What Sin

Ryan Adams

Tell me what sin replaces love
I wanna know, right now
Tell me what sin replaces love
I wanna know, right now

Imagine yourself on a mountain
Mountain discovered with flowers
Flowers discolored with horses
Horses distracted by stones
Stone distrusted with me
Then you might know what I mean
'Cause I want to kick love right in its gut
Beat it and leave for dead
Wash my hands in the river
Lie down and die in your bed

(repeat 1st and 2nd verses)

The voice on the receiver
Baby cry howlin' in the wind
I don't wanna beg for your mercy
I wanna know right know, what sin

Tell me what sin replaces love
I wanna know, right now



Lyrics submitted by finetine

What Sin song meanings
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6 Comments

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  • +1
    General CommentAmen to melancholyien. Definitely an affair.

    Does the mountain, horses, flowers imagery remind anyone else of How Do You Keep Love Alive? I don’t know, they’re very different songs, but still.
    vickykim9on August 15, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Commentthis is awesome live. i think he enjoys playing it a lot.
    Falafel_is_goodon January 17, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment"I want to kick love right in its gut
    Beat it and leave for dead
    Wash my hands in the river
    Lie down and die in your bed"
    --- omfg, so good.
    angelsflyon March 24, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General CommentThis song is one of his recent bests played live. Fucking stellar.

    To me, I think the meaning is obvious. He's having an affair. Wants out, afraid, unsure. Most have been there. The "sin" is the affair, the cheat. It might be he still loves the woman he is cheating on, feels bad ("I want to kick love right in its gut, beat it and leave for dead") but will ultimately go right back to the other woman (Wash my hands in the river; Lie down and die in your bed").

    Classic song by the Man.
    melancholyjenon May 22, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General CommentJesus, this song is so freakin' good live! If you've never heard this song live, there's one particular YouTube video that captures most of the raw emotion and talent of Ryan Adams (Henry Rollins show version)... I highly recommend that you check that vid out.
    Bredderson December 21, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General CommentThe version of this during the 2007 tour at The Catalyst is mind-blowing.

    Find here: archive.org/details/…
    themostbrianon October 27, 2014   Link

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