Unholy (feat. Kim Petras)

"Unholy" is a dramatic departure from Sam Smith's typical soulful ballads, delving into themes of infidelity, hypocrisy, and liberation. The song tells the story of a family man who leads a double life, secretly frequenting "The Body Shop," an infamous all-nude strip club on the Sunset Strip, behind his wife's back. The lyrics are sung from the perspective of an observer who is aware of the man's transgressions, creating a gossipy, exposé-like tone. It critiques the façade of traditional family values when they are undermined by secret desires and deceit.

The term "unholy" functions as a central motif, deliberately contrasting sacred religious concepts with profane acts. This is musically reinforced by the use of a choir-like hook against a dark, synth-heavy beat, creating an ironic juxtaposition. Kim Petras's verse introduces the perspective of the other woman, framing the affair as a transactional relationship based on luxury and financial gain, further stripping the act of any romanticism and highlighting its materialistic and lustful nature.

Beyond the narrative of adultery, the song is a statement of artistic and personal liberation for both Sam Smith and Kim Petras. Smith described the creative process as "cathartic and freeing" and about "liberating oneself from the clutches of others' secrets." As openly non-binary and transgender artists, respectively, their collaboration on a sexually charged, boundary-pushing track is a powerful act of reclaiming narratives around sexuality and identity, challenging societal norms and celebrating queer joy.

The song's narrative unfolds from the perspective of an observer who is privy to a family man's secret life. The central theme is the man's infidelity, which is described in a clandestine, yet sensational manner. The story begins by revealing that "Mummy don't know Daddy's getting hot at The Body Shop, doing something unholy." This line immediately establishes the core conflict: a husband and father is cheating on his wife, engaging in forbidden acts at a place suggested to be a strip club or a brothel. The use of "Mummy" and "Daddy" adds a layer of domestic betrayal, contrasting the family image with the sordid reality. The narrator seems to be an acquaintance or confidant of the cheating husband, as they mention, "'Bout all the shit you tell me that you do." This suggests the husband is boastful or careless about his transgressions, confiding in others while his wife remains oblivious. The song paints him as a "dirty, dirty boy" who can't keep his affairs discreet, as "everyone is talking on the scene."

Kim Petras's verse shifts the perspective to that of the other woman. Her lyrics portray a transactional and materialistic relationship. She addresses the man as "daddy, daddy" and makes it clear that her affection comes at a price, demanding luxury items like Fendi and Balenciaga. She speaks of Rodeo Drive, reinforcing the high-cost nature of this affair. Her verse is unapologetic and financially motivated, adding a layer of cold, calculated exchange to the "unholy" act. She knows her role and the temporary nature of their encounters, stating she'll be "gone in the a.m." This perspective removes any illusion of romance from the affair, grounding it in lust and material gain.

The song repeatedly emphasizes the hypocrisy and the risk involved. The narrator points out how "lucky" the wife is to have married a man like him, but this is drenched in irony, as she would undoubtedly leave him if she knew the truth. A particularly poignant and damning line is, "He left his kids at home so he can get that," which underscores the depth of his irresponsibility and the selfish nature of his actions. This detail adds a significant weight to the narrative, highlighting the collateral damage of his infidelity on his family. The recurring chant of "unholy" serves as a constant moral judgment, a label for the entire affair, solidifying the song's theme of forbidden, sinful behavior that operates under a veil of secrecy but is ultimately a public secret among a certain crowd.

"Unholy" was created during a recording session in Jamaica, a moment Sam Smith described as one of their "most glorious creative moments." The song was a collaborative effort between Smith, Kim Petras, and a team of high-profile producers and writers including Ilya Salmanzadeh, Blake Slatkin, Cirkut (Henry Walter), Omer Fedi, and Smith's long-time collaborator Jimmy Napes. Smith has stated they had "never had so much fun making a record," emphasizing the experimental and rule-breaking nature of the session. The song's foundation was built around a sultry Arabic scale played on the guitar by Omer Fedi, which immediately inspired the track's direction.

The idea to feature Kim Petras came after the initial track was laid down. Smith, being a fan of Petras, sent her the song. Petras loved it, and they met a week later at Capitol Studios in Los Angeles to record her verse. Petras has spoken about how Smith believed in her and encouraged her during the process.

Before its official release on September 22, 2022, "Unholy" was teased on TikTok in mid-August. A clip of Smith and Petras vibing to the chorus in a studio went viral, generating immense anticipation and spawning a trend of "thirst trap" style videos. This pre-release hype was a significant factor in the song's immediate success. The track served as the lead single from Smith's fourth studio album, Gloria (2023).

"Unholy" is rich with symbolism and metaphors that deepen its themes of duplicity and transgression.

• Religious Imagery: The most prominent symbolism is the use of the word "unholy" itself, alongside a choral arrangement reminiscent of a church choir. This creates a stark, ironic contrast between sacred sounds and the profane subject matter of adultery and lust. It provocatively challenges traditional moral and religious condemnations of certain behaviors. The music video and live performances further amplify this by incorporating devil-like imagery, such as horns and red outfits, directly confronting and playing with concepts of sin and damnation.
• The Body Shop: The reference to "The Body Shop" is both literal and metaphorical. Literally, it points to a famous, real-life strip club in Los Angeles, grounding the story in a specific kind of taboo environment. Metaphorically, it represents any space where hidden desires are indulged, a place of carnal transaction far removed from the sanctity of the family home.
• "Mummy" and "Daddy": The use of childish terms like "Mummy" and "Daddy" to describe the husband and wife is a powerful lyrical device. It emphasizes the domestic, familial context that is being betrayed, making the infidelity seem even more jarring and damaging by highlighting the family roles being desecrated.
• Luxury Brands: In Kim Petras's verse, the mention of high-fashion brands like Fendi and Balenciaga symbolizes the transactional and materialistic nature of the affair. Love and affection are replaced by expensive gifts, reducing the connection to a commercial exchange and underscoring a lack of genuine emotional intimacy.

The emotional atmosphere of "Unholy" is a complex blend of sensuality, rebellion, menace, and dark theatricality. It marks a deliberate shift from the melancholic vulnerability often found in Sam Smith's earlier work to a more defiant and provocative tone. The song creates a landscape of forbidden pleasure and moral ambiguity. The heavy, lurching beat and the use of the Phrygian dominant scale evoke a feeling of tension and seductive danger.

The emotional tone is not one of remorse or sadness, but rather a bold, almost celebratory exploration of transgression. There's a sense of empowerment and liberation in the performance, as Smith and Petras lean into the "villain era" persona. Kim Petras's verse adds a layer of cool, detached confidence, her emotional tone being one of unapologetic materialism and control. The overall atmosphere is one of a dimly lit, exclusive cabaret, where secrets are currency and moral boundaries are gleefully blurred. This is enhanced by the choral hook, which adds a sense of grandiose, almost blasphemous drama to the proceedings.

"Unholy" achieved massive cultural influence and commercial success, marking significant milestones for both artists. The song topped charts worldwide, including the UK Singles Chart (Sam Smith's eighth number one) and the US Billboard Hot 100. This achievement made Sam Smith the first openly non-binary artist and Kim Petras the first openly transgender artist to have a number-one song in the US. The track's success was heavily fueled by its viral popularity on TikTok, where its hook became a global trend even before the full song was released.

The song won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards, a historic win that made Petras the first openly transgender woman to win a major-category Grammy. The duo's Grammy performance, which featured devil-themed costumes and provocative imagery, sparked considerable debate and controversy, with some accusing them of satanism while others praised its artistic boldness. "Unholy" received numerous other nominations, including for MTV Video Music Awards and Brit Awards. The song solidified a new, more audacious artistic direction for Sam Smith and brought Kim Petras to mainstream global attention, cementing its place as a landmark track in queer pop culture.

The rhythmic and rhyming structure of "Unholy" is crafted to be infectious and memorable, contributing significantly to its club-appeal and viral success. The song's tempo is mid-paced but driven by a heavy, syncopated bassline and a trap-influenced beat that gives it a lurching, swaggering feel. This rhythm creates a sense of seductive menace, perfectly matching the lyrical content.

The rhyme scheme is relatively straightforward, primarily using couplets (AA, BB) which makes the lyrics catchy and easy to follow. For instance, in the chorus, "hot" rhymes with "shop," and in the verse, "you" rhymes with "knew" and "do." This simple structure is effective for a pop hook. The song's most notable rhythmic feature is the main choral hook: "Mummy don't know Daddy's getting hot / At the Body Shop / Doing something unholy." The phrasing is rhythmic and chant-like, making it an earworm that propelled the song's popularity on platforms like TikTok. The interplay between the driving musical rhythm and the staccato, percussive delivery of the lyrics, especially in the chorus, creates a compelling and danceable track.

"Unholy" employs a range of stylistic techniques to create its unique and impactful sound. Musically, the song is a departure from Smith's ballad-heavy discography, embracing a darker, club-oriented blend of electropop and synth-pop. A key feature is its use of a C-sharp Phrygian dominant scale, often referred to as an Arabic scale, which gives the track a distinctive, sultry, and somewhat ominous feel, uncommon in mainstream Western pop. The arrangement contrasts a heavy, throbbing bassline and hyperpop-style synths with ethereal elements like a string section and a powerful choral hook, creating a dynamic tension between the sacred and the profane.

Lyrically, the song utilizes a narrative storytelling approach from an observational point-of-view, making the listener feel like a confidant to a juicy secret. The diction is intentionally provocative, using terms like "Mummy," "Daddy," and "unholy" to create a jarring contrast between domesticity and sin. Kim Petras's verse provides a narrative shift, offering the transactional perspective of the other woman, which adds another layer to the story. The vocal delivery from both artists is key; Smith employs a powerful, declarative tone, while Petras's verse is delivered with a confident, almost taunting cadence, perfectly embodying their respective roles in the narrative.

What is the song 'Unholy' by Sam Smith about?

'Unholy' tells the story of a husband who is cheating on his wife by visiting a strip club called 'The Body Shop.' The song explores themes of infidelity, secrecy, and hypocrisy from the perspective of an observer who knows the man's secret.

What does 'The Body Shop' mean in Sam Smith's 'Unholy'?

In 'Unholy,' 'The Body Shop' refers to a real and infamous all-nude strip club on the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles. It's used to signify a place of illicit and clandestine sexual activity, contrasting with the husband's family life.

Who wrote and produced 'Unholy'?

The song was co-written by Sam Smith, Kim Petras, Jimmy Napes, Ilya Salmanzadeh, Blake Slatkin, Henry Walter (Cirkut), and Omer Fedi. The production was handled by Ilya, Cirkut, Slatkin, Fedi, and Jimmy Napes.

Why was the Grammy performance of 'Unholy' so controversial?

The 2023 Grammy performance was controversial due to its use of devil-themed imagery. Sam Smith wore a hat with horns and the stage was bathed in red light, which some viewers interpreted as satanic or anti-Christian, sparking widespread debate online.

What awards did 'Unholy' win?

'Unholy' won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. This was a historic win, making Kim Petras the first openly transgender artist to win a major-category Grammy. The song also received numerous nominations at other award shows like the VMAs and Brits.

What musical genre is 'Unholy'?

"Unholy" is primarily an electropop, synth-pop, and dance-pop song. It incorporates elements of hyperpop and features a distinctive Arabic musical scale, which gives it a unique, dark, and sultry sound.

What is the significance of the collaboration between Sam Smith and Kim Petras?

The collaboration is significant as it brought together two prominent LGBTQ+ artists. Their success with 'Unholy' made them the first openly non-binary and transgender artists, respectively, to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart, marking a major milestone for queer representation in music.

What does Kim Petras's verse in 'Unholy' mean?

Kim Petras's verse is from the perspective of the woman the husband is cheating with. Her lyrics, mentioning Fendi and Balenciaga, frame the affair as a transactional relationship, where she receives expensive gifts in exchange for her company, highlighting the materialistic and non-romantic nature of the encounter.