"Take Me To Church" by Hosier. What does it mean to you?

[Laffy Kat]

I love this song! There seems to be some controversy over what it's about. The official video portrays the persecution of gays in the church (at least to me). It could also be about the oppression of ALL sexuality by religious institutions. On the other hand, it could just be a love song. Opinions?

[lunasun]

1. To me is is about homophobic violence I don't think of thT solely having to do with church types

myself. But yes the song is accepted as being about religion 's role in that.

Wiki
Ireland's State noted that the video echoes the wave of violence currently plaguing the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in Russia. State further explains, "The song was always about humanity at its most natural, and how that is undermined ceaselessly by religious [organizations] and those who would have us believe they act in its interests."[3] As of August 2014, the music video received 6,904,748 views on YouTube.

[GeorgeGist]

2. Terrorism.

[redqueen]

3. I love that song.

As for the meaning... from a Q&A

"Take Me to Church" is a critique of oppressive institutions, with a woman or female pronoun used as a sort of savior.

"Take Me to Church" is essentially about sex, but it's a tongue-in-cheek attack at organizations that would … well, 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. An act of sex is one of the most human things. But an organization like the church, say, through its doctrine, would undermine humanity by successfully teaching shame about sexual orientation — that it is sinful, or that it offends God. The 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.

But it's not an attack on faith. Coming from Ireland, obviously, there's a bit of a cultural hangover from the influence of the church. You've got a lot of people walking around with a heavy weight in their hearts and a disappointment, and that shit carries from generation to generation. So the song is just about that — it's an assertion of self, reclaiming humanity back for something that is the most natural and worthwhile. Electing, in this case a female, to choose a love who is worth loving.

http://nymag.com/thecut/2014/03/qa-hozier-on-gay-rights-sex-good-hair.html

[Laffy Kat]

6. Thanks for that.

[nolabear]

4. One of my favorite songs. Here's an interesting thing.

There's another song on the album called "Like Real People Do," and if you watch the "Take Me to Church" video the lyrics of it also seem to fit. In fact, he's got a thing for things being dug from the earth.

I have tickets to see him
In October. Can't wait!

[Laffy Kat]

7. ooooooh. I'm going to see if he's coming to Denver soon!

Would love to see this kid.

[seaglass]

5. It is about Ireland's relationship with the Catholic church and as a former Catholic

that is how I relate to it.

http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6174242/hozier-gains-following-with-church

But I also posted this a month ago and recognize that it can have many different meanings.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025295297

[Laffy Kat]

8. Oh, seaglass, I never saw that post.

Thanks for the links.

[Codeine]

9. For me, honestly, it just means I have to wait 4 minutes for a better song to come on.

The song is well-intentioned and probably meaningful in a pop-song sort of way, but it's just kind of a boring mess as far as I'm concerned.

[Laffy Kat]

10. Ok. Valid. Thanks for replying. nt

[etherealtruth]

11. Here's a link to an interview with Hozier

http://www.motherjones.com/mixed-media/2014/03/interview-hozier-take-me-church-homophobia-video

Andrew Hozier Byrne—a 24-year-old Irishman who goes by his middle name onstage—has captured passion in his first single, "Take Me To Church." "It was always about sexuality," he says earnestly over a crackling phone line from a Dublin café. "There is no greater celebration of life, and nothing more human than a sexual act." Intended as a swipe at the Catholic indoctrination so intrinsic to Irish culture, Byrne uses the song to speak against any construct that condemns sexuality, which he believes "undermines humanity at its most natural."