Irish singer-songwriter Hozier took the world by storm Take Me to Church.
We have another article analyzing the lyrics to that song.
But that 2013 hit is far from Hozier’s only captivating song.
Cherry Wine has flown a bit more under the radar, but it holds a deep and powerful meaning for many listeners.
On the surface, the song seems innocent and sweet.
But the Cherry Wine lyrics meaning beneath the beautiful, haunting melody is much darker.
Keep reading for a in-depth look at the Cherry Wine lyrics and their meaning. This song is much heavier and much darker than it seems at first listen.
Cherry Wine Lyrics And Meaning
Irish singer-songwriter Hozier wrote Cherry Wine himself and released it on his 2014 debut album, titled Hozier. It was the seventh, and final, single from the album.
Critics and fans alike loved the song. It cracked the top 40 in multiple countries, including the UK, Ireland, and Australia.
The music video for the song did quite well, too. It was directed by Dearbhla Walsh and starred Saoirse Ronan. It won the Best Music Video category at the 2017 Irish Film and Television Awards.
Cherry Wine is a soulful track that delves into the complexities of an abusive relationship and capture the pain, struggle, and vulnerability experienced by those involved.
Hozier’s inspiration for the song came from observing close friends and family members who had experienced abusive relationships.
He wrote the song as an attempt to portray the conflicting emotions inherent in such a situation, contrasting the tender and intimate moments that often exist alongside the destructive nature of the relationship.
We featured the track in our rundown of songs tackling the subject of domestic abuse. Let’s take a look at the lyrics to Cherry Wine in full, before getting into much more detail on their meaning.
Cherry Wine Lyrics
Verse 1
Her eyes and words are so icy
Oh, but she burns
Like rum on a fire
Hot and fast and angry as she can be
I walk my days on a wire
Pre-Chorus
It looks ugly, but it’s clean
Oh mama, don’t fuss over me
Chorus
The way she tells me I’m hers and she is mine
Open hand or closed fist, oh, would be fine
The blood is rare and as sweet as cherry wine
Verse 2
Calls of guilty thrown at me, all while she stains
The sheets of some other
Thrown at me so powerfully, just like she throws
With the arm of her brother
Pre-Chorus
But I want it, it’s a crime
That she’s not around most of the time
Verse 3
Her fight and fury’s fiery
Oh, but she looks
Like sleep to the freezing
Sweet and right and merciful, I’m all but washed
In the tide of her breathing
Pre-Chorus
And it’s worth it, it’s divine
I have this some of the time
Chorus
The way she shows me I’m hers and she is mine
Open hand or closed fist, oh, would be fine
The blood is rare and as sweet as cherry wine
Cherry Wine Meaning
Hozier’s Cherry Wine is a moving song that explores the themes of love and domestic violence. Although the slow tempo and delicate guitar melody give the song a romantic feel, the lyrics reveal a more harrowing reality.
Lines such as “The way she tells me I’m hers and she’s mine” and “It’s worth it, it’s divine” highlight how the victim justifies the abuse as a part of their love.
Hozier uses metaphors throughout the song. The title itself is perhaps the best example. “Cherry wine” represents the intoxicating and all-consuming nature of an abusive relationship. It is something that appears sweet and enticing, but can be intoxicating and harmful.
The verses and the chorus of the song contrast each other, to reflect the opposite sides of a toxic relationship. The verses describe the loving aspect of the relationship, though they allow the darker side to creep in. The chorus gets more explicit about the abusive aspect.
Verse Analysis
In the verses, the singer describes a tender, yet conflicting relationship. The lyrics reveal subtle hints of aggression and control. A good example is: “the blood is rare and sweet as cherry wine.” This line suggests that the love expressed is accompanied by a darker side.
Chorus Analysis
The chorus offers a more explicit look at the darker aspects of the relationship. Take another look at the lyrics of the chorus:
The way she tells me I’m hers and she is mine
Open hand or closed fist, oh, would be fine
The blood is rare and as sweet as cherry wine
These lines allude to the dynamics of control and submission within the partnership. The open hand and closed fist can be interpreted as symbols of love and violence, respectively.
Connecting The Themes
The verses and the chorus come together to shed light on the complex nature of the protagonist’s relationship. On the one hand, there is a sense of devotion and love. On the other hand, there are underlying issues of control and abuse.
By connecting these themes, Hozier encourages us to examine the intricacies of relationships and the darker side of love that often goes unnoticed to anyone outside a specific relationship.
Hozier himself has confirmed that the narrative of this song revolves around the issue of domestic violence. In interviews, he has stated that he hoped the song could help raise awareness about a topic that is often overlooked or downplayed.
The impact of Cherry Wine has been significant, garnering praise from both critics and listeners alike. Many listeners have connected with the song on a personal level, often sharing their own experiences and relating to the difficulties of moving beyond an abusive situation.
The song’s music video, featuring actress Saoirse Ronan, also gained attention for its powerful depiction of domestic violence. It has helped raise funds for various charities supporting abuse victims.
Cherry Wine Lyrics Meaning: Final Thoughts
Hozier’s Cherry Wine is a powerful and emotional song that tackles the difficult subject of domestic violence. The lyrics portray a character suffering in a toxic relationship, but still being inexplicably drawn to their abuser.
The vivid and poetic language used in the song provides a deep emotional connection for the listeners, effectively conveying the distress and pain experienced by the protagonist.
Hozier’s choice of a tender acoustic melody combined with raw, unrestrained vocals only adds to the emotional impact. While it may not be a lighthearted tune, Cherry Wine has won significant praise for raising awareness about domestic violence and encouraging conversations about this important issue.
Another great song about a dysfunctional relationship, though not quite as bad as this one, comes from British grunge band Bush. See our analysis of the Glycerine lyrics meaning for more.
Another song that sounds very different at first listen than the actual meaning is Heat Waves by glass animals. Our discussion of the meaning of the Heat Waves lyrics has more. Similarly, check out our look at the Christmas Kids lyrics meaning.
For another Irish artist, check out The Cranberries. We have a breakdown of the Zombie lyrics meaning here.
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