Work Song (Hozier song)

Last updated
"Work Song"
Work Song Page.jpg
Single by Hozier
from the album Hozier
Released16 March 2015
Recorded2013
Genre
Length3:49
Label
Songwriter(s) Andrew Hozier-Byrne
Producer(s)
Hozier singles chronology
"Sedated"
(2014)
"Work Song"
(2015)
"Someone New"
(2015)
Music video
"Work Song" on YouTube

"Work Song" is a song recorded by Irish singer-songwriter Hozier for his 2014 eponymous debut studio album. It was released on 16 March 2015 as the fifth single from the record, appearing on the Irish Singles Chart and Billboard Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart. [1] An accompanying music video was released in March 2015.

Contents

Promotion and release

On 5 March 2015, Hozier played the song on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon . [2] [3] The song impacted United States Rock Radio on 16 March 2015. [1] "Work Song" was featured in the trailer for George Tillman Jr.'s 2015 film adaptation of The Longest Ride, a novel by Nicholas Sparks [ citation needed ] as well an episode of NBC's occult drama Constantine .[ citation needed ]

Writing and composition

"Work Song" is a gospel-blues song listed as the ninth track on the album, written by Hozier. [4] Hozier cites the song as one of his favorites from the record. [5] "Work Song" has "nuances of soul" with a "strong melodic bass", composed of percussion, tambourines, guitar, and "murmurous" vocals, while the lyrics describe a love of "undying sweetness" and devotion. [5] [6] [7] The song possesses gospel backing vocals and church-like hand-claps, with literary themes of love, sin, and religion returning to the record. [8]

Critical reception

"Work Song" received acclaim from critics; The Arts Desk described it as an "elegiac spiritual head-nodder" that Hozier sings through with "easy familiarity", while The Irish Times described it as "mental-good", establishing him as "far from the boilerplate soul/blues of today". [9] [10] It is often cited as one of the strongest tracks on Hozier. [10] [11]

Commercial performance

The song peaked at number 15 on Billboard Hot Rock & Alternative Songs, spending twelve weeks on the chart and appeared within the top twenty on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 and Adult Alternative Songs charts, respectively. [12]

Music video

The official music video for "Work Song" was released on 23 March 2015. [13] Hozier shot the video the day after the Grammy Awards, and reportedly woke up with an "outrageous hangover" during the shoot. [14] The video features him performing for a crowd, where the audience begins to break out into synchronized, slow, dancing, that "verges on performance art", embodying the romantic lyrics of the track. [13] The video has amassed over 79 million views on YouTube. [15]

Charts

Certifications

Certifications for "Work Song"
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil) [22] Gold30,000
Canada (Music Canada) [23] 2× Platinum160,000
New Zealand (RMNZ) [24] 2× Platinum60,000
United Kingdom (BPI) [25] Gold400,000
United States (RIAA) [26] 3× Platinum3,000,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release history and formats for "Work Song"
RegionDateFormatLabel
United States [1] [27] 16 March 2015 Adult album alternative radio Columbia
17 March 2015 Modern rock radio

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">U2 discography</span>

The discography of the Irish rock band U2 consists of 15 studio albums, one live album, three compilation albums, 84 singles, and nine extended plays (EPs). The band formed at Mount Temple Comprehensive School in 1976 as teenagers. In 1979, the group issued their first release, the EP U2-3, which sold well in Ireland. The following year, the group signed to Island Records and released their debut album, Boy. It reached number 52 in the UK and number 63 in the US. They followed it up with the release of October (1981) and War (1983). War was a commercial success, becoming the band's first number-one album in the UK while reaching number 12 in the US. The album yielded the singles "Two Hearts Beat As One", "Sunday Bloody Sunday" and "New Year's Day", the latter two have since become among the band's most popular songs. On the subsequent War Tour, the group recorded the live album Under a Blood Red Sky and concert film U2 Live at Red Rocks, both of which sold well and helped establish them globally as a live act.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red Hot Chili Peppers discography</span>

Since 1983, the American funk rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers has released 13 studio albums, two live albums, 12 compilation albums, 11 video albums, five extended plays, 66 singles, and 53 music videos. To date, the band has sold over 120 million records worldwide. According to the RIAA the Chili Peppers have 6× Multi-Platinum, 2× Platinum and 3× Gold albums in the US, totalling 27.5m. They also have 9× Multi-Platinum, 3× Platinum and 4× Gold singles too, totalling 40m. They have been nominated for 19 Grammy Awards, of which they have won 6. They have the most no.1 singles (15), the most cumulative weeks at no.1 (91) and most top-10 songs (28) on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">System of a Down discography</span>

System of a Down is an American heavy metal band formed by vocalist Serj Tankian, guitarist Daron Malakian, bassist Shavo Odadjian, and drummer John Dolmayan in the mid-1990s. They have released five studio albums, nineteen singles, and thirteen music videos. By the end of 1997, the group had signed to American Recordings, then distributed as Columbia Records. The following year, they released their eponymous debut album, which peaked at number 124 on the United States' Billboard 200 and number 103 on the United Kingdom's UK Albums Chart; it was later certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and gold by Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA). Their eponymous debut album produced a single for the song "Sugar", which reached the top 30 on the Billboard mainstream rock songs and alternative songs charts. Their follow-up album, Toxicity (2001), topped the US and Canadian charts, and also reached the top 10 in Australia, Finland, and New Zealand. The album was certified triple platinum in its home country, and triple platinum in Australia by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), as well as double platinum by Music Canada. Toxicity produced singles for the title track, "Chop Suey!", and "Aerials". The last of these peaked at number one on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs and Alternative Songs charts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Smashing Pumpkins discography</span>

The discography of the Smashing Pumpkins, an American alternative rock band formed in Chicago, Illinois, consists of twelve studio albums, four live albums, one digital live album series, seven compilation albums, five extended plays, 55 singles, four video albums, 37 music videos, and contributions to five soundtrack albums. This list does not include material recorded by the Smashing Pumpkins members with other side projects.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Strokes discography</span>

The Strokes are an American rock band. Formed in New York City in 1999, the group consists of singer Julian Casablancas, guitarists Nick Valensi and Albert Hammond Jr., bassist Nikolai Fraiture and drummer Fabrizio Moretti. The Strokes discography consists of six studio albums, two extended plays (EP), seventeen singles, one video album and twenty music videos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Foo Fighters discography</span>

The discography of Foo Fighters, an American rock band formed in 1995 by Dave Grohl, consists of eleven studio albums, ten extended plays (EPs), six video albums, and 57 singles. The current Foo Fighters line-up consists of Grohl, Rami Jaffee (keyboard), Nate Mendel (bass), Chris Shiflett (guitar), Pat Smear (guitar) and Josh Freese.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Disturbed discography</span>

The discography of American heavy metal band Disturbed includes eight studio albums, two live albums, one compilation album, one extended play, 31 singles, three video albums, and 27 music videos. The band formed when guitarist Dan Donegan, drummer Mike Wengren and bassist Steve "Fuzz" Kmak hired vocalist David Draiman in 1996. A demo tape led to their signing to Giant Records, which released their debut album, The Sickness, in March 2000. The album reached the top 30 on the United States' Billboard 200, and the Australian ARIA Charts. Since its release, The Sickness was certified 5× platinum, a measure of its high sales volume, in the US by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), 2× platinum in Canada by Music Canada, and platinum in Australia by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Four singles were released from the album, "Stupify", "Voices", "The Game", and "Down with the Sickness"; the latter of which was the most successful, having been certified platinum by the RIAA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shinedown discography</span>

The American rock band Shinedown has released seven studio albums, two live albums, five extended plays, three video albums, and 31 singles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All Time Low discography</span>

American rock band All Time Low has released nine studio albums, six EPs, two live albums, twenty-nine singles and thirty-nine music videos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Imagine Dragons discography</span>

The American pop rock band Imagine Dragons has released six studio albums, four live albums, one compilation album, ten extended plays, twenty-seven singles, six promotional singles and twenty-three music videos. According to Recording Industry Association of America, they have sold 74.5 million digital singles and 12 million albums in the US. Imagine Dragons has sold 46 million albums and 55 million singles worldwide, including 74 billion global career streams, making them among the best-selling rock bands in history. Billboard named them as the 29th Greatest Adult Alternative artist of all time, as well as the 13th Top Artist of 2010s in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hozier</span> Irish musician

Andrew John Hozier-Byrne, known professionally as Hozier, is an Irish musician, singer and songwriter. His music primarily draws from folk, soul and blues, often using religious and literary themes and taking political or social justice stances.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Take Me to Church</span> 2013 single by Hozier

"Take Me to Church" is a song by Irish singer-songwriter Hozier. It was released as his debut single on 13 September 2013, originally featuring on his extended play of the same name, before being featured as the opening track of his 2014 debut album Hozier. A struggling musician at the time of its composition, Hozier wrote and recorded the song in the attic of his parents' home in County Wicklow. A mid-tempo soul song, its lyrics use religious terminology to describe a romantic relationship in the face of Church discrimination. The song caught the attention of Rubyworks Records, where producer Rob Kirwan collaborated with Hozier on the final recording.

<i>Hozier</i> (album) 2014 studio album by Hozier

Hozier is the debut studio album by Irish musician Hozier. It was released on 19 September 2014 by Island Records and Rubyworks Records. Before the album's release, he attracted attention from his 2013 and 2014 EPs Take Me to Church (2013) and From Eden (2014), which contained songs that were later included on the album. Hozier collaborated with producer Rob Kirwan during its recording. Hozier has been described as a blues, soul and indie rock album with elements of gospel, R&B and folk music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">From Eden</span> 2014 song performed by Hozier

"From Eden" is a song recorded by Irish singer-songwriter Hozier for his 2014 eponymous debut studio album. It was released on 9 March 2014 as the second single from the record and peaked at number two on the Irish Singles Chart and number fifteen on the Billboard Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart. An accompanying music video was released in November 2014, featuring actress Katie McGrath.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Someone New (Hozier song)</span> 2015 song performed by Hozier

"Someone New" is a song recorded by Irish singer-songwriter Hozier for his 2014 eponymous debut studio album. It was released on 2 March 2015 as the fifth single from the record and peaked at number 13 on the Irish Singles Chart. An accompanying music video was released featuring actress Natalie Dormer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Melanie Martinez discography</span>

American singer-songwriter Melanie Martinez has released three studio albums, four extended plays, twelve singles, two promotional singles and thirty one music videos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cherry Wine (Hozier song)</span> 2016 single by Hozier

"Cherry Wine" is a song recorded by Irish singer-songwriter Hozier for his eponymous debut studio album, Hozier (2014). The song was released on 12 February 2016 as the seventh and final single from the album, with proceeds from downloads benefitting anti-domestic violence charities. It is a folk and indie folk song written by Hozier, whose lyrics describe the trappings of an abusive relationship while simultaneously retaining fondness for his partner. The song received acclaim from music critics, who praised its lyrics and sound. Commercially, the song peaked at number 32 on the US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart. The accompanying music video premiered on Valentine's Day, and was directed by Dearbhla Walsh and stars Saoirse Ronan as a domestic violence victim.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Noah Kahan</span> American singer-songwriter (born 1997)

Noah Kahan is an American singer-songwriter who signed with Republic Records in 2017. His breakthrough single, "Hurt Somebody", achieved gold status in the United States and charted in multiple international markets. The single and EP of the same name preceded the release of his debut album, Busyhead (2019). Within five years, two more albums followed: I Was / I Am (2021) and Stick Season (2022), the second of which went on to be his mainstream commercial breakthrough and led to his nomination in 2023 for the Grammy Award for Best New Artist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hozier discography</span>

Irish singer-songwriter and musician Hozier has released three studio albums, eight EPs, and 22 singles. His debut studio album, Hozier, was released in September 2014. The album peaked at number one on the Irish Albums Chart. The album includes the singles "Take Me to Church", "From Eden", "Sedated", "Work Song", "Someone New", "Jackie and Wilson" and "Cherry Wine". "Take Me to Church" achieved widespread global popularity, topping the charts in twelve countries and reaching the top ten in twenty-one other territories. The song was nominated for the Grammy Award for Song of the Year at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards and has been certified diamond in the US. His second studio album, Wasteland, Baby!, was released in March 2019. The album peaked at number one on the Irish Albums Chart and the US Billboard 200. The album includes the singles "Nina Cried Power", "Movement", "Almost " and "Dinner & Diatribes". He released his third album Unreal Unearth in August 2023, which also topped the Irish Albums Chart and became his first number-one album in the UK.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Almost (Sweet Music)</span> 2018 song by Hozier

"Almost (Sweet Music)" is a song recorded by Irish singer-songwriter Hozier for his second studio album, Wasteland, Baby! It was released on 16 January 2019 as the third single from the record, peaking at number eight on the Irish Singles Chart.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Future Releases on Triple A (AAA) Radio Stations, Independent Artist Song Releases". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on 14 February 2015. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  2. TV News Desk. "VIDEO: Hozier Performs New Single 'Work Song' on TONIGHT SHOW". broadwayworld.com.
  3. "Hozier: Work Song". NBC.com.
  4. "Work Song". AllMusic. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  5. 1 2 "GIMME YOUR ANSWERS: AN INTERVIEW W/ HOZIER". Alicia Atout. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  6. Brown, Harley. "Album Review: Hozier, 'Hozier'". Billboard.
  7. "review: 'Hozier,' Hozier". The Daily. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  8. "Hozier releases stunning video for latest single 'Work Song'". Independent. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  9. "CD: Hozier - Hozier". The Arts Desk. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  10. 1 2 "Hozier". The Irish Times. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  11. "Hozier Review". Slate. Archived from the original on 2016-04-25. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  12. "Work Song". Billboard. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  13. 1 2 "Watch Hozier Host a Weird Dance Party in 'Work Song' Video". Billboard. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  14. "Hozier Interview: "The success of the first album took me completely by surprise"". Hotpress. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  15. "Work Song". Youtube.
  16. "Irish-charts.com – Discography Hozier". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  17. "Hozier Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
  18. "Hozier Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  19. "Hozier Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
  20. "Hozier Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  21. "Hot Rock Songs – Year-End 2015". Billboard. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  22. "Brazilian single certifications – Hozier – Work Song" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil . Retrieved March 12, 2024.
  23. "Canadian single certifications – Hozier – Work Song". Music Canada . Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  24. "New Zealand single certifications – Hozier – Work Song". Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  25. "British single certifications – Hozier – Work Song". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  26. "American single certifications – Hozier – Work Song". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  27. "Future Releases on Alternative Radio Stations, Independent Artist Song Releases". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on 10 March 2015. Retrieved 26 February 2015.