What does “are we human or are we dancer” mean?
Few bands have succeeded in commanding attention and provoking introspection quite like The Killers. Among their extensive repertoire, ‘Human’ stands out as a potent anthem that delves into the complexities of identity and existence. Released as the lead single from their third studio album, Day & Age, in 2008, ‘Human’ quickly became one of their most divisive songs across their entire discography.
Although Day & Age has since become one of the quintessential The Killers albums, it received a considerably ambivalent reception upon release. For instance, some deemed it their best work yet, while others claimed it lacked focus, citing its intent on experimenting with various genres as a major contributor to its lack of sharp edges.
At its core, the album saw the band up the ante on its sonic blending of elements of new wave, synth-pop, and indie rock. The driving rhythm section of ‘Human’, anchored by Ronnie Vannucci Jr’s pulsating drums and Mark Stoermer’s melodic basslines, provided a solid foundation for the song’s dynamic progression.
Although it performed well in the charts, many were confused about the meaning behind its most prominent lyric: “Are we human or are we dancer?” Although lead singer Brandon Flowers claimed that “you’re an idiot” if you don’t get it, there does seem to be some understandable misinterpretations due to its grammatical presentation, and whether the word “dancer” denotes a collective state of being, a person, or even a concept.
What is the meaning of “are we human or are we dancer?”
The lyric “are we human, or are we dancer?” has sparked numerous interpretations and debates among listeners, leading to various theories about its meaning. One prevailing hypothesis suggests that the line is a misinterpretation of the phrase “are we human, or are we denser?” which would imply a commentary on human intelligence or consciousness. However, Flowers has refuted this interpretation.
Another theory posits that the lyric is a reference to a quote from Hunter S. Thompson, in which he criticises modern society by lamenting, “We’re raising a generation of dancers”. This interpretation suggests that the line reflects The Killers’ commentary on societal conformity and the loss of individuality.
Some fans have also speculated that the lyric may be a play on words, with “dancer” serving as a metaphor for someone who follows predetermined paths or dances to the tune of societal expectations. Although this could present the lyric as a question about free will and autonomy, others think that “dancer” actually points towards a person, a character referred to as an all-knowing figure.
Frustratingly, Flowers has remained cryptic about the true meaning behind the lyric, explaining that while he was “aching over those lyrics for a very long time to get them right,” his confusion about the grammatical correctness of the lyric doesn’t matter, as “he’s allowed to do whatever I want,” per Rolling Stone.
How many copies has ‘Human’ sold?
‘Human’ peaked at number three on the UK charts and has sold over 180,000 copies in the UK. On Spotify, ‘Human’ has garnered over 497 million streams at the time of writing, while the official music video on the band’s YouTube channel has accumulated over 193m views. In 2008, it was the most-played song on Spotify.
This makes ‘Human’ one of The Killers’ most successful songs, putting it behind ‘Mr Brightside’, ‘Somebody Told Me’, and ‘When You Were Young’. Although many of their hits have found their place among the top-ranking British indie anthems, ‘Mr Brightside’ remains a significant forerunner, having been the longest-charting single in the UK top 100 with a seven-year run.
