Sam Smith’s fifth studio album sold just 6,500 copies in the United States.
That was enough to keep “Hazel Eyes” completely off the Billboard 200. For a singer who once topped the charts with ease, that number is a steep fall.
As originally reported, The Sun flagged the album’s dismal U.S. performance, while Smith did manage modest chart placements overseas. The album landed at number 21 in the United Kingdom and at number 50 in Australia, Germany, and the Netherlands.
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The contrast with Smith’s earlier catalog is stark. “In the Lonely Hour” peaked at number two on the charts. “The Thrill of It All” hit number one. “Love Goes” came in at five. Even “Gloria,” released in 2023, reached number seven in the U.S. “Hazel Eyes” did not come close to any of those marks.
One track on the new album, titled “Oh Mother,” was inspired by Smith’s relationship with Madonna. According to Yahoo News, the two are close friends who have known each other for years and previously collaborated on a single called “Vulgar.” That collaboration came roughly a year after Smith and Kim Petras topped the charts with “Unholy.”
Smith has spoken warmly about Madonna’s influence. “M is an amazing artist,” Smith said. “She just came to my aid so beautifully around the Unholy time, and I just have so many beautiful memories of when we’re in the studio together.” Smith added that Madonna’s endurance as an artist has shaped his own approach to music. “She goes through so much. You just look at the comments on anything related to Madonna, and people are so cruel to her, but she sticks around, she stays, and she’s so strong,” Smith said.
Smith, who is gay, is currently engaged to designer Christian Cowan.
The singer has not been a stranger to controversy. A Grammy performance of “Unholy,” built around satanic imagery, drew sharp criticism from politicians and a notably lukewarm reaction from the Church of Satan itself. David Harris, a magister within the Church of Satan, told TMZ the performance was “alright” and “nothing particularly special.” Harris, whose role is roughly equivalent to that of a cardinal within the organization, said the visuals leaned on tired cliches, including red clothing, fire, and devil horns, calling the imagery passe.
Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas called the performance evil. Former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia described it as demonic.
Smith now faces a different kind of reckoning. Chart positions and political outrage are one thing. Selling fewer than 7,000 copies of a new album in the world’s largest music market is another. Whether “Hazel Eyes” finds an audience over time or quietly fades remains to be seen.
