While a first album (entitled Better Than the Rest) was recorded in 1974, the major recording debut came with the release of the eponymous album 'George Thorogood & The Destroyers', released in 1977 (Better Than the Rest was eventually released in 1979). The next album, entitled Move It On Over, was released in the autumn of 1978 and included the hit "Move It On Over" . Other singles from the album included "Please Set A Date" and "Who Do You Love".
During the 1980s, and 1990s, the band recorded some of their most well-known works, "Bad to the Bone" (used to great effect during the bar scene in Terminator 2: Judgment Day, and in the opening scene of John Carpenter's Christine), "I Drink Alone" (from the 'Maverick' album), "You Talk Too Much", and "If You Don't Start Drinking, I'm Gonna Leave".
Thorogood himself is best-known for his animated stage presence and loud, raucous electric slide guitar playing. He is also known as "Lonesome George".
Also seen as or called George Thorogood & the Destroyers.
Official Website: George Thorogood And The Destroyers
It's a Sin
George Thorogood and the Destroyers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yes, from the start
She said you're breakin'
Breakin' my heart
But I know
It's a sin
It's a sin
Yeah, by my side
My baby hung
Her head and cried
But I know
It's a sin
It's a sin
And I know it's wrong
Things that I do
And the way that I
Have mistreated you
Baby I know
It's a sin
It's a sin
She stood and watched me
Yes, by my side
My baby hung
Her head and cried
Yes I know
It's a sin
It's a sin
And I know it's wrong
Things that I do
Oh the way that I
Mistreated you
Baby I know
It's a sin
It's a sin
The opening lines of the song convey the notion that the singer's lover warned him of the painful consequences of his actions right from the beginning of their relationship. The singer acknowledges that he is solely responsible for breaking her heart despite her forewarnings. However, he pushes aside her concerns and continues to commit the same mistakes repeatedly. Deep down, the singer admits that he is in the wrong and has mistreated his lover, but he continues to do so knowing well that it is a sin. This indicates that the singer is aware of his wrongdoing but is unable to change his ways due to his addiction or obsession with his destructive behavior.
The second verse of the song shifts the focus towards the perspective of the singer's lover, who is hurt and heartbroken by the singer's actions. She becomes a silent spectator, helplessly watching her partner make the same mistakes that she warned him about. The image of her hanging her head and crying portrays her vulnerability and emotional pain. The use of repetition in the chorus adds to the heaviness of the subject and emphasizes the fact that the singer is committing a grave mistake that can have profound emotional consequences on his partner.
Line by Line Meaning
My baby told me
My significant other informed me of the issue right from the beginning
She said you're breakin'
She told me that my actions are causing pain and harm to her
Breakin' my heart
My actions are hurting her emotionally
But I know
I am aware of the situation
It's a sin
My actions are morally and ethically wrong
She stood and watched me
My significant other observed my actions directly
Yeah, by my side
She was standing right next to me
My baby hung
She lowered her head in sadness
Her head and cried
She shed tears due to the emotional pain I was causing
And I know it's wrong
I am conscious and cognizant of the harmful nature of my actions
Things that I do
My harmful and damaging behaviors
Oh the way that I
The manner in which I have been conducting myself
Mistreated you
The actions I have taken have caused harm and mistreatment towards my significant other
Baby I know
I am fully aware
It's a sin
My actions go against moral and ethical principles
It's a sin
My behavior is morally and ethically wrong
Contributed by Wyatt S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.