Sam Smith is a music fan just like you are. That’s why on his new two-song Spotify Singles collection he bundles a moving piano-and-vocal version of his The Thrill of It All song “Burning” with a cover of singer Oleta Adams‘ equally emotional “Get Here.”
Both songs were recorded at RAK Studios in London and the nod to Adams is perfectly on-brand for Smith, as the famed soul/jazz singer is known for the kind of heart-stirring ballads that the British pop star has made his calling card. Adams grew up singing gospel music in church in Seattle and struggled to make it as a singer before being tapped by English band Tears for Fears to join their band and perform on their smash 1989 The Seeds of Love album.
She had her own hit in 1990 with her Grammy-nominated cover of Brenda Russell’s “Get Here,” the first of a string of popular soul/R&B albums released throughout the 1990s and early 2000s.
Performing ‘Burning’ and ‘Get Here’ by the incredible @realoletaadams in session for @Spotify — You can listen to my Spotify singles at https://t.co/TsGP6taoui x pic.twitter.com/WX28Ha8tim
— Sam Smith (@samsmithworld) January 31, 2018
Smith’s fascination with Adams makes even more sense in light of his gospel-influenced performance of “Pray” at Sunday night’s (Jan. 28) 2018 Grammy Awards.