Human

Song Meaning

Rick Springfield's "Human" operates as both an apology and a justification, a raw nerve exposed in the aftermath of infidelity. The song isn't about celebrating human fallibility, but rather dissecting the messy, often selfish impulses that drive us. Springfield’s narrator isn't merely admitting to a mistake; he’s grappling with the inherent contradiction of longing for a lost love while simultaneously seeking solace in another's arms. The opening lines, "Come on, baby, dry your eyes / Wipe your tears / Never wanna see you cry," feel less like comfort and more like a preemptive defense, a way to deflect blame before the accusations even begin. The core of the song's meaning resides in the repeated assertion, "I'm only human / Of flesh and blood I'm made / I'm only human / Born to make mistakes." This isn't a plea for forgiveness as much as a stark acknowledgement of flawed nature. The pre-chorus – "I wouldn't ever try to hurt you / I just needed someone to hold me / To fill the void while you were gone / To fill this space of emptiness" – lays bare the vulnerability and neediness that fueled the transgression. It highlights the human tendency to seek immediate gratification, even at the expense of long-term commitment and emotional honesty. The 'void' and 'emptiness' speak to a deeper loneliness, suggesting the infidelity was less about lust and more about a desperate attempt to quell inner turmoil. The interlude's lines, *"These tears I cry aren't tears of pain/ They're only to hide my guilt and shame/ I forgive you, now I ask the same of you/ While we were apart, I was human too"*, adds a layer of complexity. The narrator's tears aren't for the hurt he caused, but for the guilt he now carries. The request for forgiveness, couched within a mutual acknowledgment of shared humanity, hints at a desire for absolution without fully accepting responsibility. The repetition of "Human" in the outro serves as a final, almost weary, resignation to the imperfect nature of relationships and the constant struggle between desire and regret. It's a stark reminder that even in our most vulnerable moments, we are still, undeniably, only human.