More about: It's A Sin

Russell T Davies’ latest show It’s A Sin is an undeniable work of emotional genius. Following a group of gay men and their equally fabulous friends through the AIDS crisis of the 80s, the show has struck a chord with many over the past few weeks.

One of the things the show has absolutely nailed is the soundtrack, so we’ve gone through and picked out our favourite tracks. Maybe don’t read this if you haven’t finished the show as spoilers ahoy! 

Pet Shop Boys – 'It’s A Sin'

The song from which the show takes its name, ‘It’s A Sin’ is a banger of godly proportions. Appearing in the background of episode 4, it’s very easy to understand why the song resonates so well with the LGBT+ community with its repressed Catholicism shining through Neil Tennant’s lyrics. The song could be considered the perfect 80s banger with its blasting synths, dramatic flair, and orchestral hits. To be perfectly honest, it could take the biscuit as one of the best pop songs of all time. 

Orchestral Manoeuvres in The Dark – 'Enola Gay'

OMD’s ‘Enola Gay’ is featured very early in the show when Ritchie is packing for university with the anti-war banger taking pride of place in the first episode’s soundtrack. The song’s simple yet catchy synth hook floats around effortlessly while OMD frontman sings the line “Enola Gay, is mother proud of little boy today?” It’s clear to see why a young gay or bisexual male can place a different meaning on a lyric about dropping the nuclear bomb through coming out to their own families. 

Soft Cell – 'Tainted Love'

LGBT favourites Soft Cell’s cover of the Northern Soul classic ‘Tainted Love’ is one of the most famous songs of the 80s - and for good reason. Playing while Ritchie visits a gay bar in the first episode, its use in the show works beautifully. The song’s lyrics are dripping with LGBT allegories despite the song’s very non-LGBT origins, and the song’s very title could be used as a thinly veiled homophobic descriptor of an outsider’s opinion of LGBT relationships. 

Bronski Beat – 'Smalltown Boy'

The tale of a gay man running away from his home, ‘Smalltown Boy’ is one of those gay anthems which not only manages to hit in the heart, but it’s also one which endures even now. The song itself is rightly one of the most influential songs in synth pop history and it’s use at the end of episode one hits perfectly considering just how much of the series’ characters can be seen in the lyrics. For example, Roscoe running away from home or Colin as the eponymous smalltown boy from the Welsh valleys. It’s use in the show has so many layers.

Culture Club – 'Karma Chameleon'

‘Karma Chameleon’ is another one of those songs which is pure pop perfection, but its LGBT themes are beautiful and overt with the chorus’ lyrics. “Loving would be easy if your colours were like my dreams"... Its usage in episode two works casually in the background as if its weaving through the very fabric of the characters’ lives. 

Kim Wilde – 'Kids in America'

Kim Wilde’s debut single ‘Kids In America’ speaks of excitement in America (naturally), and its use in episode two with Colin exploring New York’s famous gay bookshops is perfect. The lyric "you know life is cruel, life is never kind” is almost ironic with (SPOILERS!) Colin’s unfortunate fate later in the series...

The Flying Pickets – 'Only You'

It’s ironic that this beautiful acapella cover of the Yazoo song was apparently one of Margaret Thatcher’s favourite songs considering the band’s socialist leanings and Thatcher’s role as one of the architects of the infamous section 28. The cover was also more successful than the original, hitting Christmas number one in 1983. Its use in the show is like a knife to the chest with the main characters getting on with life whilst those around them begin to suffer and pass away from the horrible disease. 

Queen – 'Who Wants to Live Forever'

‘Who Wants To Live Forever’ hurts. That’s a fact in the face of Freddie Mercury’s death a few years after its release. It hurts even more at the end of episode three after we find out about Colin’s death. It’s the first moment where the AIDS crisis hits home for the majority of the group and its use in that moment is incredible impactful. It really cannot be stated how bloody heart-breaking that moment when Colin’s fate is revealed, and it’s further compounded by the excellent choice in soundtrack. 

Kate Bush – 'Runnning Up That Hill (A Deal With God)'

Appearing during Ritchie and the gang’s quest to stay healthy at the start of episode five, ‘Running Up That Hill’ is dripping with venom particularly the line "if I only could I’d make a deal with God, and I’d get him to swap our places" perfectly describing how desperate Ritchie is to stay healthy after his declaration at the end of episode four that he is “going to live”. Unfortunately for us, we know he doesn’t. 

R.E.M – 'Everybody Hurts'

What other song could close out a show as heart-breaking and painful as It’s A Sin? Ritchie has passed away, his mother cruelly refusing to tell Jill until the day after, and the lives of everyone involved are changed forever whether it’s through the loss of a son, brother, friend, or lover. It’s A Sin is an utter triumph of a show, and its soundtrack is no exception. Watch it, shout about it from the rooftops: every person, Queer or otherwise, should see it and weep. 

More about: It's A Sin