"Human" has received generally positive feedback from music critics, praising the composition, the musical influences, and the production. 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 number 2). The song was released on a 7-inch picture disc throughout the world on various dates in November, with a B-side entitled "A Crippling Blow".
Human
The Killers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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 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?
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?
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?
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 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?
Are we human
Or are we dancer?
Are we human
Or are we dancer?
The Killers’ song “Human” starts with the line “I did my best to notice.” This sets the tone for the entire song, which deals with human introspection and self-awareness. The song continues with the singer being brought to the platform of surrender, a metaphor for giving up control and succumbing to fate. However, the singer was “kind” during this process, suggesting a level of acceptance and understanding of their situation. The singer then acknowledges their own insecurity when they see an open door, which represents the possibility of change or a new opportunity.
The chorus poses the question, “Are we human or are we dancer?” This line has been interpreted in many different ways, but frontman Brandon Flowers has clarified that it is a reference to a quote by author Hunter S. Thompson. In a 2004 interview, Thompson said, “We’re raising a generation of dancers. The beat goes on, and they’re walking out all over the place...it’s time to reclaim the word ‘dancer’ and to end this onslaught of ‘dancing’ as the sole metaphor for human movement and activity.” The line is meant to challenge the listener to consider if they are truly living their life with intention and purpose, or if they are just going through the motions like a dancer following a beat.
The rest of the song reflects on the singer’s life experiences, including paying respect to grace and virtue, feeling devotion, and being taught by those who came before. It ends with a plea to be told if their heart is still beating, tying back to the central theme of self-awareness and introspection.
Overall, “Human” is a thought-provoking song that challenges the listener to consider their own existence and purpose in life.
Line by Line Meaning
I did my best to notice
I paid attention as best I could
When the call came down the line
When I received a message
Up to the platform of surrender
I was pushed to a point where I had to give up
I was brought, but I was kind
I complied, but I did so in a gracious manner
And sometimes I get nervous
I experience anxiety from time to time
When I see an open door
When I am presented with a new opportunity or path
Close your eyes, clear your heart
Focus on what matters most, and let go of the rest
Cut the cord
Detach from what's holding you back
Are we human
Is there anything truly unique about us as a species
Or are we dancer?
Or are we merely following a predetermined path
My sign is vital
I have a purpose that must be fulfilled
My hands are cold
I am nervous or unsure
And I'm on my knees
I am humbly seeking answers
Looking for the answer
Searching for meaning or understanding
Pay my respects to grace and virtue
Acknowledging the importance of moral goodness
Send my condolences to good
Expressing sadness at the loss of positive qualities
Give my regards to soul and romance
Offering recognition to the more emotional aspects of life
They always did the best they could
Recognizing that those traits were always striving to do what was right
And so long to devotion
Saying goodbye to previous commitments or beliefs
You taught me everything I know
Acknowledging the significance of past experiences and teachers
Wave goodbye, wish me well
Saying farewell with positive intentions
You've gotta let me go
Accepting the need to move on
Will your system be alright
Can you handle things without me
When you dream of home tonight?
Reflecting on the importance of home as a symbol for security and peace
There is no message we're receiving
We are not hearing any significant messages or ideas
Let me know, is your heart still beating?
Is there still life and passion in you
You've gotta let me know
Asking for clarity and honesty
Are we human
Questioning the essence of humanity
Or are we dancer?
Considering the idea that we may simply be following a predetermined path
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Brandon Flowers, Dave Brent Keuning, Mark August Stoermer, Ronnie Jr. Vannucci
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Imalostboy
I did my best to notice
When the call came down the line
Up to the platform of surrender
I was broad, 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 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?
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 got to 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?
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?
My sign is vital
My hands are cold
And I'm on my knees
Looking for the answer
You've got to let me know
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?
Are we human?
Or are we dancer?
Are we human?
Or are we dancer?
@megspetsalon
I lost my dad in 2014 when I was 14 it was heartbreaking 🤍 this song played in the background the last time I was with him 🤍 he hugged me and kissed my forehead and told me he loved me 🤍🤍
Today this song plays in the background of all the achievements in my life and I just know he is with me for example
~ The first time I drove in my car with my full license it played on the radio
- The time I went into the back to get my business card for my small business it played in the back never have I heard music in the bank
- on my 18th birthday it played on the radio when I was getting ready to go out
- or when I brought my little sister on her first holiday since we lost him the singer at the Irish bar sang it as soon as we got our drinks and took our seat without us requesting it
since the night he said goodbye to me that night on the 18th of may it has played anytime I was sad or accomplished something it’s his way of letting me know he is with me 🤍🤍🤍
Thank you so much for making this song it means everything to me when I hear it 🤍🤍🤍
@thra5herxb12s
Played this at my Dads funeral. He loved this song. He was 80 years old and music was his life.
@samf512
Bro, that's breathtaking i'm very sure wherever's your dad, he is very pride of having a son who respect the music as life himself
@ellieimray5366
DEAN WATERS same but it was my grandad instead 😭
@sergiorojas8103
Your father is very proud of you, wherever he is, man
@alanzomac-nack4903
Respect bro. And your dad had a perfect taste❤️
@furiousghost6315
Your a Great Man Dean
I’m sure your Father is really proud of u
@everythingisalright6790
I can’t explain how nostalgic this song is for me.
@rosadicigra287
Yeah me too...
@magdalenezhimomi1976
Same
@groot969
I remember that 11 years ago when this song came on tv, the tv volume went on 100 and me my parents and 3 brothers started singing it outloud..