☝️ Key Points
- The song addresses the feelings and experiences surrounding the end of a relationship and the pain and disappointment that come with it.
- The singer describes how he once saw his love as an angel, regardless of obstacles and distance, but then realizes that his perception may have been wrong.
- The song points out the challenge of enduring the unknown when it comes to another person and suggests that some people are better off remaining unknown.
- Despite the negative experiences, the singer confesses that he still has strong feelings for his former love and would be willing to make great efforts for her.
- In general, the song is about accepting that love sometimes brings pain and disappointment, yet strong feelings can still persist.
Interpretation
The song 'Unknown / Nth' by
Hozier is mostly about the feelings and experiences that come with the end of a relationship. It describes how he once viewed his love as an angel, regardless of the distance or difficulties they had to overcome: 'You know the distance never made a difference to me... So I thought you were like an angel to me'.
However, throughout the song, it becomes clear that his notions of the person he loved may have been incorrect. He realizes that their 'true colors' only shine in darkness and secrecy: 'Funny how true colors shine in darkness and in secrecy'. He feels alienated and unknown by this 'angel': 'Going unknown as any angel to me'.
Loneliness is not the main issue for the singer, he emphasizes that he can handle being alone. The bigger challenge is enduring the unknown, especially the unknown about a person he once believed he knew very well: 'You know, it's more the being unknown... And there are some people, love, who are better unknown'.
Despite the disappointment and pain, the singer admits that he still carries strong feelings for his former love and would be willing to make great efforts for her: 'Do you know, I could break beneath the weight of the goodness, love, I still carry for you. That I'd walk so far just to take the injury of finally knowing you'. Overall, the song is about the realization and acceptance that some people are better off unknown and that love sometimes brings pain and disappointment.