Nothing Is Sin

The Tiger Lillies' song 'Nothing Is Sin' delves into the complex interplay between materialism, innocence, and the concept of sin. The opening lines, 'A billion diamonds glisten in the sea / Each of those diamonds is dirt cheap / Each one is free,' set the stage for a critique of how money and material wealth can devalue the intrinsic beauty and worth of things. The diamonds, often symbols of wealth and luxury, are rendered meaningless when they are abundant and free, suggesting that true value lies beyond material possessions.

The chorus, 'Nothing is sin,' serves as a provocative assertion that challenges conventional moral judgments. The singer describes themselves as 'a dreamer who they've dragged to earth' and 'an angel they've covered in dirt,' evoking a sense of lost innocence and purity corrupted by worldly experiences. This imagery suggests a fall from grace, yet the repeated refrain insists that these experiences do not constitute sin. This could be interpreted as a call to reject societal norms that label certain actions or states of being as sinful.

The final verse, 'It doesn't matter or mean a thing / You'll rape my soul even in your dreams / God he haunts each moment still / I'm innocent if him you could kill,' introduces a darker, more personal struggle. The mention of God haunting each moment implies an inescapable sense of guilt or judgment, yet the singer maintains their innocence. This paradox highlights the tension between internal moral compass and external religious or societal pressures. The song ultimately questions the very nature of sin, suggesting that it is a construct imposed by external forces rather than an inherent truth.