Like Real People Do

"Like Real People Do" is a profound exploration of vulnerability, acceptance, and the healing power of love in the face of past trauma. The song uses the central metaphor of a body being unearthed from the dirt to symbolize a person being rescued from a state of emotional death or deep-seated pain. The narrator is this exhumed body, covered in the "bugs and the dirt" of his past, representing his flaws, secrets, and sorrows. His lover is the one who digs him up, and the song is his quiet, intimate confession and plea.

The core theme is the desire for a relationship that is not defined by past baggage. The mutual agreement, "I will not ask you where you came from / I will not ask you, neither should you," is a powerful statement about unconditional acceptance. It’s a conscious decision by both individuals to love each other as they are in the present moment, without needing to excavate and judge each other's histories. This suggests a mature, empathetic form of love that recognizes everyone carries burdens.

The refrain, "We should just kiss like real people do," is the heart of the song's message. It represents a longing for normalcy and simple, unadulterated intimacy. After experiencing profound hurt, the act of a simple kiss becomes a powerful symbol of grounding and reality—a way to connect on a basic, human level, free from the complexities of their respective pasts. The song ultimately suggests that true connection doesn't require full disclosure of every scar, but rather a gentle, shared commitment to move forward together into a new, more hopeful reality.

The song begins with the narrator's quiet, unsettling reflection directed at a lover. He recalls the night they met, an image clouded with "bugs and the dirt." A haunting question arises: what was the lover doing digging in the earth? What secrets or past sorrows were they trying to bury right before their hands found the narrator and, metaphorically, pulled him from his own state of burial or emotional death? This imagery suggests the narrator himself was lost, inert, and lifeless until this person unearthed him.

Following this strange and intimate memory, a mutual pact is established, born of a shared understanding of having a difficult past. The narrator declares he will not probe into his lover's history, and he expects the same in return. It’s an agreement to let the past lie dormant and not define their present. The focus is to shift entirely to the here and now, to a simple, pure act of connection. He implores his lover, whom he calls "Honey," to just kiss him. This isn't a passionate, overwhelming kiss, but one that is gentle, normal, and human—something "like real people do." It's a plea for a love grounded in simple, present reality, free from the complications and shadows of what came before.

The narrative continues as the narrator recognizes a familiar pain in his lover's eyes. He sees a constant, searching look that reminds him of someone else from long ago who also "dug," suggesting a past relationship where he was perhaps scrutinized or where past traumas were exhumed without resolution. Because he recognizes this pattern of seeking and the pain it can cause, he reassures his lover that he won't ask why they were "creeping" or hiding. He understands on an intuitive, sorrowful level the reasons behind their secrecy, acknowledging a shared experience of having things to hide. This shared, unspoken knowledge creates a deeper, albeit melancholic, bond between them.

The song concludes by reinforcing this central agreement. The refrain repeats, emphasizing the mutual decision to not question each other's origins or pasts. The desire remains simple and profound: to connect through a kiss, to experience a love that is straightforward, accepting, and real. It’s a conscious choice to build a new reality together, one based on tender intimacy rather than the excavation of old wounds. The repetition underscores this as the foundational principle of their relationship, a gentle mantra for their shared attempt at healing and normalcy.

"Like Real People Do" was written by Irish artist Andrew Hozier-Byrne and released on his debut studio album, Hozier, on September 19, 2014. Hozier wrote much of his early music, including the songs for this album, in the attic of his family home in County Wicklow, Ireland. The album's creation was a period of intense reflection for Hozier, often following the end of his first relationship, which prompted him to explore themes of love, loss, and self-acceptance.

The song's lyrical inspiration is deeply rooted in Irish history and literature, particularly the phenomenon of 'bog bodies'—naturally mummified corpses found in peat bogs—and the poetry of Seamus Heaney, who wrote extensively about them. Hozier has spoken about his fascination with the imagery of someone digging up a body and falling in love with it, seeing it as a metaphor for rebirth and overcoming a violent past through love. This reflects his broader artistic tendency to blend natural, earthy imagery with themes of love, religion, and social commentary. In May 2024, to celebrate the album's 10th anniversary, Hozier released a new version featuring sounds of nature from County Wicklow, with a portion of the royalties going to conservation efforts.

"Like Real People Do" is built around a powerful central metaphor comparing a budding romance to the archaeological discovery of a bog body.

• The Unearthed Body: The narrator describes being "pulled from the Earth," which symbolizes being saved from a state of emotional numbness, depression, or isolation. The "bugs and the dirt" clinging to him represent past traumas, mistakes, and personal flaws that he carries. This imagery casts the narrator as someone impure and damaged, yet natural and worthy of discovery.
• Digging and Burying: The act of digging is twofold. The lover is digging, potentially burying their own past, while simultaneously unearthing the narrator. This suggests both characters are dealing with their own histories. The line "I knew that look, dear, eyes always seeking / Was there in someone that dug long ago" implies past relationships may have involved painful, invasive questioning, making the current lover's gentle acceptance all the more significant.
• Honey and Sweet Lips: The term "Honey" and the line "put your sweet lips on my lips" contrast sharply with the dark, earthy imagery of dirt and bugs. Honey symbolizes the sweetness, purity, and healing power of the lover's affection. It represents a simple, natural goodness that can cleanse or soothe the narrator's past.
• Kissing "Like Real People Do": This recurring phrase symbolizes a desire for normalcy and authentic connection. It's a plea to strip away the supernatural or macabre elements of their meeting and their respective pasts, and to ground their relationship in a simple, tangible, human act of love. It represents the ultimate goal of their pact: to be present and real with each other, despite their 'unreal' beginnings.

The predominant emotional atmosphere of "Like Real People Do" is one of tender, melancholic intimacy. It creates a space that is both haunting and comforting, blending dark, gothic imagery with a deep sense of love and vulnerability. The feeling is established primarily through the sparse musical arrangement—a lone acoustic guitar and Hozier's soft, almost whispered vocals create a sense of closeness, as if the listener is overhearing a private confession.

There is a powerful undercurrent of hope and a longing for healing. While the lyrics touch on "scary" thoughts and past pains, the overall message is one of acceptance and moving forward. The emotional landscape shifts subtly from the eerie recollection of being "pulled from the Earth" to the gentle, hopeful plea to "kiss like real people do." This captures the complex feeling of being known, flaws and all, and still being loved. It's a bittersweet and deeply romantic song that finds beauty in brokenness and hope in simple, human connection.

"Like Real People Do" is a fan-favorite track from Hozier's critically and commercially successful self-titled debut album. While not released as a major single like "Take Me to Church," it has garnered significant cultural resonance for its lyrical depth and emotional honesty. Critics praised it as a standout track, highlighting its "pretty" folk sound and compelling storytelling. The song's use of macabre, gothic-inspired metaphors has been frequently analyzed by fans and critics, who connect it to Hozier's deep interest in Irish folklore, history (specifically bog bodies), and the poetry of Seamus Heaney.

The song gained wider recognition after being featured in popular media, most notably in the TV series The Walking Dead, where its themes of death, rebirth, and finding humanity in a broken world resonated strongly with the show's narrative. Its gentle, intimate quality has made it a popular choice for personal playlists and has inspired fan art and tattoos. In May 2024, a new version featuring sounds of nature was released as part of the UN's Sounds Right initiative, directing royalties to environmental conservation and further cementing Hozier's reputation as an artist committed to social and environmental causes.

The rhyme and rhythm of "Like Real People Do" are crafted to support its conversational and intimate tone. The song's rhythmic foundation is a steady, repetitive bass note played by the thumb on the guitar, creating a constant, heartbeat-like pulse that feels both grounding and hypnotic. The tempo is slow and unhurried, allowing space for the lyrics and the gentle, finger-picked melody to unfold.

The rhyme scheme is generally simple and follows patterns like ABCB, as seen in the first verse ("scary"/"dirt"/"digging"/"earth"). This avoids complex or forced rhymes, making the lyrical delivery feel more like natural speech or a private thought process. The pre-chorus and chorus use more direct couplets ("from"/"you," "lips"/"do"), which gives the central message a clear and memorable structure. The rhythm of the vocal melody often works in a fluid, almost spoken-word counterpoint to the steady guitar, enhancing the song's feeling of a personal, heartfelt confession.

"Like Real People Do" is notable for its minimalist and intimate production, which enhances its lyrical themes.

• Musical Style: The song is primarily an acoustic folk ballad. The arrangement is sparse, featuring a finger-picked guitar melody over a steady, thrumming bass line that runs almost continuously throughout the track. This creates a hypnotic, soothing, and slightly melancholic atmosphere. The song is in the key of A Minor, a common choice for introspective and emotional music. Musically, it is considered less complex than many popular songs, which contributes to its raw and honest feel.
• Vocal Delivery: Hozier's vocal performance is gentle, soft, and whisper-like, drawing the listener into the song's intimate, conversational space. This delivery makes it feel like a personal confession rather than a public performance, reinforcing the themes of secrecy and vulnerability.
• Literary Techniques: The song functions as a narrative told from a first-person perspective, creating a homodiegetic narrator who is a character within his own story. The central literary device is the extended metaphor of the bog body. The lyrics also employ direct address ("I had a thought, dear"), which establishes a deeply personal and conversational tone. The use of macabre and gothic imagery ("bugs and the dirt," "dug long ago") contrasts with the tender and simple plea for a normal kiss, creating a powerful emotional juxtaposition.

What is the meaning behind Hozier's song 'Like Real People Do'?

The song is a metaphor for a new relationship between two people with painful pasts. It uses the imagery of being dug from the earth to symbolize being saved from emotional darkness. The core message is about accepting a partner without needing to know their past secrets, and instead choosing to build a simple, authentic love in the present 'like real people do'.

Is 'Like Real People Do' about a zombie or a vampire?

No, the lyrics are metaphorical, not literal. Hozier uses the idea of a 'bog body'—a naturally preserved corpse found in Irish bogs—as a symbol for someone carrying past trauma and flaws. Being 'pulled from the earth' represents being saved by a new love, not a literal resurrection.

What is the significance of the bog body imagery in the song?

The bog body imagery is inspired by Irish history and the poetry of Seamus Heaney. It symbolizes a person who is preserved but 'dead' emotionally, caked in the 'bugs and the dirt' of their past. The lover who unearths them is offering a chance at a new life and healing through acceptance and love.

What does the line 'I will not ask you where you came from' mean?

This line signifies a mutual pact to not delve into each other's past traumas or mistakes. It represents a mature form of love based on unconditional acceptance of who the person is now, rather than judging them for who they were before.

What was 'Like Real People Do' featured in?

The song has been used in several media contexts, but one of its most notable placements was in the popular AMC television series 'The Walking Dead.' Its themes of survival, humanity, and finding connection amidst darkness fit well with the show's tone.

When was 'Like Real People Do' released?

The song was released as part of Hozier's debut self-titled album, 'Hozier', on September 19, 2014. It is one of the tracks that helped establish his signature style of blending folk, soul, and rich lyrical storytelling.