He has been named number one in the prestigious DJ MAG Top 100 poll four times in a row, from 2007 till 2010 and for the 5th time in 2012. He's the first DJ in the history of the DJ Magazine to achieve that and an indication of his prolific output over more than 14 years he’s been dj’ing and producing. Being the official World’s Most Popular DJ is just one of his many achievements, but the driving force behind his success is an overriding passion for electronic dance music.
2008 began with the success that the number one DJ seems to attract; he was awarded with the prestigious Buma Cultuur Pop Award in January. This was followed by being voted as the Best Trance Artist in the Beatport Music Awards in March; judged on the musician’s artistic achievements, national and international success, it is evident that Armin van Buuren has become one of the decade’s most influential trance acts.
Even a basic list of recent successes reads like a lifetime of work: ‘Best Album’ for artist album ‘Shivers’ at both the Dutch Release Dance Awards and the prestigious Edison Awards; ‘Best Compilation’ for ‘A State Of Trance’, in 2006, claiming the ‘Best European DJ’ award in 2007 and ‘Best Mix Radio Show’ at the Miami Winter Music Conference in 2006 and 2007, for radio show ‘A State Of Trance’ – now broadcasting on a massive 40 FM stations as well as satellite and internet radio, with over 26 million listeners a week; a 5th year residency in Ibiza at Amnesia and over 50,000 downloads every week from podcasting high end chart-bothering positions all over the world for singles, albums and compilations , with single “Rush Hour” used as the theme tune to the UEFA European Youth Championship; the #1 entry in the Dutch album charts with his artist album ‘Imagine’, the #1 entry of the DVD registration of ‘Armin Only ‘ Imagine’ – the landmarks just keep coming!
The 350th episode and the 7th year of the hit radio show ‘A State of Trance’ was celebrated in May 2008 with an eight hour live broadcast from Antwerp in Belgium to over 40 radio stations internationally. Fans were invited to a free party with a line up that had been voted for by the show’s listeners; another example of the importance the DJ places on the satisfaction of his fans. Considering the popularity of the radio show the introduction of ‘A State of Trance Podcast’ was a natural progression. The weekly podcasts which contain highlights and Armin’s favourite tracks from the previous episode ensure that trance lovers across the world will never miss another episode!
Sold-out shows for Armin Only in 2005 and 2006 created eager anticipation of the third edition, which kicked off in a sold-out Jaarbeurs in Utrecht in 2008; over 16,000 fans attended and were enthralled by the DJ’s nine hour set. The theme of the night was ‘Imagine’, described by Armin as “the celebration of our sensations both in life and in clubland.” Fans all around the world should not despair, as ‘Armin Only’ tour dates have also been set for Romania, Poland, Belgium and Australia; the DJ will also be touring in England, Scotland, Ibiza, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, and the USA, with expected dates in, for an example, the Czech Republic.
Born in Leiden, Holland (on December 25, 1976) to a musical family, Armin indulged his passion for music from a young age. He spent all the money he earned with his paper round on records. His mum won a computer when he was 10, gaining Armin’s interest. “So as a little nerdy kid I was writing my own basic programmes, and learnt about the technology from there.” He progressed from making low-profile mix tapes for friends to higher profile mixes when he discovered experimenting with different sequences on his computer through his uncle. “I was so stunned by what I saw him doing on the computer, that I got addicted to creating music right there and then!”
“I loved dance music immediately – this great rebellious sound that was so different to the ‘beautiful’ songs of the years before”. Armin cites electronic pioneer Jean Michel Jarre as a major influence (famed for his awesome visuals as well as his groundbreaking synth sounds), as well as Dutch producer Ben Liebrand, who later mentored him in his mixing and producing.
In the early days, Armin thought it was wise to have something extra in case the DJ’ing didn’t work out. So he studied for a law degree. The final year of his course was inevitably stretched as he juggled his studies with his increasingly hectic schedule; his rise to fame included lots of productions and remixes, as well as playing out to packed clubs every weekend. It took him three years to graduate, but his determination made him succeed!
Armin’s own productions have all made a huge impact and quickly gain worldwide acclaim; his latest artist album titled ‘Imagine’ entered the Dutch Album Top 100 Chart at number one; this is the first time a dance producer has ever accomplished such a feat in the history of Dutch music. The first single to be taken from this album, ‘Going Wrong’ with DJ Shah featuring Chris Jones, entered the Dutch Singles Chart at number five. The ‘Armin Only DVD’ was also released and reached the acclaimed number one spot in its second week. His back catalogue includes Blue Fear, Communication, Sound of Goodbye, Shivers, Rush Hour, Burned With Desire, Exhale, Love You More, This World Is Watching Me, and Yet Another Day. While the remix offers flood in, Armin only takes on tracks that he really loves. He uses exactly the same criteria for his compilations, meaning that every release from Armin or his long-running Armind label is a bone fide stormer that’s earned its place. His output includes tracks for the cult TV series 24, and the likes of Motorcycle’s As The Rush Comes.
Armin is a dedicated trance lover, but isn’t imprisoned by a single genre, saying “What makes trance work so well is that it doesn’t stick to one style, and can incorporate electro, minimal, whatever it likes.” His desire to showcase more of the great music he hears, along with the number of people sending him tracks they wanted to release, led to the obvious step of starting his own label, Armada, in 2003.
The label is a joint venture between Armin, Maykel Piron (former head of A&R for Warner Music) and David Lewis, who'd previously managed Armin. "What we wanted was a company that could offer everything for an artist: representation, a booking agency, and a record company. Artists can choose full management, or to just release a record or play out at gigs. Armada lets the artists choose what they want without telling them what to do".
Armin is now a fully-fledged artist in his own right, having made his songwriting debut on his album, the award-winning Shivers; The events continue to get bigger and bigger, and Armin regularly headlines the likes of Sensation White, Global Gathering, Dance Valley, ZoukOut, Mysteryland, Coachella, Beats In Brazil, Trance Energy, Fort Dance, Summer Days – basically whether you’re in Australia, Russia, the Middle East, the US or Europe, you can catch Armin van Buuren at a club or festival near you!
"This is just what I really want," says Armin. "It’s not just love for music, it’s my passion. It goes beyond liking, and beyond a hobby, it’s about a way of living. Music is essential to my life”.
Killer
Armin van Buuren Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Or are we dancer?
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.
When I see an open door.
Close your eyes,
Clear your heart.
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 dancer?
My sign is vital,
My hands are cold.
And I'm on my knees,
Looking for the answer.
Are we human?
Or are we dancer?
And I'm on my knees,
Looking for the answer.
Are we human?
Or are we dancer?
Are we human?
Are we human?
Or are we dancer?
My sign is vital,
My hands are cold.
And I'm on my knees,
Looking for the answer.
Are we human?
Or are we dancer?
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 dancer?
Are we human?
Or are we dancer?
The lyrics of Armin van Buuren's song Killer provoke a philosophical question about human identity. The first two lines, "Are we human? / Or are we dancer?" suggest a dichotomy between being a human and being a dancer, implying that being a dancer could make one less of a human. The lyrics are a reference to a quote by writer Hunter S. Thompson, who used the phrase "we're raising a generation of dancers" as a metaphor for a society that is losing its individuality and humanity, becoming nothing more than mindless followers.
The verses talk about the singer's struggle with surrendering to fate, yet not losing their kindness and finding the courage to take risks. The line "But sometimes I get nervous when I see an open door" portrays the fear of the unknown and the anxiety that comes with it. Nevertheless, the chorus continues to ask if we are truly human or if our lives are programmed like a dancer's routine, without freedom or creativity.
The song's bridge contemplates the meaning of life and what truly matters in the end. The lyrics mention grace, virtue, soul, romance, and devotion, implying that these values are what make us human. The final stanza poses a question about the future and asks if current systems will survive, and whether people will still have a heart that beats. The conclusion leaves the question unanswered, asking the listener to determine for themselves whether they are human or dancer.
Line by Line Meaning
Are we human?
Is our existence purely human?
Or are we dancer?
Or, is our existence part of a larger dancer or dance?
I did my best to notice,
I made a conscious effort to be aware,
When the call came down the line.
When I received the message, or phone call.
Up to the platform of surrender,
I went up to the platform of surrender, meaning I gave up or submitted.
I was brought, but I was kind.
I was brought to the platform but did so willingly out of kindness.
But sometimes I get nervous,
But there are moments when I feel anxiety,
When I see an open door.
When I observe an unrestricted opportunity.
Close your eyes,
Shut your eyes,
Clear your heart.
Remove any emotional clutter from your mind.
Pay my respects to grace and virtue,
I express admiration toward grace and virtue.
Send my condolences to good.
I express sorrow about 'good'.
Give my regards to soul and romance,
I present my compliments to soul and romance.
They always did the best they could.
They always worked to the best of their ability.
And so long to devotion,
I bid farewell to devotion,
You taught me everything I know.
As it is through devotion that I learned everything in life.
Wave goodbye,
Wave with one's hand as a gesture of farewell,
Wish me well.
Ask others to pray for my welfare.
You've gotta let me go.
You have a responsibility to permit me to depart.
My sign is vital,
My zodiac sign is crucial,
My hands are cold.
I am currently feeling cold in my hands.
And I'm on my knees,
I'm currently kneeling,
Looking for the answer.
Searching for the answer to an unanswered question.
Will your system be alright?
Will your system be safe or secure?
When you dream of home tonight.
When you sleep tonight at home.
There is no message we're receiving,
We aren't getting any messages.
Let me know is your heart still beating?
Please tell me if your heart is still beating or functional?
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@orablast5503
I will never grow up and always dance to Armin, Sasha & Digweed, going on 20 years later and still counting!
PLUR
@edas1315
Armin, Sasha & Digweed, what a magnificent selection brother, cheers!!
@alejandrogalvan8162
Mi vida en cinco minutos
@CosmicHarmony58
Pretty sure music is enjoyable at all ages, does hearing music suddenly become non existant at a certain age?
@Brian-ih2cw
Man Armen back in the day was immortal, the dude was a god on that radio channel and all the tracks were fire that lit up a many lonely nights. I dunno what happened, whether it was just meant to be at the time, and that things were meant to change and that feeling along with them. But I really miss those times, and blasting those tracks in the late hours, jamming out and dancing, and imagining the snow falling in Holland of where I've never been.
@PanKosiu
That was one of the best times to listen to Trance. Then, someone apparently thought that "cheesy" music is a good idea for the genre to move forward... and they were sooooooooooooooo wrong...
@lordblazer
I remember seeing him in Austin, Tx september 2010!!! dude was immortal!!
@juncasgg
@Brian-ih2cw simplemente Armada Music fracasó, ya que dependían de Armin y en menor medida de Dash Berlín, y no pudieron sacar éxitos continuos, sumado a ello, aparecieron buenos DJ fuera de Armada, quitándoles gran parte de los seguidores, uno de ellos fue David Guetta.
@Mentallyvexxed
Havent heard this in years and I remember my first time back in 2009 when I was 16-17 years. First started raving around then and holy hell this brought back alot of good memories.
@gordonremsey8055
Armin the greatest. As a fan of The Killers and Armin this is amazing