Wikipedia

Human (The Killers song)

(Redirected from Human (Killers song))

"Human" is a song by American rock band the Killers. Written by and produced by the band members and co-produced by Stuart Price, it was released as the first single from their third studio album Day & Age (2008).[1]

"Human"
Single cover
Single by the Killers
from the album Day & Age
B-side"A Crippling Blow"
ReleasedSeptember 22, 2008
Recorded2008
Genre
Length4:09
LabelIsland
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
The Killers singles chronology
"Don't Shoot Me Santa"
(2007) 		"Human"
(2008) 		"Spaceman"
(2008)

"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-10 hit in the Netherlands (peaking at number 2). The song was released on a seven-inch picture disc throughout the world on various dates in November 2008, with a B-side entitled "A Crippling Blow".

Background

edit

In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine's Smoking Section, Brandon Flowers described "Human" as "Johnny Cash meets the Pet Shop Boys". Flowers stated that the song was created with Stuart Price during their work with him on the Sawdust album, and has changed very little since then. He confessed to not putting it on Sawdust as "it was too good".[2]

The cover art for the single is a portrait of the band's guitarist Dave Keuning, and is one of the four portraits drawn by Paul Normansell for the album.

The earliest digital release of the song was missing a hi-hat section at the beginning of the song.

Reception

edit

The song received positive reviews from contemporary critics. An interview in The Observer newspaper stated that the track "is a cross between New Order and Bruce Springsteen - that should please fans of 'Mr. Brightside'." Chris Williams of Billboard gave a positive review, echoing The Observer's description of "merging a Boss-like melody over a New Order-injected rave-up." He also praised the song for "stretching the soundscape of alternative rock, which has increasingly become difficult to differentiate between mainstream rock."[3] Music Radar complimented the song in their review of Day & Age, saying "A gentle, phased, clicky guitar riff opens this gorgeous nod to the gentle side of '80s new wave."[4] Caryn Ganz with Rolling Stone gave the tune three-and-a-half stars, calling it "delicious."[5] "Human" was voted the Best Song of 2008 by the readers of Rolling Stone.[6]

In 2010, a vote by listeners to UK radio station XFM polled the song at #97 in its poll of the Top 1,000 Songs of All Time.[7] In December 2009, it was voted the 25th Best Song of the Decade by listeners of UK music station Absolute Radio.[8] In October 2011, NME placed it at number 144 on its list "150 Best Tracks of the Past 15 Years".[9] Paste and American Songwriter both ranked the song number four on their lists of the greatest Killers songs.[10][11]

In 2008, the song was the Top Globally Streamed Song on Spotify.[12]

Lyrics

edit

There was confusion and debate over the line "Are we human, or are we dancer?" in the song's chorus due to its grammar.[13] Debate raged across the internet over whether the lyric said "dancer", "dancers" or "denser", a misunderstanding which elicited conflicting interpretations of the song's meaning.[14][15] On the band's official website, the biography section states that Flowers is singing "Are we human, or are we dancer?" and also says that the lyric was inspired by a disparaging comment made by Hunter S. Thompson, who stated that America was "raising a generation of dancers, afraid to take one step out of line".[16][17] From an interview:

Flowers is irritated that people don't quite seem to get the lyric, and that fans were unhappy with the song's dance beat. "It's supposed to be a dance song, it goes with the chorus," he says. "If you can't put that together, you're an idiot. I just don't get why there's a confusion about it."

— Rolling Stone[18]

In 2014, it was voted the "weirdest lyric of all time" by a Blinkbox survey.[19]

Chart performance

edit

In the US "Human" debuted at number 13 on Billboard's Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart, and peaked at number 6.[20] It is the band's sixth top-10 hit on the chart. The song debuted and peaked at number 32 on the Billboard Hot 100 on the chart week of October 18, 2008,[21] giving the Killers their third top-40 hit there. It reached number 3 on the UK Singles Chart, and in 2012, BBC Radio 1 announced that it was the 39th-most-downloaded song of all time in the country.[22]

On the Canadian Hot 100, the song debuted at number nine.[23] It debuted at number 34 on the New Zealand RIANZ chart,[24] and entered at number four on the Norway Top 20, then reached number one.[25] "Human" reached the top ten on the Irish Singles Chart and in Sweden.[26][27] The song debuted at number 48 on the Australian Aria Charts and peaked at number 28.[28]

Music video

edit

The music video for "Human" was released in mid-October 2008 and directed by Danny Drysdale.[29] It features the band performing the song in Goblin Valley State Park, Utah. The portraits of the band drawn for the album by Paul Normansell are shown in the video, such as when the band members hold the portraits in front of their faces.[30] Various animals are also shown throughout the video, such as a white tiger, an eagle, and a cougar. It has been noted to have heavy similarities to Pink Floyd's Live at Pompeii concert film, such as the band playing the song in a desert landscape amongst various amplifiers and other stage equipment and mostly in much of the camera angles. The video ends with the band watching the sun setting in the desert, which turns into the album cover, also drawn by Paul Normansell.[31]

edit

Media

edit

The song was used for the Spanish television station Telecinco for the ad of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final. The motto was "Una final no se juega; una final se gana" (A final is not played; a final is won).[32]

On November 25, 2008, the song was available as downloadable content for the game Guitar Hero World Tour.

In 2018, the song was used by American Express on one of its TV advertisements.[33]

In 2024, the song was featured in the first episode of the second season of The Big Door Prize.

Versions

edit

Awards

edit
Year Ceremony Award Result
2009 MuchMusic Video Awards Best International Video – Group Nominated

Track listings

edit

Charts

edit

Certifications

edit
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[91] 3× Platinum 210,000‡
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[92] Platinum 60,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[93] 2× Platinum 160,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[94] Platinum 15,000^
Germany (BVMI)[95] Platinum 300,000‡
Italy (FIMI)[96] Platinum 100,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[97] Gold 7,500*
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[98] Platinum 60,000‡
Sweden (GLF)[99] Gold 10,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[100] 3× Platinum 1,800,000‡
United States (RIAA)[101] 2× Platinum 2,000,000‡

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

edit
  1. ^ "The Killers' new album details revealed - exclusive". NME. September 15, 2008. Archived from the original on September 18, 2008. Retrieved September 15, 2008.
  2. ^ Fitzmaurice, Larry (October 31, 2008). "Killers on New Single: "It's Pet Shop Boys Meets Johnny Cash"". Spin. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
  3. ^ "Human-The Killers". Billboard. October 4, 2008. Archived from the original on May 14, 2009. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  4. ^ "The Killers: Day and Age". Music Radar. October 23, 2008. Retrieved October 30, 2008.
  5. ^ Ganz, Caryn (October 16, 2008), "Human". Rolling Stone. (1063):80
  6. ^ "Readers' Rock List: Best Songs Of 2008 : Rolling Stone : Rock and Roll Daily". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on March 19, 2009. Retrieved March 22, 2009.
  7. ^ "The Top 1,000 Songs Of All Time". XFM. December 24, 2010. Retrieved August 26, 2011.
  8. ^ "Human by The Killers". Song of the Decade. Archived from the original on October 29, 2012. Retrieved April 11, 2010.
  9. ^ "150 Best Tracks Of The Past 15 Years". NME.COM. October 6, 2011.
  10. ^ Lane, Lexi; Gutierrez, Juan (August 25, 2020). "The 20 Best Killers Songs". Paste. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  11. ^ Walthall, Catherine (August 26, 2021). "The Killers Top 10 Songs". American Songwriter. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  12. ^ "HITS Daily Double : Rumor Mill - SPOTIFY CELEBRATES ITS FIRST DECADE".
  13. ^ "Brandon Flowers Wound Up Over Misquoting of Killers' "Human"". Rolling Stone. November 19, 2008. Retrieved November 20, 2008.
  14. ^ Vozick-Levinson, Simon (September 25, 2008), "Does the Killers' 'Human' have the silliest lyric of the week?" EW.com . Retrieved January 27, 2009.
  15. ^ Spence, Darren (January 16, 2009), "Chart Choice". Retrieved January 27, 2009.
  16. ^ "The Killers official website @ islandrecords.com". Island Records. October 6, 2008. Retrieved October 6, 2008.
  17. ^ "Killers' Brandon Flowers stands behind 'Human' chorus..." MTV. October 13, 2008. Archived from the original on January 30, 2011. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
  18. ^ Hiatt, Brian (2008-12-25), "The Killers Inside". Rolling Stone (1068/1069):78-81
  19. ^ Gibsone, Harriet (August 1, 2014). "What are the weirdest lyrics of all time?". The Guardian. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
  20. ^ "Weekly Chart Highlights". Radio & Records. September 29, 2008. Archived from the original on August 28, 2008. Retrieved September 29, 2008.
  21. ^ a b "The Killers Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  22. ^ "BBC - Radio 1 - Chart - Top 100 Downloads of All Time". Archived from the original on September 12, 2012. Retrieved February 3, 2012.
  23. ^ "The Killers - Human - Music Charts". Acharts.us. Retrieved March 22, 2009.
  24. ^ a b "The Killers – Human". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  25. ^ "The Killers - Human (Song)". Norwegiancharts.com. Retrieved on December 4, 2008.
  26. ^ "Search the Charts Archived 2010-01-05 at the Wayback Machine". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved on December 4, 2008. NB: User needs to enter "Killers" in "Search by Artist" and click "search".
  27. ^ "The Killers - Human (Song)
  28. ^ a b "The Killers – Human". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  29. ^ Human Music Video. Universal Music Group. October 22, 2008. Archived from the original on March 9, 2009. Retrieved April 28, 2009. or from Universal Music Group direct
  30. ^ Music Video at 1:55, 1:59 and 2:03
  31. ^ Music Video at 4:08 and "My Gallery". Archived from the original on April 27, 2009. Retrieved May 1, 2009.
  32. ^ "Spanish ad of the 2010 Final Fifa". YouTube.
  33. ^ "American Express TV Commercial, 'Balancing the Balance' Song by The Killers".
  34. ^ "80s Re:Covered - TheSongs". Archived from the original on December 8, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  35. ^ "Watch Better Oblivion Community Center Cover the Killers' "Human"". March 11, 2019.
  36. ^ "Hardwell and Machine Made Sample the Killers for New Dance Anthem,"HUMAN"". September 2023.
  37. ^ "The Killers – Human" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  38. ^ "The Killers – Human" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  39. ^ "The Killers – Human" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  40. ^ "The Killers Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  41. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 7. týden 2009 in the date selector. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
  42. ^ "The Killers – Human". Tracklisten. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  43. ^ "Hits of the World: Euro Singles Sales". Billboard. Vol. 120, no. 50. December 13, 2008. p. 55.
  44. ^ "The Killers: Human" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  45. ^ "The Killers – Human" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  46. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  47. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Human". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  48. ^ "Media Forest Week 01, 2009". Israeli Airplay Chart. Media Forest. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  49. ^ "The Killers – Human". Top Digital Download. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  50. ^ "The Killers Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  51. ^ "El tema de Luis Fonsi 'No me doy por vencido' encabeza preferencias radiales" (in Spanish). Vanguardia. November 17, 2008. Retrieved September 23, 2017.
  52. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – The Killers" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  53. ^ "The Killers – Human" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved March 2, 2018.
  54. ^ "The Killers – Human". VG-lista. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  55. ^ "Portugal Digital Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 25, 2016. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  56. ^ Romanian Top 100 Archived March 6, 2009, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on February 26, 2009.
  57. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  58. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 200904 into search.
  59. ^ "The Killers – Human" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  60. ^ "The Killers – Human". Singles Top 100. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  61. ^ "The Killers – Human". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  62. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  63. ^ "The Killers Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  64. ^ "The Killers Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  65. ^ "The Killers Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  66. ^ "The Killers Chart History (Dance Mix/Show Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  67. ^ "The Killers Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  68. ^ "The Killers Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  69. ^ "Single Jahrescharts 2008" (in German). MTV Germany. Archived from the original on February 1, 2009. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  70. ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2008". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  71. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2008" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  72. ^ "Årslista Singlar – År 2008" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  73. ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2008 – hitparade.ch". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  74. ^ "Charts Plus Year-end 2008" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
  75. ^ "Jahreshitparade Singles 2009". austriancharts.at. Retrieved January 17, 2020.
  76. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2009". Ultratop. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  77. ^ "Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2009". Billboard. January 2, 2013. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
  78. ^ "Year End Charts: European Hot 100 Singles". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 4, 2012. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  79. ^ "Single Jahrescharts 2009" (in German). MTV Germany. Archived from the original on December 30, 2010. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  80. ^ "Éves összesített listák - MAHASZ Rádiós TOP 100 (súlyozott)" (in Hungarian). Mahasz. Archived from the original on October 9, 2014. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  81. ^ "Classifiche annuali dei cd, dvd, compilation più venduti e digital download più scaricati online nel 2009" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. January 19, 2010. Archived from the original on January 23, 2010. Retrieved January 10, 2015. Download the attached file by clicking Scarica l'allegato.
  82. ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2009". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  83. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2009" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  84. ^ "Årslista Singlar – År 2009" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  85. ^ "2009 Year End Swiss Singles Chart". Hung Medien. Swiss Music Charts. 2009. Archived from the original on October 11, 2011. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  86. ^ "Charts Plus Year-end 2009" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved July 19, 2010.
  87. ^ "Year End Charts - Dance Club Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 6, 2012. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  88. ^ "Adult Pop Songs – Year-End 2009". Billboard. January 2, 2013. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
  89. ^ "Pop Rock" (in Spanish). Record Report. February 21, 2009. Archived from the original on January 19, 2009.
  90. ^ Radio 1 Chart of the Decade, as presented by Nihal on Tuesday December 29, 2009
  91. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2023 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
  92. ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Killers – Human" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
  93. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Killers – Human". Music Canada. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
  94. ^ "Danish single certifications – Killers – Human". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
  95. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (The Killers; 'Human')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved April 28, 2018.
  96. ^ "Italian single certifications – The Killers – Human" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  97. ^ "Latest Gold / Platinum Singles". Radioscope. August 21, 2011. Archived from the original on August 31, 2011. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  98. ^ "Spanish single certifications – The Killers – Human". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
  99. ^ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 2009" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 17, 2011. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  100. ^ "British single certifications – Killers – Human". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  101. ^ "American single certifications – The Killers – Human". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
Retrieved from "https://en.wiki.x.io/w/index.php?title=Human_(The_Killers_song)&oldid=1259372236"