In an act of solidarity and humility, he agreed to release the single on one condition – that all proceeds from downloads be handed over to various organizations that provide support to domestic violence victims. He was 24 years old when the song was released and 23 when it was composed. The only glimmer of hope within this beautifully bleak song (and video) rests on Hozier himself. Once she again finds herself in solitude she commits her only act of defiance, removing the veil of hair and exposing her swollen and painful secret. As her partner enters the room, he intuitively and introspectively shifts her bangs to cover that part of her which neither partner feels ready to face. What she reveals is truth in the form of facial and arm bruises. Interspersed with this scene of tender partnership is Ronan, seated alone at her dressing table, slowly and pensively removing her makeup. Laughter, wine, and long, after-midnight gazes abound. A subtle cue but likely an intentional and thoughtful nod to the tragic character she embodies. Scenes of late-night post-dinner party lightheartedness unfold in a living room, including Dunford caringly removing Ronan’s ‘buskins,’ which in this case are thin-strapped, skin-colored heels. The video – on an accessible level – clearly continues the exploration of duality. In “Cherry Wine,” we have the displeasure of experiencing both roles tangled within and pouring out of one character.Īs the character oscillates between acknowledging his eggshell-laden life, admitting I walk my days on a wire, he offers defeated and half-hearted assurances that it looks ugly, but it’s clean, before dismissing parental concern with a simple oh mama, don’t fuss over me. Originating in Greek theater, the comedic actor would be adorned with high socks while the less-fortunate tragic character would wear thinly-laced shoes known as buskins. Her eyes and words are so icy, oh but she burns like rum on a fire.įor centuries, drama within the arts has been marked by ‘the two masks’ known as Thalia (comedy) and Melpomene (tragedy.) The opening lyrics escape and stretch across the listener with an immediate sense of exhaustion, delivering at once the cyclical torment of defending and denouncing the nuanced behaviors of an aggressor in an abusive relationship. There is, however, nothing to celebrate in either the song or the video. Faint songs of waking birds (a happy accident owing to recording live outdoors) instinctually tell of a new day of celebrating life and all the possibilities within it. The opening notes evoke a sense of featherweight optimism. Recorded live off the floor at dawn on the rooftop of an abandoned hotel, “Cherry Wine” is an intimate study of contrast and duality. “Cherry Wine,” featured on Hozier’s self-titled 2014 debut LP (Rubyworks Records/Island Records,) at once tiptoes and stomps upon the subject of domestic violence and the psychological implications – from the perspective of a male victim. Directed by Dearbhla Walsh and starring Saoirse Ronan along with fellow Irish actor Moe Dunford, the video serves as the obverse (lyrically-speaking) to the narrative of the song. Most will hope – perhaps fantastically – to be surprised by somebody in some movie-worthy capacity.įor fans of Hozier, who only 48 hours ago released his new single “Cherry Wine,” surprise arrives in the sobering, gut-churning form of a tenderly-haunting video. Some will expect acts of revelatory romanticism. The Irish singer recorded "Cherry Wine" in an old abandoned hotel with a caved-in roof and walls covered in graffiti at "like 5 in the morning." He recreated the same easy vibe for the original video (tricking some of us into thinking it was a light and playful song, what with his rumpled hair and excellent beard).It’s February 14, 2016, and millions of people worldwide are waking with typical expectations that Valentine’s Day has implanted within most in the Western world some will expect gifts. It was originally released as part of his self-titled debut album in September 2014. Hozier wrote the song from the perspective of a man suffering in a physically abusive relationship. The chorus alone should have been a bit of a hint: The way she tells me I'm hers and she's mine / Open hand or closed fist would be fine. It took a new video starring Oscar nominated Saoirse Ronan released on Valentines Day to teach me what Hozier's "Cherry Wine" truly means. I just thought it was one of those beautiful, birds chirping and the sun is shining overhead kind of songs perfect for summer. but it turns out, I didn't really know all the words. I spent the entire summer of 2015 walking in the woods, listening to "Cherry Wine" by Hozier on repeat and feeling at one with nature.
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