A music video was released the same day as the single. The video features lead singer Olly Alexander in a futuristic, dystopian society.
Of the song, Alexander said:
I’ve had a couple of, let’s say, ‘encounters’ with guys who identify as straight but what has happened between us has been somewhat less than straight, so I wanted to write a song about that particular experience – so that’s what inspired the song’s lyrics.
In an interview with NYLON, Olly also said:
"There’s so much that goes on in an experience like that. On the one hand, the guy is struggling with his sexuality and feeling unable to express himself as anything other than straight while also desiring me.
"I’m on the other side feeling like both a sinner and saint or a devil and angel, leading this guy down a path of ‘sinfulness’ while, at the same time, helping him explore his sexuality.
Sanctify
Years & Years Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I
When I pray
In the night, you come to me
'Cause I'm the one who knows who you are
Ooh
Give me your confession, saying
Now
Walk through the fire with you
'Cause I know how it can hurt
Being cut into and afraid
So don't break (break)
Sanctify my body with pain (pain)
Sanctify the love that you crave (crave)
Oh, and I won't, and I won't, and I won't be ashamed
Sanctify my sins when I pray
Oh, oh, oh oh
When I pray
Oh, oh, oh oh
You don't have to be straight with me
I see what's underneath your mask
I'm a man like you, I breathe the rituals of the dancer's dance
Oh, oh
And there's fire in you
And you know it's gonna hurt, being cut into
And afraid
So don't break (break)
Sanctify my body with pain (pain)
Sanctify the love that you crave (crave)
Oh, and I won't, and I won't, and I won't be ashamed
Sanctify my sins when I pray
Oh, oh, oh oh
When I pray
Oh, oh, oh oh
You'll find redemption when all this is through
Father, forgive me for finding the truth
Love takes its toll on me, I'm just like you
Maybe it's heavenly
Maybe it's heavenly
So don't break (break)
Sanctify my body with pain (pain)
Sanctify the love that you crave (crave)
Oh, and I won't, and I won't, and I won't be ashamed
Sanctify my sins when I pray
Sanctify my body with pain (sanctify, sanctify my sins)
Sanctify the love that you crave (sanctify)
Oh, and I won't, and I won't, and I won't be ashamed (sanctify)
Sanctify my sins when I pray
Oh, oh, oh oh
When I pray
Oh, oh, oh oh
When I pray
The lyrics of the song "Sanctify" by Years & Years explore the idea of redemption and forgiveness through pain and self-reflection. The singer of the song is a person who is willing to help someone who is struggling by listening to their confession and being there to support them through their pain. The song is about the idea of sanctification, which means to make something holy or to purify it.
The singer is telling the person that they don't have to hide their true self, and that they will accept them no matter what. The person is portrayed as being full of fire and passion, but also scared and vulnerable. The song presents pain and suffering as a form of purification that can lead to redemption and a renewed sense of purpose. The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "Sanctify my body with pain", which is a powerful statement that implies that pain and suffering can be used as a way to overcome past mistakes and find a new sense of purpose.
Overall, "Sanctify" is a powerful and emotional song that explores the theme of redemption and forgiveness through pain and self-reflection.
Line by Line Meaning
When I pray
At times when I have conversations with God
When I
In those contemplative moments
When I pray
When I pour out my heart to the Almighty
In the night, you come to me
In the dark, the secrets lying deep within you come to the surface
'Cause I'm the one who knows who you are
I am the one who understands who you truly are
Give me your confession, saying
Share your wrongdoing with me, telling me everything
Lately, life's been tearing you apart
Life has been difficult for you lately and it has affected you deeply
Walk through the fire with you
I will stay with you through tough times
'Cause I know how it can hurt
I have experienced pain and suffering, and I understand how it feels
Being cut into and afraid
Feeling vulnerable and scared
So don't break (break)
Don't let your struggles defeat you
Sanctify my body with pain (pain)
Transform my body through the pain, so I can be cleansed of my sins and feel reborn
Sanctify the love that you crave (crave)
Let love be pure, and bless it so I can feel whole again
Oh, and I won't, and I won't, and I won't be ashamed
I won't be embarrassed or feel guilty for sharing my true self or admitting my mistakes
Sanctify my sins when I pray
Through prayer, provide me with the strength and forgiveness to overcome my sin
You don't have to be straight with me
You don't have to pretend to be perfect in front of me
I see what's underneath your mask
I understand who you really are, behind the façade you present to the world
I'm a man like you, I breathe the rituals of the dancer's dance
I am human just like you, and we both have our own ways of coping with life's complexities
And there's fire in you
You have intense emotions within you
And you know it's gonna hurt, being cut into
It will hurt to face your fears and insecurities and confront your true self
So don't break (break)
Stay strong and focused
You'll find redemption when all this is through
You will be able to find forgiveness and a way back to a better life in due time
Father, forgive me for finding the truth
God, I ask for forgiveness for having to reveal my true self, to face who I really am
Love takes its toll on me, I'm just like you
I am also struggling with love and the challenges it brings, just like anyone else
Maybe it's heavenly
Perhaps this is what it means to reach a higher, spiritual state
Sanctify my body with pain (sanctify, sanctify my sins)
Let the pain purify me and wash away my sins
Sanctify the love that you crave (sanctify)
Please bless my need for love and let it be pure
When I pray
During these intimate talks with God
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Oliver Alexander Thornton, Thomas Edward Percy Hull
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@andrijanazivkovic3368
[Intro]
When I pray
When I-
When I pray
[Verse 1]
In the night, you come to me
'Cause I'm the one who knows who you are
Ooh
Give me your confession, saying
Lately, life's been tearing you apart
Now
[Pre-Chorus]
Walk through the fire with you
'Cause I know how it can hurt
Being cut into and afraid
[Chorus]
So don't break (break)
Sanctify my body with pain (pain)
Sanctify the love that you crave (crave)
Oh, and I won't, and I won't, and I won't be ashamed
Sanctify my sins when I pray
When I pray
[Verse 2]
You don't have to be straight with me
I see what's underneath your mask
I'm a man like you, I breathe the rituals of the dancer's dance
Oh, oh
[Pre-Chorus]
And there's fire in you
And you know it's gonna hurt, being cut into
And afraid
[Chorus]
So don't break (break)
Sanctify my body with pain (pain)
Sanctify the love that you crave (crave)
Oh, and I won't, and I won't, and I won't be ashamed
Sanctify my sins when I pray
When I pray
[Bridge]
You'll find redemption when all this is through
Father, forgive me for finding the truth
Love takes its toll on me, I'm just like you
Maybe it's heavenly
Maybe it's heavenly
[Chorus]
So don't break (break)
Sanctify my body with pain (pain)
Sanctify the love that you crave (crave)
Oh, and I won't, and I won't, and I won't be ashamed
Sanctify my sins when I pray
[Chorus]
Sanctify my body with pain (sanctify, sanctify my sins)
Sanctify the love that you crave (sanctify)
Oh, and I won't, and I won't, and I won't be ashamed (sanctify)
Sanctify my sins when I pray
When I pray
When I pray
@aylxm
When I pray
When I
When I pray
In the night, you come to me
'Cause I'm the one who knows who you are
Ooh
Give me your confession, saying
Lately, life's been tearing you apart
Now
Walk through the fire with you
'Cause I know how it can hurt
Being cut into and afraid
So don't break (break)
Sanctify my body with pain (pain)
Sanctify the love that you crave (crave)
Oh, and I won't, and I won't, and I won't be ashamed
Sanctify my sins when I pray
Oh, oh, oh oh
When I pray
Oh, oh, oh oh
You don't have to be straight with me
I see what's underneath your mask
I'm a man like you, I breathe the rituals of the dancer's dance
Oh, oh
And there's fire in you
And you know it's gonna hurt, being cut into
And afraid
So don't break (break)
Sanctify my body with pain (pain)
Sanctify the love that you crave (crave)
Oh, and I won't, and I won't, and I won't be ashamed
Sanctify my sins when I pray
Oh, oh, oh oh
When I pray
Oh, oh, oh oh
You'll find redemption when all this is through
Father, forgive me for finding the truth
Love takes its toll on me, I'm just like you
Maybe it's heavenly
Maybe it's heavenly
So don't break (break)
Sanctify my body with pain (pain)
Sanctify the love that you crave (crave)
Oh, and I won't, and I won't, and I won't be ashamed
Sanctify my sins when I pray
Sanctify my body with pain (sanctify, sanctify my sins)
Sanctify the love that you crave (sanctify)
Oh, and I won't, and I won't, and I won't be ashamed (sanctify)
Sanctify my sins when I pray
Oh, oh, oh oh
When I pray
Oh, oh, oh oh
When I pray
@katherinem.huaman9784
Intro]
When I pray
When I-
When I pray
[Verse 1]
In the night, you come to me
'Cause I'm the one who knows who you are
Ooh
Give me your confession, saying
Lately, life's been tearing you apart
Now
[Pre-Chorus]
Walk through the fire with you
'Cause I know how it can hurt
Being cut into and afraid
[Chorus]
So don't break (break)
Sanctify my body with pain (pain)
Sanctify the love that you crave (crave)
Oh, and I won't, and I won't, and I won't be ashamed
Sanctify my sins when I pray
When I pray
Verse 2]
You don't have to be straight with me
I see what's underneath your mask
I'm a man like you, I breathe the rituals of the dancer's dance
Oh, oh
[Pre-Chorus]
And there's fire in you
And you know it's gonna hurt, being cut into
And afraid
[Chorus]
So don't break (break)
Sanctify my body with pain (pain)
Sanctify the love that you crave (crave)
Oh, and I won't, and I won't, and I won't be ashamed
Sanctify my sins when I pray
When I pray
[Bridge]
You'll find redemption when all this is through
Father, forgive me for finding the truth
Love takes its toll on me, I'm just like you
Maybe it's heavenly
Maybe it's heavenly
Chorus]
So don't break (break)
Sanctify my body with pain (pain)
Sanctify the love that you crave (crave)
Oh, and I won't, and I won't, and I won't be ashamed
Sanctify my sins when I pray
[Chorus]
Sanctify my body with pain (sanctify, sanctify my sins)
Sanctify the love that you crave (sanctify)
Oh, and I won't, and I won't, and I won't be ashamed (sanctify)
Sanctify my sins when I pray
When I pray
When I pray
@FKAkingsley
WELCOME BACK, KINGS!!!!
@Kleastardoll
Kingsley LEGENDS, LOVE YOU!!!!
@JirayuChai
or QUEEN!
@sniperkitty3000xx
we wuz kangs an shiet
@Brandao4
Kingsley yes exactly I need to use that song for my channel
@Brandao4
Kingsley oh yes welcome back! This is a perfect song for my Channel
@CH4madness
More people need to know him. So talented yet still largely unknown by so many. That's ok though, I'll continue to enjoy it.
@gogowshagenai6139
CH4madness him, whos? ITS A BAND🙄
@CH4madness
Yes I think we’re all aware of that, thank you....
@AllenCenteno
CH4madness Hey hey! Sorry to disturb you! Would you check out my new vid about gay love? Pleeeeeease? ✌🏼😊
https://youtu.be/pJTHeQoZeSQ