It’s A Sin - Years & Years cover (Moderator Comment Post 276)

[Dog]

The PSB version is currently 55 on U.K. iTunes.

[Patrick Bateman]

Does anyone else think it's bizarre that It's a Sin is now associated with AIDS because of the TV show when there are obviously plenty of songs in their discography that are actually more explicitly about it? To me, it's always been about Catholicism; obviously Neil is writing from the perspective of a gay man who is told his very existence is sinful, but I've never associated it with AIDS at all, though there are resonances such as the idea of AIDS as a 'gay plague' sent as punishment by a vengeful God.

[lucienchardon]

Now on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hk4eMIswunQ

[Greendrake]

Does anyone else think it's bizarre that It's a Sin is now associated with AIDS because of the TV show when there are obviously plenty of songs in their discography that are actually more explicitly about it? To me, it's always been about Catholicism; obviously Neil is writing from the perspective of a gay man who is told his very existence is sinful, but I've never associated it with AIDS at all, though there are resonances such as the idea of AIDS as a 'gay plague' sent as punishment by a vengeful God.

Everyone associates it with whatever they wish.

To me it has always been about breaking free from moral oppression in general, not tied to any sort of religion/sins specifically. My perception of it most certainly is not gonna change because a TV series about AIDS used it.

[tucky101]

Anyone else see a tribute to Freddie Mercury in there ? With the bit that looked a bit like the bohemian rhapsody video?

[OakeyDokey]

The TV series could have been fully soundtracked with PSB songs and not felt forced. West End Girls - the group of friends going out in London after all moving there; I Get Excited/A Man Could Get Arrested/So Hard - any of the graphic sex scenes or clubbing montages; King's Cross & It Couldn't Happen Here - the moodier/sad, later parts as AIDS takes a grip and finally Being Boring in the closing scenes. Would have been amazing. I mean I already cried at the end of the last episode. Prominent PSB would have had me weeping myself to sleep.

[joe stalin]

Just watched it on you tube

Really great performance. Loved the piano bits especially

Think it was fine without N&C. Would have been too much

[jasonjohn]

OK the performance was terrific.

To be honest though, I much prefer the understated and subliminal tone of early PSB appearances.

Give me a wooden performance any day over gyrations.

At most I'd accept the occasional hand gesture. Perhaps a bereft frown. A glazed glance off into the distance.

If I get the slightest hint Neil is relaxed and enjoying himself the game is over.

[romy]

Great performance,social media is celebrating this performance.Wondering,why there is no message from Neil and Chris on the official site...

[Dog]

Does anyone else think it's bizarre that It's a Sin is now associated with AIDS because of the TV show when there are obviously plenty of songs in their discography that are actually more explicitly about it? To me, it's always been about Catholicism; obviously Neil is writing from the perspective of a gay man who is told his very existence is sinful, but I've never associated it with AIDS at all, though there are resonances such as the idea of AIDS as a 'gay plague' sent as punishment by a vengeful God.

Everyone associates it with whatever they wish.

To me it has always been about breaking free from moral oppression in general, not tied to any sort of religion/sins specifically. My perception of it most certainly is not gonna change because a TV series about AIDS used it.

To be fair Patrick’s point is more about people that have been introduced to the song through the TV series. And I agree, it’s odd to see the song torn from its moorings in this way and given quite a specific singular reading. It makes complete sense though and artists will be used to having others project meaning onto their works - particularly when Neil tends to be dismissive of or play down any intellectualising - i.e. this is a silly song we knocked out in 15 minutes that we wanted Stock Aitken & Waterman to produce and I was always embarrassed I couldn’t find new words for a third verse.

There’s a small part of me though that feels while it’s a cool thing the song can (probably only temporarily) come to mean new things to new people, that it’s a shame that its association with PSB has become diluted. As a fan I’d have liked to have seen Neil and Chris revealed onstage generating the music they’d written and produced. Clearly though that was unnecessary and wouldn’t add anything for the average viewer. But it would have been nice for them to get a mention. Particularly now the official recording is likely to get some airplay.

I assume Pete was at the O2 overseeing the music for this performance.

[rashomon]

Great performance,social media is celebrating this performance.Wondering,why there is no message from Neil and Chris on the official site...

It's too soon ...

on Friday, we'll get an official bit of 'breaking news' that Olly and Elton will be performing at the Brits 2021

[Dog]

Of course there’s the thought that the performance and track may be more popular and successful without an obvious association with PSB. We saw how well Monkey Business at the National TV Awards went down on social media...

[telys]

OK the performance was terrific.

To be honest though, I much prefer the understated and subliminal tone of early PSB appearances.

Give me a wooden performance any day over gyrations.

At most I'd accept the occasional hand gesture. Perhaps a bereft frown. A glazed glance off into the distance.

If I get the slightest hint Neil is relaxed and enjoying himself the game is over.

That's why we never really like any covers of PSB songs. The only cover I really like is the japanese version of Love comes quickly that came out in the 80's. Great production. All other covers are always to thin sounding and include too much gyration. N B that swedish group West end girls wasn't too bad.

[Sebastian_Surfleet]

It would have been nice to the Boys on the Brits.

But haven't they performed the song twice already for the Brits over the years, including the historic collaboration with Brandon Flowers and Her Grace, the Duchess of GaGa?

It does say something quite special that a song can be performed at an award show like the Brits three times over five decades...

[PSBForTheMasses]

Elton John & Years and Years version is number 1.
Years and Years version is number 46.
PSB version is 52

Shouldn't it be the reverse?

Discography at 48.

This year the Boys probably sold more albums and singles than the last ten years in total.