Rock singer Hozier channels 'Tarzan' in new song

NEW YORK - Irish singer Hozier is used to taking his time when he creates music, letting his thoughts flow and allowing the words to come naturally.

That changed when he was asked to pen a tune for "The Legend of Tarzan" soundtrack.

The "Take Me to Church" performer had just three weeks to write, record, demo, mix and master an original song.

"(It) was a super challenge for me. I'd never written in that context before. I've never written under those circumstances," Hozier said in an interview Thursday. "I think I was looking forward to a challenge."

The result is "Better Love," a rock love song that stays true to Hozier's folk-blues-rock style.

"I wanted to make sure it felt natural and felt like it was from my own voice so to speak - that it was a song that feels like something I would write," he said. "It is a love story and the song at its core is a love song."

Hozier, born Andrew Hozier-Byrne, said he was able to make his deadline with a quality song because he hadn't written or recorded music in some time. He started to work on the "Tarzan" track after finishing tour dates promoting his well-received 2014 self-titled debut.

He said now he's ready to work on the follow-up to his first album, which earned him a Grammy nomination, two Billboard Music Awards and other accolades.

"I'm very eager. I've never been this hungry to kind of just get into that mode again. I have a lot of ideas," he said.

"The Legend of Tarzan," in U.S. theaters July 1, stars Alexander Skarsgard, Christoph Waltz, Samuel L. Jackson and Margot Robbie. It was directed by David Yates, who directed the final four "Harry Potter" films.

Hozier, 26, said he sort of sees some of himself in Tarzan. First, they have similar hair.

"True," he responds with a laugh. "We both fashion loincloths. We both have been known to swing from vines and shout loudly."