The Killers - Human

"Human" is a song by alternative rock band The Killers, and was released as the first single from the band's third studio album Day & Age. It premiered on Zane Lowe's evening show on BBC Radio 1 on September 22, 2008, with a digital release on September 30, 2008. 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 #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".

The Killers are an American rock band from Las Vegas, Nevada, formed in 2002. The band consists of Brandon Flowers (vocals,keyboards), Dave Keuning (guitar, vocals), Mark Stoermer (bass guitar, vocals) and Ronnie Vannucci Jr. (drums, percussion).

Part of the post-punk revival movement, The Killers draw their influences from music styles of the 1980s. The group's debut album, Hot Fuss (2004) brought the band mainstream success. The Killers' second album, Sam's Town, was released in 2006, and compilation album Sawdust containing B-sides, rarities, and new material, was released in 2007. Their third studio album, Day & Age, produced by Stuart Price, was released in 2008.

The band has sold over 5 million albums in the United States, over 4.5 million albums in the United Kingdom and over 15 million worldwide.

There remains confusion and debate over the line "Are we human, or are we dancer?" in the song's chorus due to its unusual grammar. Debate raged across the internet over whether the lyrics said "denser" or "dancer", a misunderstanding which invoked conflicting interpretations of the song's meaning. Entertainment Weekly's Pop Watch section called this line the "silliest lyrics of the week". They were puzzled by the interpretation, stating "most dancers are generally human". 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 lyrics were inspired by a disparaging comment made by Hunter S. Thompson, where he stated America was raising "a generation of dancers". Various interpretations have been proposed, including that the word "dancer" should be taken in the same manner as "human" in that specific context (i.e. a distinct species). In an interview with Rolling Stone, Flowers said that he was irritated over the confusion about the lyrics and also that fans were unhappy with the song's dance beat: "It's supposed to be a dance song, [the beat] goes with the chorus...If you can't put that together, you're an idiot. I just don't get why there's a confusion about it."

The music video for "Human" was released in mid-October 2008 and directed by Daniel Drysdale. It features the band performing the song inGoblin 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. Various animals are also shown throughout the video, such as a white tiger, aneagle, and a cougar. It's 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.

I did my best to notice

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/denser?

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/denser?

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/denser?

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/denser?

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/denser?

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/denser?

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/denser?

Are we human or are we dancer/denser?

Are we human or are we dancer/denser?

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