Talk
Ofln - Hozier Lyrics


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I'd be the voice that urged Orpheus
When her body was found (hey ya)
I'd be the choiceless hope in grief
That drove him underground (hey ya)
I'd be the dreadful need in the devotee
That made him turn around (hey ya)
And I'd be the immediate forgiveness
In Eurydice
Imagine being loved by me!

I won't deny I've got in my mind now all the things we'd do
So I'll try to talk refined for fear that you find out how I'm imaginin' you

I'd be the last shred of truth
In the lost myth of true love (hey ya)
I'd be the sweet feeling of release
Mankind now dreams of (hey ya)
That's found in the last witness
Before the wave hits
Marvelling at God (hey ya)
Before he feels alone
One final time
And marries the sea
Imagine being loved by me

I won't deny I've got in my mind now all the things I would do
So I'll try to talk refined for fear that you find out how I'm imaginin' you




I won't deny I've got in my mind now all the things we could do
So I'll try to talk refined for fear that you find out how I'm imaginin' you

Overall Meaning

In the first paragraph of the lyrics, the singer references the story of Orpheus and Eurydice from Greek mythology. The singer imagines themselves as the voice that encouraged Orpheus when Eurydice's body was found, and as the only hope that still existed in his grief, which eventually led him to descend into the underworld. They also mention being the intense desire felt by Orpheus that compelled him to turn around and look at Eurydice, breaking the rules and leading to her final demise. Lastly, the singer claims that they would offer immediate forgiveness to Eurydice in this situation. The phrase "imagine being loved by me" can be interpreted as a reflection on the intensity and depth of the singer's love and devotion.


Moving on to the second paragraph, the singer acknowledges that they have certain thoughts and fantasies about their potential relationship with the person they are singing to. They express a desire to present themselves in a refined manner while speaking, out of fear that the other person might discover the extent to which they have imagined being with them. This suggests that the singer might have certain romantic or intimate desires towards the listener.


The third paragraph connects the singer's love to the concept of true love in myth and folklore. They claim to embody the last shred of truth in the lost myth of true love, implying that their love is genuine and the embodiment of this elusive concept. They describe themselves as the euphoric feeling of release that humanity currently yearns for but has not yet attained. The mention of the last witness before the wave hits suggests an impending catastrophe or significant event that will forever change the way people view love. The phrase "marvelling at God before he feels alone one final time and marries the sea" can be interpreted as a metaphorical description of an ultimate betrayal or abandonment by a superior force. The singer once again invites the listener to imagine the profound experience of being loved by them.


The fourth and final paragraph repeats the previous sentiments of the singer having vivid thoughts and desires about the relationship, perhaps implying a strong longing or affection. They continue their attempt to present themselves in a refined manner while speaking, fearful of revealing their true depth of imagination regarding the listener. This highlights the singer's desire to maintain a certain level of decorum and keep their thoughts hidden, possibly out of concern for how the listener may perceive them.


Overall, the lyrics of "Talk" delve into themes of love, desire, and imagination. The singer demonstrates a sense of intensity and devotion in their love, drawing inspiration from mythical stories and painting vivid images of passion and longing.


Line by Line Meaning

I'd be the voice that urged Orpheus
I would be the guiding and encouraging force for Orpheus


When her body was found (hey ya)
During the time of tragedy when Orpheus lost his beloved


I'd be the choiceless hope in grief
I would represent the hope that exists even in the midst of despair


That drove him underground (hey ya)
That led him into a state of isolation and retreat


I'd be the dreadful need in the devotee
I would be the intense desire that consumes the devoted


That made him turn around (hey ya)
Causing him to change his direction and seek redemption


And I'd be the immediate forgiveness
I would offer instant and complete forgiveness


In Eurydice
To Eurydice herself


Imagine being loved by me!
Just imagine experiencing the love that I offer!


I won't deny I've got in my mind now all the things we'd do
I can't hide the thoughts and fantasies I have about our potential experiences


So I'll try to talk refined for fear that you find out how I'm imaginin' you
Therefore, I will make an effort to speak in a polished manner, afraid that you may discover the extent of my imagination involving you


I'd be the last shred of truth
I would embody the final fragment of genuine love


In the lost myth of true love (hey ya)
Within the forgotten tale of genuine, lasting love


I'd be the sweet feeling of release
I would provide the blissful sensation of liberation


Mankind now dreams of (hey ya)
A desire that humanity longs for


That's found in the last witness
Discovered through the final observer


Before the wave hits
Just before the imminent disaster strikes


Marvelling at God (hey ya)
In awe of the divine power


Before he feels alone
Before experiencing a sense of loneliness


One final time
For the last instance


And marries the sea
Metaphorically joining with the vastness of the ocean


I won't deny I've got in my mind now all the things I would do
I cannot hide the vivid thoughts of the things I desire to do


So I'll try to talk refined for fear that you find out how I'm imaginin' you
Therefore, I will attempt to speak with sophistication, afraid that you might discover the extent of my imaginative thoughts about you


I won't deny I've got in my mind now all the things we could do
I cannot deny that my mind is brimming with ideas of all the possibilities for us


So I'll try to talk refined for fear that you find out how I'm imaginin' you
Therefore, I will make an effort to speak in a polished manner, anxious that you may uncover the depth of my imagination involving you




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Andrew Hozier-Byrne

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@the_wisecrack9472

I'd be the voice that urged Orpheus
When her body was found
Hey yeah
I'd be the choiceless hope in grief
That drove him underground
Hey yeah
I'd be the dreadful need in the devotee
That made him turn around
Hey yeah
And I'd be the immediate forgiveness
In Eurydice
Imagine being loved by me

I won't deny I've got in my mind now
All the things we'd do
So I'll try to talk refined
For fear that you find out
How I'm imaginin' you

I'd be the last shred of truth
In the lost myth of true love
Hey yeah
I'd be the sweet feeling of relief
Mankind now dreams of
Hey yeah
That's found in the last witness before the wave hits
Marvelling at God
Hey yeah
Before he feels alone one final time
And marries the sea
Imagine being loved by me

I won't deny I've got in my mind now
All the things I would do
So I'll try to talk refined
For fear that you find out
How I'm imaginin' you

I won't deny I've got in my mind now
All the things we could do
So I'll try to talk refined
For fear that you find out
How I'm imaginin' you



@elimarken9223

@billiey giles I don't think anyone is saying otherwise.

Hozier doesn't really position himself as 'the Orpheus to your Eurydice' in this verse, but rather relates some of his own qualities to both Orpheus and Eurydice's actions.

Therefore, he's not saying he is Orpheus and is forgiving of Eurydice, he is saying he possesses both Orpheus' longing and devotion as well as Eurydice's forgiveness.

Basically:
Orpheus would follow his lover to hell,
And Eurydice would forgive her lover for leaving her there,
But Hozier would do both

(If that makes any sense ^^')



All comments from YouTube:

@grettagraves7900

“Imagine being loved by me” THIS MAN KNOWS THE POWER HE HOLDS

@MessagesFromAurora

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

@annmariemitchell9309

Hmmm.. what a lovely thought!❤

@haleyautumn153

😊😅😮😢🎉😂😂
😊😅😮❤😂🎉🎉

@haleyautumn153

There

@haleyautumn153

3

1 More Replies...

@nicole.capobs3811

Hozier using Greek Mythology references, the absolute AUDACITY of this man.

@oryxprimethetakendisciple649

The myth of Orpheus no less!

@yvningsiren

He's allowed to as a god

@influenzamusk886

Well he is Hades so...

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