Work Song (Hozier song)
"Work Song" | ||||
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"Work Song" on YouTube |
"Work Song" is a song recorded by Irish singer-songwriter
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
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
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
|
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[22] | Gold | 30,000‡ |
Canada (Music Canada)[23] | 2× Platinum | 160,000‡ |
New Zealand (RMNZ)[24] | 2× Platinum | 60,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[25] | Platinum | 600,000‡ |
United States (RIAA)[26] | 3× Platinum | 3,000,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Release history
Region | Date | Format | Label |
---|---|---|---|
United States[1][27] | 16 March 2015 | Adult album alternative radio | Columbia |
17 March 2015 | Modern rock radio |
References
- ^ a b c "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.
- ^ TV News Desk. "VIDEO: Hozier Performs New Single 'Work Song' on TONIGHT SHOW". broadwayworld.com.
- ^ "Hozier: Work Song". NBC.com.
- ^ "Work Song". AllMusic. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
- ^ a b "GIMME YOUR ANSWERS: AN INTERVIEW W/ HOZIER". Alicia Atout. 15 April 2014. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
- ^ Brown, Harley. "Album Review: Hozier, 'Hozier'". Billboard.
- ^ "review: 'Hozier,' Hozier". The Daily. 7 October 2014. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
- ^ "Hozier releases stunning video for latest single 'Work Song'". Independent. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
- ^ "CD: Hozier - Hozier". The Arts Desk. 30 September 2014. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
- ^ a b "Hozier". The Irish Times. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
- ^ "Hozier Review". Slate. Archived from the original on 2016-04-25. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
- ^ "Work Song". Billboard. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
- ^ a b "Watch Hozier Host a Weird Dance Party in 'Work Song' Video". Billboard. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
- ^ "Hozier Interview: "The success of the first album took me completely by surprise"". Hotpress. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
- ^ "Work Song". Youtube. 23 March 2015.
- ^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Hozier". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
- ^ "Hozier Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
- ^ "Hozier Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
- ^ "Hozier Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
- ^ "Hozier Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
- ^ "Hot Rock Songs – Year-End 2015". Billboard. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
- ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Hozier – Work Song" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
- ^ "Canadian single certifications – Hozier – Work Song". Music Canada. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
- ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Hozier – Work Song". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
- ^ "British single certifications – Hozier – Work Song". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
- ^ "American single certifications – Hozier – Work Song". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
- ^ "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.