Question on music Video
In the music video by the Killers , he asks are we human or are we dancer ? what does it mean 'Dancer' ?
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NinaTina · 26-30, F
Are we human, or are we dancer?” is one of pop music’s more metaphysical lyrics. And that’s not a misprint — it really is “dancer” rather than the more grammatically correct “dancers”.
And in a song that’s designed to make you think, that slightly dissonant grammar serves the same purpose as a guitarist striking a deliberately discordant note. It grabs your attention. Your brain switches from passive listening to curious attention almost instantly.
Of course, some people were outraged by the inappropriate use of grammar when “Human” was released. And, interestingly, that was rather the point…it means the lyrics written by The Killers’ front-man Brandon Flowers hit their mark.
He claims the lyric “Are we human, or are we dancer?” was inspired by a quote from legendary “gonzo journalist” Hunter S. Thompson. Thompson’s style was to insert himself in his stories as an active participant, rather than a passive observer like you’re taught in journalism school.
So Brandon Flowers making his lyrics a story all in themselves is very much a nod to the Hunter S. Thompson style of writing.
There is some doubt whether Hunter S. Thompson ever said the words that Brandon Flowers attributed to him, but I even like that aspect too. It makes “gonzo songwriting”, if I can use that term, even more powerful if it’s based on a quote which never existed in the first place.
Whether or not Hunter S. Thompson ever uttered the words is a moot point. What Brandon Flowers did was delicious either way. And of course the faux outrage and intellectual critiques for his potentially mis-attributed quote only served to make his point even better.
The original quote…if it ever existed…is actually a powerful piece of writing in its own right…
America is raising a generation of dancers, afraid to take one step out of line
That’s a pretty important idea whoever said it, or even if nobody said it at all and it’s a figment of Brandon Flowers’ imagination…in fact, especially if it’s just a figment of his imagination.
But “Human” isn’t just about one metaphysical question and some bad grammar. There are plenty of other lines in the lyrics which are designed to make you think
And in a song that’s designed to make you think, that slightly dissonant grammar serves the same purpose as a guitarist striking a deliberately discordant note. It grabs your attention. Your brain switches from passive listening to curious attention almost instantly.
Of course, some people were outraged by the inappropriate use of grammar when “Human” was released. And, interestingly, that was rather the point…it means the lyrics written by The Killers’ front-man Brandon Flowers hit their mark.
He claims the lyric “Are we human, or are we dancer?” was inspired by a quote from legendary “gonzo journalist” Hunter S. Thompson. Thompson’s style was to insert himself in his stories as an active participant, rather than a passive observer like you’re taught in journalism school.
So Brandon Flowers making his lyrics a story all in themselves is very much a nod to the Hunter S. Thompson style of writing.
There is some doubt whether Hunter S. Thompson ever said the words that Brandon Flowers attributed to him, but I even like that aspect too. It makes “gonzo songwriting”, if I can use that term, even more powerful if it’s based on a quote which never existed in the first place.
Whether or not Hunter S. Thompson ever uttered the words is a moot point. What Brandon Flowers did was delicious either way. And of course the faux outrage and intellectual critiques for his potentially mis-attributed quote only served to make his point even better.
The original quote…if it ever existed…is actually a powerful piece of writing in its own right…
America is raising a generation of dancers, afraid to take one step out of line
That’s a pretty important idea whoever said it, or even if nobody said it at all and it’s a figment of Brandon Flowers’ imagination…in fact, especially if it’s just a figment of his imagination.
But “Human” isn’t just about one metaphysical question and some bad grammar. There are plenty of other lines in the lyrics which are designed to make you think
