human
C. Perri Lyrics


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I can hold my breath
I can bite my tongue
I can stay awake for days
If that’s what you want
Be your number one
I can fake a smile
I can force a laugh
I can dance and play the part
If that’s what you ask
Give you all I am

I can do it
I can do it
I can do it

But I’m only human
And I bleed when I fall down
I’m only human
And I crash and I break down
Your words in my head, knives in my heart
You build me up and then I fall apart
'Cause I’m only human, yeah

I can turn it on
Be a good machine
I can hold the weight of worlds
If that’s what you need
Be your everything

I can do it
I can do it
I'll get through it

But I’m only human
And I bleed when I fall down
I’m only human
And I crash and I break down
Your words in my head, knives in my heart
You build me up and then I fall apart
'Cause I’m only human, yeah

I’m only human
I’m only human
Just a little human

I can take so much
Until I’ve had enough

‘Cause I’m only human
And I bleed when I fall down
I’m only human
And I crash and I break down
Your words in my head, knives in my heart




You build me up and then I fall apart
‘Cause I’m only human, yeah

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Human" by Christina Perri highlight the struggle to meet the expectations of others while still trying to maintain a sense of self. The opening verse acknowledges the desire to please someone else by doing anything and everything asked of her, even if it goes against her own desires and needs. She states that she can "hold her breath," "bite her tongue," and "stay awake for days" in order to be the "number one" for this person. Perri sings about "faking a smile" and "forcing a laugh," illustrating how difficult it can be to put on a facade and pretend to be someone you're not. The chorus reminds us that despite how much we may try to be superhuman and perfect, we are all flawed and will make mistakes. She sings about "bleeding when I fall down" and "crashing and breaking down." The line "your words in my head, knives in my heart," highlights how those around us can affect our mental state and the impact their words can have on us. Ultimately, though she strives to be perfect, she acknowledges that she's just a "little human" who can only take so much before she's had enough.


Overall, the song "Human" is a reminder that it's okay to have weaknesses, to make mistakes, and to not always have everything together. We're all capable of only so much and need to be mindful of pushing ourselves too far. It's essential to remember that as humans, we are inherently flawed, and that's what makes us unique and relatable.


Line by Line Meaning

I can hold my breath
I can endure and suppress my emotions


I can bite my tongue
I can restrain myself from speaking my mind


I can stay awake for days, If that’s what you want
I can push myself beyond my limits, if you ask me to


Be your number one
I can prioritize you over everything else


I can fake a smile
I can pretend to be happy, even when I'm not


I can force a laugh
I can put up a pretense of finding something funny


I can dance and play the part, If that’s what you ask
I can pretend to be someone I'm not, if you demand it


Give you all I am
I can give you the entirety of myself


But I’m only human
But despite all this, I'm still just a human being


And I bleed when I fall down
And I'm vulnerable to pain and suffering like everyone else


And I crash and I break down
And sometimes, I can't keep it together and end up falling apart


Your words in my head, knives in my heart
Your criticisms and hurtful comments can deeply affect me


You build me up and then I fall apart
Sometimes, your praise and encouragement can have the opposite effect on me


I can turn it on, Be a good machine
I can act like a well-oiled machine, performing my duties efficiently


I can hold the weight of worlds, If that’s what you need
I can bear unimaginable burdens, if you require me to


Be your everything
I can be everything you want and more


I'll get through it
I'll overcome any obstacle and emerge victorious


Just a little human
But ultimately, I'm a mere mortal


I can take so much, Until I’ve had enough
I can tolerate a lot of stress and pressure, but eventually, it becomes too much to bear




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Christina Judith Perri, Martin Bennett Johnson

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@minalove1686

I can hold my breath
I can bite my tongue
I can stay awake for days
If that's what you want
Be your number one

I can fake a smile
I can force a laugh
I can dance and play the part
If that's what you ask
Give you all I am

I can do it
I can do it
I can do it

But I'm only human
And I bleed when I fall down
I'm only human
And I crash and I break down
Your words in my head, knives in my heart
You build me up and then I fall apart
'Cause I'm only human

I can turn it on
Be a good machine
I can hold the weight of worlds
If that's what you need
Be your everything

I can do it
I can do it
I'll get through it

But I'm only human
And I bleed when I fall down
I'm only human
And I crash and I break down
Your words in my head, knives in my heart
You build me up and then I fall apart
'Cause I'm only human

I'm only human
I'm only human
Just a little human

I can take so much
'Til I've had enough

'Cause I'm only human
And I bleed when I fall down
I'm only human
And I crash and I break down
Your words in my head, knives in my heart
You build me up and then I fall apart
'Cause I'm only human



@marie-annepombi

"But I'm only human
And I bleed when I fall down
I'm only human
And I crash and I break down"

"Your words in my head
Knives in my heart
You build me up
And then I fall apart
Cause I'm only human"

This part gives me shivers❤❤❤



@katemadrid4045

Lyrics:

I can hold my breath
I can bite my tongue
I can stay awake for days if that’s what you want
Be your number one
I can fake a smile
I can force a laugh
I can dance and play a part if that’s what you ask
Give you all I am
I can do it
I can do it
I can do it
But I’m only human
And I bleed when I fall down
I’m only human
And I crash and I break down
Your words in my head
Knifes in my heart
You build me up and then I fall apart
Cause I’m only human
I can turn it on
Be a good machine
I can hold the weight of worlds if that’s what you need
Be your everything
I can do it
I can do it
I’ll get through it
But I’m only human
And I bleed when I fall down
I’m only human
And I crash and I break down
Your words in my head knifes in my heart
You build be up and then I fall apart
Cause I’m only human
I’m only human
I’m only human
Just a little human
I can take so much
Til I’ve had enough
Cause I’m only human
and I bleed when I fall down
I’m only human
And I crash and I break down
Your words in my head knifes in my heart
You build me up and then I fall apart
Cause I’m only human

I think that’s all I dunno



All comments from YouTube:

@chicken

Its February 2024, let's see how many legends are listening to this incredible song💜

@Akiraamariee

I’m here bawling 🩷

@jhauwy

Knock knock

@hanschoa4418

Listening while driving 😊

@Pochcco1

Hi

@brendantuwen

You're not alone ,legends

41 More Replies...

@sharipeterson1126

If you've ever lived with a toxic, abusive person who constantly puts you down, you will totally feel this song deep in your soul.

@Ksiezniczkajesttutaj

absolutely, then one day i became the toxic person... 😕

@nancyeunike

That's actually a job for seals to make me a human. By the time you got this message, I'd be stranded on the side of the street somewhere in this alien nation, homeless, out of money, and out of gas.

@randomuser8639

💀💀💀

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