1 Meaning
Add Yours
Follow
Share
Q&A
Human Music Lyrics
I've forgotten what it's like, if I ever knew at all
I have slept on broken glass and drooped against the wall
I hung the phone up many times on angels when they rang
Their melodies were sickly sweet like overripe meringues
I was born with something missing
But I know your lip was made for kissing
Ooh baby, when that human music plays I don't know why
The wind explodes and rips itself to pieces everywhere
It itches in the chimney and it suffocates the air
The angels tried to anchor but they never get the chance
Their limbs are numb and twisted so they're going to have to dance
What scares you most will set you free
That's what the angel said to me, he said
Ooh baby, when that human music plays I don't know why
I had a girl the shape of you, I loved her with my breath
But I would hate to admit that romance likes to end in death
And darkness is the shore of light, the truth is framed with lies
And a girl can smile so sweetly though her mouth is stuffed with flies
When you're thin and damp and shoddy
Just remember that you're in a body
Ooh baby, when that human music plays I don't know why
I have slept on broken glass and drooped against the wall
I hung the phone up many times on angels when they rang
Their melodies were sickly sweet like overripe meringues
But I know your lip was made for kissing
Ooh baby, when that human music plays I don't know why
It itches in the chimney and it suffocates the air
The angels tried to anchor but they never get the chance
Their limbs are numb and twisted so they're going to have to dance
That's what the angel said to me, he said
Ooh baby, when that human music plays I don't know why
But I would hate to admit that romance likes to end in death
And darkness is the shore of light, the truth is framed with lies
And a girl can smile so sweetly though her mouth is stuffed with flies
Just remember that you're in a body
Ooh baby, when that human music plays I don't know why
Add your song meanings, interpretations, facts, memories & more to the community.
I find there are a number of rather deep psychological insights in these lyrics.
Human music seems to refer to love and/or romantic/ sexual attraction.
The narrator seems to be struggling with fear of intimacy. While he is attracted to the person he sings to (I know your lip was made for kissing), he is afraid to pursue her – love and intimacy being more than he can bear (sickly sweet like overripe meringues). He has refused to pursue any intimacy despite urgings of friends, society, and or potential lovers (I hung the phone up many times on angels when they rang). He feels broken (I was born with something missing) which is what people who have experience childhood trauma and/or neglect when living in a dysfunctional/ alcoholic/ abusive family situation. Perhaps the abuse (slept on glass) is self-imposed, or perhaps not. Some of the fear of intimacy comes from a previous failed relationship (I had a girl the shape of you…). But it appears the fear is a more long-term issue (I've forgotten what it's like, if I ever knew at all).
While he is admittedly confused about this love/attraction thing, he seems to have some grasp of possible solutions: one is mindfulness (When you're thin and damp and shoddy / Just remember that you're in a body) and the angel telling him he must confront his fears ( What scares you most will set you free).