Take Me to Church

Hozier

About Take Me to Church

"Take Me to Church" is a song by Irish musician Hozier. It was released on his debut extended play (EP) and later his self-titled debut album (2014). The song was released as his debut single on 13 September 2013 as a free download. Hozier, a struggling musician at the time of its writing, wrote and recorded the song in the attic of his parents' home in Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland. A mid-tempo soul song, its lyrics use religious terminology to describe a romantic relationship. The song first caught the attention of independent label Rubyworks, where producer Rob Kirwan overdubbed the original demo with live instruments. Only two musicians feature on the track: Andrew Hozier-Byrne (Hozier) and drummer Fiachra Kinder. The music video contributed to the song's widespread popularity. Directed by Brendan Canty and Conal Thomson of small production company Feel Good Lost, it follows a relationship between two men and the subsequent violent homophobic backlash. Upon its YouTube release in September 2013, the video quickly began to go viral, leading to Hozier's subsequent license with Columbia Records US and Island Records UK. 


Year:
2014
4:01
569 
#5

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My lover's got humour
She's the giggle at a funeral
Knows everybody's disapproval
I should've worshipped her sooner
If the Heavens ever did speak
She is the last true mouthpiece
Every Sunday's getting more bleak
A fresh poison each week
'We were born sick,' you heard them say it
My church offers no absolutes
She tells me 'worship in the bedroom'
The only heaven I'll be sent to
Is when I'm alone with you
I was born sick, but I love it
Command me to be well
Amen. Amen. Amen

Take me to church
I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies
I'll tell you my sins and you can sharpen your knife
Offer me that deathless death
Good God, let me give you my life

Take me to church
I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies
I'll tell you my sins and you can sharpen your knife
Offer me that deathless death
Good God, let me give you my life

If I'm a pagan of the good times
My lover's the sunlight
To keep the Goddess on my side
She demands a sacrifice
To drain the whole sea
Get something shiny
Something meaty for the main course
That's a fine looking high horse
What you got in the stable?
We've a lot of starving faithful
That looks tasty
That looks plenty
This is hungry work

Take me to church
I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies
I'll tell you my sins and you can sharpen your knife
Offer me that deathless death
Good God, let me give you my life

Take me to church
I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies
I'll tell you my sins and you can sharpen your knife
Offer me that deathless death
Good God, let me give you my life

No masters or kings when the ritual begins
There is no sweeter innocence than our gentle sin
In the madness and soil of that sad earthly scene
Only then I am human
Only then I am clean
Amen. Amen. Amen

Take me to church
I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies
I'll tell you my sins and you can sharpen your knife
Offer me that deathless death
Good God, let me give you my life

Take me to church
I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies
I'll tell you my sins and you can sharpen your knife
Offer me that deathless death
Good God, let me give you my life

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Hozier

Andrew Hozier-Byrne, known as Hozier, is an Irish singer and songwriter from Bray, County Wicklow. He released his debut EP, featuring the hit single "Take Me to Church", in 2013 and his second EP, From Eden, in 2014. more »

5 fans

Written by: Andrew Hozier Byrne

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


7 facts about this song

Music Composition
1. "Take Me to Church" was composed in the key of Em with a tempo of 128 bpm. 2. The song features a contrasting, dramatic choral refrain which diverges from the melancholic verses.
Artist Background
3. The song was written and performed by Irish singer-songwriter Andrew Hozier-Byrne, known as Hozier. 4. Before "Take Me to Church" Hozier was relatively unknown. The success of the song propelled him into worldwide fame.
Release and Reception
5. "Take Me to Church" was released as a single in 2013 and later included in Hozier's 2014 self-titled debut album. 6. The song topped the charts in 12 countries and reached the top 3 in 12 others, including the United States and United Kingdom. 7. It got nominated for Song of the Year at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards.
Lyrics and Themes
8. The song is a critique of religion, particularly Catholicism, and its stance toward homosexuality. 9. "Take Me to Church" uses religious language and metaphors to convey a humanist message and reinforce its homoerotic undertones. 10. The song’s lyrics tell a tale of love, desire, regret, and redemption.
Music Video
11. The video, directed by Brendan Canty, addresses the persecution of the LGBTQ+ community in Russia. 12. The music video has amassed over 400 million views on YouTube for its poignant narrative which aligns with the theme of the lyrics.
Cover Versions
13. Various artists have covered "Take Me to Church", including Ed Sheeran, Ellie Goulding, and Demi Lovato. 14. Singer/Songwriter Matt Maher turned the song into a hymn in his cover version, flipping the song’s original critique of religious institutions.
Song's Impact
15. "Take Me to Church" was used in promotional material for the TV series "The Leftovers". 16. The song has drawn comparisons to the works of other artists including Leonard Cohen, Jeff Buckley and Tom Waits. 17. Its success is said to have contributed to a resurgence of interest in soulful, bluesy pop music.

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    Take Me to Church

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