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The film Sinners has rapidly become more than just a movie—it’s a cultural moment. Its mix of vampire mythology intertwined with profound themes of racial reckoning has drawn extensive attention, but perhaps the most powerful element lies in its music. At its core, Sinners pulses with the spirit of the Delta Blues, a genre whose influence extends far beyond the American South and reverberates worldwide.
The standout musical piece in the film is undoubtedly “I Lied to You,” delivered with raw emotional power by actor and musician Miles Caton, who plays Sammie “Preacher Boy” Moore in the movie. This soulful track was written by the legendary Raphael Saadiq during a studio session alongside Oscar-winning composer Ludwig Göransson—known for his work on director Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther films. Saadiq brings to the table a career that spans almost 40 years, including three Grammy Awards and a legacy of collaborations with artists like Beyoncé on “COWBOY CARTER” and Solange on her critically acclaimed album A Seat at the Table.
Though Saadiq is widely celebrated for his deep roots in R&B, his connection to the music of Sinners goes beyond genre—it touches on his own story. In a Billboard interview published on May 2, Saadiq revealed that he shares a similar background to Sammie, the film’s complex character. Discussing the tension between Sammie’s secular music passion and his church upbringing, Saadiq explained, “That really resonated with me because that’s exactly how I grew up. Playing R&B music, I was told it was the devil’s music, so I completely understood where Sammie was coming from.”
This personal tie to the story allowed Saadiq to bring an authenticity to the songwriting process. He also noted how the project reconnected him with his Baptist roots, particularly the vocal traditions of his childhood church: “Even the humming on the track—I pulled that from Union Baptist Church. It’s a type of devotional singing that’s deeply ingrained in me.”
The Power of Miles Caton’s Voice
When Saadiq composed “I Lied to You,” he had not yet heard Miles Caton sing it. “That voice is something else,” he said. “I wrote the song imagining how I would sing the blues, but when I finally heard Miles sing it, I was blown away.”
Despite Saadiq’s own musical prowess, he felt the song belonged solely to Miles Caton’s voice. Even though there was an offer for Saadiq to release his own demo alongside the film’s soundtrack, he declined, preferring listeners to experience the track exclusively through Miles’s powerful performance. “The movie is so incredible that when people go to streaming platforms, they should only hear Miles. His voice is incredible,” Saadiq emphasized.
For Saadiq, this wasn’t simply an act of humility; it was a recognition that Miles’s voice perfectly embodied the emotional truth of Sammie’s character and the film’s themes.
A Hook Born from Real Life
The phrase “I Lied to You” is far from a random lyric. It originated in Saadiq’s own experiences. Reflecting on his youth, Saadiq recalled a moment when he was struggling to tell his girlfriend the truth about a difficult situation. Instead, he told her, “You know what would make a great blues line? ‘They say the truth hurts, so I lied to you.’”
That line lingered in his mind for years as a powerful blues hook. “I’ve always had blues ideas,” Saadiq admitted. “I’d often come up with blues hooks because they’re some of the best hooks in music.”
For the film, Saadiq initially believed that Sammie was lying to his father, which inspired the song’s title and lyrics. However, as the character developed, it became clear that Sammie was actually trying to tell the truth, even if it wasn’t fully accepted. This emotional complexity added layers of meaning to the song and resonated deeply with Saadiq’s own reflections on truth and deception.
Collaboration with Ludwig Göransson and the Birth of the Track
The creative synergy between Raphael Saadiq and Ludwig Göransson was critical in bringing “I Lied to You” to life. Göransson’s background in cinematic scoring and Saadiq’s mastery of rhythm and blues fused to create a track that was both haunting and cinematic. This collaboration enhanced the film’s emotional landscape, anchoring key scenes with music that felt timeless and authentic.
Experiencing the Song in the Film’s Premier
Saadiq first heard the full version of “I Lied to You” performed by Miles Caton at the Sinners premiere in Oakland, California, on April 16, 2024. Watching the song come alive on the big screen, amidst the movie’s powerful narrative, was a moving moment for Saadiq. Two days later, the film was released worldwide in theaters, including IMAX formats, and quickly garnered box office success. By early May, the film had grossed over $185 million, according to The Numbers, proving both commercial and critical acclaim.
The Delta Blues: Music as Cultural Legacy
The choice to center Sinners’ soundtrack around Delta Blues is a deliberate and meaningful one. Blues music originated from the deep South of the United States and is a genre that has long communicated the pain, resilience, and spirit of African American communities. It is often considered the foundation of much of American music today—from jazz and rock to R&B and hip-hop.
By placing blues music front and center, Sinners pays homage to this rich cultural legacy and reclaims it within a modern narrative. This musical choice creates a bridge between the struggles of the past and present, weaving history into the film’s contemporary themes of identity, power, and redemption.
Raphael Saadiq’s Artistic Journey and Personal Connection
Raphael Saadiq’s career has been marked by his ability to navigate various musical styles with authenticity. Whether producing smooth R&B or venturing into soulful gospel and blues, Saadiq’s work always reflects deep emotional honesty.
In Sinners, his songwriting reconnects him to a foundational part of his own life—his church upbringing. He described how the devotional humming in the track reminded him of singing in church as a child, a spiritual practice that left a lasting imprint on his musical sensibility.
Moreover, Saadiq confessed he had always admired the blues but doubted his own ability to sing it authentically. “I’ve had blues ideas for years, but I never thought I had the voice for it,” he said. The chance to write for Sammie and hear Miles Caton bring that voice to life fulfilled a personal and artistic desire for Saadiq.
The Emotional Core of “I Lied to You”
At its heart, “I Lied to You” is a song about the complicated nature of truth. The title suggests deceit, but the deeper story involves the pain and vulnerability that comes with honesty, especially when it challenges relationships and expectations.
This tension aligns with the film’s larger themes of identity and conflict—Sammie’s struggle to reconcile his secular music passion with his religious roots mirrors broader societal struggles around cultural and racial identity.
Saadiq’s lyricism captures this perfectly, creating a song that feels both personal and universal. Listeners don’t just hear a character’s confession—they hear echoes of their own experiences with love, fear, and self-expression.
Conclusion: A Song That Transcends the Screen
The creation of “I Lied to You” for Sinners is a remarkable example of how music can elevate storytelling. Through Raphael Saadiq’s masterful songwriting and Miles Caton’s unforgettable voice, the track transcends its role as a film song and becomes a powerful expression of cultural memory and emotional truth.
In connecting his own history with the blues and gospel traditions of his youth, Saadiq crafted more than just a soundtrack. He contributed a living piece of art that honors the blues’ enduring legacy—its capacity to tell stories of hardship, redemption, and hope.
As Sinners continues to captivate audiences worldwide, the haunting refrain of “I Lied to You” stands as a reminder that music isn’t just entertainment—it’s a vital thread that binds us to our history, our emotions, and each other.
