Gimme
by Sam Smith (featuring Jessie Reyez)

Album: Gloria (2023)
Charted: 60
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Gimme" is a clubby, dancehall-infused lover's call featuring Colombian/Canadian R&B-pop star Jessie Reyez and Jamaican reggae/rap artist Koffee.
  • The track is lively with a dancehall style. It creates an erotic atmosphere as Smith and Reyez express their desires to their romantic partners. The lyrics, which are playfully suggestive, convey their tongue-in-cheek wish that their significant others give them what they want, in this case, sex. Koffee's energetic reggae flow injects extra energy into the song, adding a new flavor to the same saucy message.

    Smith described the track as "filth," adding they wanted to express their sexual perspective in the track. "I'm a sexual person, I like sex. It's something I'm teaching myself to not be ashamed of," they said. "Me and Jessie were basically drunk, drinking whisky in Jamaica, two in the morning, running around absolutely wasted, like two girlfriends having a laugh."
  • Smith and Reyez co-wrote "Gimme" alongside Jimmy Napes and the Norwegian production duo Stargate, comprising Mikkel S. Eriksen and Tor Hermansen. Smith, Napes and Stargate cooked up a minimalist tropical pop beat with Jamaican producer Anju Blaxx.

    Napes has had a long-standing collaborative relationship with Smith since the singer's breakthrough singles "Stay With Me" and "Lay Me Down."

    Smith, Napes, and Stargate have worked together on several previous occasions, including "Too Good At Goodbyes," "To Die For," and "Love Me More."
  • After writing "Gimme" in Jamaica, Smith and Reyez sent it to Koffee, who jumped on the track. "I remember showing Jessie and just screaming when we heard the verse because we just adore Koffee and it was just an honor to work with these people," Smith recalled to BBC Radio 1's Clara Amfo.
  • Reyez and Koffee reunited with Smith in New York City to film song's music video under the direction of Jeano Edwards, a Jamaican-born, Brooklyn-based director and photographer. The clip captures the three artists at a party where different cultures come together in a celebration of diversity and joy. The smooth camera work follows the trio throughout the shindig.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Jason Newsted (ex-Metallica)

Jason Newsted (ex-Metallica)Songwriter Interviews

The former Metallica bassist talks about his first time writing a song with James Hetfield, and how a hand-me-down iPad has changed his songwriting.

History Of Rock

History Of RockSong Writing

An interview with Dr. John Covach, music professor at the University of Rochester whose free online courses have become wildly popular.

Gilby Clarke

Gilby ClarkeSongwriter Interviews

The Guns N' Roses rhythm guitarist in the early '90s, Gilby talks about the band's implosion and the side projects it spawned.

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & Fire

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & FireSongwriter Interviews

The longtime bassist of Earth, Wind & Fire discusses how his band came to do a holiday album, and offers insight into some of the greatest dance/soul tunes of all-time.

Julian Lennon

Julian LennonSongwriter Interviews

Julian tells the stories behind his hits "Valotte" and "Too Late for Goodbyes," and fills us in on his many non-musical pursuits. Also: what MTV meant to his career.

Tom Keifer of Cinderella

Tom Keifer of CinderellaSongwriter Interviews

Tom talks about the evolution of Cinderella's songs through their first three albums, and how he writes as a solo artist.