Andrew Hozier-Byrne of the band Hozier performs in concert during the Sweetlife Festival at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Md., May 10, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Photo by Owen Sweeney/Invision/AP

TORONTO - Although his hit song obliquely questions the world's most powerful religious organizations, Hozier says he has yet to be taken to task for "Take Me to Church."

"I haven't seen much backlash or hate mail," said the long-locked Irish crooner in a recent telephone interview.

"I think most people understand the sentiment behind the song — which I would stress is not an attack on faith. But when you're dealing with a religious organization, you're dealing with a man-made organization and man-made rules.

"That's the idea of the song."

He's found no shortage of believers.

Like Adele and Sam Smith before him, Hozier has framed his adult contemporary pop with shades of blues and gospel to lucrative effect. His signature song has reached No. 2 in many countries including the U.S. and Canada, where Hozier has sold out three upcoming theatre gigs in Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto.

Born Andrew Hozier-Byrne, the telegenic 24-year-old was raised in seaside Bray on the eastern coast of Ireland.

The Catholic church loomed prominently during his childhood, and he traces his tendency to question to his teenage years.

"I've always struggled with the idea of, I suppose, God. Like everyone," he said. "The song is less about God and more about what people say about God, and how people use God to justify treatment of people."

The song built its congregation slowly. It was serviced to radio back in June but reached its chart peak in December. It still sits No. 3 in both Canada and the U.S., and is blessed with such buoyancy that it's conceivable the song could eventually hit No. 1.

It's the only single from Hozier's self-titled debut thus far, though the album has been certified gold in Canada since its September release.

This weekend "Take Me to Church" has the potential to perform another miracle.

It's nominated for song of the year at the Grammy Awards alongside Meghan Trainor's breakout "All About That Bass," Sia's sky-high "Chandelier," Sam Smith's enduring "Stay With Me" and — Hozier's pick — Taylor Swift's "Shake It Off."

"I think 2014 was very much the year of the Swift," he said. "I wouldn't be surprised if she ran away with it."

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