Unforgivable Sinner

"Unforgivable Sinner" is a song written and performed by Norwegian singer-songwriter Lene Marlin, released as a single on 12 October 1998 from her 1999 album, Playing My Game. It was the fastest selling single in Norwegian music history, and appeared in the soundtrack of the Norwegian movie Schpaaa by Erik Poppe. The song reached number one in Norway and number two in Italy, commencing a successful period of hits for Marlin in both countries. In the former nation, it was certified Platinum. The song also reached the top 10 in Sweden and the top 20 in the United Kingdom. There were three different music videos made for the song. The original key is in E minor.

"Unforgivable Sinner"
Single by Lene Marlin
from the album Playing My Game
B-side"Maybe I'll Go"
Released12 October 1998[1]
GenrePop rock[2]
Length3:59
LabelVirgin
Songwriter(s)Lene Marlin
Producer(s)
  • Hans G
  • Jørn Dahl
Lene Marlin singles chronology
"Unforgivable Sinner"
(1998)		 "Sitting Down Here"
(1999)
Music video
"Unforgivable Sinner" on YouTube

Critical reception

Birmingham Evening Mail called the song a "mature" debut, describing it as the "sort of mid-tempo, intense material somebody like Natalie Imbruglia would release."[3] Håkon Moslet from Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet said in his review of Playing My Game, that "Unforgivable Sinner" is a "clear highlight" of the album. He added that "with its slightly dark and disconcerting atmosphere and a refrain you never seem to get bored with, it is one of a kind."[4] Geir Rakvaag from Dagsavisen noted that the song, with "Sitting Down Here" and "Where I'm Headed" are the "most earcatching" songs of the album.[5] Terje Carlsen from Fredrikstad Blad called it "immaculate".[6] Pia M. Isaksen from Moss Dagblad was less enthustiastic, noting it as "traditional folk", adding that the melody is "nice".[7] New Straits Times called it an "outstanding" tune "set to a pop-hiphop beat with a strong arrangement powered by acoustic guitars".[8] Kjell Nordeng from Nordlands Framtid noted the song with "Sitting Down Here" as "cream of the crop" of the album.[9] Rune Slyngstad from Nordlandsposten gave it 4 out of 6, noting it as a "fresh, nice and sauntering pop-song".[10] Lasse Jangås from Nordlys described it as "wonderful".[11] Pop Rescue wrote, "This one definitely fits in with the likes of [Natalie] Imbruglia’s hit Torn. It has plenty of acoustic strumming, but also plenty of ‘go’ in it too. It’s up-beat, catchy, and deserved to be a bigger hit than it was."[12] Linda Nilsen from Tromsø gave the song 6 out of 6, noting that it is "simply something of the best I have ever heard from a Norwegian artist."[13]

Music videos

The first video for "Unforgivable Sinner" was filmed in Norway. It features Marlin performing with her guitar at a subway station in Oslo. She also performs while walking in a dark tunnel. Some small scenes in between show her dressed like an angel. Clips from the movie Schpaa are shown through the video. At the end, Marlin as an angel sits atop of a high building looking out over the city.

The second and international version of the video was directed by Stephen Scott and shot at a train station in Toronto, Canada. It has a blue tone and shows Marlin performing inside the station building. A story of a man that is haunted by memories from his childhood is being told in the video. Now grown-up, he keeps seing the face of a young girl he once knew as a kid. Something happened to her, and he feel guilty. He "sees" her among the crowd of passing people at the station, but then she is gone. In the end the man and Marlin, standing next to each other, are watching the board with train timetables. Then the words "Take Hold Now -- The Future Will Not Remember -- The Past Does Not Forget" suddenly appear on the board.

The third version was directed by Jamie Morgan and features a darkhaired Marlin performing in New York City. In some scenes, she performs in a car that is driving through the city. Other scenes shows her at a camping site, where a group of young people are staying, by a caravan. Occasionally a girl wearing wings appears at different sites in the city. The day turns into night and then again remains to day. The video ends with Marlin strumming on her guitar in the driving car.

Track listing
CD single, Norway (12 October 1998)[1]
No.TitleLength
1."Unforgivable Sinner"4:02
2."Maybe I'll Go"4:37
CD single, Europe (1998)[14]
No.TitleLength
1."Unforgivable Sinner"3:59
2."Maybe I'll Go"4:33
CD-maxi, Europe (1998)[1]
No.TitleLength
1."Unforgivable Sinner"4:02
2."Maybe I'll Go"4:37
3."The Way We Are" (acoustic)4:50
CD maxi, Japan (1999)[15]
No.TitleLength
1."Unforgivable Sinner" 
2."Maybe I'll Go" 
3."I Know" 
CD single (CD1), UK (2000)[16]
No.TitleLength
1."Unforgivable Sinner" 
2."Unforgivable Sinner" (Tin Tin Out Mix) 
3."Maybe I'll Go" 
4."Unforgivable Sinner" (video) 
CD single (CD2), UK (2000)[17]
No.TitleLength
1."Unforgivable Sinner" 
2."Unforgivable Sinner" (Disclab Dodgers Doorstep Mix) 
3."The Way We Are" (live at the Sound Republic) 
4."Unforgivable Sinner" (original video) 

Charts

References
  1. "Norwegiancharts.com – Lene Marlin – Unforgivable Sinner". VG-lista. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
  2. "Unforgivable Sinner – Lene Marlin Attributes". AllMusic. Retrieved 26 May 2018.
  3. "Pick of the Week". Birmingham Evening Mail. 3 August 1999. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
  4. "CD: Lene Marlin". Dagbladet. 20 March 1999. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  5. Rakvaag, Geir (20 March 1999). "Pent og pyntelig fra Lene Marlin". Dagsavisen (in Norwegian) (78). p. 15. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  6. Carlsen, Terje (23 March 1999). "Ikke helt ferdig". Fredrikstad Blad (in Norwegian) (81). p. 42. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  7. Isaksen, Pia M. (29 March 1999). "Fint, men kjedelig". Moss Dagblad (in Norwegian) (87). p. 13. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  8. "IT'S ABOUT BOYS AND GIRLS - Compilation". New Straits Times. 7 March 1999. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  9. Nordeng, Kjell (23 March 1999). "Fin debut". Nordlands Framtid (in Norwegian) (69). p. 60. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  10. Slyngstad, Rune (18 August 1998). "SINGELNYHETER". Nordlandsposten (in Norwegian) (188). p. 40. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  11. Jangås, Lasse (13 October 1998). "Så fin, Lene Marlin". Nordlys (in Norwegian) (239). p. 19. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  12. "REVIEW: "PLAYING MY GAME" BY LENE MARLIN (CD, 1999)". Pop Rescue. 5 June 1995. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  13. Nilsen, Linda (10 October 1998). "Strålende, Lene Marlin". Tromsø (in Norwegian) (236). p. 31. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  14. "Unforgivable Sinner" – European CD single (Liner notes). Lene Marlin. Virgin Records. 1998. 7243 8 95710 2 8, DINSDE180.CS1 maint: others (link)
  15. "Unforgivable Sinner" – Japanese maxi-single (Liner notes). Lene Marlin. Virgin Records. 1999. VJCP-12121.CS1 maint: others (link)
  16. "Unforgivable Sinner" – UK CD1 (CD sleeve). Lene Marlin. Virgin Records. 2000. DINSD202, 7243 8 96979 0 2.CS1 maint: others (link)
  17. "Unforgivable Sinner" – UK CD2 (CD sleeve). Lene Marlin. Virgin Records. 2000. DINSDX 202, 7243 8 96980 0 8.CS1 maint: others (link)
  18. "Australian-charts.com – Lene Marlin – Unforgivable Sinner". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
  19. "Music & Media: Eurochart Hot 100" (PDF). Music & Media. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
  20. "Lescharts.com – Lene Marlin – Unforgivable Sinner" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
  21. "Offiziellecharts.de – Lene Marlin – Unforgivable Sinner". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
  22. "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 16 no. 29. 17 July 1999. p. 11. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
  23. "Charts.nz – Lene Marlin – Unforgivable Sinner". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
  24. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
  25. "Swedishcharts.com – Lene Marlin – Unforgivable Sinner". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
  26. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
  27. "Romanian Top 100: Top of the Year 1999" (in Romanian). Romanian Top 100. Archived from the original on 22 January 2005.
  28. "Årslista Singlar – År 1999" (in Swedish). Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 26 May 2018.
  29. "IFPI Norsk platebransje Trofeer 1993–2011" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway.
  30. "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1999" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. 21 April 1999. Retrieved 15 September 2019.


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