Movement (Hozier song) explained

Movement
Cover:File:Movement Hozier.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Hozier
Album:Wasteland, Baby!
Released:14 November 2018
Length:3:57
Label:
Producer:
Prev Title:Nina Cried Power
Prev Year:2018
Next Title:Almost (Sweet Music)
Next Year:2019

"Movement" is a song recorded by Irish singer-songwriter Hozier for his second studio album, Wasteland, Baby!. It was released on 14 November 2018 as the second single from the record, peaking at number forty on the Irish Singles Chart.

Writing and composition

"Movement" is the third track from the album, written solely by Hozier.[1] "Movement" was first written on the piano,[2] and is a gospel-pop and R&B ballad with "intense emotionality", "twinkling' keys and organs, and slow-build, stomp-clap to the track.[3] [4] The lyrics reference "Jonah on the ocean" and Fred Astaire, illustrating "the summons of love as an awe-inspiring dance."[5]

Critical reception

"Movement" received mixed reviews from critics. Billboard praised the track, saying "the emotional song touches on the beauty of movement, as Hozier sings about watching the subject dancing freely."[6] while NPR stated that ""Movement," leans hard into Hozier's gifts for crafting songs that radiate waves of soaring intensity [...] and drama build[s] quietly."[7] Pitchfork dismissed it, writing that the "murk of the song mostly invites you to avert eye contact from the back of the room"[4] while The Independent likened it to a "church march to which the bride enters a disappointing wedding night."[8]

Commercial performance

The song peaked at number eleven on the Billboard Digital Sales Chart.[9]

Music video

The official music video for "Movement" was released on 14 November 2018. The video was directed by British filmmakers Chris Barrett and Luke Taylor and featured dancer Sergei Polunin, paying tribute to the "emotional physicality of dance" alongside the lyrics.[10] The video has amassed over 32 million views on YouTube.[11]

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[12]

Charts

Chart (2018)Peak
position
Hot Canadian Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[13] 17
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[14] 26
US Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[15] 11

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Movement . AllMusic . 13 January 2021.
  2. Web site: Interview: Hozier Talks 'Wasteland, Baby!' & New Collaborators . Idolator . 6 January 2021.
  3. Web site: HOZIER – WASTELAND, BABY! (ALBUM REVIEW) . Cryptic Rock . 13 January 2021.
  4. Web site: Hozier: Wasteland, Baby! . Pitchfork.
  5. Web site: Wasteland, Baby! Review . PopMatters . 13 January 2021.
  6. Web site: Hozier Premieres Passionate 'Movement' Video Starring Ballet Dancer Sergei Polunin: Watch . Billboard . 13 January 2021.
  7. Web site: Hozier Returns With The Grand 'Movement' — And Announces A New Album . NPR . 13 January 2021.
  8. Web site: Album reviews: 'Hozier – Wasteland, Baby!' and Tom Walker – 'What a Time To Be Alive' . Independent . 13 January 2021.
  9. Web site: Digital Sales . Billboard.
  10. Web site: Watch Hozier team up with ballet dancer Sergei Polunin in stunning new video for 'Movement'. NME. 14 November 2018. 18 December 2020.
  11. Web site: Hozier – Movement. YouTube. 5 January 2024.
  12. Web site: Credits / Wasteland, Baby! / Hozier – TIDAL. Tidal. 18 December 2020.
  13. Web site: Hot Canadian Digital Songs. Billboard. 1 December 2018. 18 December 2020.
  14. Web site: NZ Hot Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. 26 November 2018. 18 December 2020.
  15. Web site: Digital Song Sales. Billboard. 1 December 2018. 18 December 2020.

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