The song is unlike anything Smith has done before and signals their determination to extend their range; to experiment. In an interview with Billboard magazine in August 2022 Sam talked about their need to move away from sad ballads and explore new directions.
”Gone are the heartbroken torch songs that defined so much of their [Sam’s] early career; in their place are jubilant sounds ranging from dance-pop kiss-offs to choral expressions of elation. And for Smith, leaning into happiness may be the greatest risk of all… “I think joy for me, and for a lot of queer people, is quite a dangerous place. We’re all masters of pain, and I think it’s … courageous to step into the queer joy of it all.”’
The song tells a story of unfaithfulness and betrayal, reminiscent of “I’m Not The Only One”. The response isn’t grief and passivity, but resilience, humour and mischief; not to be taken seriously and therefore a definite new departure.
The track became one of Smith's most successful hits internationally, topping Billboard's Global 200 and singles charts including The UK, Australia, and Malaysia. In the United States, "Unholy" topped the Billboard Hot 100 on the week of October 29, 2022, becoming both Smith & Petras' first #1 in the country and making them the first openly transgender artists in history to top the chart.
Unholy
Sam Smith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Interesting Facts ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
At the Body Shop
Doing something unholy
He like it, like it, yeah (ooh)
He like it, like it, yeah (yeah, yeah)
He like it, like it, yeah (uh)
He like it, like it, yeah
She got married to a boy like you
She'd kick you out if she ever, ever knew
'Bout all the- you tell me that you do
Dirty, dirty boy
You know everyone is talkin' on the scene
I hear them whisperin' 'bout the places that you've been
And how you don't know how to keep your business clean
Mummy don't know daddy's getting hot
At the Body Shop
Doin' somethin' unholy
He's sat back while she's droppin' it
She be poppin' it
Yeah, she put it down slowly
Oh-ee-oh-ee-oh, he left his kids at
Ho-ee-oh-ee-ome so he can get that
Mummy don't know daddy's getting hot
At the Body Shop
Doin' somethin' unholy (woo)
Mmm, daddy, daddy, if you want it, drop the addy (yeah, yeah)
Give me love, give me Fendi, my Balenciaga daddy
You gon' need to bag it up 'cause I'm spendin' on Rodeo (woo)
You can watch me back it up, I'll be gone in the A.M. (yeah)
And he, he get me Prada, get me Miu Miu like Rihanna (ah)
He always call me 'cause I never cause no drama
And when you want it, baby, I know I got you covered (yeah-yeah-yeah)
And when you need it, baby, just jump under the covers (yeah)
Mummy don't know daddy's getting hot (hot)
At the Body Shop (Shop)
Doin' somethin' unholy
He's sat back while she's droppin' it (she)
She be poppin' it (she)
Yeah, she put it down slowly
Oh-ee-oh-ee-oh, he left his kids at
Ho-ee-oh-ee-ome so he can get that
Mummy don't know daddy's getting hot
At the Body Shop
Doin' somethin' unholy
Oh-oh-oh-ee-oh-ee-ee-oh (unholy)
Oh-oh-oh-ee-oh-ee-ee-oh (unholy)
Oh-oh-oh-ee-oh-ee-ee-oh (yeah, yeah)
Oh-oh-oh-ee-oh-ee-ee-oh
The lyrics of Sam Smith's "uNhOlY" depict a man engaging in something "unholy" at a body shop, while his wife or partner remains in the dark about his behavior. The opening line "Mummy don't know daddy's getting hot at the body shop" sets the scene for infidelity or perhaps some kind of illegal activity. The chorus repeats "He like it, like it, yeah" which could refer to the excitement and arousal that comes with taboo behavior.
The second verse introduces a "lucky, lucky girl" who is married to the man engaging in the "unholy" activity. The singer suggests that the wife would not be pleased with her husband's behavior and that he is, in fact, a "dirty, dirty boy" who can't keep his "business clean." The third verse is sung by a female voice, perhaps the woman at the body shop, who seems to be enjoying the lavish gifts the man is providing her with, such as Fendi bags and Balenciaga clothing.
Overall, the song portrays a secretive, scandalous affair that is likely to have serious consequences for all involved. The lyrics suggest that the man is enjoying the thrill of engaging in something "unholy" but will eventually need to "bag it up" to avoid detection.
Interesting Facts:
Interesting Facts
Note: This section uses generative AI, which can be inaccurate.
Line by Line Meaning
Mummy don't know daddy's getting hot
Father is engaging in immoral activities that his mother is unaware of
At the body shop
Father is engaging in immoral activities at a specific location, known as the body shop
Doing something unholy
Father is committing immoral activities that are against religious or moral laws
He like it, like it, yeah (ooh)
Father is enjoying the immoral activities he is engaging in
A lucky, lucky girl
Narrator is describing a girl who is lucky to have married someone like the father
She got married to a boy like you
The girl married someone similar to the father's character
She'd kick you out if she ever, ever knew
If the girl knew about the father's immoral activities, she would leave him
'Bout all the- you tell me that you do
Father is confiding in the artist about his immoral activities
Dirty, dirty boy
Narrator is describing the father with a negative connotation
You know everyone is talkin' on the scene
The people around the father are gossiping about his immoral activities
I hear them whisperin' 'bout the places that you've been
The people around the father are whispering about where he's been engaging in his immoral activities
And how you don't know how to keep your business clean
Narrator is criticizing the father for not being discreet about his immoral activities
He's sat back while she's droppin' it
Father is passively watching a woman engage in sexual activities
She be poppin' it
The woman is engaging in sexual movements
Yeah, she put it down slowly
The woman is performing a sexual act slowly
Oh-ee-oh-ee-oh, he left his kids at
Father left his children at home to engage in his immoral activities
Ho-ee-oh-ee-ome so he can get that
Father went home to engage in his immoral activities
Mmm, daddy, daddy, if you want it, drop the addy (yeah, yeah)
Narrator is addressing the father, telling him to give her his location if he wants to engage in sexual activities with her
Give me love, give me Fendi, my Balenciaga daddy
Narrator is listing material items she wants from the father
And he, he get me Prada, get me Miu Miu like Rihanna (ah)
Father buys the artist high-end clothing brands like Prada and Miu Miu, just like Rihanna receives from her partners
He always call me 'cause I never cause no drama
The father calls the artist often because she never causes him any problems or drama
And when you want it, baby, I know I got you covered (yeah-yeah-yeah)
Narrator is telling the father that she will always be there for him when he wants to engage in sexual activities
And when you need it, baby, just jump under the covers (yeah)
Narrator is telling the father that he can always seek comfort from her when he needs it
Oh-oh-oh-ee-oh-ee-ee-oh (unholy)
The actions of the father and narrator are morally or religiously improper
Oh-oh-oh-ee-oh-ee-ee-oh (unholy)
The actions of the father and narrator are morally or religiously improper
Oh-oh-oh-ee-oh-ee-ee-oh (yeah, yeah)
Narrator is expressing enthusiasm for the immoral activities she and the father are engaging in
Oh-oh-oh-ee-oh-ee-ee-oh
Narrator is expressing enthusiasm for the immoral activities she and the father are engaging in
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Blake Slatkin, Henry Russell Walter, Ilya Salmanzadeh, James John Napier, Kim Petras, Omer Fedi, Samuel Frederick Smith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sydney Derick
can’t even imagine what they could possibly do for a live performance (on a stage) i hope they’re asked to do a big one because it’s literally a cinematic masterpiece
Elephantsegg
There’s the bbc live version, it’s even better then the original
Sydney Derick
@Elephantsegg yeah i’ve seen that one but i meant like they could do a bunch of cool visuals on stage, they sound amazing live so having a full stage would make it 10x better
strawblink
Have u seen blackpink perform live ?
mop hazard
Y’all call anything a cinematic masterpiece
bnr
@mop hazard P
Disneyfan
The rhythm and chorus is stuck in my head 24/7 like a never dying fire🔥
KXLLMXLL
thats called eternal fire
Sarahm.
Bc it's evil and the devil wants you to think of it. Listen to a more godly music.
KXLLMXLL
@Sarahm. god isnt real.