Sam Smith and Kim Petras’ dark pop anthem about infidelity, released September 22, 2022. The song’s sinister production, story-driven lyrics, and TikTok virality made it a global hit, peaking at #1 in the UK and earning Kim Petras her breakthrough moment as the first openly transgender artist to top the UK charts.

The Narrative

“Unholy” tells the story of a married man sneaking to a body shop (“Mummy don’t know Daddy’s getting hot at the body shop”). Sam Smith’s haunting vocals paired with Kim Petras’ guest verse created a theatrical duet exploring infidelity with campy darkness rather than tragic melancholy.

TikTok Phenomenon

The song’s pre-chorus (“Mummy don’t know Daddy’s getting hot”) became a TikTok sound, with users creating skits, lip-syncs, and storytelling videos. The song’s narrative structure made it perfect for visual storytelling, driving millions of user-generated videos.

Chart Success

“Unholy” topped the UK Singles Chart, making Kim Petras the first openly transgender solo artist to achieve a #1 hit in the UK. In the US, it peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song earned multi-platinum certifications globally and won the Grammy for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance in 2023.

Cultural Significance

The song’s success represented LGBTQ+ visibility in mainstream pop. Kim Petras’ achievement as a trans artist hitting #1 felt historic. “Unholy” proved queer artists could dominate charts with unapologetically queer aesthetics and narratives.

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