“There’s a great denial in it”: Hozier’s favourite sad song of all time
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(Credits: Far Out / Julia Johnson)
In 2013, a track called ‘Take Me to Church’ took over the airwaves worldwide. Audiences were enchanted by the song’s pious pianos, devotional lyricism, and the voice of the man behind it. That man was struggling Irish singer-songwriter Andrew Hozier-Byrne, more commonly known mononymously as Hozier. Just over a decade later, his voice remains inescapable on the radio.
Hozier is no longer a struggling musician, though. Rather than writing in his childhood home, he’s playing arenas and taking home awards for his theatrical approach to pop. Hozier’s literary approach to lyrics, as well as the dramatic instrumentation he accompanies them with, have completely set him apart in the mainstream pop realm, earning him the admiration of devoted fans and casual listeners alike.
His emotionally charged lyrics have charted everything from religion to sex to unhealthy relationships, his words always affording each topic the gravitas it deserves. He has mastered the art of turning his emotions into dense sonic portraits, so it makes sense that in his listening habits, too, he admires songwriters who channel their feelings into music.
During a conversation with Shortlist, the ‘Take Me to Church’ songwriter was asked to divulge his favourite sad song. He picked out a cover by jazz legend Chet Baker of the Hoagy Carmichael classic, ‘I Get Along Without You Very Well (Except Sometimes)’, which he suggested “captures a certain degree of sadness perfectly.”
The sadness Hozier refers to in ‘I Get Along Without You Very Well’ seems to be hidden between feigned optimism. “I get along without you very well,” the song begins, “Of course I do, except when soft rain falls.” The lyrics continue in this format as Baker sings over slightly fuzzy, twinkling jazz soundscapes.
The rain reminds the singer of being in his former lover’s hands, while the spring seems set to break his heart in two. His lover’s name and laugh seem to follow him around. And yet, still, he proclaims that he is getting along without them “very well.” Even when he comes close to accepting his fate, the heartbreak he so desperately avoids, he pulls back once more.
“What a guy, what a fool am I to think my breaking heart could kid the moon,” Baker sings, his vocals bringing the emotions and imagery to life with ease, “What’s in store, should I phone once more? No, it’s best that I stick to my tune.” There’s a simultaneous denial and dejection to the track, which is exactly what made Hozier fall in love with it.
“There’s a great denial in it,” he enthused, “The whole song is about lying to yourself and saying you’re doing OK – and he just sings it immaculately.” Baker certainly does sing the piece immaculately. His slow, thoughtful vocal style brings the reluctantly heartbroken protagonist to life perfectly.
It makes sense that Hozier’s pick for the best sad song is ‘I Get Along Without You Very Well’. Like his own lyricism, it’s a piece that is full of both literary prowess and emotional intent. The imagery of soft rain and dripping leaves, laced with hidden yet potent emotion, feels like something that could easily find its way into a Hozier track.
Hopefully the Irish singer is the next in a long line of artists to cover the melancholic piece.
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