Sam Smith: The Biography

I particularly enjoy bios, especially of those who seemingly have come out of nowhere and who have achieved overnight fame. I quickly learned that Sam Smith’s fame may have been one of those “classic overnight success” stories, but that success was a hard-won climb. Sam had an idyllic childhood and knew from a particularly young age that he wanted to become a singer. I wanted to know just where that amazing soulful voice came from. Of course, as Sam explained, “On the inside, I’m this warbling soul singer from the ‘60s.” Indeed he is.As with other musical biographies I’ve read, in particular the one about Ed Sheeran, I couple my reading with YouTube videos. It’s a great way to get to learn about a singer as I go, to listen to him or her, a journey of sorts. I did have to chuckle early on when a neighbor exclaimed that he heard “screeching out of that window up there.” No youngster is going to start out with that perfect pitch and voice save prodigies like Connie Talbot. For Sam his musical journey took some work.The read was an easy one, but Sam’s journey wasn’t exactly a piece of cake. “There was a moment where I said,” Sam explained that “I’m gonna give this just one more year and then I’m done. Because I just can’t do it anymore. I can’t clean toilets while I watch my friends live their lives.” He, like many other stars, knew he had something special, but how to break into the music world wasn’t all that easy. One ... more ... year.In this book I learned about that one more year and the struggle Sam had in that rise to the top. He simply had to “dust himself off and get back into the game,” the determination to keep on going. Of course I’m pleased that he did as is the rest of the world. One interesting thing is that he became a star because of his talent, but didn’t look like a pop star. “I’m very proud that I don’t look like a pop star,” he quips, “I don’t want to.” A chip off the old block as they say, and as Adele said, “I make music for people to listen to— I’m not bothered about what I’m wearing or my weight.”I loved the journey through this book and on YouTube, but do love Sam and his “look.” He has a lot of soul and a lot to give to the world. This book starts with that privileged life listening to music in the car with his stay-at-home dad to that break-through and beyond. This book was a great intro to Sam Smith, especially for someone like me who loves to listen to music, but doesn’t often know much about the artist’s lives.

Who doesn't like the story of an underdog?For me as a entrepreneur and someone who believes that hard work, dedication and faith pay off I am always looking to share examples of individuals who have persevered and come into their own. That is the definition of Sam Smith's rise, and author Joe Allan captures it well in his new book.We all have our favorite song by the talented singer/songwriter, but to know his story is to build an appreciation for the "success" that he has achieved. He has always done what he has because of his love for it. Joe describes it this way in the book: "Sam knew the type of success he craved would only come as a result of hard work and he expected to have to make a few sacrifices along the way. Already he'd put in a great deal of effort...and he had faced more than his fair share of disappointments in the past, so it was clear his eyes were wide open in terms of understanding what needed to be done."Those words say so much to us who say we want our dreams to come true. Are you willing to go above and beyond? Are you going to hang in there even with difficulties arise? And more importantly is your goal or dream important enough to you that you won't stop until you achieve it?That is what set Sam Smith apart. Even when he had "made it" and there were challenges that came his way, he didn't give up. He understood all of that was a part of the journey. That is why he has and will continue to have staying power.Sam also shows that what really matters is not what we look like but what we bring to the table. Joe chronicles an interview the star gave discussing this, sharing these words from him: "We all know the type of artist I want to be, and I don't wanna be that guy who people care more about what I'm wearing to the coffee shop than my next single. I don't wanna be that guy." Sam Smith wants his gift to speak for him, and that is exactly what has been happening---finding an audience with men and women around the world.For anyone out there who say they want to accomplish something in their lives, Sam Smith's story will definitely inspire you to keep going in spite of what comes your way.

Expensive book for Kindle but I bought it because I'm a fan of Sam Smith. It's clear that the author is a researcher, but it's very doubtful if he's even met Sam Smith. The book comes across as a mishmash of quotes from other people's interviews, most of which I've read before in one form or another. I learned very little about Sam Smith and I wouldn't recommend it for people who have a real interest in him and his career.

Sam Smith had parents who supported him no matter what, as well as his sisters. From his family he understood the meaning of working hard to achieve your goals. Sam put pressure on himself to succeed and never gave up. His singing is beautiful.

If you are a Sam Smith fan like me This is a good read. Provides a good insight into this singers early life and career.

Very often biography's shed some light on another side that a subjective autobiography does not. In this case you feel that it skims overthe surface of a lot of his rise to prominence, without really digging to deep. It's ok though

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