Songfacts®:

• Sam Smith and Eg White wrote this song, which is about unrequited love. White's resumé also includes Will Young's Ivor Novello Award winning "Leave Right Now," James Morrison's UK Top 10 hit, "You Give Me Something" and Adele's international smash, "Chasing Pavements." It was the first tune that the pair penned together.
• Smith wrote this song about a heartbreak when he fell for a guy who turned out to be straight, and thus not interested in his advances. Smith says he thought the guy was interested, so after more than a few drinks, he poured his heart out to him, only to be rejected.
• Introducing this song at concerts during his first tour, Smith would often ask the audience, "Has anyone ever been in love with someone who doesn't love you back?"
• The track that you hear on In the Lonely Hour is actually the demo version that Smith recorded for the album. He had tonsillitis on the day that he recorded it, and he loved the fact that the listener can hear that.