Human

The overarching meaning of "Human" by The Killers revolves around the philosophical conflict between free will and conformity. The song poses a central question about the nature of modern existence: are we independent beings who think and act for ourselves, or are we simply following societal norms and expectations without question? This theme is encapsulated in the now-famous and grammatically debated chorus: "Are we human, or are we dancer?"

Brandon Flowers, the band's frontman and songwriter, has explicitly stated that the lyric was inspired by a quote from author Hunter S. Thompson, who lamented that America was "raising a generation of dancers, afraid to take one step out of line." In this context, 'human' represents individuality, thought, and free will, while 'dancer' symbolizes a puppet-like existence, merely going through the motions and following a script laid out by society. The song is a 'mild social statement' on the decay of morals and the loss of individuality in contemporary culture. Flowers also pointed to personal feelings about the decline of long-lasting commitment, like his parents' 45-year marriage, as an influence on the song's themes of fading devotion.

The verses further explore this, mentioning paying respects to "grace and virtue" and sending condolences to "good," suggesting these qualities are dying out. The lines 'on my knees looking for the answer' highlight a spiritual or existential plea for clarity and authenticity in a world that encourages conformity.

The song opens with a reflective tone, the narrator stating his attentiveness and readiness when a significant moment, a 'call,' arrived. He describes himself as being on a 'platform of surrender,' suggesting a point of decision or vulnerability. He was resolute yet compassionate. A sense of anxiety creeps in when he considers the fragility of life, symbolized by a ticking clock and the acknowledgment of his own mortality—his hands are cold, and he questions if his heart is still beating.

The central, recurring question of the song is then posed: 'Are we human, or are we dancer?' This question forms the core of the song's existential dilemma. The narrator is on his knees, searching for an answer, signifying a moment of deep introspection and perhaps desperation.

He then proceeds to bid farewell to a series of fundamental human values and emotions: 'grace and virtue,' 'good and soul,' and 'romance and devotion.' This could imply a disillusionment with these concepts or a sense that in the modern world, these ideals are fading or being surrendered. He feels he is on the verge of something new or different, standing at an 'open door,' yet questions whether he can act on his own volition or if he is simply being controlled, like a puppet whose strings need to be cut.

The plea to 'close your eyes, clear your heart, and cut the cord' serves as a call to liberation—a shedding of societal expectations and programming. This is followed by a question about returning 'home,' which could be a metaphor for finding one's true self or a state of authenticity. The song repeatedly comes back to the central dichotomy: Are we beings with individual consciousness and free will (human), or are we merely following a predetermined choreography, reacting to external stimuli without thought (dancer)? The repetition of this line emphasizes the profound and unresolved nature of this internal and societal conflict.

"Human" was the first song written and recorded for The Killers' third studio album, Day & Age (2008). Its creation began during the sessions for their 2007 compilation album, Sawdust. The band had dinner in London with producer Stuart Price, who is renowned for his work with artists like Madonna. After dinner, Brandon Flowers invited Price to his studio. Flowers described the initial concept to Price as "Johnny Cash meets the Pet Shop Boys." They recorded the song in just a couple of hours, and the band felt it was 'too good' to be on the Sawdust compilation, deciding to save it for their next full album. This initial session with Price was so successful that he went on to produce the entirety of Day & Age.

The song was written by all four members of the band: Brandon Flowers, Dave Keuning, Mark Stoermer, and Ronnie Vannucci, Jr. It was recorded at the band's Battle Born studio in Las Vegas and mixed at Olympic Studios in London by Stuart Price. The song was released as the album's lead single on September 22, 2008. The single's cover art is a portrait of guitarist Dave Keuning, one of four portraits painted by Paul Normansell for the album project.

The rhythmic structure of "Human" is one of its most defining features, built upon a steady, danceable beat that makes it a staple of the dance-rock genre. The tempo is approximately 136 beats per minute (q=136), driving the song forward with a sense of urgency that matches the lyrical questioning. The rhythm is primarily carried by a prominent drum machine beat and a pulsing synthesizer bassline, which creates a classic 80s new wave and synth-pop feel. This consistent, almost metronomic rhythm ironically underscores the theme of being a 'dancer'—someone who moves to a dictated, repetitive beat.

The song's rhyme scheme is relatively straightforward, primarily using couplets (AABB) in the verses, such as "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." This simple structure makes the lyrics memorable and accessible. The chorus, however, relies not on rhyme but on the repetition of the powerful, unrhymed rhetorical question, "Are we human, or are we dancer?" This makes the central theme stand out starkly. The interplay between the driving musical rhythm and the more reflective, questioning lyrical rhythm creates a compelling tension throughout the song.

"Human" marks a stylistic shift for The Killers, blending their rock roots with a more pronounced electronic and dance-pop sensibility. Musically, the song was described by Brandon Flowers as sounding like "Johnny Cash meets the Pet Shop Boys," and by critics as a mix of Bruce Springsteen and New Order.

Literary Techniques:

• Rhetorical Question: The song's core is the repeated rhetorical question, "Are we human, or are we dancer?" which serves as a philosophical prompt for the listener, encouraging introspection rather than seeking a literal answer.
• Metaphor: The primary literary device is the extended metaphor of "human vs. dancer" to represent individuality vs. conformity.
• Symbolism: The lyrics employ symbolism through phrases like "cut the cord" and bidding farewell to virtues, enhancing the theme of societal disillusionment.

Musical Techniques:

• Instrumentation: The song is built on a foundation of synthesizers, a driving bassline, and a steady dance beat, characteristic of synth-pop and new wave. A gentle, phased, clicky guitar riff opens the track and recurs throughout.
• Arrangement: The song builds dynamically. It starts with a relatively sparse arrangement and gradually layers in more instruments, including a thumping bass drum and soaring synth pads, creating an anthemic explosion of sound in the chorus.
• Vocal Delivery: Brandon Flowers' vocal performance is earnest and impassioned, conveying a sense of urgency and longing that complements the lyrical themes. His delivery carries a blend of vulnerability in the verses and soaring power in the choruses.
• Production: Producer Stuart Price, known for his work with Madonna, brought a polished, dance-floor-ready sound to the track, merging the band's rock energy with electronic pop textures.

"Human" was a massive commercial success and had a significant cultural impact upon its release. It became the lead single for The Killers' critically praised third album, Day & Age. The song performed exceptionally well on international charts, reaching the top 5 in the UK, and peaking at #1 in Norway. In the US, it peaked at number 32 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was a top 10 hit on the Modern Rock Tracks chart. In 2008, it was the most globally streamed song on Spotify.

The lyric "Are we human, or are we dancer?" became one of the most debated and misheard lyrics of the decade, with many listeners thinking the word was "denser." Despite, or perhaps because of, the confusion, the line became iconic and was even voted the "weirdest lyric of all time" in a 2014 Blinkbox survey. The song's popularity has endured, with numerous accolades including being voted the 25th Best Song of the Decade by listeners of UK's Absolute Radio.

The track has been featured in various media and has been covered by several artists, including an acoustic version by Kim Petras and a classical interpretation by Duomo. Its blend of rock and dance-pop solidified The Killers' status as one of the biggest rock bands of the 21st century and demonstrated their ability to evolve their sound while retaining their anthemic quality.

The central metaphor of "Human" lies in its primary lyrical hook: "Are we human, or are we dancer?" This question establishes a powerful dichotomy that frames the entire song.

• Human: This represents the state of being an individual with free will, consciousness, and the ability to make independent choices. It embodies authenticity and self-determination.
• Dancer: This symbolizes a person who is not in control, akin to a puppet on strings, merely following a pre-written choreography set by society. It represents conformity, mindlessly following trends and expectations without taking risks or stepping 'out of line,' a direct reference to the Hunter S. Thompson quote that inspired the lyric.

Other symbolic elements in the lyrics include:

• "Cut the cord": This is a powerful metaphor for breaking free from control. Like severing an umbilical cord or the strings of a marionette, it suggests a desire for liberation from the forces that dictate one's actions and thoughts.
• "The platform of surrender": This phrase suggests a moment of yielding, either to a higher power, to fate, or to the societal pressures the song critiques. It's a point of vulnerability and decision.
• Bidding farewell to concepts like "grace," "virtue," "romance," and "devotion": This can be interpreted as a lament for the perceived decline of these values in modern society, reinforcing the song's theme of moral decay.

The most significant recurring element in "Human" is the lyrical motif and central question: "Are we human, or are we dancer?" This phrase is the song's primary hook and philosophical core. Its repetition throughout the song, particularly in the chorus, serves to hammer home the central theme of individuality versus conformity. The grammatical peculiarity of using the singular 'dancer' instead of the plural 'dancers' was a deliberate choice by Brandon Flowers to adhere to the spirit of the Hunter S. Thompson quote that inspired it. This intentional 'mistake' makes the line even more memorable and has sparked extensive debate, drawing listeners deeper into the song's meaning.

Another recurring phrase is the direct address, "Let me know," as in "And let me know is your heart still beating?" This creates a sense of intimacy and urgency, as if the narrator is pleading for a sign of life and authenticity from someone else, or perhaps from himself. Musically, the gentle, phased opening guitar riff acts as a recurring motif, introducing the song and reappearing to provide a consistent, atmospheric texture against the driving synth beat.