**Sam Smith Reflects on Their Journey with Tom Petty’s Copyright Dispute**
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In a recent episode of the podcast “Alchemy with Anthony Mason,” Sam Smith opened up about their experience surrounding the 2014 copyright dispute with the late Tom Petty. The conflict arose due to perceived similarities between their hits “Stay with Me” and Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down.” Smith, now 34 and identifying as non-binary, expressed reflections on this past situation and the lessons learned since then.
During the discussion, Smith recounted receiving a letter from Petty the night before the Grammy Awards. “I was so annoyed when I read it,” they admitted, explaining that they had never heard Petty’s song before creating “Stay with Me” in a London basement. Their irritation stemmed from the fact that they felt Petty’s acknowledgement of the limited number of musical notes should have negated the dispute. “He said it himself in the letter… that’s why I was frustrated because when he said that I was like, ‘You get it. So why is this happening?’” Smith remarked.
Despite their initial resistance, Smith eventually agreed to credit Petty as a songwriter on “Stay with Me” and provide him with a portion of the song’s royalties. This decision came about in October 2014, not long after the dispute first emerged. Now, with more life experience under their belt, Smith has developed a different perspective.
Reflecting on the situation, Smith acknowledged Petty’s intentions, stating, “I think [Petty] was trying to say that I see you and I understand what you’re going through right now, and I’m just sorry that this is all happening.” This sentiment, they noted, revealed Petty’s kindness, which they deeply appreciated.
Regretful about not responding to Petty’s heartfelt letter at the time, Smith shared, “I never wrote back to him. I was just a little sassy 22-year-old queer kid. But I definitely should’ve written back to him.” This admission shows a remarkable maturity in Smith, as they reflect on the importance of communication, particularly in matters that can weigh heavily on emotional states.
On his part, Petty had also downplayed the situation, describing it as “a musical accident.” He publicly stated that his intentions had never been to escalate the matters into a lawsuit, expressing his appreciation for how understanding Smith’s team had been. Petty noted, “The word ‘lawsuit’ was never even said.”
As Smith continues to navigate their musical career, they expressed a newfound admiration for Petty’s work. They revealed that they have delved into his catalogue, even performing “It’ll All Work Out” during a recent show. “It has actually become a song that I turn to in some of my darkest, saddest moments,” Smith explained. “I loved it so much that I wanted to perform it at the Warsaw.”
During that performance, Smith took the opportunity to publicly apologise to Petty, saying sorry “to him, wherever he is right now for not replying to that letter.” In doing so, Smith believed they had released a burden, which provided a sense of relief and closure.
In addition to the lessons learnt from this experience, Smith is currently promoting their new album, “Hazel Eyes,” which is available now. With reflections on their past interactions with Petty and the growth that has ensued, it’s clear that Smith continues to evolve both personally and artistically.
This story serves as a reminder of the complexities within the music industry, where artistic expression intersects with legalities, and highlights the importance of understanding and kindness in resolving disputes. Just as music has the power to connect people, it can also teach valuable lessons in humility and responsibility.