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Two days ago it was announced that the most streamed song was Hozier’s ‘Take Me to Church’.
The beautiful song is a bold protest against religious homophobia. The song’s video furthers the theme as viewers watch in horror and dismay as a violent homophobic attack is committed against a gay couple. If you haven’t seen the video, check it out below.
According to the Irish Examiner, ‘Take Me to Church’ took the title of ‘Most Streamed’ with 87 million plays, and the video has gained over 40 million views since its debut. Spotify also named Hozier their Spotlight Breakout Star of 2014. However, this isn’t the only recognition Hozier and his song have received.
Hozier’s self-titled album was critically acclaimed and debuted at #2 on the US Billboard charts. It debuted at the top of Ireland’s charts and #5 on the UK charts.
According to Pink News, Hozier made the following statement regarding the inspiration behind the viral hit:
‘The song is about loving somebody, and the video is about people who would undermine what it is to love somebody.
‘I’d been following what was going on in Russia, where far-Right groups were doing these organised attacks, filming them and putting them on social media.
‘The damage done by the Church to the people of Ireland is completely irreparable, and the reparations are all too few. There’s still a lack of will to turn around and say, “This is not OK”.
‘Why is it an organisation that is considered to have any moral standing at all? The track record is just appalling.
‘It’s important to remember that it can happen anywhere. It’s very easy for a society to fall into hatefulness, to scapegoat people, especially when times get tough.’
Just recently, ‘Take Me to Church’ earned Hozier his first Grammy nomination for Song of the Year.
