Angel Of Small Death And The Codeine Scene

Album: Hozier (2014)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The female character on this track is portaged by Hozier as a lover with a mean tongue. He told The Cut: "There's probably a lot of Portrait of the Artist As a Young Man in that song. I suppose it's about feeling liberation... and a woman whose references might be questionable at best."
  • James Joyce's 1916 semiautobiographical novel Portrait of the Artist As a Young Man was a very strong influence on Hozier when writing the songs for his debut album. He explained to The Cut: "It's very much about a man's struggle to find his own identity in an oppressive culture of church, in an age influenced heavily by the Catholic church and a nationalism that he just wants to be free of."

Comments: 1

  • Smartalek from BostonIn French, "la petite mort" ("small death") is an idiom for orgasm.
    In case anyone wanted to know that.
    Can't speak knowledgeably about "the codeine scene," though.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Grammar In Lyrics

Grammar In LyricsMusic Quiz

Lyrics don't always follow the rules of grammar. Can you spot the ones that don't?

Jonathan Cain of Journey

Jonathan Cain of JourneySongwriter Interviews

Cain talks about the divine inspirations for "Don't Stop Believin'" and "Faithfully."

Actors With Hit Songs

Actors With Hit SongsMusic Quiz

Many actors have attempted music, but only a few have managed a hit. Do you know which of these thespians charted?

David Gray

David GraySongwriter Interviews

David Gray explains the significance of the word "Babylon," and talks about how songs are a form of active imagination, with lyrics that reveal what's inside us.

Linda Perry

Linda PerrySongwriter Interviews

Songwriting Hall of Famer Linda Perry talks about her songs "What's Up" and "Beautiful," her songwriting process, and her move into film music.

Harry Wayne Casey of KC and The Sunshine Band

Harry Wayne Casey of KC and The Sunshine BandSongwriter Interviews

Harry Wayne Casey tells the stories behind KC and The Sunshine Band hits like "Get Down Tonight," "That's The Way (I Like It)," and "Give It Up."