Sam Smith on why they turned down Major Lazer collaboration

Sam Smith reveals they turned down Major Lazer collaboration

The singer says they don't regret the decision to turn down Major Lazer collaboration on ‘Cold Water’.

Sam Smith Unholy music video screenshot
Sam Smith Unholy music video screenshot

Sam Smith was supposed to feature on Major Lazer's top charting single, ‘Cold Water’. 

This was revealed by the star in an interview on BBC Sounds’ 'Sidetracked' with Nick Grimshaw and Annie Mac. 

Smith says Major Lazer sent the song to them, but at the time they were busy and had to let the feature pass. 

“The only time I got sent a song that I heard and then became a well-known song was ‘Cold Water’ by Major Lazer with Justin Bieber,” the singer told Grimshaw and Mac. “They sent me that to sing and at the time I was so busy and couldn’t do it and we passed on it."

READ: Sam Smith re-records 'Stay With Me' to celebrate 10th anniversary

Smith does not regret the decision. After declining to feature, Major Lazer chose Justin Bieber - a brilliant choice in Smith's opinion.

"I’m happy I passed on it because Justin Bieber did it way better than what I would have done. It was made for him," said Smith. 

Smith also spoke about their recent collaboration with Calvin Harris, calling it fun. 

“I didn’t know what to expect with Calvin because I was like, is this, you know, what does he do? Because some people in the studio, it’s like ‘oh, you don’t play an instrument’. Like you don’t actually make the music. You’re more of a taste maker, which is fab. But he does everything himself. And I was immediately just enamoured by his talent. We just had so much fun making ‘Promises’. It was the funniest day. I think you can hear that in the writing,” they said.

READ: Sam Smith celebrates debut album's tenth anniversary

In June, Smith announced that they would release a 'In The Lonely Hour’ tenth anniversary edition in August. 

"In The Lonely Hour (10th Anniversary Edition). This year marks a decade since the release of my debut album. I feel so incredibly lucky to be celebrating this milestone with you. My team and I have created this beautiful anniversary edition for us all, and for the last 10 years. Today is only the beginning Sailors, we have so much to celebrate with you between now and August. I can’t wait to look back on ‘In The Lonely Hour’ together," Smith wrote on IG. 

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