Alice Smith Reflects on Crafting Emotional Ballad 'Last Time (I Seen the Sun)' for Ryan Coogler's Sinners
For Alice Smith, the process of writing and performing "Last Time (I Seen the Sun)" for Ryan Coogler's Sinners was a momentous occasion. The song, which closed out the film's credits, is a hopeful yet reflective ballad that embodies the Blues tradition. According to Smith, the line from the final scene that inspired the tune was "Maybe once a week I wake up paralyzed reliving that night," and it jumped right out at her.
Smith was approached by Ludwig Göransson, the composer who worked on the film's soundtrack, with an email saying he was a fan of her music and wanted to collaborate. At the time, she didn't know much about Göransson or his work, but the opportunity seemed too good to pass up. When she arrived at the studio, Miles Caton – the actor who played a young Sammie Moore in the film – was already there. The two began writing the song together, with Smith singing her lines and Caton contributing his own. The lyrics flowed easily, as did the melody.
One of the most striking aspects of "Last Time" is its connection to the Blues tradition. For Smith, this genre has always been a natural fit, thanks to her Southern roots and upbringing in a gospel band. Her music often incorporates elements of spirituality and personal reflection, making "Last Time" feel like an extension of her own experiences.
When the song was played back at the film's premiere, Smith felt it was perfectly placed – the timing, the lighting, everything seemed to come together seamlessly. She credits Göransson for his skill in editing the song into place.
As for her next solo project, Smith is working on a new album with a deadline set for later this year. While she hasn't revealed too much about the music yet, she's excited to share something new with her fans and has hinted that there may be a single released as early as January or February.
Throughout the process of writing "Last Time (I Seen the Sun)," Smith felt a sense of joy and collaboration with Göransson and Caton. The end result is a song that feels deeply personal, while also being universally relatable. As she prepares to share new music with her audience, it's clear that this emotional ballad will remain a highlight from her work on Sinners.
For Alice Smith, the process of writing and performing "Last Time (I Seen the Sun)" for Ryan Coogler's Sinners was a momentous occasion. The song, which closed out the film's credits, is a hopeful yet reflective ballad that embodies the Blues tradition. According to Smith, the line from the final scene that inspired the tune was "Maybe once a week I wake up paralyzed reliving that night," and it jumped right out at her.
Smith was approached by Ludwig Göransson, the composer who worked on the film's soundtrack, with an email saying he was a fan of her music and wanted to collaborate. At the time, she didn't know much about Göransson or his work, but the opportunity seemed too good to pass up. When she arrived at the studio, Miles Caton – the actor who played a young Sammie Moore in the film – was already there. The two began writing the song together, with Smith singing her lines and Caton contributing his own. The lyrics flowed easily, as did the melody.
One of the most striking aspects of "Last Time" is its connection to the Blues tradition. For Smith, this genre has always been a natural fit, thanks to her Southern roots and upbringing in a gospel band. Her music often incorporates elements of spirituality and personal reflection, making "Last Time" feel like an extension of her own experiences.
When the song was played back at the film's premiere, Smith felt it was perfectly placed – the timing, the lighting, everything seemed to come together seamlessly. She credits Göransson for his skill in editing the song into place.
As for her next solo project, Smith is working on a new album with a deadline set for later this year. While she hasn't revealed too much about the music yet, she's excited to share something new with her fans and has hinted that there may be a single released as early as January or February.
Throughout the process of writing "Last Time (I Seen the Sun)," Smith felt a sense of joy and collaboration with Göransson and Caton. The end result is a song that feels deeply personal, while also being universally relatable. As she prepares to share new music with her audience, it's clear that this emotional ballad will remain a highlight from her work on Sinners.
I mean, don't get me wrong, it's a beautiful ballad and all, but it feels kinda generic to me. Like, it's got that whole Blues vibe going on, which is cool, but it doesn't really stand out in a crowd. I'm not saying it's bad or anything, but for a song that's meant to be so emotional and personal, I'd have liked to hear something a bit more raw or unexpected. That being said, I do love Alice Smith's voice – she's got this soulful thing going on that really draws you in. And kudos to her for collaborating with Ludwig Göransson and Miles Caton – it sounds like they had some great chemistry! Can't wait to hear what she does next... 
. I was sipping on a latte and trying to get some writing done for my own project when suddenly, a guy starts playing an epic air guitar solo 
. I mean, it was totally out of nowhere, but honestly, it got me so pumped up that I ended up finishing all my work in record time! Anyway, back to Alice Smith's song... I love how she connected with Göransson and Caton on "Last Time (I Seen the Sun)" - it's clear they had a great chemistry going on. Now if only I could get my coffee shop to start playing air guitar solos during my writing sessions 
she's been so open about the inspiration behind "Last Time (I Seen the Sun)" and how it connected with her southern roots, and now i'm DYING to hear what she's working on next. i love that she got to collaborate with ludwig göransson and miles caton - their chemistry is SO REAL 
and that song just gives me CHILLS every time i listen to it... the blues tradition is such a big part of her music and i think that's what makes "Last Time" so special. can't wait for january or february when she drops that single! 
it feels like she just released something amazing and now we gotta wait almost a year for new music? i get that artists have to plan and stuff, but can't they just drop some singles or EPs in between albums? 
her soulful voice and bluesy vibe are everything