When Tom A Smith played Deaf Institute earlier this year, he introduced two new songs into the set. The closer – a cover of LCD Soundsystems “All My Friends” – was incredible, a fine example of a band reinterpreting and making someone else’s song their own. But the most intriguing song of the night was his new single, “I don’t want you to have to remember me for longer than you ever knew me”. When Tom introduced it as the best song he had written, I thought this claim set a very high bar considering the body of work Smith has created over his career . At the time the song did not disappoint live, featuring as it did so many of Tom’s signature traits: Great melodies, meshing guitar lines and a killer solo, the occasional “drop” to add dynamic in the live setting and a refrain that hooks into the listener after even a single listen.
Now the single has seen its recorded release, I think I now understand and agree with Tom, as the song is a showcase of how he has evolved in recent years as a songwriter and lyricist. Smith is becoming a master of his craft. He will often adapt classic song structures, creating arrangements that can be unorthodox but these are never contrived and are always in service of the song. This outing features a beautiful vocal melody and performance, underpinned with elegant and subtle guitar lines over an understated motorik beat. It is also testament to the growing confidence and depth of the resources now available to Tom that on the recorded version of this song he eschews the guitar solo of the live performance, sacrificing opportunity to showcase his talent as a guitarist for the greater benefit of the song. There are many subtle and clever touches to the recording throughout and it is credit to the maturity of writing and clever production that it delivers effortlessly. The addition of vocals by Alice from Swim School is a masterstroke and her voice blends with Toms perfectly. The distortion applied to her vocal somehow adds both dissonance and mystery to the song, while never detracting from its beauty.
As for what the story is behind the song it’s not 100% clear, however I’m not sure that we need to know the detail. Tom has stated the song is about the fragility of life, but prefers not to specify the meaning of the lyrics. As with the very best song lyrics, there is plenty of depth and scope for the listeners interpretation and phrases throughout the song touch on themes that will resonate with many: the fragility of relationships, mis-communication and the failure of language, embracing self doubt (‘so much good going on but so much fear as well”), resilience and acceptance of self (“I’ll keep trying and just ignore, I’ve got nothing to prove anymore….It’s not worth it if I don’t see success, but without these moments my life would be a mess”), living life without regret.
For me personally, I feel the song is about the dichotomy of feelings that underpin all relationships, whether between friends, lovers, or even the artist and his audience. The need to take the risk, to put yourself into a position of vulnerability and commit everything in order to achieve something truly worthwhile, whether that is in your relationship or in your art. If that is the case, Tom A Smith has committed everything to this song. It feels wholly authentic, shows real confidence and is proof he is now moving into a different space as an artist.
Tom A Smith: I don’t want you to have to remember me for longer than you ever knew me – Out 30th August 2024
