"UNHOLY" by Sam Smith | Female Cover by Justine M. (OC Lyrics)

☕️ BUY ME A COFFEE (Support me with a one time donation!) ko-fi.com/justinesmic
i told some of my colleagues in the lab i'm in at uni that i covered "mary on a cross," and one of them asked if i was gonna sing "unholy" by sam smith. at first, i didn't really give the song much thought. but upon hearing covers from eiry, anna and chloe, i recognized the song from tik tok, and the creative cogs in my brain started whirring.
i saw how chloe and anna did a lyric rewrite of the song to include a dual perspective, and i was inspired to do something similar by rewriting the lyrics to fit the story of my ocs, magdalena and judith. (fun fact: i wrote these lyrics while wildly distracted from writing an essay i was assigned to do). i imagine this song happening towards the end of magdalena's arch, where she finally accepts herself for who she is and gives into her love for judith.
perhaps it is due to my catholic upbringing, but i've always been obsessed with catholic imagery and aesthetics. as a result, i wanted to include a lot of it in my lyric rewrite. below, you can find timestamps for references i want to highlight as well as their explanations.
- 0:09 a reference to revelation 17:4-5 in the bible
- 1:26 refers to the apostles creed, a prayer often said during catholic mass that acts as a confession of faith
- 1:29 refers to the phrases uttered during the sacrament of communion. typically, the person serving the host or the wine will say, "the body of christ" or "the blood of christ." i was mainly inspired to include a lyric like this because of the song "bedroom hymns" by florence + the machine. in her song, she sings, "this is his body, this is his love, such selfish prayers and i can't get enough" (listen to the full song: • Bedroom Hymns )
- 1:31 two references are (kind of) made here. i used the word "immaculate" to allude to the virgin mary's immaculate conception, which means that she was free from original sin from the moment she was conceived. i also used the word "communion" to refer to the sacrament of the same name. the word itself also refers to a coming together of sorts. i just realized this now, but this line basically says that a union like magdalena and judith's is just as holy and sinless in spite of what bigots might say.
- 1:35 two references made here again! before entering the pews (that is, the benches you sit on) in a catholic church, you must genuflect; you face the altar, get down on your right knee and do the sign of the cross. i also talk about mary magdalene in this line. mary magdalene is a figure in the bible who repented for her sins and washed jesus' feet with her hair and perfumes.
- 1:37 a reference to how witches/heretics were burned at the stake, though when writing this line i was mainly thinking about joan of arc.
- 1:45 in the bible, when jesus was sentenced to death, he was crowned with a wreath of thorns as a way to mock him, since he was called "king of the jews." also, a martyr is someone who is killed for their religious or other beliefs. many figures and saints within catholic literature died through martyrdom.
- 2:00 lilith is thought to be adam's first wife before eve. she was cast out of eden for refusing to submit to adam.
🎶 COVER CREDITS
- Original song by Sam Smith (ft. Kim Petras)
video: • Sam Smith, Kim Petras ...
- Instrumental by ‪@kevinliumusic‬
video: • Sam Smith ft. Kim Petr...
- Mix/Master by ryuuki
twitter: / _ryuukix
- Vocals by Justine M.
🎨 ART
- The art used in the video was made by mekarer.
instagram: / meka.rer
twitter: / meka_rer
💕 FOLLOW ME
instagram: / justinesmic
twitter: / justinesmic
📷 MY EQUIPMENT kit.co/JustinesMic/all-of-my-...
FTC: this video is not sponsored. all opinions are my own.
#UNHOLY #SamSmith #CoverArtist #JustinesMic

[@JustinesMic]

LISTEN ON SPOTIFY open.spotify.com/album/2wleKEW6ulxmnlW4nMIEy0?si=iRm1blx-Qe6trvmQNFC9zg

[@annapantsu]

mamma mia thats a spicy meatball

[@sadies8100]

Oh my god a crossover!

[@minashido7556]

My new favorite words spoken by one of my favorite singers

[@rianrakublackpink1389]

Yours are great too!!

[@Luciaa779]

a got to agree it was amazing, and hi

[@blarbiii]

666 likes

[@reinaeiry]

That “clean” was indeed, clean. AMAZING!

[@ayraamir2749]

ong it’s reinaeiry

[@dvonh.1289]

Queens listening to queens💅💅💅💅

[@MochinoCherry]

🥰😍

[@jahniyahbullard5983]

QUEEN

[@ItzVee08]

I think we need a collab, your both amazing and together you’d be wonderful

[@rainonyourback4821]

That art is beyond words oh dear

[@Here_have_a_Flower]

Oh sweet baby Jessie

[@crychidate]

i feel like i shouldnt look 🧑‍🦯

[@shaina2323]

😘😘😘

[@Ex0tic0001]

IT'S GETTIN' HOT IN HERE-

[@samanthagarcia3279]

No words. I'm gay.

[@taylors4thcat647]

This is literally what I’ve been looking for when it comes to female rewrites, it scratches the religious trauma section of my brain SO hard

[@gabbym333]

Dude same. I grew up Catholic and it really fucked me up. So now I really appreciate songs like this.

[@blarbiii]

555 likes mwah

[@kit4akat]

@@gabbym333yeah same

[@famine3141]

@@gabbym333 same

[@sassylittleprophet]

As an ex-Christian fundamentalist, YES. The religious trauma representation is everything!

[@cayliechiu2994]

The intense/sapphic vibes fit so perfectly! A FRICKING MASTERPIECE!

[@fluxcapacitor2539]

"And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet color and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS." These lines sounded like poetry the way you read them!

[@mele4827]

THANK YOU

[@Wren_isgone]

I really like the line, “Crown me with thorns, for her I’ll gladly be a martyr.” I don’t know why, but something about receiving a crown that brings you physical pain for the ones you love it’s a very interesting concept. I love the song, and your take of Unholy is truly amazing. Keep up the good work.

[@jebtickle4065]

The crown of thorns, that is a reference to Jesus on the cross if you didn't know.

[@ravendelacour1917]

Love is the pain that heals.

[@JustinesMic]

(since a lot of people asked, here are the full lyrics ☺️) Lord, He don't know that she’s getting hot At the body shop, doing something unholy (spoken during instrumental) “And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls…upon her forehead was a name written, Mystery, Babylon The Great, The Mother Of Harlots And Abominations Of The Earth.” A lucky, lucky girl She got married to a thing like you They’d kick her out if they ever, ever knew 'Bout all the (sigh) they say that she must do Dirty, dirty girl You know everyone is talking on the scene I hear them whispering 'bout the places that you've been And how you don't know how to keep your business clean Lord, He don't know that she’s getting hot At the body shop, doing something unholy Devil's sat back while she's dropping it, she be popping it Yeah, she put it down slowly Oh-ee-oh-ee-oh, she left the Cross at Ho-ee-oh-ee-ome, so she can get that Heaven don't know angels get it hot At the body shop, doing something unholy I don’t want your prayers. No my soul don’t need no saving. I don’t need no pious creed When, with her, I’ve found Heaven. In our bodies, in our blood- A more immaculate communion. Oh, she brings me to my knees; Genuflect like Mary Magdalene. They, they wanna burn me, Wanna crucify my name! If they, they call it sin How come she loves me like a saint? Crown me with thorns! For her I’ll gladly be a martyr! If you need me I’ll be with her under the covers. Lord, He don't know how I’m getting hot At the body shop, doing something unholy Lilith lies back while I’m dropping it, yeah I’m popping it Oh, I put it down slowly Oh-ee-oh-ee-oh, I left the Cross at Ho-ee-oh-ee-ome, so I can get that Heaven don't know angels get it hot At the body shop, doing something unholy

[@TheRealAngelDust321]

That must have taken a long time to type 🤣

[@sanyuktabaranwal8383]

Please pin these lyrics

[@alisayannawilson]

1:22 “When, with her, I’ve found heaven!” Love that part!

[@jim2469]

Sorry, I'd just like to ask which one is singing the song in the picture? Is it the one sitting on the bed or the other one?

[@golddustedqueen1498]

⁠@@jim2469I think its dual perspective, both are singing different parts

[@yi-hira]

Finally, a sapphic Unholy. Thank you.

[@dogbrain000]

"She left the cross at home," oh my gosh, I blushed as if I was a nun!

[@that_pineapple154]

Not quite sure what it is but I absolutely looove the art. I think it's the way they look at eachother. Magalena looks so content in the way she leans into Judith's hand and almost smiles. And Judith almost looks at Magalena like she's admiring her, or like she's admiring what she was able to do to her. But with the way she tilts her head theres an almost softness to the look as if she really does care for Magalena Sorry for overanalyzing, I just really like this art piece, and love how well it portrays the characters. The expressions are absolutely amazing ^^

[@JustinesMic]

THANK YOU FOR CATCHING ONTO THOSE DETAILS! i really wanted to avoid the cliche power imbalance/dynamic between characters. i wanted my ocs’ equal adoration for each other to be very clearly conveyed in the art, so i made sure to communicate that to the artist i was working with. :)

[@LydiatheBard]

AN ACTUAL MASTERPIECE, easily one of my favourite rewrites I’ve hear of this, thank you for blessing our ears ❤

[@apollo...]

SHE NEVER DISSAPPOINTS.

[@guillermperrier6407]

I can feel the Catholic within me SCREAM ☠☠☠ I devour your art and beg for more 🧎🏼‍♂🤰

[@daughteroflust6666]

Ay, a fellow Catholic!

[@lynnharper3624]

Glad to know I’m not the only one who likes music like this

[@ZarriAuzenne]

Same I love music like this

[@SLYKM]

This is the version we deserved. I prefer the re-write covers of this song, and gotta say this one is my favorite.

[@randywhite3947]

Oh come on the rewrites are nowhere near Sam

[@Laudhcris]

@@randywhite3947 you're right, they're way better.

[@randywhite3947]

@@Laudhcris nope not at all

[@alisayannawilson]

1:22 “When, with her, I’ve found heaven!” Love that part!

[@aRaccB]

IM BREATHING I PROMISE THE SAPPHICNESS OF THIS IS JUST- MY HEARTS EXPLODING

[@jasminedurham2539]

The version of this song I didn't know I needed

[@chloebreez]

This is by far my favorite thing you’ve done all year. I wanna know everything about your OCs after this. Fantastic job, Justine!! 💛💛

[@JustinesMic]

bet once i find a moment i’ll dm you

[@allycat5609]

I do love me a WLW version and this is peak performance

[@artemisiatheta7549]

Gods...I think this just shot up to my favorite version of this song. (just as an aside...somehow your cover of Mary on a Cross ended up being my #1 on YT Music) This was quite perfect.

[@alison7989]

She's wearing the "my filthy rich husband just died of mysterious causes while on a business trip" robe and everything. I love

[@joakescarnival8303]

The lyrical choices of this drawing away from the cheating connotation and how absolutely brilliantly they're written in general has me with this as my favourite alltime version.

[@olinaw5145]

The rewrite & your vocals & the epic intrumental is AMAZING including all the references. chef's kiss!

[@Jesses001]

That is a heavy rewrite. I dare say it is not even a cover anymore at this point. Oh, and I loved it.

[@moisesrc7491]

It was fucking perfect, the writing, the notes, the tone, what a god damn masterpiece you have created. The best cover of Unholy and in my opinion, way, WAAAAY MORE UNHOLY THAN THE ORIGINAL!! Keep it up with this incredible work!

[@PersonalZombie]

I think this is my favorite lyrical rewrite. I love your ocs

[@AleMaia]

"heaven don't know angels get it hot" .... I love it! :O

[@MangosftUst]

OH LORD WHAT IS THIS?! THE ART THE LYRICS THE VOICES THE VIBES THAT GIVES THIS IS AMAZING!!

[@siratlas8198]

I am obsessed with this oh my god The sapphic-ness of it, THE LYRICS YOU ADDED ARE SO GOOD AND THOUGHT-OUT HOLY SHIT ??? Love me some religious imagery thrown into songs. Your voice is incredible as well. I found your channel through this video and quickly fell in love with your covers, especially the ones you put your own twist to and the ones where you give some insight into your OC's !!!! Very much looking forward to more :^)

[@winxclub845]

I just gotta say i fucking love this cover and just my god ADORE you're incorporating your ocs into a cover, as a big oc haver and enjoyer myself

[@hannahgeraghty4201]

Having grown up in *_very_* catholic Ireland and now as an adult am *_very_* gay, this song spoke to me on several levels and I think left a hicky on most of them

[@lianejaeger8708]

Absolutely gorgeous!! The sapphic rewrite, the artwork, the vocals - it's just haunting in the most sensual way.

[@YumiFuZ]

Well, if the town wants to burn me, this song had better be playing! Stunning rewrite. Definitely one of my favourite covers of this song.

[@laguerilla_proletaire]

your cover is so ethereally sapphic omg😭 i stan every word and the art too🥹🤭✨

[@historias_crown]

What to admire first??? The vocals?? The lyrics??? The instrumental??? The art??? I'm speechless

[@folly...]

Sounds and looks amaaazing!! The vocals... the drawing... I can practically see this scene play out

[@mantaraywizard]

KILLED IT AGAIN!!! I love these oc covers GODDAMN. Its such a fun use of storytelling. I loved your lyric rewrites too, they flowed SO well and were perfectly timed. Your voice is fantastic!

[@shawnasalazar2519]

I love these two characters and the story you're telling with your music. I'm so obsessed. Please take all the love and praise. Keep up the fantastic work

[@L.W.74]

I acc was reluctant on hearing this cause the line "left his/her kids at home" always sussed me out of the vibes but that being replaced with "left the cross at home"??? Spectacular

[@-zxalex3498]

YES. I'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR ONE LIKE THIS FOR AGES I'M SO HAPPY-

[@davecalacat8141]

Your vocal textures are on another level!! You know how to own a song

[@user-by1mq8de1q]

Где взять эту картинку? Она выглядит шикарно

[@Schornsteinfeger....]

Там в описании указан автор, пока вроде в его инсте картинки нет, но может позже появиться. Рисунок из кавера "Mary on a cross" там есть

[@SmolFoxTrue]

THIS IS THE VERSION I WANTED TO HEAR!!!!

[@uncertain_zee]

I'm really loving this new wave of WLW covers 😌

[@MsKirbygirl1]

The rewritten lyrics are truly amazing! I don't normally think I'm *that* modest, but I was totally blushing like the whole time! Amazing song!

[@rosestormwolf]

The vibes of this entire song and video is SO GOOD AND SAPPHIC

[@sandraz4243]

Me: "Nothing will make me go back to succubus phase" Me after listening to this on loop: *F__K*

[@JustinesMic]

you’re welcome

[@dakota7865]

just now getting onto my account , but i've been listening to this song all day and i absolutely love the fact that you added references into the song , i can't quite explain why but still . your voice and the art is just ,, i adore it . keep doing amazing work !!

[@ariking3616]

now THIS is unholy!!! goddamn i love this so much!!! ❤ the catholic references really be doing it for me

[@VENTICAPPUCINO]

I CANT WAIT SNDFJBWFJUWD Alsooo 👀 The artwork tho ??? Mommy ??? MOMMY ???

[@masterjadestudios2581]

Omggg Justine!! This was wonderful!! I love that we are seeing more of your Oc's! 💜

[@Midnight_Black777]

OH MY GODS!!!! THIS IS THE BEST COVER I HAVE EVER SEEN!!! I honestly like it more then Reinaeiry's and her song was my favorite!

[@morgendalman3690]

Omg gurrl i lovve this song!! The witchy and christian mix was KILLER plz dont stop being amazing

[@diegojunco9690]

OMG AAAH- Since the moment I saw the notification I havent's stop listening this version, it's so amazing!! I love how you adapted the lyric to represent both Judith and Magdalena, love your amazing and powerful voice, love how this stories just progresses, the amazing art, everything in this general is God Tier. and now I am more excited to know more about them, keep the great work up!! :DDD

[@polasamierwahsh421]

AMAZING & SACRILEGIOUS Truly a saphic masterpiece

[@natasharomanoff6113]

This is literally one of my favorite versions, easily top 3 ❤

[@charlottesanatomy]

Holy - 🥵 this is my official favorite version of this song. Women are Heaven Sent.

[@monumentforthedead]

This is a thousand times better than the original song! The lyrics are so absurdly good, I'm obsessed with it!

[@KL-hr2kj]

I was not ready for this absolute banger

[@twitchywitchy_lilo9458]

love the lyric rearrangement🤍 so much work went into this and it’s perfect ✨

[@falconstudios146]

I listened to this cover first and was immensely disappointed by the original. The vibes on this are impeccable.

[@addamere]

Absolutely love the thumbnail art and the references in description. Thank you for your efforts

[@kiki-dh8ot]

I need this music on spotify NOW

[@stevenvonsiebenhoven4217]

This gave me goosebumps! Genuinely awesome, love the art for it too and keep up the amazing work!

[@Ronyx3064]

Hello dear! I really love your covers but "the night" and this one stand out for me. I'm now really invested in your ocs story. I don't know much, but I feel "fire on fire" could be a great song for Judith to sing to Magdalena. What do you think? Also is the art yours? Truly breathtaking 🌻

[@JustinesMic]

the art was made by the artist mekarer, and you can find their links in the description :)

[@nubieheart7532]

I kinda like how she relates the song to theology, awesome

[@vivisoul]

excuse me while i replay this cover a million times

[@blizzardcrow3051]

I literally have this song downloaded on spotify and I need to come back and give an analysis. First, this is more of a remix than a cover. The amount of new lyrics is too much to ignore. Sublime. Second, the lyrics are better. They're way gayer, they have a better rhyme structure, and they're actually *relevant* to being unholy. Third, the ocs are dope as shit. No need to explain. I don't know why I feel so strongly about this. I guess you just managed to take a song I really don't like and make me see what it could be. Turned it into genuinely one of my favourites. And this is coming from someone who listens to more punk and metal than anything else.

[@Bunbon77]

This is gorgeous!! It has a mood that I’ve yet to find again!! Great work!!

[@Nobody20112]

I've been hearing a lot of covers by the mother's POV and i can't stop thinking that i'd love a version of unholy but by the kids POV, like i'd really like to hear what they think about all this situation 😁

[@kageshii1156]

i literally love ur voice 😭😭 great cover

[@eveninghenderson7788]

The version I've wanted since I first heard the song. Instant fav

[@gacharitsuuwu6158]

This is amazing ! Really original how you rewrite the lyrics, just perfect ❤

[@crazycatchick4111]

I honestly didn't think I could ever love a cover of this song more than the original...well, I sure as Hell was wrong!!! Gawd, I'm an atheist and this had me belting out the lyrics with you haha😹 and weirdly enough I kept flashing back over a decade ago to my HS mandatory reading of the Scarlet Letter 📔🅰️, as well as my goth 13yr old obsession with Joan of Arc! Such an iconic queer anthem you just made sweetie!!!🥰🏳️‍🌈⚧️🏳️‍⚧️😻

[@thefallenangel6864]

That's my new favourite version.

[@asunraychan]

The lyric really fit with 'Unholy' song name. The art, music, and singing are all superb!

[@Pocket_Zip]

Usually i am really not a fan of covers but damn your voice is just beautiful

[@taallen1686]

I just LOVE the intensity of the instrumental it just itches my brain so good

[@highshipper9222]

THE WH’RE OF BABYLON IS WHAT THIS REMINDED ME OF WITH THE LYRICS AND THE BIBLE VERSE

[@Ryxxii]

HEAVEN DON'T KNOW ANGELS GETTING HOT, DOING SOMETHING UNHOLY~ OMGGGG THIS LINEE

[@rattuskid1931]

This is so cool! The art is amazing and the song is fantastic!!!

[@mailavil895]

Dios amo la voz ,el arte ,la melodía

[@Eva_Paula_Mae]

The picture was Everything

[@666vixie]

A court of thorns and roses vibes 🙌

[@alexandriaromei5131]

This is a MASTERPIECE I didn’t know I needed in my life ❤️‍🔥

[@kukki3233]

That Lilith line just made my day.. Loved it 💕✨

[@ChrisSingsYT]

Pop off Justine! Top tier version of this song, amazing job! 👏🏻

[@AURUMYX]

Absolutely slayed through and through.

[@jahniyahbullard5983]

video: liked. Subscribe button: hit Added: to my playlist Hotel: justine's mic

[@starrstuff]

this is all i ever needed in life

[@Midnight_Black777]

agreed

[@luck-e8182]

and all I can think of is warrior nun show 😭😭 this cover is so good

[@iraz0798]

The song might be unholy but your voice is holy, ethereal, awe-inspiring, soul-ascending, celestial, astronomical, sublime really. I had a positively visceral reaction to this....felt like I found smth that I unkowingly missed in my life. God I love music & women.

[@o0bookwyrmknight0o]

Yeeeeeess amazing job to you and everyone involved!

[@abstracthorizons9136]

What’s it called when you inhale so hard that instead of words only a happy squeak came out in response to the butterflies and overwhelmed joy from the art and the music

[@JustinesMic]

i think squeak works :)

[@AkikoMaxasia]

This was amazing from the art work to the lyrics

[@2solidd_ZS]

Yo these vocals are spectacular

[@gabbym333]

This is art! I also appreciate seeing your explanation of the song. Incredible job.

[@colt1903]

The Mother Harlot bit always gives me shivers😂