: Drafted lyrics and themes suggest a willingness to "tear the pages from the book of Odyssey" or frame the romance as an "old Sophocles' tragedy" just to lure the lover in. Musical Composition

: References to The Divine Comedy appear through the "sweat of fever on the brows of Beatrice," positioning the narrator within the circles of sin before love is lost.

"Talk" by Hozier is a haunting exploration of desire, manipulation, and the performative nature of seduction. Released on his 2019 album Wasteland, Baby! , the song contrasts smooth, soulful instrumentals with lyrics that reveal a narrator carefully crafting a "refined" version of himself to win over a lover.

: He explicitly states, "I try to talk refined for fear that you find out / How I'm imaginin' you," suggesting the romanticism is a tactical choice to avoid scaring off the object of his affection.

: Hozier employs a deep, soulful delivery that many fans describe as "Sexy^tm" or intoxicating.