Is Living in Sin a "dated" song?
 

Just throwing this out there... do you think Living in Sin is "dated" due to the changing times? In the 80's that song was relevant to young people because there was a different view on morality in general then. I dare say most young people still considered intimate relationships a big deal and sex-before-marriage was still looked down on even if was commonplace. You didn't flaunt it then.

I wonder if today's generation would even understand the questions posed in the song because middle school kids "hook up" like it means nothing. I wonder if a lot of young people even have a concept of "sin" in general. Another song of that era that I wonder if this generation would really understand is Papa Don't Preach by Madonna. Back then teenage pregnancy was a big deal. Now 1/4 of the 11th grade is expecting. A girl in my school got pregnant and got kicked out of school. Today, they expect homebound educational services for maternity leave.

The reason I bring up both songs is that I think they are reflective of the times in which they were hit singles. It's easy to watch a TV show from the 80's and be amazed by what was a big deal then that's nothing today. I don't notice it as much with the music.

Basically, I was questioning if Jon never plays Living in Sin anymore because it may have lost its relevance to an ever changing culture.

Thoughts? Do you think there are other songs that have or will be seen differently in years to come as the culture continues to change?

I always thought Living in Sin was a beautiful song. Jon wrote this song about his relationship with Dorothea, I think in the beginning it was not easy. I think both there parents liked one another, but maybe weren't too thrilled that they were "together" but not married, and when they did get married, it was a spur of the moment, not planned. So I think Jon wrote that song as a reflection of his thoughts during this time, of course it was written before he and Dorothea got married, but I think maybe when they got back together in 1986 b/f Slippery came out, both Jon and Dorothea's parents were probably happy they were back together, but not thrilled that they were not married , but were "Living in Sin". Now as far as being a relevant song for today. I think Jon has sang the song in recent past tours, but I think the idea of living in sin today is not as a big deal than it was in the 80's, and as a child of the 80's things then were more "innocent" things were more taboo, where as today's society now is everythings goes, alot of things that were taboo then are now not so a big deal anymore. Great question! and great conversation starter!

Yeah, I'd like to see a source on that one.

Obviously some of the references are outdated, however, teenagers feeling their parents are uptight and should loosen up about what they do in bed is probably still a viable topic.

I'm Jon's age and don't think "Living In Sin" is outdated or irrelevant. We've raised our children to wait to live together until after they get married. They have done so and are glad they did.

There's nothing wrong with being "old fashioned" these days. I've seen enough kids have babies out of wedlock, not prepared for the huge responsibility a child brings and now their parents are raising the child. My kids know I am not going to do that. I enjoy being a grandmother but will not raise them.

I think Jon doesn't sing the song because it would slow down the show and it goes pretty high. I love, love the song, though.


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^ I love the way you put it, Lucky! <3

Me too.

Also, good luck getting a job at, say, a Catholic school (even a non-teaching role) if you are living with a partner you're not married to, or if you're in a same-sex relationship. So it's not like this stuff is "no big deal" everywhere, even in supposedly modern societies.

As for the song's continued relevance, I know at least one person who has heard the lyrics and interpreted them to be about a gay or lesbian couple. So even if one doesn't connect to the original meaning, there's no reason why it can't mean something else to them.

Thanks! That means a lot to me!

I may be old fashioned, but getting an education, then getting married and having babies - in that order - can't hurt!

I think it's fine, though, that Jon and Dorothea were older when they lived together before they got married, or anyone else who knows what they are doing and are responsible enough not to bring children into the world until they are ready to take care of them financially and emotionally. It's right out of high school that's just too soon.






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I think it holds up better than a lot of the 80s party songs they put out.

Well, the video is pretty straightforward but this also may be the case for some people. Haven't thought of that!