| From Eden | |
| Cover: | From Eden Hozier.jpg |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | Hozier |
| Album: | Hozier |
| Released: | 9 March 2014 |
| Recorded: | 2013 |
| Genre: | Soul rock, blues rock |
| Prev Title: | Take Me to Church |
| Prev Year: | 2013 |
| Next Title: | Sedated |
| Next Year: | 2014 |
"From Eden" is a song recorded by Irish singer-songwriter Hozier for his 2014 eponymous debut studio album. It was released on 9 March 2014 as the second single from the record and peaked at number two on the Irish Singles Chart and number fifteen on the Billboard Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart. An accompanying music video was released in November 2014, featuring actress Katie McGrath.
"From Eden" is the sixth track from the album and written by Hozier[1] "From Eden" is one of the experimental tracks on the album, with Motown influences breaking down a flamenco bridge while returning to religious metaphor; the lyrics contain "torturous Biblical ponderings", with Hozier slithering from the Garden of Eden to confront a love he deems "familiar/like my mirror, years ago".[2] [3]
"From Eden" received praise from critics; The Irish Times commended the track for its "grit and substance" and exclaimed that Hozier's vocals contained a "blue-eyed, soulful delivery", while PopMatters stated that the song saw the Four Tops quartet "put their arms around young Hozier" as he realises a "journey as much about finding himself as it is about finding the girl."[3] [4]
The song peaked at number 15 on the Billboard Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart and number 2 on the Irish Singles Chart.[5] [6] "From Eden" also scored within the Top 100 charting positions in the UK, Canada, and Belgium, respectively.[7] [8] [9] "From Eden" is certified gold in the United Kingdom and Australia.
Released on 18 November 2014, the official music video for "From Eden" was directed by filmmaking duo henry/ssong (Henry Chen and Ssong Yang).[10] Actress Katie McGrath and child actor Tate Birchmore star alongside Hozier in the video, which contrasts a "life of crime" with the breezy melody and lyrics, resulting in conflicting emotional circumstances.[11] [12] It depicts Hozier as an outlaw with his companion, McGrath, and young boy they've taken into their company while on the run. Hozier robs a gas station and the trio commandeer a house in which to spend the night; the pair are subsequently caught, with the boy being taken from their custody. It is revealed that the couple had found the boy alone in a dilapidated house. The video has garnered over 59 million views on YouTube.[13]
| Region | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ireland[15] | 9 March 2014 | Universal | |
| United States[16] [17] [18] | 1 April 2014 | Columbia | |
| 6 October 2014 | Adult album alternative radio | ||
| 10 February 2015 | Modern rock radio |