Take Me to Church (Song)

> Trigger Warning: The following page contains potentially triggering content such as religious trauma.
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## Take Me to Church

### Writer(s)

Hozier

'**Take Me to Church**' is the debut single by Hozier. It is included on his debut extended play of the same name as the first and title track, and his self-titled debut album Hozier as the first track. It was released officially worldwide as the first single from the album on September 13, 2013. A live version of the song is featured on his EP, Live in America.

## Background

“Take Me to Church” is the debut single by Irish recording artist Hozier. It has become an international hit, reaching #1 in 12 countries, and has been certified five times platinum in the US. “Take Me to Church” was nominated for a Grammy Award for “Song of the Year” in 2015.

## Theme

‘Take Me to Church’ is essentially about sex,” Hozier said in an interview with *New York Magazine* in March 2014, adding “it’s not an attack on faith. 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… The song is about asserting yourself and reclaiming your humanity through an act of love."

## Lyrics

[Verse 1]

My lover's got humor

She's the giggle at a funeral

Knows everybody's disapproval

I should've worshipped her sooner

If the heavens ever did speak

She's the last true mouthpiece

Every Sunday's getting more bleak

A fresh poison each week

"We were born sick"

You heard them say it

My church offers no absolutes

She tells me "Worship in the bedroom"

The only Heaven I'll be sent to

Is when I'm alone with you

I was born sick, but I love it

Command me to be well

[Pre-Chorus]

Aaa, Amen, Amen, Amen

[Chorus]

Take me to church

I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies

I'll tell you my sins and you can sharpen your knife

Offer me that deathless death

Good God, let me give you my life

Take me to church

I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies

I'll tell you my sins and you can sharpen your knife

Offer me that deathless death

Good God, let me give you my life

[Verse 2]

If I'm a pagan of the good times

My lover's the sunlight

To keep the goddess on my side

She demands a sacrifice

Drain the whole sea

Get something shiny

Something meaty for the main course

That's a fine looking high horse

What you got in the stable?

We've a lot of starving faithful

That looks tasty

That looks plenty

This is hungry work

[Chorus]

Take me to church

I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies

I'll tell you my sins so you can sharpen your knife

Offer me my deathless death

Good God, let me give you my life

Take me to church

I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies

I'll tell you my sins so you can sharpen your knife

Offer me my deathless death

Good God, let me give you my life

[Bridge]

No masters or kings when the ritual begins

There is no sweeter innocence than our gentle sin

In the madness and soil of that sad earthly scene

Only then I am human

Only then I am clean

[Pre-Chorus]

Oh, oh Amen, Amen, Amen

[Chorus]

Take me to church

I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies

I'll tell you my sins and you can sharpen your knife

Offer me that deathless death

Good God, let me give you my life

Take me to church

I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies

I'll tell you my sins and you can sharpen your knife

Offer me that deathless death

Good God, let me give you my life

## Trivia

* On or around June 18, 2021, Take Me To Church was added to the "Billions Club" playlist on Spotify. The playlist includes songs that have been streamed on Spotify at least one billion times. As of 2021, Hozier is the only Irish artist to be featured on the playlist.

* On March 15, 2023, Take Me To Church was certified diamond (12x multi-platinum) by the RIAA.
	+ It was certified 13x platinum on August 30, 2023

* On or around March 22, 2023, Take Me To Church passed two billion streams on Spotify.