Released: 2014
Hozier’s ‘Like Real People Do’ is a poetic exploration of a romantic relationship, with an underlying theme of acceptance and moving past one’s history. The song delves into the idea of embracing the present, letting go of the past, and finding solace in love.
In the opening lines, Hozier paints a vivid picture of a night filled with ‘bugs and the dirt’. This imagery suggests a time of struggle or a buried past. The question ‘What did you bury before those hands pulled me from the earth?’ implies that the person he’s addressing has a past they’re trying to hide or forget.
However, Hozier makes it clear that he’s not interested in digging up the past. ‘I will not ask you where you came from’ is a powerful statement of acceptance. He’s saying that it doesn’t matter what has happened before, what matters is the here and now.
The repeated phrase ‘Honey, just put your sweet lips on my lips, We should just kiss like real people do’ is a call for authenticity and genuine connection. He’s suggesting that they should embrace their feelings and act on them, just like ‘real people do’.
The ‘eeh-eeh-eeh-eeh’ is a musical expression, a vocalization that adds to the emotional depth of the song. It’s a common technique in rock music to convey raw emotion without the need for words.
Overall, ‘Like Real People Do’ is a powerful song about accepting someone for who they are, without the need to know their past. It’s a celebration of the present moment and the power of love to heal and connect.
