goodbyes", making Smith's voice "predictable", which he called "a shame when there's so much to work with".[12] Mike Wass of Idolator wrote that the song "introduces aspects of hip-hop into his sound and finds him singing about world issues".[13]

Live performances

On 7 October 2017, Smith performed "Pray" and "Too Good at Goodbyes" on Saturday Night Live.[14][15]

Formats and track listings

Digital download
No.TitleLength
1."Pray"3:41

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[16]

  • Sam Smith – songwriting, vocals
  • Larrance Dopson – songwriting
  • Darryl Pearson – songwriting, guitar
  • Timbaland – songwriting, production, drum programming, drums, percussion, programming
  • Jose Valasquez – songwriting
  • Jimmy Napes – songwriting, production
  • Steve Fitzmaurice – production, engineering, mixing
  • Bob Ludwig – mastering engineering
  • Gus Pirelli – engineering
  • Darren Heelis – engineering, drum programming
  • Jodi Milliner – bass guitar
  • LaDonna Harley-Peters – background vocals
  • Vula Malinga – background vocals
  • The LJ Singers – background vocals
  • Vicky Akintola – background vocals
  • Patrick Linton – background vocals
  • Isabel Grundy Gracefield – assistant recording engineering
  • Steph Marziano – assistant recording engineering
  • John Prestage – assistant recording engineering
  • Will Purton – assistant recording engineering
  • Darren Heelis – engineering, drum programming
  • Earl Harvin – drums, percussion
  • Ben Jones – guitar
  • Reuben James – organ
  • Lawrence Dopson – piano
  • Simon Hale – string arranging
  • Richard George – strings
  • Bruce White – strings
  • Everton Nelson – strings
  • Ian Burdge – strings
  • Lawrence Johnson – vocal arranging

Charts

Chart (2017–18) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[17] 41
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[18] 71
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[19] 7
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia)[20] 5
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[21] 44
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[22] 40
Denmark (Tracklisten)[23] 38
France (SNEP)[24] 126
Ireland (IRMA)[25] 29
Italy (FIMI)[26] 98
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)[27] 10
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[28] 47
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[29] 32
Philippines (Philippine Hot 100)[30] 78
Portugal (AFP)[31] 50
Scotland (OCC)[32] 34
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[33] 31
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[34] 42
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[35] 27
UK Singles (OCC)[36] 26
US Billboard Hot 100[37] 55
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[38] 23
US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[39] 34

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[40] Gold 35,000‡
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[41] Gold 20,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[42] Gold 0‡
Sweden (GLF)[43] Gold 4,000,000†
United Kingdom (BPI)[44] Silver 200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[45] Gold 500,000‡

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region Date Format Version Label Ref.
Various 6 October 2017[a] Digital download Original Capitol [3]
27 April 2018 MK mix [46]

Remix featuring Logic

"Pray"
Single by Sam Smith featuring Logic
from the album The Thrill of It All
Released29 March 2018 (2018-03-29)
GenreGospel[47]
Length3:41
LabelCapitol
Songwriter(s)
  • Larrance Dopson
  • Darryl Pearson
  • Sam Smith
  • Timothy Mosley
  • Jose Velazquez
  • James Napier
Producer(s)
Sam Smith singles chronology
"One Last Song"
(2017) 		"Pray"
(2018) 		"Baby, You Make Me Crazy"
(2018)
Logic singles chronology
"Everyday"
(2018) 		"Pray"
(2018) 		"Start Again"
(2018)

A new version of the song featuring American rapper Logic was released as the third single from the album on 29 March 2018.[48][49]

Tack listings

Digital download[49]
No.TitleLength
1."Pray" (featuring Logic)3:41

Release history

Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various March 29, 2018 Digital download Capitol [49]

Notes

  1. ^ Release as a promotional single.

References

  1. ^ DeVille, Chris (29 March 2018). "Lil Dicky Is Making A Career Out Of Being Charismatic And Problematic In Equal Measure". Stereogum. Retrieved 3 April 2018. The moribund gospel ballad "Pray" was butt before, and a couple verses from Logic ain't gonna stop the remix from being butt.
  2. ^ Bianca, Garwood (9 October 2017). "Sam Smith Shares "Pray" and Announces 'The Thrill of It All'". Ebony. Retrieved 15 October 2017.
  3. ^ a b Jem, Aswad (6 October 2017). "Sam Smith Drops Song 'Pray,' Album Due Nov. 3". Variety. Retrieved 15 October 2017.
  4. ^ David, Renshaw (6 October 2017). "Sam Smith teams with Timbaland for "Pray"". The Fader. Retrieved 15 October 2017.
  5. ^ Joshua, Espinoza (6 October 2017). "Sam Smith Announces Title of New Album, Releases Second Single "Pray"". Complex. Retrieved 15 October 2017.
  6. ^ Michael, Lewittes (9 October 2017). "Watch Sam Smith Perform 'Pray' And 'Too Good At Goodbyes' On 'SNL'". iHeartRadio. Retrieved 15 October 2017.
  7. ^ Joe, Lynch (8 October 2017). "Sam Smith Brings 'Too Good at Goodbyes,' 'Pray' to 'Saturday Night Live'". Billboard. Retrieved 15 October 2017.
  8. ^ Daniel, Kreps (6 October 2017). "Sam Smith Details New LP 'The Thrill of It All,' 2018 Tour". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 15 October 2017.
  9. ^ Winston, Cook-Wilson (6 October 2017). "Sam Smith – "Pray"". Spin. Retrieved 15 October 2017.
  10. ^ Nick, Reilly (6 October 2017). "Sam Smith releases new single 'Pray' and announces second album". NME. Retrieved 15 October 2017.
  11. ^ Alex, Ross (8 October 2017). "Here's Sam Smith Performing "Too Good at Goodbyes" and "Pray" on 'SNL'". Noisey. Retrieved 15 October 2017.
  12. ^ Lauren, O'Neill (7 October 2017). "Sam Smith is Peak Sam Smith on His New Song with Timbaland, "Pray"". Noisey. Retrieved 15 October 2017.
  13. ^ Mike, Wass (9 October 2017). "Sam Smith Performs "Too Good At Goodbyes" & "Pray" On 'SNL'". Idolator. Retrieved 15 October 2017.
  14. ^ Abel, Shifferaw (8 October 2017). "Watch Sam Smith's Stunning Performance of "Pray" and "Too Good at Goodbyes" on 'SNL'". Complex. Retrieved 15 October 2017.
  15. ^ Tyler, Schmitt (8 October 2017). "Watch Sam Smith Perform Songs from New Album on 'SNL'". Variance. Retrieved 15 October 2017.
  16. ^ "Pray / Sam Smith TIDAL". Tidal. Retrieved 15 October 2017.
  17. ^ "Sam Smith – Pray". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  18. ^ "Sam Smith – Pray" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
  19. ^ "Sam Smith – Pray" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
  20. ^ "Sam Smith – Pray" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved 1 May 2018.
  21. ^ "Sam Smith Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
  22. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 41. týden 2017 in the date selector. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
  23. ^ "Sam Smith – Pray". Tracklisten. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
  24. ^ "Sam Smith – Pray" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
  25. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Sam Smith". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  26. ^ "Classifica settimanale WK 45" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 10 November 2017.
  27. ^ "Top 40 NL: Sam Smith - Pray" (in Dutch). Stichting Nederlandse Top 40. 25 November 2017. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
  28. ^ "Sam Smith – Pray" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
  29. ^ "Sam Smith – Pray". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 10 November 2017.
  30. ^ "BillboardPH Hot 100". Billboard Philippines. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
  31. ^ "Sam Smith – Pray". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
  32. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  33. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 201745 into search. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  34. ^ "Sam Smith – Pray". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  35. ^ "Sam Smith – Pray". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 16 October 2017.
  36. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  37. ^ "Sam Smith Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
  38. ^ "Sam Smith Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  39. ^ "Sam Smith Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
  40. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2018 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  41. ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Sam Smith – Pray" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  42. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Sam Smith – Pray". Music Canada. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  43. ^ certweek IS REQUIRED FOR SWEDISH CERTIFICATIONS.
  44. ^ id MUST BE PROVIDED for UK CERTIFICATION.
  45. ^ "American single certifications – Sam Smith – Pray". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  46. ^ "Pray (MK Mix) – Single by Sam Smith". iTunes Store. 27 April 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
  47. ^ DeVille, Chris (29 March 2018). "Lil Dicky Is Making A Career Out Of Being Charismatic And Problematic In Equal Measure". Stereogum. Retrieved 3 April 2018. The moribund gospel ballad "Pray" was butt before, and a couple verses from Logic ain't gonna stop the remix from being butt.
  48. ^ Smith, Sam [@samsmithworld] (27 March 2018). "My new single is PRAY feat. @Logic301 I am so excited for you to hear this new version of one of my favourite tracks on the album. It was an absolute pleasure to collaborate with Logic to create this, such an incredible artist x Released Thursday" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  49. ^ a b c "Pray (feat. Logic) – Single by Sam Smith". iTunes Store. 29 March 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
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