Conception
The Japanese edition of the album artwork features a quote from Daft Punk stating: "We believe that Human After All speaks for itself." In a later statement, Daft Punk considered Human After All to be the favorite of their three studio albums and regard it as "pure improvisation." The album's brief creation and minimal production had been decided upon beforehand as counterpoint to their previous album.As Thomas Bangalter stated, "We were definitely seduced at the time by the idea of doing the opposite of Discovery." Human After All was created mainly with two guitars and without synthesizers.Furthermore it was produced in two weeks and mixed in four, a session in sharp contrast to their older material.
Bangalter has stated that the album is an attempt to discover where human feelings reside in music. He later commented that "we felt like the third album was about this feeling of either fear or paranoia... not something intended to make you feel good". When questioned on the positive reaction to the use of the tracks in Daft Punk's recent live performances, Bangalter expressed that, "Human After All was the music we wanted to make at the time we did it. We have always strongly felt there was a logical connection between our three albums, and it's great to see that people seem to realize that when they listen now to the live show."
The cover image of Human After All features the Daft Punk logo displayed on a television screen. Each single from the album ("Robot Rock", "Technologic", "Human After All" and "The Prime Time of Your Life") features a cover with a different image on a similar screen. This television theme is also expressed with tracks from the album, including "On/Off" and "Television Rules the Nation".
Reception
When the album was leaked on the Internet several months before release, fans speculated that it was a fake designed to foil online filesharing. Reviews noted that the album's tracks were overly repetitive and of primitive quality. Critics also felt that, despite the re-affirmation of humanity suggested in its title, the album remained overtly mechanical.
Nevertheless, Human After All is seen as a strange and gutsy musical statement. One review in Stylus Magazine stated, "it's the same story, track after track, willfully mistaking alternation for variation, intensification for development and dynamics. In other words, a shining example of pop songcraft in the 21st century."
The recent live tour featuring tracks from Human After All caused people to reconsider what they felt about the album. Pedro Winter, Daft Punk's manager at the time, stated, "When we put out Human After All, I got a lot of bad feedback, like, 'It's so repetitive. There's nothing new. Daft Punk used to be good.' Then they came back with the light show, and everyone shut their mouths... People even apologized, like, 'How could we have misjudged Daft Punk?' The live show changed everything. Even if I'm part of it, I like to step back and admire it. Me, I cried."
The first single "Robot Rock" received moderate attention, reaching #32 in the UK and #15 on the U.S. dance charts, but was not a major hit. The second single "Technologic" only hit #40 in the UK but did considerably better in airplay. The track has also been featured on The O.C. and in an iPod commercial. A sample of the track has also been used as the chorus for Busta Rhymes' single "Touch It".
Human After All was nominated for the 2006 Grammy Award for Best Electronic/Dance Album.
Remix Album
Human After All: Remixes was released on March 29, 2006 exclusively for Japan. It features numerous remixes previously unavailable on CD in a limited pressing of 3,000 copies. A limited edition of the album included a set of Daft Punk Kubricks. The album implements a Copy Control system.
Human After All
Daft Punk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
After all
Much in common
After all
We are human
After all
Much in common
After all
We are human
After all
Much in common
After all
We are human
After all
Much in common
After all
We are human
After all
Much in common
After all
We are human
After all
Much in common
After all
We are human
After all
Much in common
After all
We are human
After all
Much in common
After all
Human, human, human, human
Human, human, human, human
Human, human, human, human
Human, human, human after all
Human, human, human, human
Human, human, human, human
Human, human, human, human
Human, human, human after all
Human, human, human, human
Human, human, human, human
Human, human, human, human
Human, human, human after all
Human, human, human, human
Human, human, human, human
Human, human, human, human
Human, human, human after all
Human, human, human, human
Human, human, human, human
Human, human, human, human
Human, human, human after all
Human, human, human, human
Human, human, human, human
Human, human, human, human
Human, human, human after all
Human, human, human, human
Human, human, human, human
Human, human, human, human
Human, human, human after all
The lyrics to Daft Punk's "Human After All" suggest a theme of embracing our humanity and recognizing that we are all vulnerable and exposed in our physical bodies. The repetition of "We are human after all" underscores this point, emphasizing that no matter how advanced or sophisticated we may become, we can never fully escape our human nature.
The phrase "Flesh uncovered after all" is particularly evocative, highlighting the fragility and impermanence of our physical existence. It's a reminder that we are not invincible, but rather mortal beings subject to the same vulnerabilities and limitations as all other living creatures. The repetition of this line adds to the sense of vulnerability and exposure, driving home the message that we must accept and appreciate our humanity, flaws and all.
Overall, "Human After All" is a powerful meditation on the human condition, encouraging us to embrace our shared humanity and recognize our place in the world. It encourages us to accept our own inherent limits and to appreciate the richness and complexity of the human experience.
Line by Line Meaning
We are human after all
No matter how much we may present ourselves as machines, we are ultimately still human
Flesh uncovered after all
Despite attempts to hide our natural human form, we cannot mask the fact that we are flesh and blood
Human, human, human, human
Repeatedly emphasizing the fact that we are human beings, with all the imperfections and limitations that come with it
Human, human, human after all
Once again, acknowledging and accepting our humanity, even if we sometimes try to deny it
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Guy Manuel Homem-Christo, Thomas Bangalter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Anonymous
on One More Time
One - Alita Moses - Lyrics
I can't remember anything
Can't tell if this is true or a dream
Deep down inside I feel to scream
This terrible silence stops me
Now that the war is through with me
I'm waking up, I cannot see
That there's not much left of me
Nothing is real but pain now
Hold my breath as I wish for death
Oh please, God, wake me
Back in the womb it's much too real
In pumps life that I must feel
But can't look forward to reveal
Look to the time when I'll live
Fed through the tube that sticks in me
Just like a wartime novelty
Tied to machines that make me be
Cut this life off from me
Hold my breath as I wish for death
Oh please, God, wake me
Musical Interlude
Now the world is gone, I'm just one
Oh God, help me
Hold my breath as I wish for death
Oh please, God, help me
Darkness imprisoning me