What does 'Take Me to Church' by Hozier mean? | Song Lyric Meanings

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"Take Me to Church" by Hozier is a super interesting song, and it's got a lot of depth behind its meaning. Enjoy my explanation!

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[jesusm]

is there an explanation video to this video?

[heriberto]

Hozier's Intention
In an interview with the Star Tribune, Hozier explains that his song is an attack on anti-homosexuality in the church, especially the Catholic church: “I’m not condemning the church or religion on the whole, just that one policy [the anti-same sex marriage policy], which seems so wrong to me. And obviously I’m not alone in thinking that.” According to an interview with The Cut, the song is also about homophobia in general and state oppression of homosexuals in Russia. Hozier meant the song and the music video to attack policies that value rules and prejudice over love and acceptance.

To make this point, "Take Me to Church's" music video shows a gay couple being hunted and tortured by a mob of masked and hooded men. Viewers, first, see the couple making out and, then, the mob torturing one of the men. In explaining the video in an interview with Fuse TV, Hozier says, "If you feel offended or disgusted by the image of two people kissing, if that's what it is, but you're more disgusted by that than the actual violence...I think you should take a look at your values, maybe." Through these images, Hozier wants to prove that being anti-gay is far worse than enjoying homosexual love.

As an appropriate summary of his viewpoint, Hozier says in his interview with The Cut that "[t]he song is about asserting yourself and reclaiming your humanity through an act of love. Turning your back on the theoretical thing, something that's not tangible, and choosing to worship or love something that is tangible and real — something that can be experienced.”

[smallla]

The fact that religious people sing this in talent shows and church 😭💀

[lachyhaberfield]

I thought it was bout homosexuality and the "church" telling him being gay is a sin?

[issybella]

I thought it was about a man who was in love with man and the church is trying to tell him that what he’s feeling is a sin

[nopenopetheknight]

hozier was said the song was about the Churches stance on homosexuality.

[billygilmusic]

“I’ll tell you my sins so you can sharpen your knife”

Thats just genious, he said the main problem of all religions right there, and said that if loving someone and having sex is a sin then stab me and send me to hell

[SebastianSeanCrow]

2:39 I’m very happy you brought up the hypocrisy the song talks of and how it talks about people who are quick to judge. Tbh it’s such a powerful song and paired with its music video has many meanings and is just so powerful.

[zinnia]

When he sings "we were born sick but I love it command me to be well" it reminds me of a Christopher Hitchens quote that goes something like "created sick and then commanded to be well"🤔

[bakerfamily]

Regarding hypocrisy, as Christians, we never claimed to be perfect or without sin, just the opposite. I agree with the saying I am not perfect, just forgiven. 🙌

[emmatheenigma]

I'm interested to hear what people think the second verse. Here's what I think -all just guesses based on what I know about the general topic of the song:

"If I'm a pagan of the good times
My lover's the sunlight"

The "good times" and "sunlight" refer to sex and he metaphorically worships them like a pagan. Perhaps the part about sunlight also relates to pagans worshiping the sun (although, according to google, pagans worshiping the sun is a myth.)

"To keep the Goddess on my side
She demands a sacrifice
Drain the whole sea
Get something shiny"

The "goddess" represents the church, or the biblical god. In order to follow the church, people must "sacrifice" their sexuality. By "draining the whole sea" they are sacrificing major parts of their human nature, and in return they get "something shiny"- something nice that isn't really worth it, like a feeling of fitting in at church or the belief in eternity in heaven (hopefully, although there may be a lingering thought that they might end up in hell.)

"Something meaty for the main course
That's a fine looking high horse"


A play on the phrase "get off your high horse", claiming that some religious people look down at or judge others.

"What you got in the stable?
We've a lot of starving faithful
That looks tasty
That looks plenty
This is hungry work"

Continues on from the last line, claims a lot of the faithful are "starving" for something to look down on others for. Hard to say what "this" refers to, but perhaps it means that others find the beliefs and lifestyle tiring themselves and so they are "hungry" to take it out on others.


Anyway, those are just my thoughts. What you guys think?

[MichaelRockfez]

I'm a church-going Christian and I feel the same way about the song. Nice job being objective 👍

[Julesb]

This is such a deep song. I've listened to it a ton and still get things that hit me.

[VaughnMorgo]

You should link The Weeknd's videos together. Can't feel my face, the hills, tell your friends and then starboy. Hidden meaning video.

[RealMarcosMiranda]

Great job with this interpretation! As one of the pastors of a non-denominational church, I’ve brought these lyrics up countless times to help show how destructive religion is and how religious people tarnish who Jesus really is and what God is all about. Gay, straight, weak or disciplined, evil or good we are all called to follow Him together. If all “Christians” really loved their neighbor as themselves, this great song would have never existed (in a good way).

[skyechevy]

I kinda thought it was about Devils and sinning versus angels and stuff
Which I mean I guess that’s somewhat correcy

[Swanand...]

The main intention of this song is that....Everyone is equal.. on natural intense experience everyone can love freely depend upon how Nature has created them.

[grapes]

Gotta share this to my Christian friend who loves this damn song....he won't listen to my explanation but if it's youtube, he will....lol

[davidwillebrand]

I subbed at 200 subs and I can only see this channel going to good places, it's such a good concept. Hope you remember me when you're at a million subs Pop Song Professor!

[lamisty-]

"Sarcasm"
By "Get scared" ?