British singer Sam Smith has revealed that his single In the Lonely Hour is about unrequited love between himself and another man.

Speaking to The Fader, the 22-year-old Smith steered clear of using labels such as “gay,” “queer” or “bisexual.”

“I’ve never been in a relationship before,” Smith said. “I’ve only been in unrequited relationships where people haven’t loved me back. I guess I’m a little bit attracted to that in a bad way.”

In the Lonely Hour is about a guy that I fell in love with last year, and he didn’t love me back. I think I’m over it now, but I was in a very dark place. I kept feeling lonely in the fact that I hadn’t felt love before. I’ve felt the bad things. And what’s a more powerful emotion: pain or happiness?”

Smith's debut studio album, In the Lonely Hour, was released Monday.