13 Marvelous Human Songs | Playlist 🎧

1. Asbjørn, “Be Human (Pride Version)”

🎵 “Be Human (Pride Version)” • 🏷 Embassy of Music • 📅 2021

He’s done it again! Who? Danish pop artist 🎙 Asbjørn (Asbjørn Toftdahl Terkelsen), of course! On 🎵 “Be Human (Pride Version)”, Terkelsen writes a marvelous, personal, and transcendent sermon to the LGBTQ community that speaks volumes. Regarding representation, Terkelsen asserts, “…Queer youth doesn’t only need representation once a year. They need support every single day, so nobody grows up feeling wrong in our society.” Agreed!

Vocally, on “Be Human,” Terkelsen gives a marvelous performance, including a rich middle register and ripe falsetto. His tone is gorgeous and the nuances spot-on.  Lyrically and thematically, he candidly speaks about gender and gender stereotypes. Ultimately, rather than focus on gender – being a man or woman – he places emphasis on being human.  He executes this masterfully on the chorus, the centerpiece of “Be Human.” Beyond the chorus and those personal verses, I heart the contrast on the bridge, where he doubles down on the narrow-minded nature of labels.  In addition to a fine vocal and sublime songwriting, “Be Human” features fantastic, slick production (Terkelsen, 🎛 Tom Stafford, and 🎛 Rangeklods).  We should all take the wisdom Asbjørn serves up here to heart – why should we conform? Aren’t we all human regardless of if we walk, talk, or act differently than others?

2. Lecrae, “Only Human”

Ft. BJ The Chicago Kid

💿 Restoration • 🏷 Reach • 📅 2020

“Only Human” appears as the sixth track on 💿 Restoration, the 2020 studio album by 🏆 Grammy-winning rapper 🎙 Lecrae.  On “Only Human,” he taps 🏆 Grammy-nominated R&B artist, BJ The Chicago Kid, for the assist.  The Kid’s soulful pipes is the first voice we hear.  He sounds phenomenal on the repentant chorus.

“Please forgive me if I mess up
Knowing that you watch is so much pressure
Still God I thank, I’ll never let up
So, every day when I see the sun come up, I’ma say,
Get it done, every day...”

Lecrae, of course, holds down the verses on “Only Human.”  He proclaims at the beginning of the first, “Ain’t no prescription for my brokenness, no pills for hopelessness,” ultimately coming to the realization he must embrace God.  His flow, lyricism, and honesty impress, continuing onto the second verse.  “I ain’t wanna live, my babies need me live / Come too far to shut my eyes,” he raps on the second verse, continuing, but all this pain, I can’t survive / But God said, ‘Hol’ up, I got it, I got it, I do this.” “Only Human” is the exemplification of being human, going through struggles, and fighting through adversity.  In this instance, Lecrae has a higher power on his side.

3. MARINA, “To Be Human”

💿 LOVE + FEAR • 🏷 Atlantic UK • 📅 2019

“I like to think about how we all look from afar / People driving fancy cars look like beetles to the stars / The missiles and the bombs sound like symphonies gone wrong / And if there is a God, they’ll know why it’s so hard … 🎵 “To Be Human.”  Wow, those are some truly powerful, thoughtful words, as sung on the bridge of the record at hand.  🎙 MARINA (🎙 Marina Diamandis) drops the name 🎙 Marina and the Diamonds for her 2019 studio album, 💿 LOVE + FEAR.  Initially, the Welsh pop singer released LOVE only, from which single “To Be Human” lands as the penultimate, seventh track.

MARINA sounds flawless on “To Be Human.” Her tone is haunting, particularly as she sings in her upper register on the verses.  A contemporary politically charged, socially conscious anthem, MARINA is the voice of all the people in the world, not just the so-called elite. On the first verse, she references amazing places, as well as historically checkered pasts.  Notably, on the first pre-chorus, she references America, singing, “There were riots in America / Just when things were getting better,” clearly a shot at the polarizing presidency of Donald Trump compared to former president Barack Obama. The second verse, as well as the second pre-chorus are similarly patterned.  The chorus is the uniting centerpiece:

“All the people living, living in the world today
We’re united by our love, we’re united by our pain
All the things that I’ve done, and I’ve seen
Still, I don’t know, don’t know what it means
To be human.”

Also, somewhat off-topic yet worth mentioning, MARINA’s faith, rather lack thereof, comes into play on the bridge (“And if there is a God, they’ll know why it’s so hard …”).  In a BBC article Marina and the Diamonds: ‘Co-writing is killing pop music’, written in 2015, she states, “My songwriting’s always been peppered with stuff that could be connected with Christianity but I don’t know why because I wasn’t brought up Christian. I don’t believe in God.”

Also appears on 🔽:
🔗 🎧 11 Intriguing Songs All About Humans

4. Coldplay, “Humankind”

💿 Music of the Spheres • 🏷 Polydor • 📅 2021

“I know, I know, I know / We’re only human / But from another planet / Still they call us humankind.” Okay, 🎙 Coldplay, sure! Following up 🎵 “Higher Power” is tough in terms of the track list of 💿 Music of the Spheres.  Thankfully, the humanly 🎵 “Humankind” is a respectable follow up ear catching on its own.

The production on “Humankind” is bright, busy, and engaging.  I love the blend of guitars and synths.  🎙 Chris Martin remains true to self as the front man.  Are the lyrics elite? NO – you don’t leave “Humankind” feeling like true poetry has been served up.  Nonetheless, the chorus, excerpted above, is memorable – and HUMAN!

5. Rag’n’Bone Man, “Human”

💿 Human • 🏷 Sony Music UK • 📅 2017

“Maybe I’m foolish, maybe I’m blind / Thinking I can see through this and see what’s behind / Got no way to prove it, so maybe I’m lying.”  One of the more thoughtful songs of 2017 that also happened to be a crowd-pleaser came courtesy of 🎙 Rag’n’Bone Man.  🎵 “Human” was a breakout hit for the robust, distinct-voiced, English singer/songwriter, appearing as the opener on his debut album, 💿 Human.  Stylistically, the record can be characterized as a mix of alternative and contemporary soul.  Superb production by 🎛 Two Inch Punch amplifies this gem to even loftier heights.

The big takeaway is best exemplified on the refrain where Rag’n’Bone Man asserts, “‘Cause I’m only human after all / You’re only human after all / Don’t put the blame on me / Don’t put the blame on me.” This imperfect sentiment continues on the chorus, where the singer dramatically speaks of people who are devastated, yet, he’s unable to fix their problems.  You can easily figure out why he’s unable to do so…

“Some people got the real problems
Some people out of luck
Some people think I can solve them
Lord heavens above
I’m only human after all
I’m only human after all
Don’t put the blame on me
Don’t put the blame on me.”

Also appears on 🔽:
🔗 🎧 11 Intriguing Songs All About Humans

6. Cody Johnson, “Human”

💿 Human The Double Album • 🏷 CoJo Music LLC / Warner Music Nashville • 📅 2021

“I thought by now I’d have figured it out / How not to make the easy thing so hard to do.” Amen brother, amen.  Don’t get me started on being in your thirties and still having questions regarding this adulting thing! Country music, like many genres, finds itself going multiple directions in the 2020s. Country-pop is nothing new, of course, but the pop factor has grown exponentially. 🎙 Cody Johnson isn’t a country-pop artist.  🎵 “Human,” the title track from his 2021 double album, 💿 Human The Double Album, confirms this.

“I guess all I’m sayin’ is forgive me
If I don’t know what I’m doing
I’m still learning to be human.”

Those words are powerful and relatable.  They certainly transcend country music and music in general.  Johnson didn’t write this ballad, which he performs with incredible authenticity and a marvelous vocal.  Instead, it was written by 🎼✍ Tony Lane and 🎼✍ Travis Meadows, with 🎛 Trent Willmon handling production duties.  The point of it all is, Johnson is still figuring things out, like all of us, regardless of our age. Whether you’re a die-hard country fan or loathe it, you’ll feel something with this joint right here!

7. She Drew the Gun, “Human”

💿 Revolution of Mind • 🏷 Skeleton Key • 📅 2018

“And we’re only human / Yeh, we’re only human / Don’t bow your head too long.” England’s 🎙 She Drew the Gun gives us less than two-and-a-half minutes of humanness on 🎵 “Human,” the closing cut from her 2018 album, 💿 Revolution of Mind.  Even so, 🎙 Louisa Roach delivers a nuanced, well-crafted performance that checks off most of the boxes of the self-described “Impassioned, hypnotic, and darkly ornate psych-pop” label.  Why just ‘most’ and not all? Well, perhaps “Human” isn’t quite as ‘ornate’ given its stripped status.

That said, the lyrics are certainly ‘ornate’ by all means – artful, poetic, and thoughtfully-penned.  From the start, the “impassioned, hypnotic, dark” qualities shine through:

“Filled with content with the treasure you won
You can’t see if it shines till the cutting is done
If the task takes you right back to where you begun
Know somethings are just meant for the re-run.”

After that, we’re treated to the simple, but equally moving chorus.  Then, after that, more brilliant lyricism from the talented, proudly queer musician.

Also appears on 🔽:
🔗 🎧 11 Intriguing Songs All About Humans

8. Jonas Brothers, “Only Human”

💿 Happiness Begins • 🏷 Jonas Brothers Recording / Republic • 📅 2019

Following a one-two punch of 🎵 “Sucker” and 🎵 “Cool”  is a tall task. Of course, both songs served as promo singles (and the opening duo) of 💿 Happiness Begins.  Backtracking a bit, Happiness Begins was the 2019 comeback album by 🎙 Jonas Brothers, following a decade-long hiatus! The ska-infused pop of 🎵 “Only Human” proves to be quite satisfying, with 🎛 Shellback producing.

This ska sound doesn’t work for everybody, but surprisingly, the Jonas Brothers have the ‘swagger’ to pull it off, surprisingly. Notably, “Only Human” references the album’s title lyrically:

“You got all my love to spend, oh
Let’s find a place where happiness begins.” 

Also appears on 🔽:
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9. P!nk, “Hurts 2B Human”

Ft. Khalid

💿 Hurts 2B Human • 🏷 RCA • 📅 2019 

“God, it hurts to be human / Without you, I’d be losing / And someday, we’ll face the music / God, it hurts to be human.” 🎙 P!nk excels at her craft  – NO CAP! Even so, her 2019 album, 💿 Hurts 2B Human flew under the radar.  Regardless, the LP provided welcome additions to the 🏆 Grammy winner’s illustrious catalog. One such addition is title track 🎵 “Hurts 2B Human,” where she is assisted by 🏆 Grammy-nominated R&B artist, 🎙 Khalid.

After singing the first verse by herself, Khalid arrives on the second, providing stunning contrast.  Vocal chemistry is a strong suit when the artists join forces on the chorus section.  Also, worth noting, they trade lines during the bridge, before rejoining on the lyrics, “Maybe then you’d understand / How it hurts to be human, oh.” In addition to P!nk and Khalid, “Hurts 2B Human” was written by 🎼✍ Eskeerdo, 🎼✍ Scott Harris, 🎼✍ Uffie, and 🎼✍ Teddy Geiger while 🎛 Jorgen Odegard handles the production.

10. Highly Suspect, “My Name is Human”

💿 The Boy Who Died Wolf • 🏷 300 Entertainment • 📅 2016

“I’m feeling the way that I’m feeling myself / Fuck everyone else.” Safe to say, Highly Suspect front man 🎙 Johnny Stevens truly gives zero fucks.  If one f-bomb wasn’t enough, Stevens offers more later, on the second verse of the band’s standout song, 🎵 “My Name is Human”: “I’m ready for love, and I’m ready for war / But I’m ready for more / I know that nobody’s ever been this fucking ready before, hey.” “My Name is Human” kicks off 💿 The Boy Who Died Wolf, the sophomore album by 🏆 Grammy-nominated rock band magnificently. It features enigmatic opening production, which percolates into a truly dark quality.  Throughout the course of “My Name Is Human,” it features a religiously skeptical message.

“Get up off your knees, girl
Stand face to face with your God
And find out what you want.”

Stevens delivers rhythmic vocals possessing a hip-hop-sensibility without compromising rock in the slightest. The lyrics are biting, and the vocals are incredibly aggressive. The chorus – varied in a couple of instances – represents the best moment of “My Name Is Human”:

“I’m up off my knees, girl
I’m face to face with myself
And I know who I am
(Hello, my name is human)
I stole my power from the sun
I’m more than just a man
no longer disillusioned).”

Also appears on 🔽:
🔗 🎧 11 Intriguing Songs All About Humans

11. Sevdaliza, “Human”

💿 Ison • 🏷 Twisted Elegance • 📅 2017

“I am flesh, bones / I am skin, soul / I am human / Nothing more than human.” I agree, 🎙 Sevdaliza, I agree! Who is Sevdaliza? She’s an Iranian-Dutch singer, songwriter, and producer who can be characterized as an electronic artist, incorporating other styles as well.  She released her debut album, 💿 Ison in 2017 via Twisted Elegance. 🎵 “Human,” the song at hand, appears as the 10^th track on Ison.  

Lyrically, Sevdaliza keeps things spare – understatement.  There is one verse with simplistic lyrics (“I own a heart / An ear and an eye / I’ve only been here one time”).  Even so, those lyrics, coupled with the sound of “Human” give it a certain aesthetic – a vibe.  Vocally, Sevdaliza sounds great – expressive in her human-fueled performance.  The key lyrics, of course, arrive on the chorus, excerpted above, and continued as follows:

“I am sweat, flaws
I am veins, scars
I am human
Nothing more than human.”

Well, we understand that she’s H-U-M-A-N.

12. The Killers, “Human”

💿 Day & Age • 🏷 Island • 📅 2008

Question: “Are we human, or are we dancer?” Honestly, that ungrammatical lyric by 🎙 The Killers on 🎵 “Human” (💿 Day & Age) ranks among their most memorable.  It’s the quality and overall memorability of this record that makes it a certified, relatively contemporary alternative rock classic… something like that.

There’s ample focus on the opening lyric of the chorus, but that’s not the only reason why “Human” is great. The production is superb, thanks to legendary 🎙 Madonna producer, 🎛 Stuart Price.  The sound blends dance, New Wave, and well alternative rock seamlessly. Guitars and synths coexist soundly with one another, sigh.  Front man 🎙 Brandon Flower delivers his typical brand of expressive, well-rounded vocals, sitting atop the rhythmic background like “The Man” that he is – “USDA certified lean” baby!  But also, there’s the other lyrics as well – they’re “kind of a big deal” too! The second verse is particularly poetic:

“Pay my respects to grace and virtue
Send my condolences to good
Give my regards to soul and romance
They always did the best they could.”

Also appears on 🔽:
🔗 🎧 11 Intriguing Songs All About Humans

13. Michael Jackson, “Human Nature”

💿 Thriller • 🏷 MJJ Productions Inc. • 📅 1982

“If they say why, why / Tell them that it’s human nature / Why, why, does he do me that way?” 💿 Thriller is the rare album where every song is a legitimate hit.  🎙 Michael Jackson was at the top of his game as a solo artist, period.  🎵 “Human Nature” marks a surefire gem from a stacked album, even if it’s overshadowed by higher charting gems.  Even so, “Human Nature” was no slouch, reaching no. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100.

“Human Nature” wasn’t written by the iconic, 🏆 13-time Grammy-winner, believe it or not!   Though the King of Pop was renowned for his songwriting skills, this silky-smooth gem was penned by 🎼✍ John Bettis and 🎼✍ Steve Porcaro (formerly of 🎙 Toto).  The chorus serves as the centerpiece.  That said, the verses are memorable too.  “Reaching out to touch a stranger,” Jackson sings on the second verse, “Electric eyes are everywhere.”  Besides awesome lyrics and once-in-a-lifetime pipes by Jackson, also constructing the smooth vibes is brilliant production by a true legend, 🎛 Quincy Jones.  Ultimately, “Human Nature” is a key piece of one of the greatest albums of all time. Unsurprisingly, it’s been sampled a lot.

Also appears on 🔽:
🔗 🕶️🎶 Michael Jackson, “Human Nature”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 7