"Movement" is a song recorded by Irish singer-songwriter
Hozier
Andrew John Hozier-Byrne (born 17 March 1990), known professionally as Hozier ( ), is an Irish musician, singer and songwriter. His music primarily draws from folk, soul and blues, often using religious and literary themes. He had his interna ...
for his second studio album, ''
Wasteland, Baby!''. It was released on 6 September 2018 as the second single from the record, peaking at number forty on the
Irish Singles Chart
The Irish Singles Chart is the Republic of Ireland's music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association (IRMA) and compiled on their behalf by the Official Charts Company. Chart rankings are b ...
.
Writing and composition
"Movement" is the third track from the album, written solely by Hozier. "Movement" was first written on the piano,
and is a gospel-pop and R&B ballad with "intense emotionality", "twinkling' keys and organs, and slow-build, stomp-clap to the track.
The lyrics reference "
Jonah
Jonah or Jonas, ''Yōnā'', "dove"; gr, Ἰωνᾶς ''Iōnâs''; ar, يونس ' or '; Latin
Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally a dialect spo ...
on the ocean" and
Fred Astaire
Fred Astaire (born Frederick Austerlitz; May 10, 1899 – June 22, 1987) was an American dancer, choreographer, actor, and singer. He is often called the greatest dancer in Hollywood film history.
Astaire's career in stage, film, and tele ...
, illustrating "the summons of love as an awe-inspiring dance."
Critical reception
"Movement" received mixed reviews from critics. ''
Billboard
A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertis ...
'' praised the track, saying "the emotional song touches on the beauty of movement, as Hozier sings about watching the subject dancing freely."
while ''
NPR'' stated that ""Movement," leans hard into Hozier's gifts for crafting songs that radiate waves of soaring intensity
..and drama build
quietly." ''
Pitchfork
A pitchfork (also a hay fork) is an agricultural tool with a long handle and two to five tines used to lift and pitch or throw loose material, such as hay, straw, manure, or leaves.
The term is also applied colloquially, but inaccurately, to ...
'' dismissed it, writing that the "murk of
while ''
he song mostly invites you to avert eye contact from the back of the room"'' likened it to a "church march to which the bride enters a disappointing wedding night."
Commercial performance
The song peaked at number eleven on the Digital Song Sales">Billboard Digital Sales Chart.
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. The video has amassed over 21 million views on YouTube.
Personnel
Credits adapted from Tidal (service), Tidal.
*
Hozier (musician), A. Hozier-Byrne – Producer, composer, lyricist, associated performer, clapping, guitar, vocals
*
Markus Dravs – Producer, associated performer, clapping, programming, synthesizer, vocal production
* Alex Ryan – Associated Performer, bass (vocal), clapping, piano, rhodes
* Booker T. Jones – Associated Performer, organ
* Iain Berryman – Associated Performer, clapping, engineer, studio personnel
* Paul Clarvis – Associated Performer, bass, shaker
* Rory Doyle – Associated Performer, clapping, drums
* Nathaniel Graham – Asst. Recording Engineer, studio personnel
* Robbie Nelson – Asst. Recording Engineer, studio personnel
* Greg Calbi – Mastering Engineer, studio personnel
* Andrew Scheps – Mixer, studio personnel
Charts
Certifications
References
{{Hozier
2010s ballads
2018 songs
2018 singles
Gospel songs
Pop ballads
Rhythm and blues ballads
Hozier (musician) songs
Songs written by Hozier (musician)