Posted in: Rock by Bridget Webber on January 22nd, 2009 | 12 Comments
If you have heard the lyrics to The Killers song, “Are we humans, or are we dancers,” then you may be wondering what they are trying to say. However, perhaps there is a method in the madness of these lyrics after-all.
The lyrics to ‘The Killers’ new song has sparked some controversy. Not because it is offensive or rude in any way, but because many people just cant work out what the lyrics actually mean.
At first glance you may assume that they are asking listeners whether they are actually human or an alien species of ballerinas from a neighbouring planet.
Or, you may wonder if they are telling listeners that dancers are a different breed of beings to the rest of us, who are still human, unless of course we too dance.
The truth of the matter may be though, that the band are laying open a question for debate to do with whether we are masters of our own destiny, or simply dancers to the beat of another drum.
This is actually a good question to contemplate. Do we all all follow the crowd in a sheep like fashion, not even noticing when we are being dictated to, or do we think and act for ourselves?
Many people believe that society as a whole is being manipulated by secret world powers who dictate everything to us from what we should eat to how we should behave.
This belief may be an extreme example of what we are being asked to question, but it is worth bearing in mind that we do tend to take much of our ideas and beliefs from what is presented to us by the powers that be.
So when you next hear The Killers song on the radio and someone says, ‘rubbish lyrics, whats that all about then?’ you can answer them and appear pretty philosophical at the same time.
Jiju February 13th, 2009 at 1:00 am
Actually, the lyric is ‘Are we human or are we Dancer’. Note the singular form ‘Dancer’. its interesting, but grammatically incorrect! if it had been dancerS, it might have been profound, but otherwise i think it is just plain stupid.
Hunter S Thompson said ‘America is raising a generation of dancers’. At least he could construct a sentence corrrectly! catchy track, nonetheless, and it must be a considered a success if so many people are debating the (arguably stupid)lyric !!
Bridget Webber February 13th, 2009 at 6:38 am
You are absolutely right Jiiu, it is Dancer, not Dancer’s. I found this out after I posted it, but thought that it would be interesting to see if others spotted it. You are the first!
It would have been better if the Killers had called it dancers, but I think they still mean the same, even though it is poor grammar.
Jonathan Heeley February 14th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
Come on, it is poetic license
and as you (Jiju) say many people are talking about it .. if it had the S than I think less people would be wondering.
Dancer is more – are our minds being controlled
Dancers more of a string puppet type control
- I are thinking this anyways –
Thanks for the article Bridget
Bridget February 17th, 2009 at 6:28 am
Thanx Jonathan
steve March 10th, 2009 at 6:32 am
we’re dancer, i really get that song & if you think it’s a stupid song just dont listen to it.
jaw March 10th, 2009 at 7:08 am
humanity is dancer, this is the answer
adrian holy-well March 23rd, 2009 at 10:27 am
in genral…humans human dancers dancer …who are we ?….i think we are dancers cause we don’t have time to be human any more the world is filling to the rim in hate
adrian holy-well March 23rd, 2009 at 10:28 am
dance away ur human life or make a diffrence
Guy March 30th, 2009 at 3:12 am
Its dancer and its correct, you can ask “are we humans or are we dancers?” or ask are we “human or are we dancer?” dancer being a species.
Jane July 12th, 2009 at 9:26 am
Guy is totally right!! it is Dancer..because it is a species..just like Human! not humans…
taz November 6th, 2010 at 6:10 pm
can we be conpassante or is it (human) or are we raped up and ourselfs (dancers) see grat link
http://www.quaystaxis.com
David April 9th, 2011 at 2:28 pm
By using the singular ‘Dancer’ the poet creates a metaphorical category of beings… we are either human or dancer types. Because it’s placed in opposition to human he makes it a category on the same level as the human category. Since there is no extant term for non independent beings in contrast to ‘human’ it is a perfect example of creating and defining a new term. The fact that he leaves the definitions of human and dancer to the mind of the listener make the terms very subjective, to the point of ambiguity; hence the confusion.