Cherry Wine (Hozier song)

"Cherry Wine" is a song recorded by Irish singer-songwriter Hozier for his eponymous debut studio album (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.[1] The accompanying music video, premiered on Valentine's Day, was directed by Dearbhla Walsh and stars Saoirse Ronan as a domestic violence victim; the release was given widespread coverage in the Irish press.[2][3][4]

"Cherry Wine"
Single by Hozier
from the album Hozier
Released14 February 2016
GenreFolk
Length4:00
Label
Songwriter(s)Andrew Hozier-Byrne
Producer(s)Rob Kirwan
Hozier singles chronology
"Jackie & Wilson"
(2015)		 "Cherry Wine"
(2016)		 "Better Love"
(2016)
Music video
"Cherry Wine" on YouTube

Background and composition

Hozier initially was shooting his first press photos at an abandoned hotel in Ireland that had caught on fire; upon arrival, the building possessed a caved-in roof and walls covered in graffiti, with "Cherry Wine" recorded on the roof of the location at five in the morning.[5][6] The song is written from the perspective of a man trapped in an abusive relationship, while his love endures through abusive episodes and a culture that enables them.[7][8] Hozier stated that it is "a love song about the awful parts of love" that "get(s) across the difficulty of [...] facing up to domestic violence”."[1][9]

"Cherry Wine" is the final track of the Hozier, written solely by Hozier[10]and concludes the album on an intimate, apologetic note.[11] The song consists solely of resonant acoustic guitars against Hozier's vocals during a live recording, and offering delicate, romantic acoustics intertwined with the chirping of birds as a red herring[7] against lyrics describing a tempestuous, hot-headed, fluctuating love.[12]

Release and reception

"Cherry Wine" was met with acclaim from music critics for its lyricism, production, and advocacy. The A.V. Club cites the song as "compelling", providing a prime example of "creative friction" on the album.[12] State depicted the track as "an aural warm blanket, folksy and rich in tone", comparing the composition to a Dave Van Ronk song.[13] The voice-work is described as "haunting" and "delicate yet powerful".[14] Vox stated that the song was "a love sonnet steeped in abuse" and that Hozier's vocals "sound sadder, more distraught, and more exhausted than [it] does in the rest of the album."[6] The song received praise for its "powerful" messaging, with critics acknowledging its touching upon a "taboo" subject while going against the trope of a "cliched abuser" who "behavior throughout the entire narrative is unremittingly tender —horrifyingly so."[15][16]

Commercial performance

The song peaked at 32 on Billboard Hot Rock and Alternative Songs, spending 20 weeks on the chart.[17] Island Records, which released the single, confirmed that they donated the proceeds from the downloads to international charity organisations benefitting victims of domestic abuse.[1] In March 2016, Hozier performed the song live at a HeForShe event by UN Women, supported by SAFE Ireland.[18]

Music video
Saoirse Ronan's performance as a victim of domestic violence in the music video was praised by critics.

Domestic violence is an ongoing issue in our society, the statistics of which are shocking and the effects of which damage whole families, communities and span generations. With the song Cherry Wine, I tried to get across the difficulty of coming to terms with and facing up to domestic violence and the dynamic of an abusive relationship. I’m honoured to be joined by Saoirse Ronan, video director Dearbhla Walsh and Moe Dunford in spreading awareness on this issue.”

— Hozier, NME[1]

The official music video for "Cherry Wine" was released on 14 February 2016 (Valentine's Day) as part of the #FaceUpToDomesticViolence social media campaign.[19] Directed by Dearbhla Walsh, the video casts actors Saoirse Ronan and Moe Dunford as the victim and the abuser in the relationship, respectively.[19] The music video was described as "powerful", with Ronan's "delicate" performance praised by critics.[20][21] It has amassed over 29 million views on YouTube.[22]

The video features low-key lighting and exposed wooden floors in a homey apartment, with a heart motif appearing throughout the video in the character's decoration and jewelry.[15] The abuser "sports a tidy beard" and is "wrapped in a ... cardigan" whose behavior appears caring as he caresses the cheek beneath his partner's injury.[15] Ronan's character is implied to be a mother, who warmly accepts her partner's apparent affection while, in isolation, she stoically and tearfully observes her wounds.[15] The scenes alternate between Ronan and Dunford kissing, laughing, and drinking wine intercut with Ronan slowly removes her make-up to reveal a black eye and a forearm bruise.[21]

Charts

Weekly charts
Chart (2015) Peak
position
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[23] 32

Year-end charts
Chart (2015) Position
US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[24] 94

References
  1. NME 16 Feb 2016 Saoirse Ronan stars as domestic violence victim in Hozier's 'Cherry Wine'
  2. The Irish Times 11 Feb 2016 - Oscar-nominated Irish actor Saoirse Ronan stars in the video for Hozier's new single, Cherry Wine, which highlights the issue of domestic violence.
  3. https://belltimemagazine.ie Archived 19 October 2016 at the Wayback Machine 15 Feb 2016 Hozier's Single 'Cherry Wine' Released 12th February on iTunes To Benefit Domestic Abuse Charities Worldwide including the Irish Charity SAFE Ireland Archived 12 June 2016 at the Wayback Machine.
  4. http://www.independent.ie Saoirse Ronan stars in video for Hozier's new single Cherry Wine 11 Feb 2016 "The 25-year-old Dublin singer is releasing his song Cherry Wine to highlight the issue and he will premiere the video on Valentine's Day."
  5. Bedian, Knar. "Bluesing in the Red Room". Sound of Boston.
  6. "Hozier's success means great things for the future of music". Vox. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  7. "An Interview with HOZIER – Human rights, homophobia, sexism, and domestic violence". Kaltblut Magazine. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  8. "Spinning Singles: Hozier, "Cherry Wine"". Cornell Sun. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  9. "In the Middle with Hozier". Interview Magazine. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  10. "Hozier". AllMusic. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  11. "Hozier". Popmatters. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  12. "Irish singer-songwriter Hozier crafts a solid, bluesy debut". AV. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  13. Dunne, Steven (23 September 2014). "Hozier – Hozier". State. Archived from the original on 25 December 2014. Retrieved 22 November 2014.
  14. "Music Video Review: Hozier's 'Cherry Wine' is delicate yet heavy". Michigan Daily. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  15. "The sinister seduction of "Cherry Wine": Domestic violence, filtered through a soft Instagram gloss". Salon. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  16. "Hozier – Cherry Wine". Euphoria. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  17. "Cherry Wine". Billboard. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  18. http://www.irishmirror.ie 11 Mar 2016
  19. "Hozier and Saoirse Ronan Address Domestic Abuse In 'Cherry Wine' Video". Billboard. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  20. "Here's Hozier's powerful new music video starring Saoirse Ronan". The Journal. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  21. "Hozier Cherry Wine video: Saoirse Ronan sheds light on domestic violence". Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  22. "Hozier - Cherry Wine (Official Video)". YouTube. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  23. "Hozier Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  24. "Hot Rock Songs – Year-End 2015". Billboard. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
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