Sam Smith Unholy Ft. Kim Petras -

For Sam Smith, "Unholy" was more than a stylistic change; they described the recording process as an of their previous musical identity.

The lyrics tell a story of a husband leading a double life, frequenting a strip club—the "Body Shop"—while his "mummy" and children remain at home. Smith acts as the "town gossip," detailing the affair with a sense of mischief rather than judgment, while Petras embodies the unapologetic "other woman" who demands luxury brands like Fendi and Balenciaga in exchange for her company. Queer Joy as an "Exorcism" Sam Smith Unholy Ft. Kim Petras

The song’s performance at the 2023 Grammy Awards became a cultural lightning rod. Dressed in red leather and devil horns, Smith and Petras delivered a "hell-themed" show that sparked intense backlash from conservative figures who labeled it "evil" or "demonic". However, this controversy did not diminish the song's historic significance: For Sam Smith, "Unholy" was more than a

Sonically, "Unholy" is a radical departure from mainstream pop structures. It utilizes the , giving it a dark, "sinister" melodic flow often associated with Arabic music. This exotic scale, combined with a "grinding" bassline and metallic hyperpop synths, creates a sense of tension that mirrors the song's illicit subject matter. Queer Joy as an "Exorcism" The song’s performance

: The song represents a transition from "masters of pain" to a space of "emotional, sexual, and spiritual liberation".