listening to hozier and listening to hozier with the lyrics in front of you are two very different experiences. he's a poet. one of the best contemporary lyricists imo. also you should know he's a bog man, fey king and an immortal God. and an honorary lesbian
And also Marius to my Eponine. Like Vive La Revolucion! Inspires people to march for the cause, and fall in love (on my own pretending he's beside me) and take a bullet for him if I could just die in his arms. You know for the people and also selfishly for my dramatic ass.
That was the purpose also i think the video is about a woman being in a toxic relationship but the song is from a man's perspective to kind of cover and include all of it
yeah, I feel like the the instrumentation and vocals really correlate with how the victim views the relationship and the exceptions they make for their abuser, but when you pay more attention the the lyrics it's like you really are an outsider looking in on what the victim is experiencing.
"I feel like this song isn't about church, I have a feeling this is about sex" You know, that's a pretty save bet with a lot of hozier songs but he writes it in such a respectful and passionate way
excuse me, what about "Talk"? Also I think this verse from the song defines Hozier's lyrics xD "I won't deny I've got in my mind now all the things we'd do /So I'll try to talk refined for fear that you find out how I'm imaginin' you"
Fun fact: Hozier wrote and composed this ENTIRE album by himself. - You’ll need to pull up the lyrics to try to understand the meaning bc his lyrics are that complex and well written - can be interpreted many ways and a lot of double entendres. In A Week is one of the most beautiful songs ever written in my opinion. To make death sound so beautiful...
Except for "Someone New" which he wrote with an ex. And unlike the Calvin Harris-Taylor Swift shade throwdown over songwriting contribution, he fully credits her and shouts her out and her music every chance he got. And she's Loah, by the way and has made a name for herself in the Irish music scene. Great music. not as big or international as Hozier, but known enough that it wouldn't do to mention her every time lest she be forever labeled as Hozier's ex.
@@mindyrussodavis6760 I think it's just TMTC that was confirmed had attic vocals. I guess he recorded the rest with Rob Kirwan the standard way since there was no mention of it. Cherry Wine he actually mentioned was recorded on the abandoned hotel they broke into. Love the birdsong on that. If I didn't know any better I'd say he must be a Disney Princess the number of times birds just spontaneously sing with him even indoors at his own house.
I’m pretty sure Take Me To Church is about the hypocrisy within some religious groups and teachings when they preach of love but condemn homosexuality. The music video helps explain it a bit more Also Hozier is criminally underrated and I think you would enjoy his Wasteland, Baby! Album
i don't think originally it had anything to do with condemnation of homosexuality by the church. he was right when he said the song is about sex - it is. it's about feeling love (and having sex) as a religious experience, with worship and devotion to your lover
@@mksketchms lmao when i went to church my teacher said that used to be her families favorite song...until she figured out the meaning😈 it brings me joy every time i think of that
foreigners God is such an important song, talks about the colonization and how they shoved down indigenous people's throat christianity and criminalized their own religion and beliefs
You are right, but first and foremost it's about Ireland whose culture, language and heritage have been trampled by the colonizers. A powerful and heavy song.
@@dariajustdaria2292 that's what I meant:) overall the song can be attributed to a lot of different cultures that have been through the same thing at the hands of colonisers, not just ireland but ofc his first focus was ireland as is his own culture
I love seeing different takes on this song because I see so many different interpretations. but I listened to foreigners god when my sister was dying of cancer and as an atheist, every god is a foreigners god to me. and it spoke to the feeling during that time in my life where I screamed into the void at every supposed god to just be real. in vain. but that's what I imagine when I hear it
As a fan of both Hozier and Florence and The Machines, we can only dream of a song with the two of them together, and when that day comes, it will be *goddamn magical*
"get cozier with Hozier" is how I always remember how to say his name (and who wouldn't). Hope you do Wasteland, Baby! too. Saw him live last year, everyone knew every song, it was such an amazing concert experience. He'll always be underrated b/c Church was such a big hit but that's ok if he keeps churning out great albums; he's so freakin' talented.
I saw him on the Nina Cried Power Tour and so many people just talked through his set and I was so annoyed because I could barely hear him 😭😭😭 like why come seer him if you’re just going to get drunk at the bar and talk loudly
I saw him live and it literally felt like a religious experience, like it was genuinely such an absolutely transcendent experience i have never been to a live show like that
I definitely would recommend that you read the lyrics just for yourself. Hozier is my absolute favorite lyricist, his songs have so much meaning, it's incredible
Hozier most of the times leaves his songs open to interpretation; but From Eden can be heard as the Devil point of view, falling in love with Eve and leading her to temptation. So the “other man” would be Adam.
hozier's songwriting is very hard to figure out actually lol he just has so many specific concepts like the biblical references in from eden he references a lot to the bible, even science and greek mythology, I actually really love to spend hours doing research and trying "decode" his lyrics and try to get what was his point on each song he's an amazing songwriter, vocalist and guitarist I'm so glad you reacted to his album cause it truly is one of my all time faves, and I'm so happy you loved it! you should check his second album, 'Wasteland, baby!', it's a masterpiece
3 songs that I think you should also hear are just on the deluxe version of the Hozier album but you'll be blow away by "Run", "In the Woods Somewhere" and "Arsonist's Lullaby". The last two have been featured in Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead, respectively. So yeah there is a through point of being buried, decomposition and becoming one with nature or being reborn/resurrected/renewed/live on in undying love. He is heavily influenced by Irish poet Seamus Heaney writing about bog bodies. I dunno if this was a funny coincidence or just a connection but there is a real Irish bog body matching Hozier's 6'6 stature who they believe was a druid, called Cronagh man. They are not sure if he was executed or consensually sacrificed.
@@fionab6924 Yes! Typo aside, it's funny or maybe he did see and learn about it that's why he felt such affinity for the wrinkled old dude and Heaney's bogman poems.
I always forget how hard this album goes. Every track I would go "Oh, this one's my favorite" until the next one played and I would go "no, wait, it's this one"
Hozier is a god tier lyricist, a criminally underrated artist and overall a great dude :D Thank you for reacting to his music beyond Take me to church (a masterpiece, dont get me wrong, but there's so much more!) A review of the second album would be greatly appreciated!
The best part about Hozier is that he is wonderful in studio but even BETTER live. I’ve seen him twice, most recently this last October, and it is an otherworldly experience! His band is killer and the visual production so enhances his immaculate vocals.
Hozier is one of the most underrated artist out there and he deserves more recognition, so glad you like him so much! This is one of my favorite albums of all time and I hope you listen to Wasteland, Baby! too!
1:35 Take me to Church 5:36 Angel of Small Death (And the Codeine Scene) 9:04 Jackie and Wilson 12:49 Someone New 16:03 To Be Alone 19:10 From Eden 22:48 In a Week 27:17 Sedated 30:12 Work Song 33:07 Like Real People Do 35:50 It will Come Back 38:39 Foreigners God 41:12 Cherry Wine
I feel like you could do a second video of listening to this album again but reading the lyrics this time and it'd be a completely different experience for you. his lyrics are transcendent
Cherry Wine is still probably my favorite of his, honestly. It was so nice to see how into his sound you are! If you decide to do more of his work, I'll be excited to watch that too!
Album 1 - It's church and sex. Death and sex. Love and sex. Life and sex. Album 2 - love and sex and mythology and earth ending-hating-your-government kinda vibe. Horny and depressed and feral.
Omg Steven I did not expect this reaction but I am so excited for this reaction!!!! Please react to his second album too, he is such an amazing artist with such incredible lyrics!
His newer album "Wasteland Baby" is also extremely good. I was able to see him play live last year, and he is AMAAAAAZING live, if you're ever able to see him its an amazing show!!
@@chrizeldabernil8323 I think personally that “looks like sleep to the freezing” makes more sense. Because to those who are freezing, you want to sleep so bad, it’s an almost drugging sort of want… but it’s the worst idea because it will kill you. So she looks like sleep to the freezing. He wants her so badly that it’s a physical draw, but if he does, it’ll kill him. That’s how I interpret that line, anyway.
"In a Week" sounds akin to a murder ballad only they die together, no mention of the murderer at all or violence, just the peaceful acceptance of death and becoming one with nature through the food chain. A kind death and rebirth. It might also be a song about the afterglow after doin' it while camping in the wilderness. A contemplation on nature's life cycle after having the small death (la petit morte, orgasm, another reference to his other song).
His parents grew up Catholic and switched over to the Quaker faith sometime in their lives. He was raised a Quaker, but being from Ireland, was surrounded by Catholicism and its teachings
After finishing this video I am already waiting for your reaction to his 2nd album Wasteland Baby. I can guarantee you that you will absolutely love it
God, I cannot recommend reading Hozier's lyrics enough! He's an absolute poet, and his lyrics are breathtaking. You were definitely right in your guess that Take Me To Church is about sex rather than attending church😂 It's actually a criticism of the catholic church and the way they condemn human sexuality (like sex outside of marriage, homosexuality, etc). Hozier often describes sex and love as spiritual in his music, and he strongly disagrees with the church's claims that these things are sinful or bad if they don't fit within the narrow and ridgid framework the bible presents us with. I would honestly kill for a video on Wasteland, Baby! (as well as his EP and the singles he's released throughout the years, because they're literally all incredible) so do feel free to listen to that as well!
There are so many dark themes on this album. Cherry wine sounds beautiful and romantic, but is actually about domestic violence/abuse. If you want a live performance to watch, I recommend "To be alone live at kilkenny"
Take Me To Church obviously blew up when in came out, but then it seems like radio didn’t know what to do with Hozier beyond that. His sound is layered and complex and his lyrics are so vastly different than your average pop music. He’s very deep and literary and his sound just doesn’t fit into a box. And I’m not sure if you’re aware or not, but he’s from Ireland, so his influences aren’t those of a typical American experience, but yet are so relatable. And as many others have said- be sure to check out Wasteland Baby. Nina Cried Power is a duet with the legendary Mavis Staples. Movement is great and I personally really like Shrike (it’s a bird of prey). Like his first album, this one is a whole mood and very different than most artists his age. He just turned 30 earlier this year and little tidbit from the inter webs...he’s 6’6”!
Also, there’s a video out there, I think from his insta live, of Hozier singing Florence and The Machine’s Cosmic Love that I think you’d like. Not necessarily to react to, but just to check out
Highly reccommend checking out artists like Dermot Kennedy, Matt Corby, Ben Howard, Tom Odell, Mumford and Sons, Aurora, Birdy, Bon Iver, etc etc. Ooooh would love to see Catfish and the Bottlemen, The Wombats and the Driver Era too
This album was the soundtrack to me driving across the country with all my stuff in the back of my car leaving home for the first time. I sang along in my car all across the plains and god it was the perfect album for that.
you should definitely check out his song arsonists lullaby for some haunting loveliness! also his second album Wasteland Baby! and his music videos and covers! I promise this man does no wrong!
YES PLEASE to Wasteland, Baby! Also watching you hear this for the first time was an absolute delight, I love to see someone appreciate all of the different things that come together to make his music so amazing. As a lyrics person, I sometimes don’t pay as much attention to production and things like that enough, so watching someone else emphasize those things helps me better appreciate my favorite music :)
I reacted almost the same way the first time I heard "Someone new" back in 2014 and this album is perfection!! Loved your reaction and I'll be waiting to watch you react to "Movement" and "Almost (Sweet music)" Xoxo from Chile 😉
I believe he referred to his style as "doom folk" in something I saw. I remember thinking that was completely random but also so accurate for a lot of his stuff.
I feel like I just hung out with a friend and jammed to my favorite artist! This is incredible watching you appreciate his album & his VOICE so much! All the subtleties and different styles. SO cool that you picked up on that!
Hell YESSSSS! Haven’t even watched the vid but finally you are entering the Hozier realm. Now do Wasteland Baby ... the follow up album. It’s even better
Fun fact about the angel of small death and the codeine scene. La petit mort (the small death in french) was used by a poet as a way of describing the moment after orgasm. So the song is about sex and drugs.
it's funny because a lot of fans were saying that Take Me To Church was about oral sex and he didn't like that so he wrote a song about oral sex in his EP
Thanks for reacting to Hozier. Finally some reaction to this underrated artist. It was so nice to see somebody reacting to this album the same way as I do! You should listen also to his second album "Wasteland Baby". It's masterpiece 💚 especially the song with Mavis Staples - Nina Cried Power!
Thank you for listening to this album, in the beginning I too didn't think it would necessarily be my cup of tea but he is one of my all time favorite singers now so I hope you'll react to his second album. On another note though one album I'd love to see your reaction to is Nina Nesbitt's "The Sun Will Come Up, the Seasons Will Change" (I think you'll enjoy it since you like Halsey) 😘
Hi Steven! I am SO glad that you got to experience this! You gave this album justice. You will love "Wasteland Baby" too. :) Pleeeeease react to it!!! Honestly, you make the best reaction videos. You're awesome! :)
You should watch any of his live performances ... he has a unique way of playing the guitar. His hands are beyond mesmerising to watch ... and live he is simply magnificent. Have seen him 5 times and been lucky enough to have met him twice. A true gentleman who sings like an angel Listening to him is quite the out of body experience isn’t it 🙌🏼💗🙌🏼
OMG yes *please* do Wasteland, Baby!. It's his album of love songs for the end of the world and it's SO. FUCKIN'. GOOD! .... you are not ready. He said specifically that the sounds that humans can make with their bodies to make music are some of his favorite things and you will not be disappointed! The first time I listened to that album I said, "who gave you permission to make the sexiest fuckin' songs about the end of the world?!?!?.... right, we did." Also, check out songs from the EPs that didn't make the albums: Arsonist's Lullaby Moments Silence (Common Tongue) - you want a song about oral sex, he said to the internet, I'll give you a song about oral sex! NFWMB
Work Song is my absolute favorite song on this album. Your reaction to it was how I felt about it, too. Movement on his second album had a similar impact. Man, I wish I could create songs like him!!!
I knew you would love it!!!! I had the same reaction when I heard Hozier earlier this year :'D. And now I'm in love. I think Wasteland, Baby! is even better so you betta react to this one too!!
you should do a video doing some lyric study with his songs because i’d love to see your reaction to finding out what the lyrics mean and understanding the complexity of his poetry! it really enhances the album experience when you understand the references he makes!
what’s so great abt hozier is that he cites genres like gospel and blues as huge influences on his music. his ability to pay homage to these culturally significant genres and still create a sound unique his own and do it REALLY WELL it’s part of the reason he has such a prominent african american following!
Hozier is one of the best songwriter in all the time, his music are so beautiful and powerful and his voice is so heavenly.He deserve more recognition. You need to react to Wasteland, baby !
