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"Human"

Clarence Square Park Area - Spadina Avenue, Toronto

 

"'Human' is a song by alternative rock band The Killers, and was released as the first single from the band's third studio album Day & Age. The song was leaked onto YouTube on September 21, 2008, a day before it was scheduled to be played for the first time on Zane Lowe's evening show on BBC Radio 1. It began receiving airplay on September 22, 2008, with a digital release on September 30, 2008. It became the third song by the band to enter the top 5 of the UK singles chart. It was their first top ten hit in the Netherlands (peaking at #2). The song was released on a 7-inch picture disc throughout the world in various dates in November, with a B-side entitled 'A Crippling Blow'.

 

In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine's Smoking Section, Brandon Flowers described 'Human' as 'Johnny Cash meets the Pet Shop Boys'. Flowers stated that the song was created with Stuart Price during their work with him on the Sawdust album, and has changed very little since then. He confessed to not putting it on Sawdust as 'it was too good'.

 

The cover art for the single is a portrait of the band's guitarist Dave Keuning, and is one of the four portraits drawn by Paul Normansell for the album.

 

On November 25, 2008, the song was available as downloadable content for the game Guitar Hero World Tour.

 

This track has also been remixed by popular trance DJs Armin van Buuren and Ferry Corsten.

 

An interview in The Observer newspaper stated that the track 'is a cross between New Order and Bruce Springsteen - that should please fans of 'Mr. Brightside'.' Chris Williams of Billboard gave a positive review, echoing The Observer's description of 'merging a Boss-like melody over a New Order-injected rave-up.' He also praised the song for 'stretching the soundscape of alternative rock, which has increasingly become difficult to differentiate between mainstream rock'. Music Radar complimented the song in their review of Day & Age, saying 'A gentle, phased, clicky guitar riff opens this gorgeous nod to the gentle side of '80s new wave.' Caryn Ganz with Rolling Stone gave the tune three-and-a-half stars, calling it 'delicious.'

 

'Human' was voted the Best Song of 2008 by the readers of Rolling Stone.

 

Initially there was confusion and debate over the line 'Are we human, or are we dancer?' in the song's chorus. Debate raged across the internet over whether the lyrics said 'denser' or 'dancer', a misunderstanding which invoked conflicting interpretations of the song's meaning. Entertainment Weekly's Pop Watch section called this line the 'silliest lyrics of the week'. They were puzzled by the interpretation, stating 'most dancers are generally human'. On the band's official website, the biography section states that Flowers is singing 'Are we human, or are we dancer?' and also says that the lyrics were inspired by a disparaging comment made by Hunter S. Thompson, where he stated America was raising 'a generation of dancers'. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Flowers said that he was irritated over the confusion about the lyrics and also that fans were unhappy with the song's dance beat: 'It's supposed to be a dance song, [the beat] goes with the chorus...If you can't put that together, you're an idiot. I just don't get why there's a confusion about it.'" en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_(The_Killers_song)

 

I did my best to notice

When the call came down the line

Up to the platform of surrender

I was brought but I was kind

 

And sometimes I get nervous

When I see an open door

Close your eyes, clear your heart

Cut the cord

 

Are we human or are we denser?

My sign is vital, my hands are cold

And I'm on my knees looking for the answer

Are we human or are we denser?

 

Pay my respects to grace and virtue

Send my condolences to good

Give my regards to soul and romance

They always did the best they could

 

And so long to devotion

You taught me everything I know

Wave goodbye, wish me well

You've gotta let me go

 

Are we human or are we denser?

My sign is vital, my hands are cold

And I'm on my knees looking for the answer

Are we human or are we denser?

 

Will your system be alright

When you dream of home tonight?

There is no message we're receiving

Let me know, is your heart still beating?

 

Are we human or are we denser?

My sign is vital, my hands are cold

And I'm on my knees looking for the answer

 

You've gotta let me know

Are we human or are we denser?

My sign is vital, my hands are cold

And I'm on my knees looking for the answer

Are we human or are we denser?

 

Are we human or are we denser?

Are we human or are we denser?

 

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Uploaded on May 25, 2009
Taken on May 24, 2009