Released in September of 2013, Irish artist Hozier debuted one of his most popular songs “Take Me to Church.” The song’s meaning has been debated around the internet, but ultimately, the meaning of it is a critique of organized and institutional religious groups, really scrutinizing the Catholic Church’s stance on sexuality. In “Take Me to Church,” Hozier critiques how religion, specifically religions that follow the teachings of the Bible, fosters contradiction with one’s identity of love, sexuality, and personal freedom in the modern world and modern society.
Hozier uses metaphors of worship to emphasize the tensions of human desire such as loving someone of your own sex (which is typically frowned upon in the catholic/christian communities) and religious condemnation, with the idea that Adam and Eve—man and woman—is the only way to love someone in marriage in order to live a righteous life.
The repeated line “Take me to church” is rather a metaphor than a literal request. He’s comparing complete devotion to a lover as a similar devotion one has with religion. Hozier suggests that love, especially queer love, is judged and shamed by religion, but he challenges this idea by insinuating that love could never be immoral.
Throughout the chorus of the song, the message further intensifies. Hozier blends typical religious language and tone with contradictions of itself, saying things like a “deathless death,” which could be interpreted as a part of yourself dying if you further hide your identity to fit religious standards. Others like “Every Sunday’s getting more bleak,” “We were born sick,” and “No Masters or Kings” further reflect one’s feelings of shame over the most natural desire, and give religion the appearance of being restrictive, controlling, and or policing someone rather than holding them in comfort.
Moreover, the music video further demonstrates this interpretation as it depicts violent acts on same-sex couples and reinforces Hozier’s commentary on homophobia, discrimination, intolerance, and prejudice against people, which is also typically contradicted in the Bible. Through visuals and lyrics, Hozier doesn’t just talk politically and socially but also calls out how a misuse of faith allows hate and discrimination to be justified.
Ultimately, “Take Me to Church” is a protest within itself and a tribute to those who have faced conflicts of wanting to be involved in religion without being condemned for loving someone. Hozier uses imagery, poetry, and real-world issues and touches base on them through music to target a broader demographic and bring light to a growing problem of discrimination.
