The first James Bond theme to ever reach number one
In short: Sam Smith's ascent to the top of the UK charts was marked by a historic milestone in cinema. By recording the theme for the 2015 film Spectre, Smith broke a long-standing chart ceiling, becoming the first artist to secure a number one spot with a Bond song.
Sam Smith's rise to prominence began in 2014 after winning the BRITs Critics Choice Award. This momentum quickly translated into commercial success with the debut studio album, In The Lonely Hour, released in May 2014. The Official Charts Company confirmed the record as the UK's biggest debut album of the decade. In February 2015, the record won four Grammy Awards and was named the UK's sixth most popular album of that ten-year period.
A pivotal moment in Smith's career occurred in late 2015 when they recorded 'Writing's On The Wall' for the James Bond movie Spectre. The song debuted in October 2015, making history as the initial Bond theme to hit the Official Singles Chart's top spot. This achievement solidified Smith's position as a major global artist, following in the footsteps of previous icons like Adele. The success of this single was part of a broader period of high-charting output, including collaborations with artists like Disclosure and Calvin Harris.
The breadth of Smith's discography is extensive, consisting of five studio albums, one independent album, and thirteen extended plays. Their commercial reach is evidenced by over 57 billion career streams and 394 million singles sold worldwide. In the United Kingdom, Smith has secured three number-one albums and eight number-one singles. This includes a diverse range of hits such as 'Stay with Me' and 'Promises,' the latter of which spent six weeks at the top of the UK charts.
Beyond individual hits, the data reflects a sustained presence in the UK music scene. Smith has spent a total of 19 weeks at Number 1 on the singles chart and 11 weeks at Number 1 for albums. Their catalog includes various high-profile collaborations, including tracks with Burna Boy, Demi Lovato, and Madonna. Moving from a Critics Choice victory to a multi-prize chart leader shows a swift rise toward becoming a top-selling British pop act lately.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: SAM SMITH
- Also: Sam Smith discography
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