It’s a Sin by Pet Shop Boys Lyrics Meaning – Unpacking the Tormented Confessional of the ’80s Anthem
Lyrics
T minus fifteen seconds, guidance is okay)
When I look back upon my life
It’s always with a sense of shame
I’ve always been the one to blame
For everything I long to do
No matter when or where or who
Has one thing in common, too
It’s a, it’s a, it’s a, it’s a sin
It’s a sin
Everything I’ve ever done
Everything I ever do
Every place I’ve ever been
Everywhere I’m going to
It’s a sin
At school they taught me how to be
So pure in thought and word and deed
They didn’t quite succeed
For everything I long to do
No matter when or where or who
Has one thing in common, too
It’s a, it’s a, it’s a, it’s a sin
It’s a sin
Everything I’ve ever done
Everything I ever do
Every place I’ve ever been
Everywhere I’m going to
It’s a sin
Father, forgive me, I tried not to do it
Turned over a new leaf, then tore right through it
Whatever you taught me, I didn’t believe it
Father, you fought me, ’cause I didn’t care
And I still don’t understand
So I look back upon my life
Forever with a sense of shame
I’ve always been the one to blame
For everything I long to do
No matter when or where or who
Has one thing in common, too
It’s a, it’s a, it’s a, it’s a sin
It’s a sin
Everything I’ve ever done
Everything I ever do
Every place I’ve ever been
Everywhere I’m going to – it’s a sin
It’s a, it’s a, it’s a, it’s a sin
It’s a, it’s a, it’s a, it’s a sin
(Confiteor Deo omnipotenti vobis fratres, quia peccavi nimis cogitatione
Verbo, opere et omissione, mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa)
(Zero!)
Beyond the pulsing beats and synth-pop bravado, Pet Shop Boys’ ‘It’s a Sin’ echoes with the weight of confession and repression. A staple of ’80s music, the song might come across as an electrifying dance track, but delve a little deeper and there’s a profound narrative waiting to be unpacked.
The Pet Shop Boys don’t just create music; they craft narratives steeped in social commentary. ‘It’s a Sin’ is no exception, carrying a story that many listeners can relate to – one of personal struggle, societal norms, and the quest for self-acceptance.
Dancing in the Shadows: The Duality of Sin and Synth
The genius of ‘It’s a Sin’ rests in its effortless twining of infectious electronic sounds with a deeper, darker message. While the track compels bodies to move on the dance floor, it also moves the spirit into contemplation. Like many ’80s hits, it disguises existential angst in neon-bright packaging, allowing the Pet Shop Boys to tackle heavy themes under the cover of a pop sensation.
This duality of sin and synth offers us a glimpse into the artists’ mastery of musical subtext. What is presented as a party anthem on the surface reveals itself as a deeply personal and poignant exploration of guilt and societal pressure upon closer listening.
The Unforgivable Nature of Being Oneself
At its core, ‘It’s a Sin’ is a narrative of inner turmoil and the refusal of one’s nature as being permissible within the societal and religious context. The relentless repetition of ‘It’s a sin’ hammers home the internalized belief that personal desires and identity can be inherently wrong, insinuating a no-win situation where natural inclination is eternally at odds with learned morality.
The song’s protagonist is trapped in a cycle of shame, never breaking free from the feeling of blame for simply acting upon their wishes and being true to who they are. This sentiment is alarmingly relevant for many who have felt alienated by rigid frameworks, particularly within the context of sexual identity and the LGBTQ+ community’s experiences during the time period when the song was released.
The Hidden Meaning: A Critique of Religious Upbringing
At the song’s heart lies a critical look at religious education and its potential for instilling shame. ‘At school they taught me how to be, so pure in thought and word and deed,’ sets a stage of indoctrination, highlighting how religious dogma can distort self-perception and promote a constant sense of failure.
The act of confession in the song, an appeal to the Father figure, transcends its religious origins to become an outcry for understanding. It brings to light the battles one faces when attempting to reconcile their true self with the values that have been forced upon them. The chant-like plea in Latin further underlines the conflict between sacred doctrine and personal truth.
Breaking Through the Lyrics: The Quest for Absolution
Throughout the song, the notion of seeking forgiveness is recurrent, yet it comes with a twist of defiance. ‘Father, forgive me, I tried not to do it,’ subtly showcases the resistance against arbitrary moral benchmarks, subverting the classic plea for mercy into an accusation against those who have imposed unrealistic expectations.
The protagonist is aware of their supposed transgressions but admits to a lack of belief in the teachings that have branded them sinful. This honesty in the face of judgement renders ‘It’s a Sin’ a powerful and liberating hymn for those who have fought to accept themselves amidst condemnation.
Memorable Lines and Timeless Relevance
The stark simplicity of the song’s most memorable lines ‘Everything I’ve ever done, Everything I ever do’ casts a shadow over the listener, encapsulating the inescapable and omnipresent guilt that can persist throughout one’s life. The song manages to be as much about the individual’s sorrow as it is about the universal human condition, earning its place as a timeless touchstone.
The narrative contained within ‘It’s a Sin’ resonates through the decades, as each generation grapples with its own set of sins and societal pressures. In this light, the Pet Shop Boys have not only penned an ’80s hit, but they’ve contributed a song that continues to speak to the heart of what it means to be judged, to repent, and, perhaps, to finally forgive oneself.
