They enjoyed working together so much that they decided to create an album together. Co-written by all the group members, the songwriting and recording were accomplished over a ten-day period at Dave Stewart's house, as Dylan was due to go out on tour. Their first studio album, Traveling Wilburys, Vol. 1 was released on October 18, 1988. The band members were credited under various pseudonyms, all sons of a fictional Charles Truscott Wilbury, Sr. The album was immediately dubbed as one of the top 100 albums of all time by Rolling Stone, and was a critical and commercial success, spawning several successful singles and eventually reaching triple-platinum sales status in the US. Additionally, it was nominated for several awards and won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group in 1989.
The death of Orbison on December 6, 1988 prevented further full collaborations, and the band continued without him. In 1990, they released a second studio album titled Traveling Wilburys, Vol. 3. The intentional misnumbering is attributed to Harrison's sense of humor; additionally, the pseudonyms for all members were changed. The album met with less success than its predecessor, and the group eventually disbanded in 1990, their final released recording being the song "Nobody's Child", the title track of a benefit album released to benefit Romanian orphans.
In 2007, a compilation of both albums was released, entitled The Traveling Wilburys Collection. As well as both of the original albums, the release included bonus tracks and music videos; additionally, previously uncredited session drummer Jim Keltner, who appeared in some of the group's music videos, was listed as a member of the group, as was Dhani Harrison, the son of George who had assisted in some parts of the overdubbing of the previously unreleased material.
7 Deadly Sins
Traveling Wilburys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That's how the world begins
Watch out when you step in
For seven deadly sins
Seven deadly sins
That's when the fun begins
Seven deadly sins
Sin number two you said goodbye
Sin number three was when you told me a little white lie
Seven deadly sins (ooh, ooh, ooh)
Once it starts, it never ends (seven deadly sins) (ooh, ooh, ooh)
Watch out around the bend (seven deadly sins) (ooh, ooh, ooh)
A seven deadly sins (seven deadly sins)
Sin number four was when you looked my way
Sin number five was when you smiled
Sin number six was when you let me stay
Sin number seven
Was when you touched me and told me why
Seven deadly sins (ooh, ooh, ooh)
So many rules to bend (ooh, ooh, ooh)
Time and time again (seven deadly sins) (ooh, ooh, ooh)
Seven deadly sins (ooh, ooh)
Bow, bow, bow, seven deadly sins
Seven deadly sins
Seven deadly sins
Seven deadly sins (ooh, ooh, ooh)
That's how the world begins (seven deadly sins) (ooh, ooh, ooh)
Watch out when you step in (seven deadly sins) (ooh, ooh, ooh)
For seven deadly sins
Seven
Seven
Seven
Seven
Seven
Seven
Seven deadly sins
The Traveling Wilburys' song "7 Deadly Sins" is a tongue-in-cheek commentary on the darker sides of human nature. The song draws a parallel between the seven deadly sins of Christian theology and the various ways that people can be hurtful to one another in relationships. The lyrics suggest that these sins can be easy to fall into, and once that happens, it can be difficult to escape their grip.
In the first verse, the song sets up the idea that the world is full of sin and that one needs to be careful when navigating through it. The chorus highlights the various sins that people can commit, and how they can lead to a slippery slope where "it never ends." The subsequent verses focus on the pain and hurt that relationships can cause – from being left and lied to, to being tempted and ultimately touched.
Overall, the song uses humor and wit to explore the ways in which human nature can be flawed, but also how it's a universal experience that we all share.
Line by Line Meaning
Seven, seven, seven deadly sins
The seven deadly sins are emphasized to reveal the theme of the song.
That's how the world begins
The world begins with the presence of the seven deadly sins.
Watch out when you step in
Be careful when getting involved with the seven deadly sins.
For seven deadly sins
The focus is on the seven deadly sins.
Sin number one was when you left me
Being left by someone is considered the first deadly sin.
Sin number two you said goodbye
Saying goodbye to someone is considered the second deadly sin.
Sin number three was when you told me a little white lie
Telling a small lie is considered the third deadly sin.
Once it starts, it never ends
Once the temptation of the seven deadly sins begins, it leads to more sins and does not stop.
Watch out around the bend
Be cautious of the temptation of the seven deadly sins lurking around every corner.
Sin number four was when you looked my way
Looking at someone in a lustful way is considered the fourth deadly sin.
Sin number five was when you smiled
Smiling in a deceiving or prideful way is considered the fifth deadly sin.
Sin number six was when you let me stay
Envy, or wanting what someone else has, is considered the sixth deadly sin.
Sin number seven Was when you touched me and told me why
The final deadly sin is allowing oneself to succumb to the temptation of lust and touch someone inappropriately.
So many rules to bend
There are many rules to follow to avoid the seven deadly sins, which makes it tempting to break them.
Time and time again
People are tempted by and commit the seven deadly sins repeatedly.
Bow, bow, bow, seven deadly sins
The repetition of the seven deadly sins emphasizes their importance.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Jeff Lynn, Tom Petty
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind