Unholy is a pop collaboration between Sam Smith and Kim Petras that centers on themes of betrayal, spectacle, and moral transgression. Released in September 2022 as the lead single from Smith’s third studio album, Golder, it marked a career milestone for both artists. The song debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Smith’s first solo chart-topper and Petras’s first number one as a lead artist. Its provocative title and lyrics reframe notions of guilt and rebellion within a high-gloss pop framework. This overview explains the song’s background, context, and lasting relevance without treating it as a passing trend.
Origins and Release Context
Co-written by Sam Smith, Kim Petras, Ilya Salmanzadeh, and Oscar Holter, Unholy was crafted in sessions that emphasized sharp storytelling and club-ready production. Ilya, a longtime collaborator of Smith’s, helped shape the track’s blend of sleek synths and cinematic tension. The song arrived with a striking music video that amplified its narrative of exposure and comeuppance. Its release preceded Smith’s album Golder and aligned with Petras’s broader efforts to expand her visibility in mainstream pop. Both artists framed the song as an exercise in turning perceived moral failings into anthemic pop spectacle.
Musical Style and Production Choices
Unholy sits at the intersection of pop, dance, and glam-rock influences. Its production relies on crisp basslines, percussive hooks, and vocal layering that contrasts Smith’s measured delivery with Petras’s bright, agile flow. The track maintains a moderate tempo suited for both streaming playlists and live performance. Critical attention often highlights the irony of a song titled Unholy dominating conventional radio formats. Industry commentators have described its success as proof that pop can balance narrative provocation with commercial pragmatism.
- Key themes include betrayal, spectacle, and moral inversion.
- The song is primarily categorized as pop with dance and glam-rock elements.
- Production credits highlight Ilya Salmanzadeh’s role in refining its radio-ready sheen.
Chart Performance and Milestones
Unholy achieved multiple historic firsts. It became Sam Smith’s first solo number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and Kim Petras’s first as a lead artist, reinforcing their commercial ascent in the early 2020s. Globally, the song reached number one in several markets and remained a staple on pop radio for consecutive weeks. Its streaming totals and airplay figures reflect sustained listener engagement rather than a brief spike. For both artists, the track represented a turning point in mainstream visibility and label support.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Artists | Sam Smith and Kim Petras | Official credits |
| Release Date | September 22, 2022 | Label and distributor announcements |
| Peak Billboard Hot 100 Position | Number One | Billboard chart records |
| Main Chart Achievement | Smith’s first solo Hot 100 leader; Petras’s first as lead artist | Billboard reporting |
| Key Themes | Betrayal, spectacle, moral inversion | Published interview summaries |
Cultural Reception and Public Response
Unholy elicited polarized responses, praised for its bold narrative and criticized by some for its subject matter. Industry panels noted how the song’s framing of scandal allowed listeners to explore tabloid-style drama through a controlled pop lens. LGBTQ+ commentators highlighted the visibility boost for nonbinary and trans artists, given Smith’s public discussions of gender and Petras’s pioneering prominence as a trans woman in mainstream pop. Debates over whether the lyrics glorified or condemned unethical behavior intensified academic and fan discussions, demonstrating the song’s capacity to function as both entertainment and cultural commentary.
Career Impact for Sam Smith
For Sam Smith, Unholy signaled a shift toward bolder, more sexually explicit storytelling while retaining melodic accessibility. It expanded their audience beyond earlier indie-pop fanbases and strengthened partnerships with global brands and streaming platforms. The song’s longevity helped underpin subsequent touring and promotional campaigns. Industry observers often reference Unholy when discussing Smith’s evolution toward more confrontational pop aesthetics, linking it to later singles and features that further diversified their catalog.
Career Impact for Kim Petras
For Kim Petras, Unholy was a watershed moment that cemented her status as a headline-ready pop force. The collaboration with Smith introduced her to audiences beyond her established niche, supporting the rollout of her own album projects and high-profile features. Petras’s openness about her transition dovetailed with the song’s themes of defiance and authenticity, amplifying her influence as an advocate. Long-term, the track’s success facilitated stronger negotiating leverage for future releases, tours, and brand collaborations, reinforcing her position at the center of pop-cultural conversations.
Evergreen Takeaways and Relevance
Unholy remains a reference point in discussions about pop storytelling, artist branding, and the commercial power of controversy. Its blend of confession and spectacle continues to resonate in an era where audiences seek narratives that balance intrigue with musical craftsmanship. For newer listeners, the song offers a gateway into understanding how pop artists leverage personal revelation to drive broader cultural conversations. Streaming performance and ongoing radio play indicate durable appeal, suggesting that Unholy will persist as a benchmark moment in both artists’ catalogs.
Why the Song Still Matters
The song’s structure invites repeated listening, with lyrical details revealing new layers each time. Its production aligns with contemporary pop trends while retaining enough lyrical ambiguity to invite interpretation. Media retrospectives and playlist placements regularly reintroduce Unholy to audiences discovering Sam Smith and Kim Petras for the first time. By intertwining personal narrative with mass-appeal hooks, the collaboration maintains relevance as a case study in modern pop’s evolving relationship with scandal, identity, and authenticity.
FAQ
Reader questions
What inspired the lyrics of Unholy?
The song explores feelings of betrayal and public scandal, using infidelity as a metaphor for broader moral compromise. While the artists have not detailed a specific real-life event, they have discussed drawing from tabloid culture and personal experiences to create a story that feels both intimate and cinematic.
Did the controversy around Unholy affect the artists’ careers?
Controversy amplified attention but did not derail either career. Both Smith and Petras leveraged the discussion to deepen fan engagement and expand their audiences. Industry support and streaming numbers indicate that the song’s commercial impact remained strongly positive.
Are Sam Smith and Kim Petras friends outside of this collaboration?
Public interactions and joint interviews suggest a professional rapport and mutual respect. Both have acknowledged the importance of the collaboration in introducing their audiences to new musical directions. Details of their personal friendship remain private, but the partnership has had clear, documented benefits for visibility and creative experimentation. For Sam Smith, Unholy stands alongside previous anthems as a balance of melodic sophistication and lyrical boldness. For Kim Petras, it represents one of her most streamed tracks and a defining collaboration. Compared to Smith’s earlier ballad-heavy work, it introduces a more confrontational tone. Compared to Petras’s earlier solo catalog, it offers a more polished, narrative-driven approach that aligns with contemporary pop trends.