“My brother knows Karl Marx, he met him eating mushrooms in the people’s park”
JOE has always been interested in getting our hands on the iPods of some musicians to see what their guilty musical pleasures might be.
We have a secret inkling that Daniel O’Donnell likes to relax with some Cradle of Filth, while Bono probably kicks back with Crystal Swing.
Hozier has done fairly well for himself over the last year or so – understatement of the year there – and he met up with Shortlist to discuss some of his musical influences.
His favourite one hit wonder caused a debate here in JOE Towers after he opted for ‘Where’s Me Jumper’ by the Sultans of Ping FC saying, “It’s a great one. I remember being a kid when that came out and just loving it – the lyrics are wacky and wonderful, and there’s this great energy to it – it’s a song that just doesn’t give a crap!”
Hmm, it’s this particular JOE’s opinion that their album Casual Sex in the Cineplex is full of brilliant tunes… but who are we to argue with a man that has sold over a bajillion zillion records.
We absolutely love the singer’s favourite song from a movie though because, in JOE’s opinion, The Blues Brothers is the best musical that has ever been made. EVER.
He says, “Old Landmark which is on The Blues Brothers soundtrack. I remember falling in love with it and listening to it over and over again… it’s James Brown, who’s performing this gospel song in a church – the end of the first act. It’s just everything… gospel and James Brown! The Blues Brothers was a big big film for me growing up, I suppose. The first time I watched it I was maybe 3 years old and I watched it like a Disney film, over and over again.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmkXw9U34uw
The Wicklow blues singer is better placed than most to discuss what makes a fantastic sad song and he opted for Chet Baker’s ‘I Get Along Without You Very Well’, while ‘Mysterious People’ by Val Doonican is the song that reminds him most of his childhood.
Hozier has seen his debut album reach No. 2 in the Billboard charts, but it’s unlikely that ‘From Eden’ or ‘Take Me To Church’ will be played at any weddings, unlike his favourite song to hear during wedding nuptials, ‘Real Real’ by the incredible Nina Simone.
Hozier’s lyrics have earned him rave reviews, but he counts ‘Anthem, by Leonard Cohen as the greatest song that was ever penned, while Jack Garratt’s ‘Water’ is his favourite new song that’s currently on the airwaves.
JOE doesn’t quite picture Hozier as the heavy-drinking, skirt-chasing, hell-raising, club-going type of guy, but his choice of favourite dancefloor anthem is excellent.
We’re fairly certain that the singer has a few more friends after his stellar year…
Hozier was talking to Shortlist about his top tune choices.
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ podcast – listen to the latest episode now!
