SMITH: I think a sadness that I have had in me and something that felt like it was missing. And I think this idea of fame and becoming a pop star was an escape in my head and almost like a I'll-show-you kind of thing. I do think a huge part of it is school and boys and being teased a little bit here and there. As a kid struggling with his sexuality, Sam Smith had these dreams about making it big. SMITH: (Singing) I'm way too good at goodbyes. My dad's dream for me was to be a jazz singer and sing in tiny bars for the rest of my life. GREENE: So, like, when your parents when they heard your voice when you were growing up and you were that 9 year old, were they grooming you to be a pop star? Did they see that future, do you think? SMITH: 'Come Fly With Me' was my first song I ever sang in my first ever singing lesson when I was like 9 years old. GREENE: Have you ever done a Sinatra song? And I can't believe they still let people sit on it because it's pretty rackety (laughter). They have his chair here they used to record in.

I'm actually sitting in Frank Sinatra's chair right now. You're at the famous Capitol Studios, right? We found him in one of LA's most historic recording studios. GREENE: His new album is called 'The Thrill Of It All.' And it's a pretty good way to describe where he's been since he first topped the charts. And every time you leave me, the quicker these tears dry. SMITH: (Singing) But every time you hurt me, the less that I cry. (SOUNDBITE OF SONG, 'TOO GOOD AT GOODBYES')

He's avoided the spotlight for the last year and a half, but now he is back. GREENE: I mean, it's almost too perfect, isn't it? Well, behind this voice is a man who found fame and then found the need to hide from it.

SAM SMITH: (Singing) oh, won't you stay with me. A couple of years ago, you probably couldn't escape it. The first thing you notice about Sam Smith is that voice.

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