Released: 2014
“Cherry Wine” by Hozier is a haunting ballad about the complexities of a tumultuous relationship. The song explores themes of love, pain, and the intoxicating nature of a partner who is both alluring and destructive. Hozier uses vivid imagery to paint a picture of a love that’s as sweet as it is painful.
The opening lines describe the partner’s icy demeanor, yet she burns with intensity, like rum on fire. This contrast highlights the duality of her nature. The narrator feels like he’s walking on a wire, suggesting the precariousness of their relationship. Despite the ugliness, he finds a strange sense of cleanliness in it.
The chorus reveals the narrator’s acceptance of the partner’s volatile nature. Whether she is gentle or violent, he seems to find beauty in the rarity and sweetness of their love, comparing it to cherry wine. This metaphor suggests that their love, though rare and intense, is also intoxicating and potentially harmful.
In the second verse, the narrator feels accused and stained by the partner’s actions, as she is unfaithful. Despite this betrayal, he still craves her presence, describing it as a crime that she’s not around. This highlights the addictive nature of their relationship, despite its destructive tendencies.
The final verse shows the partner’s fiery temperament, yet her love is described as comforting, like sleep to someone freezing. The narrator is swept away by her presence, feeling it’s worth the turmoil. He cherishes the moments they share, despite the volatility, finding divinity in their connection.
