Sinner's Devotion
Tammi Terrell Lyrics


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I know it's wrong and yet
We'll have our play
A sinner's devotion
But if I give into temptation
In the moonlight
Let your lips excite me
And invite me
How long will it be
'Till you're tired of me?
'Till you want somebody new
And we'll be through?
Because

That's how it must turn out
For those who play
A sinner's devotion
I know you belong to another
And you want me
Only for the moment
But for the moment
The price is too tall
I'd rather listen to your call
For a sinner's devotion
Is no devotion at all

That's how it must turn out
For those who play
A sinner's devotion
I know you belong to another
And you want me
Only for the moment
But for the moment
The price is too tall
I'd rather listen to your call




For a sinner's devotion
Is no devotion at all

No no, not at all, not at all
Let me tell you not at all . . .

Overall Meaning

In Tammi Terrell's song "Sinner's Devotion," she sings about the temptation and struggle that comes with partaking in a love affair that goes against societal norms and moral values. Tammi is fully aware that engaging in such behavior is wrong, yet she cannot resist the pull of desire that draws her towards her lover. She calls this desire a "sinner's devotion" - a love that is sinful and goes against the traditional idea of devotion. Despite knowing that her lover belongs to someone else and that their love is temporary, Tammi questions how long it will be until her lover tires of her and moves on to someone new, leaving her alone in the end.


Tammi's lyrics speak to a universal experience - the push and pull of temptation that is hard to resist, even when it goes against one's better judgment. She captures the complex emotions that come with engaging in such behavior: desire, guilt, fear, and ultimately, the realization that this kind of love is not true devotion. Tammi's song reminds us that sometimes we get caught up in the moment, but we must remember that the price for a "sinner's devotion" is too high, and true devotion lies in loyalty and commitment.


Line by Line Meaning

I know it's wrong and yet
Even though I know it's wrong, we're still going to do it


We'll have our play
We'll indulge in our sinful activity


A sinner's devotion
Our devotion to sin


But if I give into temptation
If I give in to the temptation of sinning with you


In the moonlight
Under the romantic moonlight


Let your lips excite me
Let your lips arouse my desire


And invite me
And invite me to engage in sinful acts with you


How long will it be
How long will you keep doing this with me?


'Till you're tired of me?
Until you get bored of me and want someone else


'Till you want somebody new
Until you desire someone new


And we'll be through?
And our sinful relationship will be over?


Because
That's just how it always ends for those who engage in sin


I know you belong to another
I know you're already committed to someone else


And you want me
But you still desire me


Only for the moment
Only for the temporary pleasure of sinning with someone else


But for the moment
But the consequences of our actions are too great


The price is too tall
The cost of sinning is too high


I'd rather listen to your call
I'd rather obey your call to abandon sinning with you


For a sinner's devotion
Being devoted to sin is not really devotion at all


Is no devotion at all
Devotion to sin is not real devotion




Contributed by Brooklyn Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@daverobertswales

It's a beautiful song, great to hear her singing one written by Burt Bacharach, definitely recognisable as one of his. I've got a 2 CD collection of his music but this was new to me.

@clareons

Thanks Dave, I'm glad you liked it and it was new to you. Yes, I've got that CD too, it's a good collection of his songs.

@denisedivelbliss5581

I absolutely could not agree more.This happens to be my fav:)

@clareons

Tammi is the QUEEN of Motown, I don't care what anyone says lol. To die so young and to be such a LEGEND, it says IT ALL. No no no not at all xxx

@ctruth6185

Mary Wells was the Queen of Motown whether you like it or not. Tammi was a unique talent though but not the queen.

@clareons

@@ctruth6185 Tammi was the queen for me.

@guygrip2120

@@clareons wow MARY DIED AT 42 YEARS OLD. NEVER GOT IN ROCK N ROLL HALL OF FAME. I LIKE TAMMIS BABY DONTCHA WORRY. TWO MUCH TO HOPE FOR. SHE WAS GREAT. THE SECOND LP WITH MARVIN WAS KILLER.

@joshuadurham1257

Tammi Terrell was incredible and intense like a smooth adorable voice of R&B queen in motown

@miketheshanmanmangan

Truly Classic Tammi along with the harmony of THE SHIRELLES

@lordred4116

Beautiful tune, never heard it before.

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