Too Sweet

"Too Sweet" is a song by Irish singer-songwriter Hozier. It was released on 22 March 2024, through Rubyworks and Island Records in the UK, and Columbia Records in the US, as the first track from his seventh EP '' Unheard'' and was released as a single on 29 March 2024. The song has topped charts in 14 countries including Australia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Iceland, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Suriname, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Venezuela. The track ranked as the fifth best-selling single of 2024 in the United Kingdom.

Background

On 14 March 2024, Hozier announced his fifth EP ''Unheard'' that features four previously unreleased tracks taken from sessions for his third studio album ''Unreal Unearth'' (2023). The singer clarified that the songs "could not make the original release" for various reasons, but still fit the themes of "gluttony, limbo, violence and the outward 'ascent'". He first teased the song the same day on TikTok in a clip that features him drawing a sketch of a skeleton. "Too Sweet" was surprise-released as the opening track to the project on 22 March.

Composition

"Too Sweet" sees Hozier meeting the "rhythm of a true night owl", sipping whiskey and drinking black coffee. Additionally, it shows the facets and multitudes of a relationship, as the singer talks to his significant other. While she prefers to lead a healthy lifestyle, he makes use of the various "pleasures" of life. The singer favours the rawness because his partner is "already too sweet". The song further explores the theme of how differences can evolve during a relationship. Musically, ''Rolling Stone'' writer John Lonsdale described the song as "tough, catchy retro- R&B groove."

Critical reception

''Rolling Stone'' named "Too Sweet" among the best songs of 2024. ''The Guardian'' also praised the song as among the best of summer 2024: "It’s fired by a sly funk beat primed to pack a sweaty dance floor or beach party..."

Commercial performance

"Too Sweet" debuted at number 8 on the UK Singles Chart on 29 March 2024, earning Hozier his first top-ten single in the United Kingdom since "Take Me to Church" in 2014 and second overall. It rose to number 4 on 5 April 2024. On 12 April 2024, it reached Number 1 with 61,000 chart units and 6.7 million streams, becoming Hozier's first UK number one single.

In the United States, "Too Sweet" debuted at number five on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 the week of 6 April 2024, marking Hozier's first top 10 debut and second top 10 after "Take Me to Church". Three weeks later, the song reached number one, surpassing the number two peak of "Take Me to Church" and becoming Hozier's first number-one in the United States. With this, Hozier became the first Irish act to top the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 since Sinéad O'Connor in 1990 with "Nothing Compares 2 U", and fourth overall along with O'Connor, Gilbert O'Sullivan and U2.

Charts

Weekly charts

Monthly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

Inclusion in media

Too Sweet was used in High Potential Season 1 episode 8 titled "Obsessed" in a scene where Morgan and Adam are reviewing evidence for a murder in Adam's apartment. It was also featured in the first episode of the fifth and final season of Netflix show You during the opening of the episode.

Release history

References

{{Hozier

2024 songs
2024 singles
Billboard Global 200 number-one singles
Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles
Hozier songs
Irish Singles Chart number-one singles
Number-one singles in Australia
Number-one singles in New Zealand
Number-one singles in Norway
Number-one singles in Poland
Number-one singles in Suriname
Songs written by Hozier
UK singles chart number-one singles
Island Records singles
Columbia Records singles
Funk rock songs
Irish pop songs
Pop rock songs