First Time Hearing HOZIER SELF-TITLED and wow... | Reaction

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#hozier #selftitled #reaction

[@Luscent]

Hiya! You can watch this with NO CUTS on Patreon! www.patreon.com/luscent 😘😘😘

[@arabella.444]

cherry wine is about domestic abuse and how he thinks her violence is just her way of expressing that he’s hers. i love the “i have this some of the time” line, he describes how when she’s loving it’s so beautiful and that’s why he stays, but he only gets that side of her sometimes and the rest of the time she’s not around or she hurts him 💔

[@Luscent]

😮😮😮 oh wowwww that's heavy!

[@_freezemarked_]

Every time I see somebody misunderstanding Cherry Wine like this video does I'm just like OH NO R U OK. 😢 It's so easy to misinterpret though so I get it! He's created such a beautiful and romantic sound to it, which is deeply the point but also I think we're not as an audience usually expecting a song like this that's so gorgeous and loving but also explicitly from a perspective of a victim of domestic abuse. Yesterday while googling something about this song I learned that people keep using it as a wedding song because it sounds so nice and loving. Which is why music for important occasions needs to be vetted for lyrics first. It's kind of like picking "Every Breath You Take" as a romantic tune. 😀

[@SmallMight5968]

I love people finding out Hozier's three moods are activism, sex, and bog bodies haha. Definitely subscribing, I loved your lyrical exploration and unrestrained enjoyment of the music!

[@Cornix94]

Work Song's title provides some very crucial context. Manual laborers often sing to coordinate their timing and make the day more bearable. For this reason, work songs have come to symbolize the plight of exploited people, like prison laborers, coal miners, railroad workers, and black American slaves. Hozier's Work Song isn't about a young lover waxing poetic about their partner. It's about a person living a condemned life drawing strength from idealized remembrances of a person they never expect to see again.

[@Luscent]

wowww thanks for the context!

[@cecilianygaard343]

'small death' in french is a euphemism for an orgasm, so he's literally calling her the angel of sex and drugs

[@elaineschow5700]

Holy shit 💙💙💙💙😍👏

[@snailflowers]

i think foreigner’s god is about ireland being colonized by christians! the religious trauma he’s gone through but also the comfort of this god he’s had to lean on his whole life are just things brought to him by foreigners. it kind of explores on a super macro level how religion has never felt right to him and how he feels freedom but also fear without it there

[@teaq5211]

Agreed! And it ties it super well to Butchered Tongue, now. "I've no language left to say it"... "And every word I've got is foreign to me". All he can do in scream in English and curse a god that isn't his. He grieves over the loss of his country's history.

[@rachaelmanning2089]

I was hoping to find this comment in here, especially considering his reaction and connection to Butchered Tongue in the last video! I was dreading finding the words to put that perspective forth myself.

[@Luscent]

Oh wow I didn't think if that! I'm excited to listen to it again with that context

[@chelseawelter2714]

Angel of small death refers to the phrase "La petite morte" which translates to "the little death"....better known as an orgasm! He's writing very eloquently about sex and drugs lol.

[@Luscent]

OHH well that makes sense hahaa

[@MaddyPerez128]

14:09 to anyone confused, Jackie Wilson was a famous Rhythm and blues singer in the 1950s and 60s during the transition into soul music

[@Luscent]

Oh fab that's beautiful actually!

[@looseleaflyra]

jackie and wilson has been one of my favorite songs for so many years, this makes it so much better

[@tphotos3485]

why did someone tell me it was a reference to Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson's 'ShangHai Noon'? Jackie Wilson the singer makes far more sense duh

[@_freezemarked_]

@@tphotos3485 they might've told you that to mess with you but I like to believe that they genuinely think it's true because that's HILARIOUS 😀

[@papl20]

I remember listening to someone new for the first time walking on the street and all of a sudden I "understood" the song, it's about loving humanity with little things they do, and not necessarily in a sexual or romantic way, just... Loving humanity for being human.

[@Luscent]

Oh beautiful!

[@omalia489]

Pleasssse do Wasteland, baby! It's such an ethereal album, you'll not waste your time Thank you for your energy, love what you do ❤

[@Luscent]

Oh I definitely will be soon!

[@raulgomez72]

@@Luscentcannot wait for that video

[@blackbox8697]

Something I adore about Like Real People do and why it's one of my favorite songs of his is how the lyrics change in the chorus as the song continues, signifying the growth in their relationship. He starts off with: "I should not ask and neither should you." Basically saying that they both have done shameful things in their past and he's requesting that they both leave it there. The second time he says: "I would not ask and neither would you” They've both come to the agreement that they should leave it in the past. And finally: “I could not ask and neither could you.” They've both gotten to a point where it's not even a thought to bring up the past, it doesn't matter to them. It's such subtle writing but so beautiful.

[@Luscent]

Ah that is beautiful!

[@stel4878]

He still plays take me to church!! It is an absolute anthem for everyone who goes to see him and I was in tears when I saw him a few months ago. He still performs the song as if it’s brand new, and he knows how much it means to his fans ❤️

[@Luscent]

Ahh beautiful ❤️ I'm desperate to see him live now!

[@marykatedoyle9574]

@@LuscentI’m seeing him for the first time in j see a month at red rocks and I’m unbelievably excited

[@maxinecampbell4702]

@@LuscentI’m seeing him in SLC next month and it feels so surreal 💕 he’s been my favorite artist for so many years now

[@CatMage1014]

@@Luscent I'm seeing him for the first time at a music festival in 5 days and I know that I will cry the entire time he plays! ❤

[@Heyyitsalli]

I’m about to see him live in a week and I’m so excited 😭😭

[@nicmae5112]

Cherry wine is so heartbreaking. Makes me cry every time. Once I realised the song was about abuse the lyrics give me chills it’s so sad but the lyrics are so beautiful

[@VivianReads]

🥹😭♥️

[@Luscent]

Yeah like after reading all your comments that song is gonna be different for me

[@anesthesiegraphics3877]

Timestamps 🍃 3:08 take me to church 7:41 angel of small death and the codeine scene 12:10 jackie and wilson 16:44 someone new 20:04 to be alone 25:26 from eden 29:32 in a week 33:49 sedated 37:21 work song 41:55 like real people do 46:11 it will come back 49:44 foreigner's god 55:02 cherry wine

[@Luscent]

Omg I'm listening to Cherry Wine again after reading your comments 💔 Open hand or closed fist 😭

[@dogcollar]

honestly i don’t blame you for not seeing the dv angle at first, i think it’s meant to be hard to notice 🥲 especially with audio alone. the music video makes it more apparent

[@error13_genderexpunged]

I can't wait for Wasteland, Baby! It's definitely my favorite of the three, and in my opinion the most ethereal. Hozier does have a couple EPs as well, one of my favorite songs by him (Moment's Silence) is on the Nina Cried Power EP but it always gets overlooked because it didn't make the full album 😭

[@VivianReads]

Wasteland is my fav too & where I tell people to start if it’s their intro to Hozier!

[@Luscent]

So excited to listen to more!!

[@suzanstinkerbell683]

Moment's silence is about.... um...well... a BJ lol Excellent song!! It's one of my favorites.

[@Zeldaslull4by]

I’m glad you’ve pointed out how the songs seem more focused on the lyricism and his voice than the music. And it’s definitely on purpose; he’s said a couple of times he’s a far better singer than he’s a musician so he leans on his strengths. Although he actually collaborated with other people in Unreal Unearth so I suppose that’s why the sound is different there.

[@Luscent]

Ahh interesting yeah you can hear how the collabs really just tightened everything up it's like the cherry on the cake

[@papl20]

This album is rough on the edges but probably some of my favorite songs are there, work song and like real people do, are to me the purest expression of love, from eden will always be THE fandom ship song, cherry wine will always fuck me up, especially with the music video, because he wanted to express the victim's mindset and exposing that domestic violence can happen no matter gender age or sexuality

[@dogcollar]

jackie wilson was a famous rhythm and blues artist, hence "jackie and wilson" (and raising them on rhythm and blues). many of hozier's influences skew toward blues

[@dogwood178]

Songs that aren't on his initial album releases that are worth hearing: In the Woods Somewhere - Dark cinematic allegorical ominous Run - Dark trance-like metaphorical melodic poetic Arsonist's Lullaby - Dark rock slow build NFWMB - Dark romantic yearning folk Moment's Silence - thematic loud blues rock Through Me (The Flood) - Soul gospel epic poetry *Swan Upon Leda - orchestral otherworldly mythological *Better Love - dramatic soulful poetic (Edited thanks!)

[@nuttymuffin2574]

Swan upon Leda too :))

[@FractalSpace888]

Plus Better Love! Also adding a second vote for all of these ^ NFWMB and through me are two of my faves of him overall. Also the live performance at windmill studio for Nina cries power is an absolute absolute absolute MUST.

[@Luscent]

Ok I'll defo have to check these out!

[@Varient]

there's a few unrealeased one that you can find on KZbin too! There's "Blood" (my personal fav), "Love Of", "I Could Be Yours", and "But The Wages". I am absolutely in love with Hozier's music

[@kin1332]

10 years since Take me to Church has been released! I was lucky enough to go to Hozier's concert in July and standing in the middle of a huge crowd, everyone singing every word with such passion, was one of the most cathartic experiences of my life. Every amen gave me chills and I cried so hard. Growing up gay and catholic messes you up for life tbh. This song may seem overplayed, I don't consider it a favourite either, and casual listeners don't always understand it, but those who get it get it

[@blitva1]

You said it! Take me to church live is ironically almost a religious experience as everyone comes together in pure art and emotion.

[@Luscent]

Beautiful ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@shammyturtle9741]

I saw him in October and he played it as well. Standing in a room full of people raising their hands and singing amen is something I haven’t done since I was a child and still believed in god. Getting to do it there, with a pride flag on the mic stand, and hundreds of queer people screaming along was life changing. I joked that it cured my religious trauma lol

[@DKaschak1]

Fantastic Dan! I'm an old gay man in NYC. We don't refer to "coming out" we call it "letting in." We are allowing people into our gay life. Ultimately, it is our choice now to allow people in our self-empowerment. “It was super casual,” Hozier continues. “There was something very relaxed and very intimate about that. If Joni felt like she wanted to join in on a song, she would. It was super special and super moving. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to describe how it felt to be there. We all worship Joni so much. And Brandi was doing this wonderful thing just from the spirit of wanting Joni to know how much we love and support her work, and how important it is to every musician.”

[@Luscent]

That's beautiful 🥰🥰🥰

[@chelseawelter2714]

Okay, we're absolutely going to need a reaction to Shrike, Sunlight, and Run. Please, please, PLEASE!

[@desivergara3002]

I love In a Week!!! I’m so happy that it resonated so much with you, I sometimes feel like she’s forgotten in the beautiful album. It IS so folksy and gentle but the lyrics are so dark and poetic about it. Ah I really am so happy to see you love the sound of it, then read the lyrics and truly understand what he’s talking about and fall in even more love with it. I’ll cast my vote for you to also listen to Wasteland Baby! (Please watch the music video for Nina cried power, it can put into context what they’re singing for.) Also, are you going to listen to some of his singles? Like NFWB, Tell It to My Heart, and the missing song from Unreal Unearth (Through me the Flood)

[@nuttymuffin2574]

Plus Swan upon Leda :))

[@Luscent]

Yeah I'll defo be doing the next album and maybe a vid of all the bonus tracks if people are interested!

[@sarah-ur8ou]

in a week is by far my favourite hozier song, its been my number one most listened to song for the past 3 years. I never see other people talking about it so I loved seeing you enjoy it and look at the lyrics so in depth!

[@Luscent]

It's beautiful one of my faves from the album!!

[@santiagoFvl]

Thank you for analyzing the lyrics so thoughtfully, they're sosososo important when you're listening to Hozier, it's so great that you took the time to appreciate each song AND the album as a whole. What a good reaction❤Can't wait for you to check out Wasteland, Baby!, I think you'll love that one

[@Luscent]

Aw glad you enjoyed!! So excited to do Wasteland baby!!

[@louiseisdying676]

foreigner's god is interesting bc it links so well to butchered tongue! it's essentially about the loss of Irish culture through colonialism "when the land was godless and free" - Ireland during celtic times "a well-dressed foe, who wouldn't spare the rod" - a reference to the perceived 'class' of British invaders who showed no mercy "screaming the name of a foreigner's god" - the irony of praying for mercy to a god that is foreign to you, in a language that isn't your own "every word I've got is foreign to me" - the sad loss of the irish language, as again referenced in butchered tongue! i also find it interesting to view the subject (she or her) as Ireland herself, often feminised as "Éire/Éireann"

[@louiseisdying676]

it also highlights how, in celtic irish society, women were relatively equal to men and held positions of power, so misogyny also had to be introduced...which unfortunately is still starkly present here today

[@Luscent]

Wow I didn't notice that thanks for filling me in! Interesting how he was already feeling out these concepts so early in his career

[@leiliafshar4747]

I can’t believe he was 23 when he produced “take me to church”.

[@Luscent]

Mad!

[@dogcollar]

it will come back slays like she's everything to me

[@cecilianygaard343]

so real - honestly one of his top 5 songs imo

[@dogcollar]

@@cecilianygaard343 fr

[@novemberaddams2779]

So true, it has been years and that song still SLAPS

[@HabitualParadox]

I love love love your reactions and analysis! And I gotta say, I really feel like the "I never thought a song about decomposition would be quite so beautiful"-moment is such a quintessential moment in becoming a Hozier fan haha

[@Luscent]

Hahaha totally! And thanks glad you enjoyed!

[@l.josino]

loved your interpretation of angel of small death being "dirty freedom", that's exactly the vibe i get from it, but never thought to put it that way :D

[@beccablais3207]

you should definitely give his bonus tracks for the album a listen! Run, In the Woods Somewhere, Arsonist's Lullaby, and My Love Will Never Die are all fantastic songs. Run and In the Woods Somewhere are absolute standouts for me.

[@Luscent]

yeah im gonna do a bonus songs vid at some point!

[@conjuringspiritworlds]

This album is flawless!! So happy you reacted to it! 'Wasteland, baby!' is amazing as well.

[@Luscent]

So excited to hear it!!

[@erinS1624]

Idk if anyone has said this yet in the comments but I GOTTA talk about From Eden cause it’s one of my favourites from the album. So the song is actually sung from the perspective of the devil; the snake in the garden of Eden. He’s attempting to woo a woman even though he knows the relationship would be flawed and broken. She’s an innocence, a piece that he feels he’s now missing from himself represented in the lyrics like “Honey you’re familiar, like my mirror years ago” and “Innocence died screaming, honey ask me, I should know”. Idk why this song hits so hard for me by even in his earliest album his lyricism will forever be the best I’ve ever heard.

[@maddiemania7172]

I've always thought that it will come back (and most of the album) as talking about the relationship between religion and sex and love and purity/sin; but your interpretation of struggling and being saved from addiction and substance abuse has really opened up a new perspective. Like maybe the thing smiling at him and tempting him is the manifestation of those addictions or the idea of slipping back into that.

[@Luscent]

Yeah totally! Glad the vid has added something for you!

[@korih393]

Augh, it was so wonderful re-experiencing this album through your fresh eyes after I’ve had it memorized for years! I feel that I have a brand new understanding of it, re-contextualized after moving through the more mature storyline of Unreal Unearth. Hearing this whole album in order for the first time in a VERY long time, it makes so much sense as a whole body to me now. You got it in one, I think. Wow. Some of my favorites from him were bonus tracks on this album, so I’m sad you didn’t listen to the extended version! Run and In the Woods Somewhere, as well as the single Arsonist’s Lullabye, are truly worth a listen. My top five from this Hozier era are: From Eden In the Woods Somewhere It Will Come Back Like Real People Do In a Week Fun fact - Hozier has stated that “Like Real People Do” is cheekily written from the metaphorical perspective of one of the “bog bodies” discovered in Europe (extremely well-preserved corpses that have been dug up after being organically mummified in the peat bogs, some as old as from 8000 BCE and still full of lifelike detail!), hence the language around being buried and unearthed with all stories from his former life being long-forgotten and best left in the past. This song is also why you might hear some fans refer to Hozier as “the bog man”. :)

[@Luscent]

Glad you enjoyed!! Didn't realise there were bonus songs will have to check them out sometime! Also can't believe such a beautiful song is from the perspective of a body from a bog 😂😂😂

[@nuttymuffin2574]

After you’ve listened to wasteland, baby! I’d recommend doing a bonus video of songs that didn’t make initial album releases (there’s four from the special edition of his self titled album, two from the Nina cried power EP, his single ‘Swan upon Leda’ and one from the eat your young EP. In order they are: In the woods somewhere Run Arsonist’s lullabye My love will never die NFWMB Moments silence (common tongue) Swan upon Leda And last but certainly not least, Through me (the flood) Some of these are favourites for me and absolutely worth listening to

[@FractalSpace888]

And Better Love!

[@Luscent]

Ok cool that sounds like a good idea!

[@georgeandfriendsadventures5073]

Top 5 From the Album: 1. Someone New 2. Take Me to Church 3. Work Song 4. Jackie and Wilson 5. Angel of Small Death and the Codeine Scene

[@dariajustdaria2292]

This album is YearningTM , what for - everyone decides for themselves :) a classic!

[@cuan7769]

An understanding of the oppression of Ireland by both Britain and the Catholic Church is so important to understanding Hozier's work tbh

[@leftistagitprop]

hozier has a genius interview breaking down take me to church

[@leslieaguirre4802]

I love the raw reactions, its like I'm hearing all the songs for the first time with you.❤🥰 Jackie & Wilson is one of my favs! From Genius: "Jackie Wilson aka Mr. Excitement was one of his favorite Blues singer and whats more exciting than stealing her lexus and run around digging up clues"

[@sinceutoldme]

my favs are jackie & wilson, from eden and like real people do. i LOVE the melodies in those tracks they're just so beautiful and soothing to the ear. jackie & wilson is such a road trip song lmao idk. honestly i'd love to take a road trip and just blast hozier through it all that must be so spiritually awakening. thanks for the reaction as always i really enjoyed it

[@Luscent]

Yeah love those three too they're just 👌 and that road trip sounds like a great one ❤️

[@dogcollar]

i have a lot of similar thoughts about foreigner's god, but i've also always understood it as being about colonization on some level. this idea of having a "foreigner's god" kind of pushed on a culture so long ago that now you can only speak in those foreign terms you were taught. catholicism specifically has been such a tool for colonization and the perpetuation of the kinds of hateful beliefs he alludes to in both take me to church and foreigner's god

[@ellishale2523]

This was always my read on it as well, and I think his being Irish specifically makes that the most likely interpretation.

[@mindyrussodavis6760]

You are correct. He has talked about it, the language,land religion that holds power in Ireland is not native to the land. It's literally a foreigners God and language. He also eludes to the power of the church reaching into people/women's lives, with the line "she feels no control of her body, she feels no safety in my arms".

[@mindyrussodavis6760]

My favorite part of him talking about that was always when he says that he observed that the most common use of the phrase "Jesus christ" was as an expression of grief. As in, I smash my hand and scream, Jesus christ, as an expletive.

[@dogcollar]

@@mindyrussodavis6760 ooh i love that anecdote! thanks for sharing

[@Luscent]

Yeah a few people have said this in the comments too!

[@pilargonzalez8442]

You are my favorite Hozier reactor Luscent!!!! Love how you take the time to get into the meaning of the songs, and indeed, the lyrics are just gorgeous, and combined with that music it really becomes a very emotional experience if you float in it. You have to do Wasteland Baby!, that album is just Epic. Love the new one as well, magnificent. Thanks 🙂

[@VivianReads]

Fingers crossed wasteland baby will be uploaded soon! 😊 That album is 🔥

[@Luscent]

Aww thank you!! It's obvs a busy couple of months with new releases but I'll defo get round to it soon!

[@LizRd713]

Every time Luscent focused on the romance of a song, I got more excited for his reaction to Cherry Wine, and then... Well... In all fairness, the song does a great job of illustrating how willingly someone can overlook horrendous actions and warning signs and instead reinterpret it as deep/complicated love. I'd love to see his reaction to the music video.

[@Luscent]

This song has really grown on me especially after reading your comments!! I can't always get it first time 😅

[@gillian4683]

top five for me are 1. work song 2. angel of small death 3. from eden 4. jackie and wilson 5. it will come back

[@coochie_monster_]

Wasteland Baby is my favorite albums. Every single song in it is just devastating beautiful.

[@ashtwoash]

loved your reaction! i just need you to know that cherry wine is very much about abuse, i also think you might want to watch the take me to church and cherry wine music videos (they are extremely powerful) maybe on your own, but i would love to see your reaction to those two MVs!

[@ellishale2523]

I have listened to this album so many times that I feel like I’ve known these songs far longer than they’ve even existed. Great album and love hearing your thoughts as always, especially on Work Song and Like Real People Do, which were already two favorites that I hadn’t quite contextualized in the way you did. You make my experience of songs so much richer for hearing another perspective!

[@Luscent]

Aw so glad you enjoyed the video so much!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@karinaledezma5529]

Please do Wasteland, Baby! Such a great album as well and easier lyrically to understand. It’s definitely a favorite of mine!💕

[@Luscent]

I'm so excited to hear it!

[@Espion-]

last year there were a pair of graduating seniors in my school who duetted in a week, one of them also doing the guitar part, and it was genuinely one of the most captivating things i'd ever listened to. it's what got me into hozier's music, but it was also just an amazingly emotional performance. they both did the song justice and it was awesome to listen to it that way for the first time

[@m_li_ma]

One of my favorite albums ever. I've been listening to it since I was 14, can't believe it's been 10 years. It will come back is my favorite ❤

[@summerchild_]

4:25 yes, he still plays this song live. I went to his show on march and it clear that he still loves this song and that he puts so much passion into singing it. He ended the show with it and it was amazing.

[@amylovejoy4382]

I love watching you reacting to his albums for the first time and dissecting and going through the lyrics. Hozier is an absolute poetic genius!🖤

[@Luscent]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@yayayay3791]

Just finished watching your reaction to Unreal Unearth (ended up crying with you) when I saw that your next reaction to Hozier is up TT I'm so happy. I loved the last one so much and how deeply felt all of it and I'm sure this one's gonna be beautiful as well

[@novemberaddams2779]

My favorite songs from this album is "it will come back", which if I remember correctly, he wrote about feeding stray dogs (though of course it can also be interpreted about someone leading him on), and also "From Eden", which is a song about Eve and the snake of the garden of Eden! Glad you reacted to this! Looking forward to your reaction on his second album 💗

[@summerchild_]

Had surgery this week and when they told me I could choose the music I immediately picked the Special Edition of this album with the covers at the end. One of my favorite records, ever.

[@xyrphotic]

He still plays Take Me To Church a lot! He is also known to be loved by the LGBTQ community as most of us are a big part of his fan base. But Take Me To Church is often the time he’ll take people’s pride flags from the front row and either put them on his mic or hold them up. I remember when I saw him in 2019, I had just come out as trans earlier in the year and my very christian mom came with me. That was the first night she called me her son and I sang Take Me To Church while I sobbed and held hands with other queer people in the crowd. It’s a very cathartic song to hear live.

[@summerchild_]

My top 5: 1 - In a Week 2 - Jackie and Wilson 3 - It will come back 4 - Foreigner's God 5 - Sedated

[@236jensen]

I love seeing the moments when a person loves the music and the lyrics hit and they realize the beautiful darkness

[@emcake36]

my top 5: 1. work song 2. in a week 3. jackie and wilson 4. someone new 5. cherry wine i think it's very interesting how you and other people in the comments interpret someone new! i think based on the music video plus my own experiences, i've always thought of it as a sad song (or like a falsely optimistic song) about someone who is so lonely and yearning for love that they just imagine it in their head every day by falling in love with strangers they pass by. and since you don't know these strangers and maybe don't even interact with them at all, you make things up about them, and fantasize about what being in love with them would be like. so it's falsely optimistic in the sense that you are hoping for this love to pull you out of your deep loneliness. but it's lovely to hear different interpretations and i really like the view that its about a love of humanity! wonderful to hear your thoughts as always!!

[@Luscent]

That's actually such a beautifully sad perspective on the song 💕

[@user-er6gk1wi8y]

in a week is one of my favourite songs, thank you for the reaction!

[@Luscent]

It's so beautiful!

[@Bridgetcbarry]

she loves like sleep to the freezing blows my mind every time

[@emilymalloy4316]

I love this reaction! You've made me revisit this album, and realise how thematically coherent it is! Please do react to Wasteland, Baby! Some incredible songs on that, and very strong themes again

[@mikeluongo537]

He is the perfect Artist, We are blessed to be in our time. He is so much the Artist.

[@Grumbo91]

Orgasm in french is called petit mort, or small death. That might help understanding Angel of small death and the codeine scene.

[@ZakiJaved791]

My favourite album of all time. 1. Cherry Wine 2. From Eden 3. Work Song 4. Like real people do 5. Jackie and Wilson Honourable mention: In a week

[@Luscent]

All these ❤️

[@aoife316]

I remember you loving To Someone From a Warm Climate so much & I got to hear it live in Toronto the other night 😭😭❤

[@Luscent]

Omg DON'T 💀😅🫠🥲

[@Luscent]

I was listening on the train today and almost cried then Butchered tongue came on I was full on looking up the the ceiling like NOT GONNA CRY IN PUBLIC hahaha

[@sugaCat363]

Loved this reaction! I love how you dig into the lyrics and look at the songs in context with one another to create a larger story. Hozier loves the imagery of being buried (that's probably why the internet loves to say that he's gotta go sink in peat bog between albums 🤣) I love the liveliness of this album. It kinda reminds me to participate in the world and that even the painful parts are part of the rich tapestry of being alive. Also im pretty sure any reference to "small death" is a euphemism for an orgasm if that helps with the lyrical interpretation 🤗

[@fatditto3831]

My Top Five is... 1. Jackie and Wilson 2. Cherry Wine 3. Someone New 4. Like Real People Do 5. Foreigner's God

[@dogcollar]

hozier did a video with genius recently for take me to church's 10th anniversary! also i'm just gonna second what everyone else said about the music video. you should definitely watch it! and the one for cherry wine!

[@Luscent]

Oh beaut!

[@kjlucky6501]

Hozier’s music saved me when I was in high school and didn’t have much to cling to other than his music❤ I will always be grateful for the art that he’s gifted to the world

[@farrfarraway8323]

it's so lovely to hear fresh perspectives on these songs!!! u have such a thoughtful and loving way of talking about music, it makes me fall in love with artists all over again :))

[@Luscent]

Aww so glad you get so much from it 😊😊

[@moonfacedlover]

i really really liked your reaction! you have pointed out a lot of things i never even noticed and i think that shows how perceptive you are! thank you!

[@mandarina2246]

Here's a couple of things for you so you get a bit more of an idea on where Hozier comes from, little facts that add context :) He's Irish, he was raised Quaker and considers himself agnostic now. While gospel and religion influence him, his aproach to much of that comes from learning it from an outsider perspective. He never was a church boy to leave something behind, most of the narrators and subjects of narration in his lyrics are either characters, concepts or, one memorable time, Ireland itself talked about as a woman 😂. Every new song is a clean slate because he doesn't write from "his" perspective, he writes from "a" perspective. A good example is "Work Song", he's talking from the voice of a character that is considered old nowadays, the working man from last century, who spent all day working and all night trying to leave work behind (usually drinking with coworkers). A work song would be something that workers would sing together. Slaves in the states had their own, sea men had their own, european factory workers had their own. By the rythms and sound of this one, it seems it's an US Work Song. "To Be Alone", for me, I think he's talking about being the lover of a woman who has experienced some form of sexual abuse. He's talking about being trusted to love and bring pleasure to someone who has all reason to hate sexual relationships. "Feel your weight in arms I've never use" is that way of saying that he's been given the chance to never raise an arm, and instead use them to hold her. "Kiss the skin that crawls from you" be it someone else first, and then him, he's talking about the rush and the high of trust. I really loved your take on "Foreigners God", for me it was about displacement. About how when you have no hope left that your own God will hear your begging, you end up in the desperation of screaming the name of the God of the people who are here, surrounding you, even if they're strange and foreign to you, even if they're invaders in your land, your god is no more, you end up begging to theirs.

[@evicas]

now you gotta listen to wasteland, baby! probably my fave album by hozier and just as amazing as unreal unearth and self titled

[@Luscent]

So excited!!

[@orlabrady7627]

Love this!! Love your take on the overall themes of the album, really good insights 🙂 I love the lyric "it's the god that heroin prays to", being with his love is so euphoric, that it's so far above the feeling of heroin itself, that it's the feeling heroin wishes it could be.. If that makes sense 😂 Absolutely can not wait for Wasteland Baby! I think/hope you'll love Movement 🙌

[@VivianReads]

Movement ❤❤❤

[@Pinnfeathers]

He does still sing TMTC in concert, with the same beautiful energy as if for the first time. Saw him in Philadelphia a little over two weeks ago (we were that naughty crowd who didn’t participate with gusto for To Be Alone 😂) and it was a magical experience. He is so extraordinarily talented and charismatic. Please take the opportunity to see Hozier in concert if you can. So worth it to hear that gorgeous voice in person.

[@russelanthonyroquero511]

Thanks for reacting to my favorite Hozier album and one of my fave albums of ALL TIME! This is my go-to album when I want to feel calm and fantasize about living in the cabin in the woods. Just so so so good. My top 5 favorites are: in a Week (the lyrics of this song are untouchable), cherry wine (oh my tears!!), in the Woods Somewhere (it's in the special edition), work song and like real people do.

[@Luscent]

Good picks and so glad you enjoyed the video ❤️

[@shay8502]

It's really interesting (and impressive) to see what you noticed on your first listen+read through! You were so right when you said the lyrics are dense. It's taken many many listens (and some research) for me to settle on my interpretations. I also appreciate how you pointed out the musical choices like production, time signatures, and the influence of different genres. I knew that I liked the groove, but I wouldn't have been able to put words to it :p

[@alannah4964]

i really love that youre actually going into the lyrics of all these songs bc they need to be appreciated! the way hozier writes is so poetic i could literally sob

[@mikeluongo537]

Just got this one. A fking masterpice!

[@MutilatedByLove]

Pretty much every song on that album references orgasms. 😂 petit morts galore

[@Luscent]

👌👨‍🍳

[@mikeluongo537]

He is a gift from another world

[@jahjavert3603]

Enjoyed thiiiis! There's more to Cherry Wine, and yeah the music video would tell you a lot. I love your reaction to In a Week So Much because it is kinda funny how decomposition can be romantic like that lol. Can't wait to watch your Wasteland, Baby! reaction. I love that record so much.

[@LiftingNothing1]

SO glad you dove into this! some of these songs I can never be tired of! 5. Like Real People Do and Foreigner's God (it's a tie...so hard to choose!) 4. Sedated 3. Jackie and Wilson 2. Work Song 1. From Eden

[@psygoof]

Please react to Goddess By BANKS, it’s so heartbreakingly beautiful, sonically it sound so complex with lyricism that are good. It an experience where you feel a heart break without experiencing it and relatable to those who have.

[@temi8453]

i really love all of hozier's songs!! all his songs has deep meanings to it♥️♥️♥️ anddd his new album Unreal Unearth is undoubtedly SOOOOO GOOD too!!❤❤❤

[@Milagros_2113]

I think In A Week is his most underrated song in general, the first time I heard it I liked it but since English is not my native language I didn't take every detail but when I repeated it I was shocked and crying with the lyrics, it's so beautiful and romantic, Hozier is a genius and poet, I love him very much

[@SkilledTadpole]

My top 5: 1) Angel of Small Death and the Codeine Scene 2) Cherry Wine 3) Jackie and Wilson 4) From Eden 5) Work Song

[@ciaramckeown9568]

Foreigners God is my favourite, theres just something about it and the way he sings it...

[@Rangercsz99]

I think your comment on this album (or at least Someone New) having the vibe of someone in their early 20s experiencing life for the first time makes sooo much sense because like, Take Me To Church was released when Hozier was 23. The full album came out the following year. He very much was someone in their early 20s experiencing the world for the first time

[@jimjohns9051]

Beautiful, real response. He is a nice poet.

[@mikeluongo537]

His music is deadly, but what a way to go! I adore Him.

[@dogcollar]

oh take me to church is still very much a staple of hozier's shows yea

[@Melekinh]

He does still play Take Me to Church- and a lot of LGBT+ folks have related similarly to it. (Myself included.) Some people passed out small pride flags before the show in SF recently, and it was such a balm on the soul to see everyone in the crowd waving them during that song :’)

[@Pinnfeathers]

Hearing Jackie and Wilson live in Philadelphia was magnificent ✨👌 I can die happy now.

[@mikeluongo537]

His Voice!!!

[@therapyandfolklore]

"its like your eating the church",yeah its about eating 😺