"Human" The Killers by Mark Lundh

“Human” a song produced by the group known as the Killers, depicts the struggle between life and death.
For years there has been discussion regarding life and death. Books have been written about the death experience hypothesizing that there is life after death. Other books have been written, debunking that way of thinking. Religious groups have gathered to discuss this for years and to date no one theory has been accepted by all.
The Killers lyrics looks at this topic and talks about the struggle between life and death. First off, the song starts off, “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., which talks about the call from heaven. Whether or not we have a choice to go or keep on fighting. To me it means letting the inevitable happen no matter if it’s death of a loved one. Basically getting rid of that fear of the unknown and moving on with existence.
Then the song starts talking about, “Are we human? Or are we dance?” Is this real that is happening to all of us or is it just make believe. Do we as human beings have control over our lives, are destiny! Can I choose my path in life and death or are we just puppets with strings attached. Is there someone controlling our every move, choosing our path for us or is our destiny pre-determined by God. That’s an answer that we all have to figure out for ourselves. Being a Christian, I do believe we have a chose about the path we lead, that’s what is so crucial about faith. Then the song talks about the final acceptance of what is suppose to happen, Death! The song depicts the letting go of various virtues that one possesses during one’s life such as grace, virtue, good, kindness, and love. The song speaks as if it’s talking to someone and saying goodbye like the line, “Wave goodbye, Wish me well, you’ve got to let me go.” Then the person is asking for conformation about him/ her dying. Again this is something that has been written and reported by people who have experienced the near death experience where they claim to have been able to see others in their environment talking and working on them to bring them back to life. This author holds to the testament that has been made by so many that there is life after death. My religious beliefs support this.
The video appears to support this author’s interpretation of the song. The video starts off by having the group in a canyon of some sort singing this song with the sun blazing. You start by noticing the lack of vegetation, water, and any abundance of animals pretty much immediately. The canyon represents the body in its most basic form, since the body consists of dirt, water, and air. The blazing sun could be meant as the constant struggle or trails one face’s in life with regards to the physical, emotional, and spiritual being. Then the video shows us an array of animals such as a white tiger, a cougar, and a condor. The most fascinating of these animals is the condor. The video shows 2 to 3 seconds of the condor flying in the air which I think is one of the keys to this whole video. It speaks of freedom in the most basic of understanding. Letting go of one’s trails, of life, the connection to the human body and of one’s mind. It could also be meant as the human body moving on to another state of being whether it be heaven or hell according to Catholics, Christians, and Muslims or to the Buddhist religion a rebirth (reincarnation). The white tiger and cougar represents mans basic instinct for survival and the frailty of the human body.
The video shows us a collection of mirror with various images of each group member appearing and then disappearing which this author feels could represent the various views of life or how you perceive yourself and your surroundings. Then the video shows each person in the group standing with a picture of themselves covering their face, then pictures being switched with each other. It could be an analysis of their identity or could be expressed as losing one’s identity or self-image with regards to death. You as a person, losing a small piece of yourself.
The end of the video shows the group facing away from the sun (towards you) then the day turns into night, sun into the moon. Then the group is facing towards the moon, when all of a sudden the night and the moon turn to a painting. Absolute stillness! These various scenes’ calls toward the end of one’s existence. Not just the end but the acceptance of one’s final moments. They embrace what’s supposed to come, never looking away, the starting of a new day.
In summary, the author of Human explored a controversial subject and one that has no definitive answer. He has used abstract depiction to challenge the viewer and listener to develop his own interpretation of what has been put forth. For those who believe in an after-life they will see this in the music/video. For those who hold other beliefs they will view this as an abstract work of art. Perhaps it is safe to say that “beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.”
-Mark Lundh
“Human” The Killers


“Human” Lyrics- The Killers
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?
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 respect 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?