Hozier has a knack for writing songs that feel personal and poetic all at once. One of his quieter tracks, Like Real People Do, is packed with meaning, even though it sounds simple at first. It’s a love song, sure, but there’s more going on under the surface. It’s about healing, starting fresh, and finding something real in the middle of life’s messiness.
Let’s dig into what makes this song so special and talk about the Like Real People Do lyrics meaning in a way that feels as natural as the song itself.
First Impressions of the Song
When you hear Like Real People Do, it feels soft and intimate, like it’s just you and Hozier in a quiet room. There’s no flashy production—just his voice and a guitar. That simplicity pulls you in. It sets the stage for the lyrics, which are like little puzzle pieces waiting to click together.
The song opens with a strange, almost eerie image of bugs and dirt. It’s not the kind of thing you expect from a love song. But Hozier uses those details to paint a picture of something buried—something from the past that’s about to be uncovered. It’s heavy, but it’s also beautiful, like there’s hope hiding under the surface.
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What’s With the Grave Imagery?
Yeah, there’s a lot of talk about graves and dirt. It’s not just there to be creepy. It’s a metaphor. The grave feels like a symbol for old wounds, maybe a painful past relationship or a part of yourself you’d rather forget. But this song doesn’t stay stuck in the past. It’s all about what comes after.
Think about how love can feel like a fresh start. Even if you’ve been hurt before, finding someone who sees you as you are can be transformative. The grave imagery in this song feels like a way to show that transformation. It’s about leaving behind what’s buried and stepping into the light again.
The idea of something buried coming back to life runs through the whole song. It’s not about zombies or anything spooky. It’s about love pulling you out of a dark place. Like, even if part of you feels “dead,” love can bring you back to life.
Analyzing the Opening Lyrics
The song begins with a vivid and slightly unsettling image:
I had a thought, dear
However scary
About that night
The bugs and the dirt
Why were you digging?
What did you bury
Before those hands pulled me
From the earth?
This opening sets a tone that’s mysterious and deeply emotional. The mention of “bugs and the dirt” conjures images of decay and burial—something hidden, something painful. The narrator’s questions—“Why were you digging? What did you bury?”—imply a secret or a past wound that hasn’t been fully addressed.
Then, the perspective shifts: “Before those hands pulled me from the earth.” Suddenly, the imagery becomes one of resurrection. The narrator, who seemed to be buried in pain or darkness, is now being saved, brought back to life by someone else’s touch. This moment transforms the song from one about loss to one about renewal.
The grave in these lyrics feels symbolic. It could represent emotional scars, past relationships, or even parts of ourselves that we’ve tried to bury and forget. The act of being pulled from the earth suggests that love can revive what feels lost. It doesn’t erase the past but offers a way forward, a chance to heal and start again.
Letting Go of the Past
One of the most touching lines is:
“I will not ask you where you came from, I will not ask and neither should you.”
That says so much with so few words. It’s about not digging into the past. The couple in the song doesn’t care about what came before—just about being together now. It’s a kind of love that doesn’t judge or question. It’s about being present and letting each other heal.
There’s something so freeing about that idea. It’s like saying, “We’ve all got baggage, but it doesn’t have to define us.” That’s a message a lot of people need to hear. This part of the Like Real People Do lyrics meaning feels universal. Who hasn’t wanted to be seen for who they are now, not who they were before?
Love that lets you move forward without dragging the past along feels like a rare gift. And Hozier captures it perfectly in these lines.
The Hope in “Like Real People Do”
The chorus offers a quiet, tender kind of hope:
Honey just put your sweet lips on my lips
We should just kiss like real people do.
These lines are simple but carry so much weight. They strip away everything complicated or painful from the past and focus on the here and now. The idea of “kissing like real people do” feels almost mundane, but that’s the beauty of it. It’s about grounding love in something real, something human. There’s no need for grand gestures or perfect moments. Just a shared connection, honest and unguarded.
Hozier seems to suggest that love, at its best, is straightforward. It’s about being present, letting your guard down, and embracing the ordinary beauty of intimacy. These lines are the emotional centre of the song—a soft reassurance that love doesn’t have to be anything more than this.
Check out Logan Ransley’s Music
Looking for more music that hits those same emotional notes? Check out Logan Ransley. His introspective style pairs beautifully with Bon Iver’s vibe. Start with "The Mountain", "Gwendoline", and "Ocean". You might just find your new favorite track.
Why the Song Feels So Personal
Hozier’s voice and guitar make the song feel so close, like he’s singing right to you. That stripped-down sound matches the lyrics perfectly. There’s no distraction—just raw emotion.
Even the way he sings feels gentle. It’s not about showing off his range or making the song sound big. It’s about getting the feeling across. And boy, does it work. You can almost feel the story he’s telling, even if he never gives you all the details.
This simplicity is what makes the song feel so universal. Whether you’ve experienced something like this or not, you can relate to the emotions behind it.
Why People Love This Song
Like Real People Do speaks to something we all understand. We’ve all been through hard stuff. We’ve all felt like part of us is buried under the weight of it. But this song is a reminder that it’s possible to move forward. Love doesn’t erase the past, but it can make the present brighter.
It’s not trying to be flashy or tell you how to live. It just shows you what love can do when it’s real and kind. That’s what makes it stick. It’s like Hozier knew exactly what we needed to hear and found the perfect way to say it.
Final Thoughts
Hozier’s Like Real People Do isn’t just another love song. It’s a quiet reminder that love can heal, even when things feel broken. The Like Real People Do lyrics are simple but layered, offering something new every time you listen. It’s about letting go of the past, embracing the present, and finding hope in the ordinary.
If you haven’t already, give it another listen. Let yourself get lost in it for a few minutes. You might just find something in it that feels like it was written for you.