It's a Sin
BBC Concert Orchestra & Pet Shop Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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!)
The song It’s a Sin by the BBC Concert Orchestra and the Pet Shop Boys is a reflection on actions and their consequences. The opening lines refer to the launch of a rocket with the countdown: “Twenty seconds and counting, T minus fifteen seconds, guidance is okay.” This countdown is an analogy for the singer’s life; looking back, everything that they have done, every place they have been has had one thing in common, which is the theme of the song, it’s a sin. The sense of shame that the singer feels about their life is the result of their own understanding that their actions have been wrong.
The lyrics show that the singer has been taught to be pure in thought and word, but they have not succeeded. The singer recognizes that they have been the one to blame for everything that they long to do, regardless of when or where they are, or who is present. The chorus of the song repeats that it’s a sin, everything that the singer has ever done, everywhere they have been, and everywhere they are going, is a sin. The singer acknowledges that they have tried to turn over a new leaf, but they have not been successful in changing their ways. The song concludes with the singer making a plea for forgiveness.
Overall, the song is a commentary on the human experience of making mistakes, the guilt that can accompany those mistakes, and the desire for forgiveness. The lyrics portray a deep sense of shame and self-reflection that allows the listener to connect with the song and consider their own actions.
Line by Line Meaning
When I look back upon my life
Reflecting on my past life brings me an immense feeling of regret
It's always with a sense of shame
The feeling that accompanies my reflection is one of disgrace
I've always been the one to blame
I am aware of my mistakes and hold myself responsible for all of them
For everything I long to do
All of my aspirations, no matter what they are, have a common barrier
No matter when or where or who
Regardless of the circumstances, this barrier persists
Has one thing in common, too
All my aspirations are hindered by one thing only
It's a, it's a, it's a, it's a sin
The only thing that stops me from achieving my goals is committing a sin
Everything I've ever done
All of my past actions were motivated by this impulse
Every place I've ever been
Everywhere I have been is tainted by this sin
Everywhere I'm going to
My future actions will continue to be influenced by my sinful nature
At school they taught me how to be
During my education, I was taught how to live in a moral and ethical manner
So pure in thought and word and deed
I was instructed to be blameless, not only in my actions but also in my thoughts and words
They didn't quite succeed
However, their efforts were futile
Father, forgive me, I tried not to do it
I admit my sins and ask God for forgiveness, although I did try to resist them
Turned over a new leaf, then tore right through it
I attempted to start anew, but I inevitably relapsed
Whatever you taught me, I didn't believe it
Despite being taught, I did not accept or internalize the lessons
Father, you fought me, 'cause I didn't care
God tried to guide me, but I did not care for His attempts
And I still don't understand
I remain ignorant to the implications of my sins
Forever with a sense of shame
My regret and feelings of disgrace will never subside
Confiteor Deo omnipotenti vobis fratres, quia peccavi nimis cogitatione
Verbo, opere et omissione, mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa
I confess to God, to you my brothers and sisters, that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word, deed, and omission, through my fault, my fault, my most grievous fault
Zero!
Countdown to the launch of a rocket as a metaphor for deeply emotional and transformative experiences
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Neil Francis Tennant, Christopher Sean Lowe
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jiros00
It's so rewarding when the favourite music of your teens has a new generation of fans.
@fuzzybobbles
I saw them live in 2017 for the super tour in 5 different venues. Each time I saw so many who were my childrens age or younger. I felt old lol. But good music doesn't have an age limit. You feel it with your soul.
@alviilmie1869
Classic
@finroddd
That's what great music is capable to do!
@simon5005
I became a fan at 30..............and still going strong at 67!!!
@RodrigoBrionesMora
This year this turned into my favorite song. It’s the most played one on my Apple Music.
@dungeonslayer8122
40 years later and still going strong. They are absolutely on fire and amazing ❤️❤️❤️
@MarceloNocera-tc1kd
https://youtu.be/kYHhtIV4Q1k
@MarceloNocera-tc1kd
https://youtu.be/9SQDhMUu_wI
@lindasmith-wj5nk
Magnificent 🎉