Hozier’s “Eat Your Young” is a thought-provoking song that uses vivid imagery and metaphors to critique societal issues like greed, consumerism, and exploitation. The song’s title itself alludes to Jonathan Swift’s “A Modest Proposal” and draws inspiration from Dante’s Inferno, specifically the third circle representing gluttony.
Lyrically, the song explores themes of desire, exploitation, and the consequences of unchecked ambition, inviting listeners to reflect on the darker aspects of contemporary society. The lyrics contain double meanings, including sexual innuendos and criticisms of greed.
In this article, we’ll explore the message conveyed in the song’s lyrics.
“Eat Your Young” Lyrics Meaning
[Verse 1]
I’m starvin’, darlin’
Let me put my lips to somethin’
Let me wrap my teeth around the world
Start carvin’, darlin’
I wanna smell the dinner cookin’
I wanna feel the edges start to burn
The opening verse establishes the narrator’s insatiable hunger, not for food, but for power and influence. The imagery of “wrap my teeth around the world” suggests a desire to consume and control everything. This metaphorical hunger represents the endless appetite of capitalism and those in power.
[Pre-Chorus]
Honey, I wanna race you to the table
If you hesitate, the gettin’ is gone
I won’t lie if there’s somethin’ to be gained
There’s money to be made, whatever’s still to come
This section emphasizes the competitive nature of capitalism, with the narrator urging haste in grabbing opportunities before others can. The lines about gaining and making money reflect the prioritization of profit over ethics.
[Chorus]
Get some
Pull up the ladder when the flood comes
Throw enough rope until the legs have swung
Seven new ways that you can eat your young
Come and get some
Skinnin’ the children for a war drum
Puttin’ food on the table, sellin’ bombs and guns
It’s quicker and easier to eat your young
The chorus is particularly scathing, using shocking imagery to illustrate the ruthlessness of those in power. “Pull up the ladder when the flood comes” suggests abandoning others in times of crisis. The titular phrase “eat your young” is a metaphor for exploiting future generations for short-term gain. The references to war drums and selling weapons highlight how conflict and violence are used for profit
[Verse 2]
You can’t buy this fineness
Let me see the heat get to you
Let me watch the dressing start to peel
It’s a kindness, highness
Crumbs enough for everyone
Old and young are welcome to the meal
[Pre-Chorus] & [Chorus]
Honey, I’m makin’ sure the table’s made
We can celebrate the good that we’ve done
I won’t lie if there’s somethin’ still to take
There is ground to break, whatever’s still to come
Get some
Pull up the ladder when the flood comes
Throw enough rope until the legs have swung
Seven new ways that you can eat your young
Come and get some
Skinnin’ the children for a war drum
Puttin’ food on the table sellin’ bombs and guns
It’s quicker and easier to eat your young
The song concludes with the narrator’s self-justification, celebrating their actions as “good” while continuing to seek more. The repeated chorus drives home the central theme of societal cannibalism, where the powerful consume the vulnerable for their own benefit.
Deeper Meaning Behind “Eat Your Young”
Hozier’s “Eat Your Young” is a profound and multi-layered song that delves into themes of societal greed, generational exploitation, and unchecked consumption. The title and central metaphor of the song draw inspiration from Jonathan Swift’s satirical essay “A Modest Proposal,” which sardonically suggested that impoverished Irish people should sell their children as food to the wealthy.
The song serves as a scathing critique of modern capitalism, consumerism, and militarism. Hozier uses vivid and disturbing imagery to illustrate how older generations metaphorically “consume” the youth through exploitative practices and short-sighted policies. Lines such as “Skinning the children for a war drum” and “Putting food on the table selling bombs and guns” highlight how the younger generation is sacrificed for the economic and political gains of the older generation.
Hozier employs sexual undertones and alluring language throughout the song to emphasize the seductive nature of greed and excess. This approach mirrors the way society often glamorizes consumption and wealth accumulation, making it appear enticing despite its destructive consequences. The song’s narrator, described by Hozier as unreliable, attempts to justify and celebrate these actions, further highlighting the twisted logic often used to rationalize exploitation.
The song also draws parallels to Dante’s Inferno, specifically the third circle of Hell, where the gluttonous are punished. This connection underscores the theme of insatiable appetite and the consequences of unchecked desire. By framing societal greed within this context, Hozier suggests that our current trajectory may lead to a hellish future if left unchallenged.
Ultimately, “Eat Your Young” serves as a stark warning to younger generations. It urges them to recognize and address the mistakes of their predecessors, lest they fall victim to the same cycle of exploitation and consumption. Through its powerful imagery and metaphors, the song compels listeners to confront uncomfortable truths about our society and consider the long-term consequences of our actions on future generations.
Jacob Carter is a lyricist. He created the lyrics writing course to teach people how to analyze and write lyrics. He graduated from the University of Oxford with a degree in English Literature, so he’s skilled at playing with words.
He’s also an amateur guitarist, which means he knows music and melody very well. With this background, he’s a great lyricist you can rely on to learn writing lyrics.