☝️ Key Points
- The song is an ode to love and spirituality, with Bieber singing about his imperfections and finding a kind of redemption or holiness in love.
- He rejects drama and falsehood and finds life and meaning in the love he shares.
- Bieber addresses concerns from outsiders who say they are too young or acting hastily, but insists on his love and spirituality.
- Chance the Rapper's verse adds aspects of faith and devotion, emphasizing faith in God and God's faith in them.
- Overall, the song is a connection of expressions of love and faith, highlighting the sanctity of love and showing how love and spirituality can strengthen each other.
Interpretation
The song 'Holy' by
Justin Bieber is an ode to love and spirituality. It begins with Bieber singing about his imperfections and how he may not be seen as a saint ('I hear a lot about sinners / Don't think that I'll be a saint'). However, he talks about a kind of redemption or holiness that he finds in the flow, which can be a metaphor for love or a spiritual experience ('But I might go down to the river / 'Cause the way that the sky opens up when we touch / Yeah, it's making me say / That the way you hold me, hold me, hold me, hold me, hold me / Feels so holy').
The singer rejects drama and falsehood ('I don't do well with the drama / And, no, I can't stand it being fake'). He doesn't believe in nirvana, but the way he and his partner love each other at night gives him life ('I don't believe in nirvana / But the way that we love in the night gave me life / Baby, I can't explain').
There is a discussion about criticism and concerns from outsiders, saying they are too young or acting prematurely ('They say we're too young and / The pimps and the players say, 'Don't go crushin' / Wise men say fools rush in'). Despite that, Bieber remains steadfast in his love and spirituality.
Chance the Rapper's verse speaks about faith and dedication and how God believes in them ('I know we believe in God, and I know God believes in us').
Overall, the song is a blend of expressions of love and faith, with a strong focus on how love is holy and how love and spirituality can strengthen each other.