Years and Years have released a moving acoustic rendition of ‘It’s A Sin’, originally by The Pet Shop Boys. This track comes just hours before the new Channel 4 drama airs tonight, also titled It’s A Sin. The band took to Instagram with a 40 second teaser of the cover, saying, ‘to celebrate the launch of It’s A Sin tonight, we are excited to share our own version of the song #ItsASin by our faves the @petshopboys. a portion of the proceeds for this release will be donated to @georgehousetrust – an important charity that have been providing HIV support, advice and advocacy services to improve health outcomes since 1985. Go check them out and hope u enjoy the song.’ In the comments section, the series writer and creator, Russell T Davies, commented ‘This is beyond beautiful’.
The dance-pop bands frontman, Olly Alexander, is starring in the new drama. The five part series, set in the 80’s, is focused on the AIDS crisis in Britain. With Russell T Davies as the creator, Alexander told NME “There’s not been a drama about this period made in the UK on this scale ever.” The show focuses on the ‘fun loving boys who were left grappling to make sense of the senseless, while authorities and the public found it easier to look the other way’. Alexander plays Ritchie, an 18 year old who relocates from a small town in Isle of Wight to the big city lights of London.
This makes the cover of The Pet Shop Boys’ famous track even more special. Years and Years are renowned for their synth pop tracks with groovy 80s beats, however this cover stays solemn and mellow throughout, with just Alexander’s vocals and haunting piano chords. The contrast from the original track and from the bands usual musical covers (such as Breathe, originally by Blu Cantrell ft Sean Paul) to this acoustic cover invokes a sadness that the TV series will undoubtedly perpetuate.
George House Trust helps those with HIV in the UK and have offered their support and guidance since 1985. Alexander is a fierce and strong LGBTQ+ activist, fighting to have LGBTQ+ positive education on the school curriculum. Growing up in Thatcher’s Section 28 meant that there was no teaching LGBTQ communities in schools to ‘prohibit the promotion of homosexuality.’ To NME, Alexander said ‘There was no mention of gay people in my school anyway, so there was nothing inclusive in the syllabus. When I got older, part of my self-discovery as a gay man is reconciling what this whole Aids epidemic really means; and what it means to my identity and my community. As gay people, we’ve inherited this massive trauma – and one I was scared of even delving into.” To speak more about the show and its importance, Alexander will be hosting ‘It’s A Sin: After Hours‘ on Channel 4 Youtube and Facebook page.
It’s A Sin also had an impact on the bands long awaited third album. After scrapping an albums worth of songs, Alexander stated “The pandemic happened and I went back to square one and just wanted to make a lot of upbeat, euphoric dance tunes. Definitely the show had an impact on that. Although I don’t think it’s going to sound ‘80s, I’m trying to channel that energy and dancefloor transcendence.”
It’s A Sin airs tonight (22nd January) on Channel 4 at 9pm.
