Their biggest hit single "King" from their debut album Communion reached number one in the UK Singles Chart in March 2015, and peaked within the top ten of the charts in Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Ireland and Switzerland. Their single "Shine" from the same album reached number two on the UK Singles Chart.
In April 2018 they announced the release of their second studio album Palo Santo which features singles "Sanctify" and "If You're Over Me", the latter of which reached the top 10 in the United Kingdom. The album features a dystopian world consisting of robot-like beings named Androids and humans as the minority, and was released on 6 July 2018.
On 18 March 2021, the band announced a third Years & Years album would be released in 2021. The band also announced the same day that Goldsworthy and Türkmen had stepped down as active members, and that the act would continue as the solo project of Alexander. The album, titled Night Call, was released in January 2022, debuting at number one in the UK albums chart.
It's a Sin
years & years Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's always with a sense of shame
I've always been the one to blame
For everything I long to do
No matter when or where or who
Has one thing in common, too
It's a, it's a, it's a, it's a sin
Everything I've ever done
Everything I ever do
Every place I've ever been
Everywhere I'm going to
It's a sin
At school they taught me how to be
So pure in thought and word and deed
They didn't quite succeed, mmm-hmm
For everything I long to do
No matter when or where or who
Has one thing in common, too
It's a, it's a, it's a, it's a sin
It's a sin
Everything I've ever done
Everything I ever do
Every place I've ever been
Everywhere I'm going to
It's a sin
So I look back upon my life
Forever with a sense of shame
I've always been the one to blame
For everything I long to do
No matter when or where or who
Has one thing in common, too
It's a, it's a, it's a, it's a sin
It's a sin
Everything I've ever done
Everything I ever do
Every place I've ever been
Everywhere I'm going to
It's a sin
The song "It's a Sin" by Years & Years explores the theme of guilt and regret. The singer looks back at their life and feels ashamed of their actions. They believe that everything they have done, everything they look forward to, and everyone they have encountered has one thing in common - it's a sin. The sense of shame and burden of guilt is constantly weighing them down.
The opening line immediately sets the tone for the song. The singer admits that when they look back at their life, it is always with a sense of shame. The line "I've always been the one to blame" highlights the importance of personal responsibility. The repetition of the phrase "It's a sin" in the chorus gives the song a sense of urgency and emphasises the seriousness of the singer's feelings.
The second verse reveals that the singer was taught to be "pure in thought and word and deed" at school, but still failed to live up to those standards. This suggests that the singer is struggling with their own moral compass and perhaps battling with societal expectations.
Overall, "It's a Sin" is a powerful and introspective song that deals with themes of guilt, shame and moral responsibility.
Line by Line Meaning
When I look back upon my life
Reflecting on my past actions fills me with regret.
It's always with a sense of shame
My past actions evoke feelings of guilt and disgrace.
I've always been the one to blame
I take full responsibility for the consequences of my actions.
For everything I long to do
Regardless of what I desire to achieve, I've made decisions that hinder my progress.
No matter when or where or who
Regardless of the situation or people involved, my mistakes have been consistent.
Has one thing in common, too
There is a recurring pattern of errors that I'm responsible for committing.
It's a, it's a, it's a, it's a sin
All my past and present wrongdoings are considered sinful actions.
Everything I've ever done
Every past action I've taken has resulted in negative consequences.
Everything I ever do
Regardless of current aspirations, I find myself in situations where the outcomes lead to negative results.
Every place I've ever been
No matter where I go or have gone, my actions seem to have negative effects on my environment.
Everywhere I'm going to
My fear is that my ongoing actions will lead me down a path of further negative consequences.
At school they taught me how to be
I was taught about proper behavior and morality during my schooling years.
So pure in thought and word and deed
I was taught to have untainted thinking and behavior, with actions that align with my spoken words.
They didn't quite succeed, mmm-hmm
Despite their efforts, I still found myself giving in to desires and making decisions that lead to negative consequences.
So I look back upon my life
I frequently revisit my past experiences and actions.
Forever with a sense of shame
The guilt I feel for my past actions will remain with me indefinitely.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Neil Francis Tennant, Christopher Sean Lowe
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind