About
Written by Robbie Williams, Stephen Duffy and Chris Heath, Sin Sin Sin was released on 22 May 2006 as the third and final single from Intensive Care. It reached number 22 in the UK and topped the charts in Hungary. Written early in the sessions for the album, it began as a simple drum and bass sequence before developing into one of Williams’ most playful and provocative songs.
The lyric is both seductive and self-aware. “Just relax, it’s what Jesus would do” he teases, pairing religious references with sexual innuendo. Elsewhere he sings, “Everyone needs it, baby, and I feel the same, didn’t quite catch your name,” capturing both cynicism and charm. Williams described the song as “pervy” and “about a seedy old bloke just wanting a shag,” but beneath the humour lies a reflection on temptation and human weakness.
It was the first song Stephen and I ever wrote together. It started with a drum machine and just grew from there. I thought, if this is what we can do together, we might have a future.Robbie Williams
Produced with a bright, electronic edge, the track was accompanied by a colourful video directed by Vaughan Arnell in Cape Town. Williams appears as a cult leader surrounded by adoring followers, a tongue-in-cheek parody of ego and desire. Both cheeky and reflective, Sin Sin Sin captures the balance of wit and honesty that defines Intensive Care.
Lyrics
You should feel ashamed
Everyone needs it baby
And I feel the same
Didn't quite catch your name
Hush, hush, hush
Don't say a thing
Let's see what the night will bring
It might be everything
Oh it hurts
When you're too blind to see
Please don't read my mind
I tell the truth to me
Sin sin sin
Look where we've been
And where we are tonight
Hate the sin not the sinner
I'm just after a glimmer
Of love and life
Deep inside
Hush hush hush
To speak is a sin
And neither of us
Need rescuing
Just relax
It's what Jesus would do
We're made in his image baby
Let's ride this thing through
Oh it hurts
When you're to blind to see
What about us
Well it was just for me
Sin sin sin
Look where we've been
And where we are tonight
Hate the sin not the sinner
I'm just after a glimmer
Of love and life
Deep inside
I won't sing of amore
It don't sound sincere
Love is a cliche
But it fits not here
I'll disappear
Sin sin sin
Look where we've been
And where we are tonight
Hate the sin not the sinner
I'm just after a glimmer
Of love and life
Deep inside
Deep inside
It's love
Clean sex joy
I love you
You love my hate
And it feels inside
Feels inside
Feels inside
Credits
-
Vocalist
Robbie Williams -
Songwriter
Robbie Williams, Stephen Duffy, Chris Heath