"Movement" is a song recorded by Irish singer-songwriter
Hozier for his second studio album, ''
Wasteland, Baby!
''Wasteland, Baby!'' is the second studio album by Irish musician Hozier, released on 1 March 2019 by Rubyworks Records. It is Hozier's first album since 2014. The album includes the songs " Nina Cried Power" and "Shrike" from the 2018 EP '' Nin ...
''. It was released on 6 September 2018 as the second single from the record, peaking at number forty on the
Irish Singles Chart.
Writing and composition
"Movement" is the third track from the album, written solely by Hozier. "Movement" was first written on the piano,
and is a gospel-pop and R&B ballad with "intense emotionality", "twinkling' keys and organs, and slow-build, stomp-clap to the track.
The lyrics reference "
Jonah
Jonah or Jonas, ''Yōnā'', "dove"; gr, Ἰωνᾶς ''Iōnâs''; ar, يونس ' or '; Latin: ''Ionas'' Ben (Hebrew), son of Amittai, is a prophet in the Hebrew Bible and the Quran, from Gath-hepher of the northern Kingdom of Israel (Samaria ...
on the ocean" and
Fred Astaire
Fred Astaire (born Frederick Austerlitz; May 10, 1899 – June 22, 1987) was an American dancer, choreographer, actor, and singer. He is often called the greatest dancer in Hollywood film history.
Astaire's career in stage, film, and tele ...
, illustrating "the summons of love as an awe-inspiring dance."
Critical reception
"Movement" received mixed reviews from critics. ''
Billboard'' praised the track, saying "the emotional song touches on the beauty of movement, as Hozier sings about watching the subject dancing freely."
while ''
NPR
National Public Radio (NPR, stylized in all lowercase) is an American privately and state funded nonprofit media organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., with its NPR West headquarters in Culver City, California. It differs from other ...
'' stated that ""Movement," leans hard into Hozier's gifts for crafting songs that radiate waves of soaring intensity
..and drama build
quietly." ''
Pitchfork
A pitchfork (also a hay fork) is an agricultural tool with a long handle and two to five tines used to lift and pitch or throw loose material, such as hay, straw, manure, or leaves.
The term is also applied colloquially, but inaccurately, to ...
'' dismissed it, writing that the "murk of
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__while_''The_Independent''_likened_it_to_a_"church_march_to_which_the_bride_enters_a_disappointing_wedding_night."
_Commercial_performance
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Commercial performance
The song peaked at number eleven on the Digital Song Sales">Billboard Digital Sales Chart.
Music video
The official music video for "Movement" was released on 14 November 2018. The video was directed by British filmmakers Chris Barrett and Luke Taylor and featured dancer Sergei Polunin, paying tribute to the "emotional physicality of dance" alongside the lyrics. The video has amassed over 21 million views on YouTube.
Personnel
Credits adapted from Tidal (service), Tidal.Markus Dravs
Markus Dravs is a British music producer, songwriter, programmer, engineer and mixer. His credits include Arcade Fire, Coldplay, Wolf Alice, Björk, Brian Eno, Sheep on Drugs, Mumford & Sons, Florence + the Machine, The Maccabees and Kings o ...
– Producer, associated performer, clapping, programming, synthesizer, vocal production
* Alex Ryan – Associated Performer, bass (vocal), clapping, piano, rhodes
* Booker T. Jones – Associated Performer, organ
* Iain Berryman – Associated Performer, clapping, engineer, studio personnel
* Paul Clarvis – Associated Performer, bass, shaker
* Rory Doyle – Associated Performer, clapping, drums
* Nathaniel Graham – Asst. Recording Engineer, studio personnel
* Robbie Nelson – Asst. Recording Engineer, studio personnel
* Greg Calbi – Mastering Engineer, studio personnel
* Andrew Scheps – Mixer, studio personnel
Charts
Certifications
References
{{Hozier
2010s ballads
2018 songs
2018 singles
Gospel songs
Pop ballads
Rhythm and blues ballads
Hozier (musician) songs
Songs written by Hozier (musician)