How To Be Human

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a raw picture of isolation and confusion, set against the backdrop of late-night solitude. The narrator finds themselves "out alone again," grappling with a profound lack of connection, admitting, "I don't really know who to call friend." This feeling is amplified by a desperate attempt to maintain a facade of control, "I know what I'm doing," which crumbles under the weight of their uncertainty. The repeated phrase, "This is only the beginning," from the intro, hangs heavy, suggesting a long road ahead in figuring out life's fundamental questions. The central tension lies in the narrator's struggle to navigate adult life and relationships after experiencing heartbreak. They express a desire for connection, "I wanna love," but their past pain has created a defensive barrier, "I have thicker skin." This emotional armor, a consequence of being "hurt me" and having a "heart was broken early," prevents them from fully engaging with others. The inability to reach someone, "I call you, but you never pick up," underscores their feeling of being unheard and unsupported. The most striking aspect is the direct, almost childlike plea embedded in the chorus: "How to be human." This isn't a philosophical musing but a desperate, practical question born from deep-seated insecurity. The narrator feels adrift, admitting, "I don't know what I am doing," and questioning their own existence, "What am I supposed to do?" The breakdown section, with its echoing repetitions of the core questions, amplifies this sense of being lost and fragmented, as if their very identity is dissolving. Ultimately, the effectiveness of these lyrics stems from their unflinching honesty about vulnerability. The narrator doesn't shy away from admitting their perceived failures and confusion, particularly around the age of 21, a milestone often associated with newfound independence. By framing their struggles as a fundamental lack of understanding "how to be human," the song taps into a universal feeling of inadequacy and the daunting task of self-discovery after emotional wounds.