5 Shocking Secrets Hidden In Sam Smith's 'Unholy' Lyrics That Redefined Their Career

Sam Smith’s "Unholy," featuring Kim Petras, is far more than just a dance-heavy, theatrical pop anthem; it is a meticulously crafted narrative of infidelity and deceit that marked a dramatic, intentional shift in the artist’s career. Released in September 2022, the song quickly became a global phenomenon, shattering records and earning Smith and Petras a historic Grammy, yet the full, dark meaning behind the lyrics often gets overlooked. This deep dive, based on the latest context as of December 2025, uncovers the five key secrets and production choices that cemented "Unholy" as a cultural milestone.

The track’s success hinges on its bold, unapologetic exploration of a double life, moving far beyond the melancholic ballads that defined Smith's earlier work. This new, pulsating sound—a fusion of pop, trap, and R&B—was a deliberate choice to explore more provocative and 'unholy' themes, ensuring the song’s relevance remains fresh and its interpretation continues to spark curiosity among listeners worldwide.

Sam Smith: Full Biography and Profile

Samuel Frederick Smith is a Grammy-winning English singer and songwriter known for their powerful vocal range and deeply emotional lyrics. Their career has been marked by significant artistic and personal evolution.

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• Full Name: Samuel Frederick Smith
• Born: May 19, 1992
• Birthplace: London, United Kingdom
• Identity: Non-binary (uses they/them pronouns)
• Career Start: Rose to prominence in October 2012 after being featured on Disclosure's single "Latch."
• Debut Album: In the Lonely Hour (2014)
• Major Awards: Multiple Grammy Awards (including four for their debut album), an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and multiple Brit Awards.
• Musical Style: Initially known for soul and balladry, their sound evolved into a more dance-focused, theatrical style with the release of their fourth studio album, which features "Unholy."

The Shocking True Meaning: The Body Shop and Infidelity

The core of the "Unholy" lyrics revolves around a family man living a double life, a theme that immediately captivated audiences with its scandalous nature. The song's narrative is direct and intentionally provocative, detailing the secret life of a married man who sneaks off to a questionable establishment.

The most cited line, "Mummy don't know daddy's getting hot / At the body shop / Doin' somethin' unholy," is the key to unlocking the song’s meaning. The "body shop" is a clear euphemism for a strip club or a similar establishment where sexual transactions or illicit activities occur. This imagery immediately sets a dark, secretive tone, highlighting the betrayal and moral corruption at the heart of the story. The lyrics delve into themes of deceit and secrecy, suggesting a hidden message about the double standards and hypocrisy often found in relationships.

This stark departure from Smith’s signature heartbreak ballads of albums like *In the Lonely Hour* and *Love Goes* was a calculated risk. By telling a story of external infidelity rather than internal romantic pain, Smith embraced a more theatrical, character-driven form of storytelling, which resonated with a public eager for bolder pop narratives. The song's drama is amplified by the fact that the man is a "family man," making his actions even more "unholy" in a traditional sense.

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The Phrygian Dominant Scale and Theatrical Production

One of the most unique and least-known secrets behind "Unholy's" distinct sound is its use of a specific musical scale. The song utilizes the Phrygian dominant scale, a mode often associated with Middle Eastern, Spanish, or Eastern European music. This scale gives the track its instantly recognizable, dramatic, and almost menacing sound, which perfectly complements the dark lyrical themes of secrecy and moral transgression.

The production itself was a collaborative masterstroke. Sam Smith, alongside a team of powerhouse producers including ILYA, Cirkut, Blake Slatkin, and Jimmy Napes, crafted the track in Jamaica. This exotic location provided the backdrop for one of Smith's "most glorious creative moments." The resulting sound is a pulsating, dance-heavy beat that fuses elements of pop, trap, and R&B, creating a sound that is both fresh and controversial. The combination of the Phrygian dominant scale and the heavy, industrial beat gives the song a cinematic quality, making it feel less like a pop track and more like a scene from a cabaret or burlesque show—a visual theme that was heavily featured in the official music video.

Kim Petras’ Historic Contribution and LSI Context

The collaboration with Kim Petras is more than just a vocal feature; it is a critical component of the song’s success and cultural impact. Petras’ verse, which speaks from the perspective of a woman involved in the illicit arrangement, adds another layer of complexity to the narrative, making the story feel complete and multi-faceted. Her inclusion was also historically significant, as the duo became the first openly non-binary artist (Smith) and the first openly transgender artist (Petras) to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

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The song’s success was also propelled by a natural abundance of LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) keywords that organically flowed from the song’s controversial topic. Keywords like infidelity, deceit, body shop, strip club, Kim Petras unholy, and Sam Smith new sound became highly searched terms, driving massive topical authority. The contrast between the title "Unholy" and the song's church choir-esque opening, followed by the themes of betrayal and secret rendezvous, further fueled curiosity and search volume, cementing its Platinum status.

Ultimately, the "Unholy" lyrics are a masterclass in modern pop storytelling. By taking a massive creative risk and tackling a sensitive topic with a bold, theatrical sound, Sam Smith not only delivered a global hit but also redefined their artistic identity, proving their ability to thrive far outside the confines of the traditional ballad. The song's enduring legacy lies in its ability to shock, entertain, and provoke discussion about the secrets people keep.