: Director Jamie Thraves noted that the idea for the video came from Smith, aiming for a simple, emotional connection rather than something "clever".
Over time, Smith’s relationship with the song has evolved. In 2022, after coming out as non-binary, Smith officially changed a key lyric during a performance at the White House. The original line, "cuz I'm just a man," was updated to "baby understand," a change Smith found "really important" to reflect their identity. This updated version was later recorded for the 10th-anniversary edition of In The Lonely Hour . Sam Smith - Stay With Me (Official Video)
The song and video marked a turning point in Smith's career, eventually earning them Record of the Year and Song of the Year at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards. : Director Jamie Thraves noted that the idea