Music Review: Human League "Human"
Human League
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Human
Album: Crash
Year: 1986
Phil Oakey admits his cheating was wrong in the rueful ballad "Human."
Brokenhearted synths open the single, setting a woeful tone. In the first verse, he comforts his crying gilfriend. He pleads for her to absolve him. He explains during their time apart, he was upset and couldn't deal with their breakup. Another girl came along and she gave him companionship he needed. He didn't set out to deceive her.
In the chorus, he apologizes for being unfaithful. He takes full blame and says its natural for people to make misjudgements.
In the second verse, he says he missed her. While he was sleeping, he would wish he could embrace her. Every brunette girl with a petite figure reminded him of her. He couldn't stop thinking about her, even when he was with the other girl. She's the only one he loves.
The chorus is sung again.
In the bridge, Oakey says he's a person who is bound to make bad decisions. He wants to make things right again. Susan Anne Sulley explains that has something to confess also. She cheated on him, too. She's sorry and hopes they can move on together.
The chorus is sung once to end the single.
Sulley and Oakey were unable to handle their separation. They both sprang into the first person's arms who would give them the affection they desired. However, it was to recreate the relationship they had with the other. Nonetheless, the affairs only caused them sorrow.
Producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis outdo themselves. The arrangement is planitive and calm. It meshes well with Oakey's voice. It helps to create a relationship history within the span of three minutes. The single's twist (Sulley also cheated) is a surprise and turns the cliche on its head.
Oakey's vocals are humbling and remorseful. If he could have the chance, he would go back and be lonely than spend time with another woman. He's not a cad and it was uncharacteristic behavior. It's believable it would be the last he would affair ever have. It's also likely he won't take Sulley's news well at all.
"Human" is a sincere, moving ballad.
Album: Crash
Year: 1986
Phil Oakey admits his cheating was wrong in the rueful ballad "Human."
Brokenhearted synths open the single, setting a woeful tone. In the first verse, he comforts his crying gilfriend. He pleads for her to absolve him. He explains during their time apart, he was upset and couldn't deal with their breakup. Another girl came along and she gave him companionship he needed. He didn't set out to deceive her.
"Come on, baby, dry your eyes/Wipe your tears/Never like to see you cry/Won't you please forgive me?/I wouldn't ever try to hurt you/I just needed someone to hold me/To fill the void while you were gone/To fill this space of emptiness."
In the chorus, he apologizes for being unfaithful. He takes full blame and says its natural for people to make misjudgements.
"I'm only human/Of flesh and blood I'm made/Human/Born to make mistakes."
In the second verse, he says he missed her. While he was sleeping, he would wish he could embrace her. Every brunette girl with a petite figure reminded him of her. He couldn't stop thinking about her, even when he was with the other girl. She's the only one he loves.
"So many nights I longed to hold you/So many times I looked and saw your face/Nothing could change the way I feel/No one else could ever take your place."
The chorus is sung again.
In the bridge, Oakey says he's a person who is bound to make bad decisions. He wants to make things right again. Susan Anne Sulley explains that has something to confess also. She cheated on him, too. She's sorry and hopes they can move on together.
"I am just a man (human)/Please forgive me/The tears I cry aren't tears of pain/They're only to hide my guilt and shame/I forgive you now I ask the same of you/While we were apart I was human too."
The chorus is sung once to end the single.
Sulley and Oakey were unable to handle their separation. They both sprang into the first person's arms who would give them the affection they desired. However, it was to recreate the relationship they had with the other. Nonetheless, the affairs only caused them sorrow.
Producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis outdo themselves. The arrangement is planitive and calm. It meshes well with Oakey's voice. It helps to create a relationship history within the span of three minutes. The single's twist (Sulley also cheated) is a surprise and turns the cliche on its head.
Oakey's vocals are humbling and remorseful. If he could have the chance, he would go back and be lonely than spend time with another woman. He's not a cad and it was uncharacteristic behavior. It's believable it would be the last he would affair ever have. It's also likely he won't take Sulley's news well at all.
"Human" is a sincere, moving ballad.
