Three years after their last album Love Goes, singer Sam Smith has indeed returned. The artist released their new album Gloria last month and now also released the music video for the single "I'm Not Here To Make Friends." This really got the internet buzzing. The video's glamorous and campy visuals sparked backlash, with some calling it "super sexy." But fans were quick to defend Smith's video, noting that they weren't the first to post such a visual and comparing it to Miley Cyrus' "Wrecking Ball," Christina Acqua Lila's "Dirrty" and even Queen's "I Want" are compared. Break free. "
Others pointed out the hypocrisy of some of the criticism, "If a thin cis woman wore a corset with nipple fringes, there wouldn't be this level of pearl-clutching and heated debate," Vogue 's one reporter wrote. But visuals aside, what's the meaning behind the lyrics to "I'm Not Here to Make Friends"? Smith hasn't come out yet to specifically explain the lyrics to the new single, but they certainly seem self-explanatory. At the beginning of the song, listeners hear exactly what RuPaul said: "If you can't love yourself, how on earth are you going to love anyone else?"
This opening line of self-love sets the tone for the rest of the song, seemingly expressing what Smith is looking for in life (and love). "No, I'm not here to make friends...I need a lover" certainly clarifies this. Other lyrics in the song solidify this sentiment: "Everybody's looking for someone. Someone to take home. And I'm no different." Reports suggest that Smith is currently single, in an October 2022 interview with GQ , they shared that they were happy spending time alone but were also open to "wonderful romantic attention."
The lyrics to "I Didn't Come Here to Make Friends," as well as the music video, suggest that Smith was looking for someone to hook up with at a party, rather than a friendship or even a romantic relationship, as the following lyrics suggest. In the song, Smith mentions their age, "Thirty almost got a hold of me, I'm tired of love songs, yeah." Smith turned 30 last year, which hints at something pivotal happening in their lives, Now it has changed their outlook on life.
See the full lyrics to "I Didn't Come Here to Make Friends" below:
[Introduction: RuPaul and Jesse Reyez]
if you can't love yourself
How on earth can you love someone else?
Can I ask for an amen here?
You have to, you have to ask me
Yes, I'm going to the party
But I won't make friends
i need a lover
[Verse 1: Sam Smith]
everyone is looking for someone
for someone to take home
I am no exception
I am a blessing in a body worthy of love
[Pre-Chorus: Sam Smith]
If you want it bad tonight (oh, oh)
Come to me and leave a message (oh, oh oh)
Melt your aura into mine (oh, oh oh)
Don't be afraid if you like it
I can fill you with life (oh, oh)
I can lessen your appetite (oh, oh oh)
Know you've never been so excited (Oh, oh oh)
Don't be afraid if you like it
Because I'm not here to make friends
No, I'm not here to make friends (Yeah)
Because I'm not here to make friends
I need a lover (I need a lover)
I need a lover (I need a lover)
[Verse 2: Sam Smith]
I'm just telling the truth, baby
When the lights come on I just need a partner
(when the lights come on) Yeah, yeah
Thirty almost got me, I'm tired of love songs, yeah
[Pre-Chorus: Sam Smith]
So if you want it tonight (oh oh)
Come to me and leave a message (oh, oh oh)
Though you've never been this high (oh, oh oh)
Don't be afraid if you like it
Because I'm not here to make friends
No, I'm not here to make friends (Yeah)
Because I'm not here to make friends
I need a lover (I need a lover)
I need a lover (I need a lover)
I need blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah
I need blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah
I need blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah
I need a lover (I need a lover)
I need a lover (I need a lover)
[Section 3: Sam Smith]
everyone is looking for someone
for someone to take home
I am no exception
I am a blessing in a body worthy of love
Because I'm not here to make friends
No, I'm not here to make friends
Because I'm not here to make friends
I need a lover (I need a lover)
I need a lover (I need a lover)
I need blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah
I need blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah
I need blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah
I need a loverI need a lover
I need blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah
I need blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah
I need blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah
I need a lover (I need a lover)
I need a lover (I need a lover)
