To Die For (Sam Smith song)

"To Die For" is a song by English singer Sam Smith, released through Capitol Records on 14 February 2020. Smith co-wrote the song alongside Jimmy Napes and Stargate.[4] The song appears on Smith's third studio album Love Goes (2020).[5]

"To Die For"
"To Die For" was released as an instant download when you pre-ordered the album. When the album was renamed, a new cover was released for the album.[1][2]
Single by Sam Smith
from the album Love Goes
Released	14 February 2020
Genre	Pop[3]
Length	3:13
Label	Capitol
Songwriter(s)	Samuel Smith James Napier Tor Erik Hermansen Mikkel Storleer Eriksen
Producer(s)	Stargate Jimmy Napes
Sam Smith singles chronology
"I Feel Love" (2019) "To Die For" (2020) "I'm Ready" (2020)
Alternate cover
Acoustic version cover
Music video
"To Die For" on YouTube

Background

Smith said that they wrote the song in Los Angeles "during a time of self-discovery and heartbreak".

Composition

"To Die For" was written by Smith, Jimmy Napes, Stargate, and produced by the latter two.[6] Running for a length of three minutes and thirteen seconds, "To Die For" is a piano-forward ballad. The song samples audio from the 2001 cult classic film Donnie Darko.[7][8]

Promotion

Smith opened a pop-up wig shop named after the song in the Soho area of London,[9] and performed the song on The Graham Norton Show on 14 February.[4]

Music video

The music video, directed by Grant Singer, premiered on YouTube on 14 February 2020.[10]

Track listing

Digital download/stream[11]

1. "To Die For" – 3:14

Digital download/stream[12]

1. "To Die For" (Acoustic) – 3:20

Digital download – Remixes EP[13]

1. "To Die For" (Ólafur Arnalds Remix) – 3:30
2. "To Die For" (Y2K Remix) – 2:25
3. "To Die For" (Blinkie Remix) – 3:32
4. "To Die For" (Madism Remix) – 2:42

Stream – Y2K remix[14]

1. "To Die For" (Y2K Remix) – 2:26

Stream – Madism Remix[15]

1. "To Die For" (Madism Remix) – 2:42

Stream – Blinkie Remix[16]

1. "To Die For" (Blinkie Remix) – 3:33

Stream – Ólafur Arnalds Remix[17]

1. "To Die For" (Ólafur Arnalds Remix) – 3:30

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[18]

• Jimmy Napes – songwriter, producer
• Stargate – songwriter, producer
• Sam Smith – songwriter, vocals
• Mikkel S. Eriksen – programming
• Kevin KD Davis – mixer, studio personnel
• Randy Merrill – mastering engineer, studio personnel

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (2020) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[19] 15 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[20] 41 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[21] 14 Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[22] 56 Canada CHR/Top 40 (Billboard)[23] 39 Canada Hot AC (Billboard)[24] 39 Croatia (HRT)[25] 31 Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[26] 64 Estonia (Eesti Tipp-40)[27] 33 Euro Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[28] 11 Germany (Official German Charts)[29] 90 Ireland (IRMA)[30] 21 Malaysia (RIM)[31] 20 Mexico Ingles Airplay (Billboard)[32] 8 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[33] 27 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[34] 75 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[35] 34 Norway (VG-lista)[36] 34 Portugal (AFP)[37] 90 Scotland (OCC)[38] 6 Singapore (RIAS)[39] 18 Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[40] 52 South Korea (Gaon)[41] 39 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[42] 51 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[43] 42 UK Singles (OCC)[44] 18 US Billboard Hot 100[45] 46 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[46] 17 US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[47] 20 US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[48] 23 US Rolling Stone Top 100[49] 30

Year-end charts Chart (2020) Position Belgium (Ultratop Wallonia)[50] 84

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[51]	Platinum	70,000
Canada (Music Canada)[52]	Gold	40,000
Mexico (AMPROFON)[53]	Gold	30,000
United Kingdom (BPI)[54]	Silver	200,000
United States (RIAA)[55]	Gold	500,000
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region	Date	Format	Version	Label	Ref.
Various	14 February 2020	Digital download streaming	Single version	Capitol	[9]
Australia		Contemporary hit radio			[56]
Italy				Universal	[57]
United Kingdom				Capitol	[58]
		Adult contemporary radio			[59]
United States	17 February 2020	Hot/Modern/AC radio			[60]
	18 February 2020	Contemporary hit radio			[61]
Various	6 March 2020	Digital Download	Remixes EP	Capitol	[13]
		Streaming	Y2K remix		[14]
			Madism remix		[15]
			Blinkie remix		[16]
			Ólafur Arnalds remix		[17]
	13 March 2020	Digital download streaming	Acoustic single		[12]

References

1. "To Die For by Sam Smith on Amazon Music". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
2. Owoseje, Toyin (17 April 2020). "Sam Smith renames their new album, saying 'To Die For' felt uncomfortable during a pandemic - CNN". Edition.cnn.com. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
3. Lipshutz, Jason (14 February 2020). "First Stream: New Music From Justin Bieber, Billie Eilish, Sam Smith & More". Billboard. Archived from the original on 16 February 2020. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
4. White, Jack (10 February 2020). "Sam Smith is teasing the release of their new single To Die For". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 4 February 2020. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
5. Whyte, Woodrow (24 April 2020). "Sam Smith teases more collaborations with Demi Lovato". PopBuzz. Archived from the original on 2 May 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
6. "Try the TIDAL Web Player". listen.tidal.com. Archived from the original on 15 February 2020. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
7. "Listen to Sam Smith's heartbreaking new ballad To Die For". Gay Times. 14 February 2020. Archived from the original on 15 February 2020. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
8. Shaffer, Claire (14 February 2020). "Sam Smith Samples 'Donnie Darko' on New Song 'To Die For'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 15 February 2020. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
9. Daw, Stephen (12 February 2020). "Sam Smith Gets Creative, Teases New Single 'To Die For' With a Wig Shop in London: Watch". Billboard. Archived from the original on 13 February 2020. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
10. "Sam Smith – To Die For". Archived from the original on 13 February 2020. Retrieved 13 February 2020 – via YouTube.
11. "Single – To Die For – Sam Smith". Spotify. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
12. • Download: "To Die For – Sam Smith (acoustic)". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
    • Stream: "Single – To Die For – Sam Smith (acoustic)". Spotify. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
13. "To Die For (Remixes) – Sam Smith". Amazon.com. 6 March 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
14. "Single – To Die For – Sam Smith (Y2K Remix)". Spotify. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
15. "Single – To Die For – Sam Smith (Y2K Remix)". Spotify. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
16. "Single – To Die For – Sam Smith (Blinkie Remix)". Spotify. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
17. "Single – To Die For – Sam Smith (Ólafur Arnalds Remix)". Spotify. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
18. "To Die For / Sam Smith – Credits". Tidal. Archived from the original on 15 February 2020. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
19. "Australian-charts.com – Sam Smith – To Die For". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
20. "Ultratop.be – Sam Smith – To Die For" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
21. "Ultratop.be – Sam Smith – To Die For" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
22. "Sam Smith Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
23. "Sam Smith Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
24. "Sam Smith Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
25. "Croatia ARC TOP 100". HRT. Archived from the original on 2 March 2020. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
26. "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100 and insert 202008 into search. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
27. "EESTI TIPP-40 MUUSIKAS: Eesti Laulu lood tungivad edetabelisse – kes kõige kõrgemale?". Eesti Ekspress (in Estonian). Retrieved 26 February 2020.
28. "Sam Smith Chart History: Euro Digital Song Sales". Billboard. Archived from the original on 3 June 2020. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
29. "Offiziellecharts.de – Sam Smith – To Die For". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
30. "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
31. "Top 20 Most Streamed International & Domestic Singles In Malaysia". Recording Industry Association of Malaysia. Recording Industry Association of Malaysia. Archived from the original on 22 March 2020. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
32. "Sam Smith Chart History: Mexico Ingles Airplay". Billboard. Archived from the original on 3 June 2020. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
33. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 12, 2020" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40 Retrieved 21 March 2020.
34. "Dutchcharts.nl – Sam Smith – To Die For" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
35. "Charts.nz – Sam Smith – To Die For". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
36. "Norwegiancharts.com – Sam Smith – To Die For". VG-lista. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
37. "Portuguesecharts.com – Sam Smith – To Die For". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
38. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
39. "RIAS International Top Charts Week 8". Recording Industry Association (Singapore). Archived from the original on 1 March 2020.
40. "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 202008 into search. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
41. "Digital Chart – Week 14 of 2020". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Retrieved 9 April 2020.
42. "Swedishcharts.com – Sam Smith – To Die For". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
43. "Swisscharts.com – Sam Smith – To Die For". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 24 February 2020.
44. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
45. "Sam Smith Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
46. "Sam Smith Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
47. "Sam Smith Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
48. "Sam Smith Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
49. "Top 100 Songs". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 24 February 2020. Retrieved 25 February 2020.
50. "Rapports Annuels 2020". Ultratop. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
51. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2020 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 10 August 2020.
52. "Canadian single certifications – Sam Smith – To Die For". Music Canada. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
53. "Certificaciones" (in Spanish). Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Retrieved 27 November 2020. Type Sam Smith in the box under the ARTISTA column heading and To Die For in the box under TÍTULO
54. "British single certifications – Sam Smith – To Die For". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 15 June 2020. Select singles in the Format field. Select Silver in the Certification field. Type To Die For in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
55. "American single certifications – Sam Smith – To Die For". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 12 November 2020. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH. 
56. "Singles To Radio". The Music Network. Archived from the original on 14 February 2020. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
57. "SAM SMITH "To Die For" | (Radio Date: 14 February 2020)". radiodate.it. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
58. "BBC – Radio 1 Playlist". BBC. Archived from the original on 14 February 2020. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
59. "BBC – Radio 2 New Music Playlist". BBC. Archived from the original on 14 February 2020. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
60. "Hot/Modern/AC Future Releases | Hot Adult Contemporary Rock Songs and Release Dates". All Access. Archived from the original on 13 February 2020. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
61. "Top 40/M Future Releases | Mainstream Hit Songs Being Released and Their Release Dates". All Access. Archived from the original on 13 February 2020. Retrieved 13 February 2020.