I just don't understand how people can be so creative to come up with lyrics like this. I love this song and don't even know what the title means

It's been years but "the sweet heat of her breath in my mouth I'm alive" is something I'll never get over

He uses the words "fetor and fertile" in a song lyric and still manages to sound more poetic than most musicians out there. I'm sold.

Some musicians are a gift to the world, i'm so glad Hozier is making music, he's so wonderful at what he does.

Fun fact: 'The little death' is a French euphemism for an orgasm. Ange de la Petite Mort = Angel of Orgasm.

He is literally calling her the angel of sex and drugs

No one else is really talking about interperetations, but I'd still like to throw mine into the mix. I think this song is about a damaged, very sexual, very self-destructive girl. Undeniably attractive and powerful but like a wildfire burning herself out, like sex and drugs as a coping mechanism. Someone you can't help but be drawn to who really isn't okay.

hozier is a lyrical genius

[Verse 1] I watch the work of my kin, bold and boyful Toying somewhere between love and abuse Calling to join them the wretched and joyful Shaking the wings of their terrible youths Freshly disowned in some frozen devotion No more alone or myself could I be Lurched like a stray to the arms that were open No shortage of sordid, no protest from me [Chorus] With her sweetened breath, and her tongue so mean She's the angel of small death and the codeine scene With her straw-blonde hair, her arms hard and lean She's the angel of small death and the codeine scene [Verse 2] Feeling more human and hooked on her flesh, I Lay my heart down with the rest at her feet Fresh from the fields, all fetor and fertile It's bloody and raw, but I swear it is sweet [Chorus] With her sweetened breath, and her tongue so mean She's the angel of small death and the codeine scene With her straw-blonde hair, her arms hard and lean She's the angel of small death and the codeine scene [Bridge] Oh, oh, oh, oh Oh, oh, oh-oh Oh, oh, oh, oh-oh Oh, oh, oh [Verse 3] In leash-less confusion, I'll wander the concrete Wonder if better now having survived The jarring of judgement and reason's defeat the sweet Heat of her breath in my mouth; I'm alive [Chorus] With her sweetened breath, and her tongue so mean She's the angel of small death and the codeine scene With her straw-blonde hair, her arms hard and lean She's the angel of small death and the codeine scene With her sweetened breath, and her tongue so mean She's the angel of small death and the codeine scene With her straw-blonde hair, her arms hard and lean She's the angel of small death and the codeine scene

I actually think about this a lot. About the title, specifically. You see with "small death" being a more literal translation from the french say "petite mort", which in actuality, means orgasm. And with codeine being a kind of pain killer, I took to interpreting. With the meaning in mind, I imagine this as some sort of far away memory that was more recent than you'd imagine. If you took codeine as some sort of metaphor to the sensation pain killers give you, one of daze, and with the codeine *scene,* this translates in an interesting way. I imagine it as the subtle memories after a particularly adventurous night. When in the morning you're only left with the faint memory of pleasure and the hazy feeling of aching limbs. With the far away features of an assumed partner. The "angel." This feels VERY weird to type out but I actually take these things very seriously. Hozier songs gave me a lot more respect for the more physical aspects of the music industry and the general expression of such. Helped me grow a little as a person, I think.

what do you MEAN straight girls don't cry to this at 2:34 am while eating their 3rd pack of room temperature pop tarts? y'all really missing out smh

The most poetic way to talk about addiction I’ve ever heard

Who else is here cause of Hozier and not a TV show

kaleo + hozier = masterpiece.

I can't stop listening to this...

Your mother's paintings are beautiful. I am not an expert in art but I understand the meaning of his works. You are his greatest work of Art. All my respect for her and for your music. Thanks Hozier!

every time he hums I get chills down my spine. Amazing musician

Angel of small death and Codeine scene just go SO well together in a sentence

I'm 67 years young and I absolutely love this song. I saw it on Code Black and had to look up Hozier to see who he is. I love his music. Lyrics are amazing and the tune is awesome.

This song is literally about my ex. Straw-blonde hair, Tongue so mean, came to me in my desperation, used me, then left. 8 month later, still hooked on her flesh. That and Hozier's music is the best I have heard in years. He deserves all the grammys.

I think Hozier and Lorde should do a duet of, like, the creepiest song of all time! (Although this one isn't as creepy!)

Listening to Hozier is like, you want to make your move so bad but you couldn't decide what movement you would make because there are too many feelings and emotions passing by your head and heart

I'm here because I kept hearing a bunch of the same really good songs at a coffee shop nearby where I live over the course of the last two years. I looked up this song specifically, and listened to this entire album. That's when I realized that this entire time, I kept hearing all very different songs from the same person. That's when Hozier became my favorite musician of all time.

La petite mort (French pronunciation: ​[la pətit mɔʁ], the little death) is an expression which means "the brief loss or weakening of consciousness" and in modern usage refers specifically to "the sensation of orgasm as likened to death".

Just as a curiosity, can a person marry a song?

Such a strong song, the chorus is gold. His voice is ridiculously powerful and way too much to handle. I've never heard such a voice. I know it's weird but I always have a feeling he's not a human-being. I love him for every reason.

Hozier ft. Florence Welch would be amazing /.\

i just remarked to a dear friend that i noticed hozier's music has like this, seemingly ethereal quality when you first approach it. but when you break it down, it's ultimately about a sort of pure, unconditional love. his songs convey loving someone or something completely wholly, and if not in lyrics it's in vibes and theme. i feel it perfectly captures what's it like to be really, truly in love: to appreciate who or what you love so deeply that you feel lucky that they/it's in your life. it's the emotion, the feeling, of accepting this someone or something with your entire being and being desperately appreciative. his songs scream, "thank you, thank you, thank you, for choosing to be in my life." it's just. so gorgeous, to me. true love feels floaty, ethereal, beyond words and incomprehensible. but it's so simple once you get down to it, and i think hozier's music encapsulates that completely. people joke that he's like an elf or fae of some sort, but i think his songs truly convey what it means to be human. what it means to be alive, and to care. and i feel that caring, really and truly, is the most human thing of all. thank you, hozier.

florence welch + hozier PLEASE ! ??

found this song because my friend sang it at a prison At the time we didn't know each other, and his lisp made this song indecipherable (another friend and I thought he was singing a German soul song) But gah dam is me friend a good singer! And so is codeine!

"Angel Of Small Death & The Codeine Scene" I watch the work of my kin bold and boyful Toying somewhere between love and abuse Calling to join them the wretched and joyful Shaking the wings of their terrible youths Freshly disowned in some frozen devotion No more alone or myself could I be Lurched like a stray to the arms that were open No shortage of sordid, no protest from me With her sweetened breath, and her tongue so mean She's the angel of small death and the codeine scene With her straw-blonde hair, her arms hard and lean She's the angel of small death and the codeine scene Feeling more human and hooked on her flesh I Lay my heart down with the rest at her feet Fresh from the fields, all fetor and fertile It's bloody and raw, but I swear it is sweet With her sweetened breath, and her tongue so mean She's the angel of small death and the codeine scene With her straw-blonde hair, her arms hard and lean She's the angel of small death and the codeine scene Leash-less confusion I wander the concrete Wonder if better now having survived Jarring of judgment and reasons defeat The sweet heat of her breath in my mouth I'm alive With her sweetened breath, and her tongue so mean She's the angel of small death and the codeine scene With her straw-blonde hair, her arms hard and lean She's the angel of small death and the codeine scene With her sweetened breath, and her tongue so mean She's the angel of small death and the codeine scene With her straw-blonde hair, her arms hard and lean She's the angel of small death and the codeine scene

I've listened to that song maybe 30 times while I'm writing my history paper

Knew this before The Blacklist episode... was a joy listening to it on the show, probably my favorite song from his album

I have never felt so attached to a song

He is ART- A Real Talent.

Holy shit Hozier is great, I also love how there are barely any dislikes on this video and no hate in the comments ♡

When I first heard this I thought it was called 'Angel of Small Debt' lol

Few musician can make everyone stop and listen, no matter where you are or what you are doing, when you hear them sing. Hozier is one of them.

I think this is Hoziers masterpiece. I always come back to this.

Hozier needs to be more popular... Their songs are so much better than the shit being played on the radio rn

i'm always in awe of his choice of words in his lyrics

His voice is liquid gold, words of a poet...AMAZINGGGGG!!!!!!!!

Can you imagine a collaboration with him and ZZ Ward? Oh god that would be absolutely amazing.

Its not often the case where I find an artist whos so good, I can indescrimanately buy his entire album, because even without listening to all of his songs, Im guranteed to like them. Hozier you Rule!

I can't stop listening to This Song! again and again and again GREAT!

I can't get enough of this, on repeat for more than a week now :D

The tune that builds in this is just fantastic...

This song is so hauntingly beautiful its amazing! His lyrics are so poetic and mesmerizing. I could listen to this all day!

I cannot stop listening to his music! Of course his being Irish makes me love him even more :)

still crazy about this song in 2017, master piece

I get that people have been brought here by varies shows and what not, but can we stop commenting about that and instead focus on the amazing artist which is Hozier? His songs are so beautiful and heart wrenching. He deserves more credit than he gets.

"It's Bloody and Raw but I swear it is Sweet"

People: "What does the title mean?" Me, an English major: **maniacal laughter in background**

The chorus reminds me of the song Black Horse and the Cherry Tree by KT Tunstall.

I was having terrible menstrual cramps and a terrible mood but I swear it went away by the time I finished half of the song. I do feel lighter than before and my insides seems to want to die a lot less.

Listening to Hozier's songs in repeat at 4 in the morning !! oO

His songs have strong gospel vibes

Took me a while to find the song but Oh Blacklist i love u!

My favorite song from the whole album. You sir are what's keeping music alive today.

The sound of soul and authenticity. A seventeen-track hymn to existence.

As an artist, I use music to tune up, tune out or tune in. However, every time i listen to this album, I usually end up dancing around or staring at the Gulf of Mexico--and no work gets done! But, my brain feels sooo much better afterwards. Refreshingly well played and lyrical, with great insight-excellent break from the current vomitus on the airwaves.

The Blacklist made me discover this and i gotta say whiteout it i probably would never have found it !

See? This is among the countless reasons WHY I LOVE The Blacklist !! Songs like these, they resonate and leave a lasting impression!! The Blacklist has some of the BEST music EVER and this song? It is PERFECT for Red and Lizzie!! Love love love it!!!

Flipping AMAZING! Cannot get enough of his music!

I could listen to this song and clap my hands or tap my foot to the rhythm of the tune. So good.

first artist in a long time that gives me chills. Every song I've listened to by Hoziers has NOT disappointed

I absolutely positively love his music. It's like nothing I've ever heard, and he has the most beautiful voice.

I find his Album to be hypnotizing! Incredible lyrics, amazing Guitar, great Voice! Truly a masterpiece!

What an amazing chorus- feels like a mix of soul and choir. Love your music - hope you hit Kerry sometime.

My son introduced me to this music I absolutely love it I listen to it everday

This is amazing, I find pure pain and joy in this music at the same time!

Thank you for communicating how we all feel but can't project it like you can. Your a blessing Hozier! 💯

& God said, "let there be real music in this pathetic wasteland of commercial music."

It's my favourite Hoziers' song! I can't stop listening it :)

probably my favorite soulful artist who needs to put out more music

This is like a hymn for the wicked

I can only see Thomas Shelby when I listen to this

oh my ears! lol wow this guy really is amazing,isnt he? and irish! automatic win. I'm from south jersey, so could you please come to philly or at least radio 1045??? good god let me fight my way in if i have to

One of the best of the best. He's music really resonates with me and YOU!!!

Just listened to everything I could find! Thank you my heart is glowing!

Been listening to this non stop for the last half hour lol

I watch the work of my kin bold and boyful Toying somewhere between love and abuse Calling to join them the wretched and joyful Shaking the wings of their terrible youths Freshly disowned in some frozen devotion No more alone or myself could I be Lurched like a stray to the arms that were open No shortage of sordid, no protest from me With her sweetened breath, and her tongue so mean She's the angel of small death and the codeine scene With her straw-blonde hair, her arms hard and lean She's the angel of small death and the codeine scene Feeling more human and hooked on her flesh I Lay my heart down with the rest at her feet Fresh from the fields, all feeder and fertile It's bloody and raw, but I swear it is sweet With her sweetened breath, and her tongue so mean She's the angel of small death and the codeine scene With her straw-blonde hair, her arms hard and lean She's the angel of small death and the codeine scene Leash-less confusion I wander the concrete Wonder if better now having survived Jarring of judgment and reasons defeat The sweet heat of her breath in my mouth I'm alive With her sweetened breath, and her tongue so mean She's the angel of small death and the codeine scene With her straw-blonde hair, her arms hard and lean She's the angel of small death and the codeine scene With her sweetened breath, and her tongue so mean She's the angel of small death and the codeine scene With her straw-blonde hair, her arms hard and lean She's the angel of small death and the codeine scene

He puts his soul into his music... I'm in love with both.

I like how he switches it up around 0:33... cool!! can't get enough of that :) Great new artist

my god 2019 and i still listen to this wonderful music.

I love his music, it's refreshing, his voice is beautiful, & "Take Me To Church," is one of my favorite all time songs!! A breath of fresh air!

One of my favorite songs

Im absolutely in love with his voice! And great music.

this should have been his single, take me to church is great but this song is the absolute tits. This is more of a radio song. Never too late tho, everyone should just keep requesting the shit out of this song and have it blow it like it deserves

I'm here for hozier because he has a majestic voice. #teamhozier

I bought the album last week and this is definitely my favorite song by far!

what a great sound hozier has! it's so refreshing to hear, please don't sell out too much.

Seafret's cover of Hozier's song is gorgeous too :)

Traditional farmers sliced the poppy to gather the "blood" from inside the bulb which is pure opium.

I come here every Saturday night. I love this song!

Hozier is amazing. My favorite band! ♡

If you love this version listen to Seafret's cover. It's so so so amazingly good!!

can anyone tell me why Hozier doesn't have the amount of fans and credit he deserves?

I fall in love with every song he creates... He is like God of music, I can't explain it in other way. He is not a singer, he is an artist.

Hozier is simply one of the most talented artists I have ever listened to