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Are We Human or Are We Dancer? What About Denser?
There has been much confusion and debate over a lyric in the chorus of the Killers’ new song “Human”. This is regarding whether or not Brandon Flowers is saying “denser” or “dancer”, when posing the question “Are we human or are we denser/dancer?” Though “denser” seemingly makes more sense in the context of the lyrics, Flowers’ pronunciation of the word clearly sounds like “dancer”. This has lead several critics to believe that Flowers is in fact saying dancer, and therefore questioning what the meaning of the lyric is. Entertainment Weekly’s Pop Watch section, called the lyrics the “silliest lyrics of the week” under the assumption that Flowers was saying “dancer” in the chorus. They were puzzled by this, stating “most dancers are generally human.” The Killers have yet to make any official statement regarding what the correct lyric is.
It seems quite clear in the context of they song, the word is “denser.” If he had meant to use dancer in conjunction with “are we human” it would be dancer(s) plural. [via wiki]
What do you think? Leave your answer in the comments!
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Tags: Brandon Flowers, Q&A Fridays, The Killers
Someone is wrong on the internet!
Anyway, there’s a quote from an interview on the band’s “official” Island Records’ website that says it’s “dancer”:
http://www.islandrecords.com/site/artist_bio.php?artist_id=547
i totally agree with #2/David – it’s dead, sir. the whole song makes a lot more sense with it being “dead, sir” than “dancer.”
It’s pretty funny folks are hearing something other than “dancer”.
I always tougth is was dancer, but I tought that he was saying like a person that does not have autonomy, because it say cut the cord
like if he woul say, are we human? or are we puppets? you know…
What cracks me up is that all of the Killers die hard fans refuse (even after irrefutable evidence is presented) to believe the lyrics really could be dancer because as is said, very many times by the users above me, that is unbelievably bad lyrics. Well let’s face it, the lyrics suck. It’s pop music, a genre of music not known for good lyrics. When I heard this song, I heard dancer and at first hearing was turned off by the insipid lyrics. Who writes drivel like this? I mean the first time I heard it my ears revolted. Why did no one bother to explain this to them? I don’t care if it’s a reference to Hunter S. Thompson, even knowing that the lyrics are still moronic to the point of childish stupidity. Sorry folks, but it’s true.
Dancer.
Dancer is an adjective – Think about puppets (which relates to previous lyrics [cut the cord .. on my knees])
Human is an adjective, hence why that’s not plural, and is describe as full of emotion.
He’s asking whether Americans have individuality.
It is Dancer, they confirmed it on they’re island record site. It makes perfect sense if you interpret it right. It is pretty much saying are we how god intended us to be? or are we just going through the motions in our common day to day life. Flowers took this idea of human and dancer from Hunter S. Thompson
After reading a lot of these comments I am shocked to hear anyone say denser would be better than dancer, that’s ridiculous. Dancer has so much more meaning to it, I am a big fan of The Killers and I know there style. Fist time I heard Human, I said to myself wow… that’s deep. It’s DANCER
it says dancer. the words human and dancer are used as adjectives but of course you’d need a brain to catch on.
(see 4th post)
nick, the words “I’ve got soul, but I’m not a soldier†are a reference to supporting a cause but not caring enough to actually contribute to it. i’m much more confused by “I took a shuttle on a shockwave ride where people on the pen pull the trigger for accolade” (Sam’s Town).
and its definitely denser. once you know that it even sounds like “denser” most of the time. “dead, sir” would be funny though.
okay maybe i should have read all the comments before i left one. i followed the link to the killers official website and i guess it really is dancer.
Their 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 (Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas) about how America was raising a generation of dancers.
Those familiar with the band’s oeuvre will recognize their signature in the synth-heavy “Human,” four minutes of sweeping, epic rock, on which Flowers sings: “My sign is vital/ My hands are cold/ And I’m on knees, looking for the answer/ Are we human, or are we dancer?” He says the lyrics were inspired by a disparaging comment made by Hunter S. Thompson about how America was raising a generation of dancers. But the song also had some help from album producer Stuart Price (aka Jacques LuCont), known for his work with Madonna and Missy Elliot, and who’d previously remixed “Mr. Brightside.” “He was the icing on the cake,” says Stoermer.
My ears deceived me after several listens of the songs, not caring if it is lyrically incorrect but I find, “Are we Dead Sir?” the most fitting.
When I heard “Dancer” it just didn’t sound right, I like Erin’s idea. Whether it was Dancer, Denser or are we dead sir? I don’t really care.
Its a song! And our ears make it our own!
“Dancer, denser or whatever, it does not matter, Great ballad,but unlike Bob Dylan the song it is let down by the lyrics because I sugest the composer does not even know what they meant, but it sounded good at the time.
It has to be denser! Dancer makes no sense at all! :O
It’s dancer, and the song just sucks. When I first heard it I was annoyed enough to change the station, but this damned vapid ear worm kept popping up in my head – over and over again. So I looked into who preformed this vacuous tripe and discovered that some dude named Brandon Flowers is now my main target of digust. If I ever see him walking down the street I’ll beat him untl he convincingly reveals the answer to his own absurd question.
May a pox be opon him and his children!
he is saying dancer, he said so in the december/ january issue of NYLON magazine. its from some quote about how this generation is turning into a bunch of dancers.
-but yea denser makes more sense in context.
You people are idiots. You don’t take the lyrics LITERALLY!
Of COURSE it’s dancer.
The lyric is “dancer,” after a quote from someone (i forgot who) talking about are we human and can make our own decisions and actions or do we follow the natural choreography of our lives.
It is definitely dancer – I saw them in concert and their merchandise all said ‘dancer’, so there.
I find it really funny that everyone is making such a fuss over this “dancer”or “denser”,like does it really matter? All that matters is that it’s a fun song.Also thinks he’s saying dancer….
It was never denser and never sounded like it you morons. Sorry but it’s always been dancer and really can’t put in “denser” to make sense since being dense is a characteristic and not something opposite of human. It makes sense if you actually listen to the other lyrics.