Human Nature
Madonna (With Massive Attack) Lyrics


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Express yourself, don't repress yourself
Express yourself, don't repress yourself
Express yourself, don't repress yourself
Express yourself, don't repress yourself
Express yourself, don't repress yourself

And I'm not sorry (I'm not sorry)
It's human nature (It's human nature)
And I'm not sorry (I'm not sorry)
I'm not your bitch don't hang your shit on me (It's human nature)

You wouldn't let me say the words I longed to say
You didn't want to see life through my eyes
(Express yourself, don't repress yourself)
You tried to shove me back inside your narrow room
And silence me with bitterness and lies
(Express yourself, don't repress yourself)
Did I say something wrong?
Oops, I didn't know I couldn't talk about sex
(I musta been crazy)
Did I stay too long?
Oops, I didn't know I couldn't speak my mind
(What was I thinking)

And I'm not sorry (I'm not sorry)
It's human nature (It's human nature)
And I'm not sorry (I'm not sorry)
I'm not your bitch don't hang your shit on me (It's human nature)

You punished me for telling you my fantasies
I'm breakin' all the rules I didn't make
(Express yourself, don't repress yourself)
You took my words and made a trap for silly fools
You held me down and tried to make me break
(Express yourself, don't repress yourself)

Did I say something true?
Oops, I didn't know I couldn't talk about sex
(I musta been crazy)
Did I have a point of view?
Oops, I didn't know I couldn't talk about you
(What was I thinking)

And I'm not sorry (I'm not sorry)
It's human nature (It's human nature)
And I'm not sorry (I'm not sorry)
I'm not your bitch don't hang your shit on me (It's human nature)

Express yourself, don't repress yourself
Express yourself, don't repress yourself
Express yourself, don't repress yourself
Express yourself, don't repress yourself
Express yourself, don't repress yourself
Express yourself, don't repress yourself

Did I say something true?
Oops, I didn't know I couldn't talk about sex
(I musta been crazy)
Did I have a point of view?
Oops, I didn't know I couldn't talk about you
(What was I thinking)

And I'm not sorry (I'm not sorry)
It's human nature (It's human nature)
And I'm not sorry (I'm not sorry)
I'm not your bitch don't hang your shit on me (It's human nature)

And I'm not sorry (I'm not apologizing)
It's human nature (Would it sound better if I were a man?)
And I'm not sorry (You're the one with the problem)
I'm not your bitch don't hang your shit on me (Why don't you just deal with it)

'Cause I'm not sorry (Would you like me better if I was?)
It's human nature (We all feel the same way)
And I'm not sorry (I have no regrets)
I'm not your bitch don't hang your shit on me (Just look in the mirror)

And I'm not sorry (I don't have to justify anything)
It's human nature (I'm just like you)




And I'm not sorry (Why should I be?)
I'm not your bitch don't hang your shit on me (Deal with it)

Overall Meaning

Madonna's song "Human Nature" is all about expressing oneself and not repressing one's individuality. Madonna is a strong advocate for self-expression and this message is reflected clearly in the lyrics. The song is a defiant response to those who try to silence or control Madonna as a strong and independent woman. She refuses to apologize for her words and actions, and insists that being human means that we naturally have desires and impulses that need to be expressed. The repeated refrain of "Express yourself, don't repress yourself" reinforces the theme of self-expression.


In the song, Madonna refers to being punished for telling her fantasies and not being allowed to speak her mind. She challenges the idea of being silenced by someone else's narrow view of the world. The line "I'm not your bitch, don't hang your shit on me" is a powerful declaration of her independence and refusal to be controlled. Madonna refuses to let anyone invalidate her experiences or feelings. She recognizes that it is human nature to want to express oneself and that we should not feel ashamed or apologize for wanting to do so.


Line by Line Meaning

Express yourself, don't repress yourself
Be vocal about your thoughts and feelings, don't hold them inside and let them fester


And I'm not sorry (I'm not sorry)
I have no reason to apologize for speaking my mind


It's human nature (It's human nature)
Expressing ourselves is a basic human need


I'm not your bitch don't hang your shit on me (It's human nature)
Stop treating me and expecting me to be someone I'm not, it's not fair and goes against human nature


You wouldn't let me say the words I longed to say
You tried to suppress my thoughts and desires by not letting me express them


You didn't want to see life through my eyes
You refused to acknowledge my perspective on life


You tried to shove me back inside your narrow room
You attempted to constrain me to your limited beliefs and way of living


And silence me with bitterness and lies
You went as far as using venom and deceit to stop me from being myself


Did I say something wrong?
Did I do something to deserve being silenced?


Oops, I didn't know I couldn't talk about sex (I musta been crazy)
I cannot believe that talking about something natural and essential like sex is something I should be ashamed of


Did I stay too long?
Did I overstay my welcome by being myself?


Oops, I didn't know I couldn't speak my mind (What was I thinking)
I didn't think being honest with myself and others was such a grave sin


You punished me for telling you my fantasies
You not only silenced me but penalized me for opening up to you and showing you my true self


I'm breakin' all the rules I didn't make
I'm going against societal norms that are themselves oppressive and not of my making


You took my words and made a trap for silly fools
You twisted my words and spun your lies to suit your oppressive agenda


You held me down and tried to make me break
You pressed me and tried to force me into following your oppressive and conformist practices


And I'm not sorry (I'm not sorry)
I'm standing my ground, and I won't apologize for being myself


And I'm not sorry (I'm not apologizing)
I'm standing my ground, and I won't apologize for being myself


It's human nature (Would it sound better if I were a man?)
Why should my gender matter when it comes to basic human principles like expressing oneself?


And I'm not sorry (You're the one with the problem)
I'm not sorry for being myself just because you can't handle it


I'm not your bitch don't hang your shit on me (Why don't you just deal with it)
Don't blame me for your own prejudices and insecurities, try dealing with them instead


'Cause I'm not sorry (Would you like me better if I was?)
Why should I be someone that you would like more when it means not being myself?


We all feel the same way
We all are human and have the basic need to express ourselves


I have no regrets
I have no remorse for speaking my mind and being myself


I'm just like you
I'm human just like you, and I deserve to express myself


Why should I be?
Why should I be sorry for being myself?


Deal with it
It's your problem to deal with, not mine




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, FROZEN SOAP SONGS
Written by: MADONNA LOUISE CICCONE, MICHAEL DEERING, DAVE M L HALL, KEVIN HAROLD MC KENZIE, SHAWN MC KENZIE

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

@whathappenedtocommonsense4526

unless someone is a complete moron, this song is pretty TO THE POINT.
I dont get the whole ‘people angry…’ if she wants to run around naked & fuck anything with a pulse, she can have at it.
the problem i have is -why do you think anyone gives a shit about her sex life?
why is sex such a weapon for her? she worked her ass off to have a perfect body, had makeup, hair… nothing real about it🙄
she is/was plenty powerful before anyone saw her eating an ass, which again -dgaf🙄
as usual just nonsense because any publicity is good publicity & she gets off on people being uncomfortable around her.
now look at her, she can work out to stop aging & shes gone off the deep end.
THAT BEING SAID, theirs about 10/11 songs of her I actually listen to by her, that are GOOD & this is one of them.
this video shouldve won awards, its amazing (scream is a disappointment of a song & video). this video is amazing! the choreography is FLAWLESS & PERFECTION, THE OUTFITS, THE FACIAL EXPRESSIONS, EVERYTHING 🖤



@mikeokeeffe4692

Madonna is cool with this message. She pushes the overt imagery and with the song itself its such a statement.
She knows what she thinks and articulates it without apology or hesitation - and that I adore.
I was raised by a strong Mother. Single parent.
I remember seeing this tune on MTV as a kid and being really impressed with the choreography, and everything. The melody, the lyrics, the beat. And the video is beautifully shot and has great set pieces.
I remember being mesmerised by the 9 cube box shot and the way the individual cube shots shown beforehand were shown to be stacked and rowed, and the movement of the dancers synchronised with Madonna was flawless that impressed me alot.
She reminds me of my Mum in the sense of being fearless and totally honest person. She has a look of Madonna too when she was younger. I remember thinking that about Madonna again when I first saw this video because in other videos she has a look of her too.
Say what you want about Madonna though she is very honest.
'I'm not sorry'
'Did I say something wrong???'
'Would you like me better if I were a man???'
I fucking love her willingness to call out the double standards of people in society sometimes.
It's true.
And she goes to the full out extent in the clothes choices to send her statement that it's not her problem if certain people don't like a person who says what they like, honest about their preferences and expresses themselves in a way that they feel like as a human.
It's human nature and she isn't going to apologise for herself or give in to people who think she should just because she was at a time in her life where she was being shamed for being this or that and to not take that lying down but to then double down with this track, and video.
That's cool.
Shes right - Fuck it if they don't like me anyway I might as well call it out and show what I think about this...
No regrets. No self censorship. No shame.
I adored that then and I still do now.
This woman is cool
God Bless you Madonna 😘



All comments from YouTube:

@Nathan-jq4zy

Many people underestimate the significance of this song. Madonna released this at arguably, the lowest point of her career as a reaction to the public's anger over her "Sex" book (remember this was the early to mid 90s after all). She dared to stand up to society's narrow minded views about sex and refused to apologize, instead saying, "You're the one with the problem." Madonna dared to challenge the status quo, and to be authentically herself. She was, and always will be, ahead of her time.

@misguidedpearls7456

Ty
It was over looked when it came out
Nobody got the point

@blessed35

I loved your review, yet, I hardly disagree at "her lowest part of her career", she had done the Blonde Ambition, Jusfify my life on VHS had broken all the records ever and the Sex book was selling like water in the desert. I believe that was an answer to the pope and also the Toronto attempt at arresting her if she did the "like a virgin" number.

@whathappenedtocommonsense4526

unless someone is a complete moron, this song is pretty TO THE POINT.
I dont get the whole ‘people angry…’ if she wants to run around naked & fuck anything with a pulse, she can have at it.
the problem i have is -why do you think anyone gives a shit about her sex life?
why is sex such a weapon for her? she worked her ass off to have a perfect body, had makeup, hair… nothing real about it🙄
she is/was plenty powerful before anyone saw her eating an ass, which again -dgaf🙄
as usual just nonsense because any publicity is good publicity & she gets off on people being uncomfortable around her.
now look at her, she can work out to stop aging & shes gone off the deep end.
THAT BEING SAID, theirs about 10/11 songs of her I actually listen to by her, that are GOOD & this is one of them.
this video shouldve won awards, its amazing (scream is a disappointment of a song & video). this video is amazing! the choreography is FLAWLESS & PERFECTION, THE OUTFITS, THE FACIAL EXPRESSIONS, EVERYTHING 🖤

@tbarfield4963

You are 100% correct big daddy Kane was in that book him a Madonna toward hospitals with it was helping sick kids And that’s when she told Kane I want you to be in my book she used to hang out in early hip-hop clubs in Manhattan 8283 that’s why her music sound the way it sounds and I got to give it up to jellybean Benitez as well but everything you say is 100% correct when she released this song so me and you are similar in age most people have no clue about this song never heard of it in a shock about it she didn’t make up the stuff she have but she was inspired by what she saw

@ferre77

Yes she released this after the backlash from the Erotica album. She was bashed for the Erotica video and Justify my love the infamous Sex book pushed everything over the edge. But she said all she was doing was showcasing a fantasy, something a lot of people were doing, but were afraid to talk about and she threw it in peoples faces. There’s a VH1 interview on here where she talks about it. Bedtime Stories was a turn away from the previous era. But this track was a big F you to all the criticism and hypocrisy. These 2 albums were some of her best work musically and visually and VERY underrated.

95 More Replies...

@Strangeries

I love how Madonna added the 'whisper' parts to this record, they added so much depth and meaning to an already meaningful song. No wonder she is the greatest selling female singing artist in history.

@Chirpy85

She's a genius

@ronrodriguez9741

Stream #FinallyEnoughLove

@ronrodriguez9741

Bey was inspired by this vid for Green Light. Speaking of, stream #BreakMySoulTheQueensRemix

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