Human by Ellie Goulding Lyrics Meaning – Unpacking the Intricate Tapestry of Humanity
Lyrics
You have burst at the seams
Let it all fall out open your mouth
Often I lie wide awake
Think of things I can make
But I don’t seem to have the parts to build them
Human I wonder why you’re a better make
Than I could ever build or create
You know not love or hate
I am so scared of what will kill me
In the end for I am not prepared
I hope I will get the chance to be someone
To be human
Look what we’ve done
Look what we’ve done
I would give my life, to be human
I would give my life, to be human
I would give my life, to be human
I would give my life, to be
Human I’m trying to come clean
I will be a better me
I will not drink until I’m dead
I’ll make the most of it
I don’t know what it’s like to be alive
To say goodbye
To cry a thousand tears
Because my ears won’t listen
Human I’m trying not to lose my faith in you
I’ve sussed out all that I’ve seen through
I’ve sailed an ocean
I am so scared of what I’ll look like in the end
For I am not prepared
I hope I will get the chance to be someone
To be human
Look what we’ve done
Look what we’ve done
I used to hear it all so loud
The sound of my heart breaking
The truth is waiting to be found
I trust that I will take it
I would give my life
I would give my life
I would give my life
I would give my life
I would give my life, to be
I would give my life, to be
I would give my life, to be
I would give my life, to be (human)
Ellie Goulding’s ‘Human’ is an introspective anthem that delves into the complexities of existentialism, examining the fundamental desires and challenges of what it means to truly exist as a sentient being. With haunting vocals and a sparse instrumental backdrop, Goulding invites listeners on a journey into the depths of self-reflection and the innate pursuit of authenticity amidst a life fraught with imperfections.
At the core of ‘Human’ lies a raw exploration of the vulnerabilities that define the human experience—the fear of mortality, the search for understanding, and the relentless quest for emotional fulfillment. Goulding’s candid lyricism strikes a universal chord, speaking to the poignant struggle to reconcile the often-competing forces of survival and self-actualization.
The Burden of Perfection: A Deep Dive
Goulding’s opening lines, ‘Human behave yourself, you have burst at the seams,’ present an imagery-laden critique of the pressure to maintain poise under the strain of societal expectations. It’s a plea for authenticity in a world where perfection is glorified, yet unattainable. The artist confronts the ceaseless endeavor to curate a faultless existence, only to be undone by the inevitable reality of human fallibility.
As the song progresses, Goulding reflects on the paradoxical nature of creation and existence: the desire to create, coupled with the frustrating acknowledgement of one’s limitations. This tension between aspiration and ability encapsulates the human condition—a ceaseless pursuit of creation whether by art, relationships, or personal growth, haunted perpetually by the specter of inadequacy.
Humanity’s Elixir: Trading Life for Experience
In a powerful declaration, ‘I would give my life, to be human,’ Goulding touches upon the existential barter between living and experiencing. To be ‘human,’ in her context, is to transcend mere survival—it is to embrace the rich tapestry of emotions, connections, and transformations that constitute a fulfilled existence.
The stark repetition of this line is a meditation on sacrifice and longing. What sacrifices are we willing to make to achieve a state of enlightenment? Goulding suggests that the essence of life may not be found in its length but in its depth. It’s a bold proposition that challenges the listener to consider what facets of their existence they might trade for a deeper connection to the human condition.
Silent Battles and Invisible Wars
The verse, ‘I don’t know what it’s like to be alive, to say goodbye, to cry a thousand tears because my ears won’t listen,’ is an intimate confession of disconnection. Here, Goulding encapsulates the internal struggle of understanding one’s emotions against the cacophony of the outside world.
It’s a battle where the loudest casualty is often silence—where internal chaos drowns out the ability to listen to one’s heart. Goulding posits that to be human is to feel deeply and express those emotions without fear or reservation, suggesting a disconnect from this ability renders life less vivid, less meaningful.
Sailing the Seas of Self & the Hidden Meanings
Goulding’s chorus, ‘I’ve sailed an ocean,’ carries a symbolism-rich narrative of personal odyssey. The ocean, vast and mutable, represents the unpredictable voyage of self-discovery, fraught with the terrors and triumphs that accompany an earnest search for personal truth.
The hidden meaning here wrestles with faith—both in oneself and in humanity at large. Despite the tumultuous waves of doubt and the perils of introspection, Goulding’s steadfast declaration maps out the resilience necessary to navigate these waters and the resolve to emerge with a rejuvenated faith in the human spirit.
A Thousand Tears and the Echoes of Heartbreak
Perhaps one of the most memorable lines, ‘I used to hear it all so loud, The sound of my heart breaking,’ wrestles with the intimate familiarity of suffering that is inherently human. The lyric’s powerful visual and auditory imagery evokes the visceral pain of heartbreak—an experience both devastating and indelibly linked to the depths of love and vulnerability.
Yet, Goulding doesn’t linger in despair. The following phrase, ‘The truth is waiting to be found, I trust that I will take it,’ implies a redemptive arc. It suggests a turning point, where the cacophony of pain becomes the catalyst for the discovery of an inner truth, thus reframing heartbreak as not just an end, but as a beginning of a new, perhaps more enlightened chapter of the human journey.
