It's A Sin

Album: Actually (1987)
Charted: 1 9
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  • (Twenty seconds and counting
    T minus fifteen seconds, guidance is internal)

    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) Writer/s: Christopher Sean Lowe, Neil Francis Tennant
    Publisher: Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 8

  • Henry from New YorkIs that Geena Davis making a cameo?
  • Steve from Tenby, Uk, EnglandThe video for the single was directed by the late, classic filmmaker and director Derek Jarman. Jarman was also employed to create movies for the Pet Shop Boys' first tour in the late 1980s.
  • Dave from Cardiff, WalesTony - It's quite possible that Cat Stevens didn't think of suing the Pet Shop Boys for one simple reason - namely, the fact that "It's A Sin" does not sound even remotely like "Wild World". Given the fact that Maxi Priest brought out his cover of "Wild World" soon after "It's A Sin" was released, that would have drawn comment at the time if there were any similarities between the two songs
  • Tony from Devon, EnglandIt's a wonder that Cat Stevens didn't sue the Pet Shop Boys for pinching half the melody for this from his 'Wild World'. It's a lot closer than 'My Sweet Lord' is to 'He's So Fine'.
  • Sebastian from Providence, Ri(Confiteor Deo omnipotenti vobis fratres, quia peccavi nimis cogitatione,
    verbo, opere et omissione, mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa)
  • Dave from Cardiff, WalesNeil Tennant is not gay, he's bisexual. There is a slight difference, but he does lean towards "gay" more than "straight", so to speak...
  • Jean from London, EnglandNov 05 - Paul Anka has covered this song in his 'Lounge Lizard' style......considering the theme of the song, it's totally incongruous, not to mention utterly horrible.

    But not as vile as the redition of REM's 'Everybody Hurts'.....
  • Christoph from Boston, MaThe "sin" in question is homosexuality. Neil Tennant is gay and sings about it in other PSB songs like "Metamorphosis".
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