Liputan6.com, Jakarta Hozier's "Too Sweet" has captured global attention, not only for its distinctive melody but also for its meaningful lyrics. Released as part of his "Unheard" EP, the song quickly became a phenomenon, especially after its resonance on the social media platform TikTok.
The song's core lies in the striking contrast between the narrator's "dark" or "abusive" lifestyle and his partner, who is described as "too sweet" or "too perfect." This dynamic creates a relatable narrative for many listeners, making "Too Sweet" more than just another song.
Its popularity skyrocketed thanks to its virality on TikTok, where various singing challenges and content trends used the song. This propelled "Too Sweet" to the top of the charts in numerous countries, cementing its position as one of Hozier's biggest hits.
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The Lyrics
[Verse 1]
It can't be said I'm an early bird
It's 10 o'clock before I say a word
Baby, I can never tell
How do you sleep so well?
You keep tellin' me to live right
To go to bed before the daylight
But then you wake up for the sunrise
You know you don't gotta pretend
Baby, now and then
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[Pre-Chorus]
Don't you just wanna wake up, dark as a lake
Smellin' like a bonfire, lost in a haze?
If you're drunk on life, babe, I think it's great
But while in this world
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[Chorus]
I think I'll take my whiskey neat
My coffee black and my bed at 3
You're too sweet for me
You're too sweet for me
I take my whiskеy neat
My coffee black and my bed at 3
You're too sweet for mе
You're too sweet for me
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[Post-Chorus]
Ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh
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[Verse 2]
I aim low
I aim true, and the ground's where I go
I work late where I'm free from the phone
And the job gets done
But you worry some, I know
But who wants to live forever, babe?
You treat your mouth as if it's Heaven's gate
The rest of you like you're the TSA
I wish I could go along
Babe, don't get me wrong
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[Pre-Chorus]
You know you're bright as the morning, as soft as the rain
Pretty as a vine, as sweet as a grape
If you can sit in a barrel, maybe I'll wait
Until that day
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[Chorus]
I'd rather take my whiskey neat
My coffee black and my bed at 3
You're too sweet for me
You're too sweet for me
I take my whiskey neat
My coffee black and my bed at 3
You're too sweet for me
You're too sweet for me
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[Post-Chorus]
Woah, woah
Woah, woah
Woah, woah
Woah, woah
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[Outro]
I take my whiskey neat
My coffee black and my bed at 3
You're too sweet for me
You're too sweet for me
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The Meaning Behind the Song Lyrics
The song "Too Sweet" talks about how two people, who are connected, live very different lives. Hozier uses words in the song to show that the person singing has a relaxed and maybe messy way of living, while their partner is more neat and always tries to do the right thing.
For example, the singer says, "I take my whiskey neat, my coffee black, and my bed at three," showing they like strong drinks and a simple, old-fashioned way of life. Their partner, on the other hand, wakes up early with the sunrise and wants to always "live right." This makes their differences clear.
The song also describes the couple as "bright as the morning," "soft as the rain," and "sweet as a grape." But the singer likes to "aim low" and "work late where I'm free from the phone," meaning they live by different rules and ideas.
When the singer says, "You're too sweet for me," it doesn’t mean they don’t like their partner. Instead, it shows that their personalities are different. Sometimes, a very kind or perfect person can be hard for someone who is more rough or serious to match.
The Song Went Viral on TikTok
Since its release in March 2024, "Too Sweet" has exploded onto TikTok, becoming one of the most-streamed songs on the platform. This success was largely driven by a "singing challenge" that encouraged users to sing along to specific parts of the song.
The commercial impact of this virality has been significant. "Too Sweet" has reached number one on various prestigious charts worldwide, including peaks in the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Ireland, demonstrating the song's global reach.
Hozier himself has expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming support from fans and listeners who have propelled "Too Sweet" to the top. This positive response demonstrates how social media interactions can drastically increase the popularity of a piece of music.
While there has been debate among fans about whether the song's popularity was entirely "organic" or heavily driven by TikTok, the platform officially promoted "Too Sweet" as a "Trending Song and Viral Hit," confirming TikTok's crucial role in the song's incredible success.
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