Sam Smith’s new music video is not groundbreaking or brave – it’s bleak

IN the Eighties and Nineties, the music video was a truly ground-breaking art form.

From Michael Jackson and Madonna to George Michael and Nirvana, the greats of popular music showed a carefully crafted visual can enhance the genius of a great pop hook to ­create multi-sensory magic.

But Sam Smith simulating a urine-based sex-act to garner attention is neither ground-breaking nor brave . . . it’s bleak.

A few months back I told how a group of elderly day-trippers had been horrified when their gentle afternoon of festive wreath-making at a stately home was disturbed by Sam and their crew of scantily clad dancers, who descended on the posh property to shoot an S&M-themed video.

And now that I’ve seen the results, I’m firmly with poor old Doris and Co on this one.

Sam’s video for new single I’m Not Here To Make Friends — which, by the way, is solid catchy pop — emerged this weekend.

It sees the singer and pals take over Ashridge House, Herts, for a filthy party complete with leather outfits, backless underwear, and a lorry-load of semi-naked humping.

So far, so good.

But this four-minute journey into debauchery goes so much further than those that have gone before — and with none of the class.

Each scene sets out to be more shocking than the last, with Sam’s outfits becoming increasingly ­daring as the singer strips down to the sort of sequinned posing pouch even Rita Ora would think “a bit too skimpy”, and spanks the bare backsides of a line-up of gyrating gender-neutral dancers.

And while Madonna caused a stir with her steamy black-and-white vid for 1990 single Justify My Love, there was nothing as overtly graphic as any of this.

As one commenter wrote below the video: “It’s blatant, tacky sexualised bulls**t.

“As a mum of teenagers, I’m sick of people using s**t like this to sell their music.”

Unmitigated filth

The simple truth is the internet is packed with X-rated material for adults who want to seek it out, and all tastes are catered for.

Unmitigated filth and fantasy is but a click away.

But head to as many pop ­concerts as I do in this line of work and you quickly realise how many of the audience are under the age of 11 — and still delightfully innocent.

And they will account for many of the millions of views of this video — which has no age restriction on YouTube — has already racked up.

Of course Sam should live exactly as they choose, adopt the pronouns they wish and proudly live their own life to the full — in what can be an admirable ­example to many.

But there’s nothing empowering or inspirational about demonstrating the most explicit sexual kinks to eight- year-olds.

Nor is there anything ­intolerant about saying so.

Great pop doesn’t need grotty gimmicks.

IT’S MARLEY AND ME FOR HUNK JAMES

THE Sun Is Shining on James Norton after he landed a starring role in the new Bob Marley biopic.

My exclusive shots reveal the Happy Valley star has joined the movie and is believed to be playing Island Records boss Chris Blackwell, who helped make Bob a huge star.

James was spotted filming in London in Seventies-style blue jeans and a camel-coloured jacket on set with Kingsley Ben-Adir, who plays the reggae legend.

A source said: “James’ role is a closely guarded secret – his casting hasn’t even been announced. He is a phenomenal actor and is a great addition to the cast.”

Lashana Lynch has also been cast to play Bob’s wife Rita.

The biopic will follow the musician’s life before his death in 1981.

Alongside Rita, Bob’s son Ziggy and daughter Cedella are working with director Reinaldo Marcus Green to ensure the film is true to Bob’s story.

I’ll definitely be getting a ticket to watch.

All-star summer line-ups

KASABIAN and Wet Leg will be performing for the Teenage Cancer Trust at the Royal Albert Hall.

The run of gigs, which will take place from March 20-25, will also feature performances from Underworld and The Courteeners.

The Who frontman Roger Daltrey, who is the Trust’s honorary patron, is the mastermind behind the gigs.

He said: “In this, our 21st year, after two years of artists having no shows at all, at a time where the only certain paydays are from live ­performances, artists are willing to give up their earnings from a London show.”

Meanwhile, Radio 1 has said Lewis Capaldi will play at its Big Weekend event in Dundee from May 26-28.

Anne-Marie, Niall Horan, Arlo Parks, Raye and The 1975 will also perform at Camperdown Park across the bank hol weekend.

Greg James announced the line-up on his Breakfast Show yesterday.

He said: “We were gutted not to come to Dundee due to the pandemic so it’s ­massively exciting to fulfil our promise this year.

“I was on holiday close to Dundee in the summer and decided I wanted to move there, so doing Big Weekend nearby is just the first part of my cunning plan to get out of London.

“I’m glad Radio 1 have fallen for it.”

BOOM BOOM, MR ODOOM

AFTER almost two decades as a top DJ, Radio 1’s Melvin Odoom is eyeing up a new career – as a stand-up comedian.

In an exclusive chat, he revealed he wants to give it a go after funnyman Romesh Ranganathan told him he thought he was funny.

Melvin said: “It’s a real test of whether you’re funny. Audiences don’t mess around. If they don’t find something funny they’re not going to laugh. So I would love to do that.

“In fact, I was with Romesh years ago and we were doing a panel show and he said, ‘Melv, you actually have good comic timing’.”

Melvin added: “This could be a new career but I would have to do it in the most obscure part of the world where no one knows me.

“If I do it here then everyone would expect me to be good because I have been on the radio.

“Everyone expects you to have funny content. But stand-up is an art and you have to test material.”

Meanwhile Melvin – who stars in the new series of Iain Stirling’s ITVX comedy Buffering, out now – is looking forward to partying at the Brit Awards on February 11.

He said: “My thing with the Brits is that I love going to the afterparties.

“I pepper all the record labels. I am a party man and I am a DJ and I like to be at parties. It’s also where all the artists are and you will look over and see Ed Sheeran busting moves.”

I’ll see you there, Melvin.

MANY SNAPPY RETURNS FOR KIM

KIM KARDASHIAN perfected her selfie-taking in the mirror before trying it out on J-Lo.

The reality star shared a photo of herself posing in a silver dress following a party with the All I Have singer.

Kim and Jennifer got together at the 25th anniversary of their mutual friend Anastasia Soare’s fashion brand.

The pair looked flawless thanks to Kim’s skill with a camera – and I am sure a filter or two – and Jen posted the results on her Instagram account with the caption: “Lovely dinner last night.”

A Gram day out with our Harry

HARRY STYLES has been confirmed as a performer at The Grammys.

The American music ceremony takes place six days before the Brit Awards, where the Sushi Restaurant singer is also booked to play.

Harry is joining a stellar line-up including Lizzo at the bash, where he is nominated for six gongs.

The former One Direction star is up for Album Of The Year for Harry’s House and Record Of The Year for As It Was.

That track also sees Harry get a nod for Song Of The Year, Best Pop Solo Performance and Best Music Video.

I can see him scooping the lot but he faces fierce competition from the likes of Beyonce and Adele.