NBC Insider Exclusive

Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive show news, updates, and more!

Sign Up For Free to View
NBC Insider The Voice

Sam Smith & John Legend's Voices Are a Match Made in Heaven Duetting "Lay Me Down"

The Voice Coach and Smith's voices flawlessly blend together.

By Chris Phelan

When you're as massively talented and respected as John Legend, you are asked to lend your unique vocal skills to many of your peers' songs. For Sam Smith, adding the longtime Voice Coach to one of their own tracks in 2015 must have been a no-brainer.

How to Watch

Watch the Season 26 premiere of The Voice on Monday, September 23 at 8/7c on NBC and next day on Peacock. 

In March 2015, Smith and Legend paired up to celebrate Red Nose Day — an annual fundraiser aimed at decreasing worldwide child poverty — by recording a studio version of Smith's debut lead single, "Lay Me Down." All proceeds from the track sales went towards Comic Relief’s Red Nose Day charity. They later performed the duet live at the year's Comic Relief: Face the Funny event.

Check out a video of their collaboration further down in this article!

RELATED: Celine Dion, Andrea Bocelli, Lady Gaga, & John Legend Sound Divine Singing a Prayer

Lending his vocals was so successful, in fact, that that the 45-year-old has occasionally performed it on his own while touring.

Everything to know about "Lay Me Down" by Sam Smith

Smith released "Lay Me Down" as the debut single of their first album, 2014's In the Lonely Hour. The London-born singer-songwriter became a worldwide household name seemingly overnight off the strength of songs like "Lay Me Down," "Money on My Mind," and, of course, the mega-hit "Stay With Me."

The song's lyrics serve as a glimpse into Smith's heart and soul,  revolving around loss, mourning, and hope. And the artists' absolutely flawless vocals are regarded by fans as one of Smith's best. While it never reached the soaring heights of their other more well-known songs, it's a crowd favorite and one that Smith always performs live.

Smith and Legend memorably performed the song together live only once since joining forces in the studio: On March 13, 2015, at a Comic Relief fundraiser in England.