"Take Me To Church" by Hozier: Metaphorical breakdown

Andrew John Hozier- Byrne, also known as Hozier, is an Irish musician and singer. His music originates from folk, soul, and rock genres. Hozier is known for his use of metaphors and figurative language throughout his music in order to convey his literary theme. One of his most famous songs that utilizes figurative language through lyrics is “Take Me To Church”. His song became an international hit, reaching #1 in 12 countries, and has been certified five times platinum in the US. Hozier explains in an interview with New York Magazine, “It’s about sex and it’s about humanity, and obviously sex and humanity are incredibly tied. Sexuality, and sexual orientation — regardless of orientation — is just natural… The song is about asserting yourself and reclaiming your humanity through an act of love.” Hozier’s “Take Me To Church” is a song that contains multiple metaphors that assist with conveying his central theme of love and sexuality no matter the orientation or preference.

Hozier’s “Take Me To Church” immediately opens with the line “My lover's got humor-She's the giggle at a funeral-Knows everybody's disapproval." At a first glance it may be a bit difficult to understand what he means by this, but upon further inspection the meaning becomes clear. Hozier explains to Rolling Stone that growing up in the Catholic church it was frowned upon to laugh at a funeral. Which is why he explains his lover as the “giggle at a funeral” because their love is forbidden in the eyes of the church. In the next verse Hozier says, “ My church offers no absolutes, She tells me ‘Worship in the bedroom’.” When Hozier mentions the word “church” he does not actually mean the building that people worship in; he uses the word “church” to mean love and a fluid relationship with no rules. Along with his use of the word “church” he also takes a different spin on the word “worship”; Hoziers uses this word as a spin-off of how the Catholic church uses the word. Hozier is using the word “worship” to mean devotional intimacy and the release of ecstasy through sex with his lover. Next, in the chorus Hozier says, “I’ll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies.” This lyric is a direct jab at the church and many other organizations that speak ill of the sexuality and sexual individuality of others. Finally, Hozier ends the song with a very powerful metaphor in the final bridge of the song, ”In the madness and soil of that sad earthly scene, Only then I am human, Only then I am clean.” In the end this metaphor shows that he accepts himself and that he is clean because his love is real and pure. Through all of Hozier’s metaphors in "Take Me To Church" he shows how he doesn’t agree with the ways of the church, but also how everyone is pure of sin no matter their sexuality because love is love.

“Take Me To Church” by Hozier is a song that is about how love no matter the orientation is natural, but he shows this theme through his metaphors. Throughout his song Hozier explains and shows how no matter your sexual orientation, if you are in love it is pure and valid. The use of metaphors gives the song a deeper meaning without just blatantly putting the words in the song. Hozier’s use of figurative language,specifically metaphors, give him a stronger message and theme throughout his song.