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Human Nature Lyrics

Looking out
Across the nighttime
The city winks a sleepless eye
Hear her voice
Shake my window
Sweet seducing sighs

Get me out
Into the nighttime
Four walls won't hold me tonight
If this town
Is just an apple
Then let me take a bite

If they say,
Why, why, tell 'em that it's human nature
Why, why, does he do it that way
If they say,
Why, why, tell 'em that it's human nature
Why, why does he do me that way

Reaching out
To touch a stranger
Electric eyes are everywhere
See that girl
She knows I'm watching
She likes the way I stare

If they say,
Why, why, tell 'em that it's human nature
Why, why, does he do me that way
If they say, "She's keeping him by keeping him around"
Why, why, tell 'em that it's human nature
Why, why does he do me that way

I like livin' this way
I like lovin' this way

(That way) Why why
(That way) Why why

Looking out
Across the morning
Where the city's heart begins to beat
Reaching out
I touch her shoulder
I'm dreaming of the street

If they say,
Why, why, tell 'em that it's human nature
Why, why, does he do me that way
If they say, "She's keeping him by keeping him around"
Why, why, ooo tell 'em
Why, why does he do me that way
If they say why, why, cha cha cha cha cha cha
Why does he do me that way
If they say "She's keeping him by keeping him around"
why, why, why, ooo tell 'em
Why does he do me that way
If they say why, ooo tell 'em
Why does he do me that way
If they say, "She's keeping him by keeping him around"
Why, da da da da da da da da
Why does he do my that way, I like living this way
Why, oh why, why, why
Song Info
Submitted by
ruben On Jul 11, 2002
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46 Meanings

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Cover art for Human Nature lyrics by Michael Jackson

i think he is describing the natural desire to get out and see the city ( referring to New York in this song). He is not describing a literal girl in this song but he is referring to New York as a girl that is calling to him. The girl is the "stranger" he is referring to b/c the city is unknown to him and he desires to be a part of it. Electric eyes are just the city lights. He is describing how the city never sleeps and is always living. But hey! this is just my interpretation!!!

I like your interpretation. It's exactly what I was going to say, and I couldn't have said it better myself!

Not Valid

@love9998 I think this is the correct interpretation.

Cover art for Human Nature lyrics by Michael Jackson

Beautiful song.

It kind of reminds me of an interview i saw on youtube where he said "I used to be so lonely, i'd walk the streets just to find somebody to talk to".

This song for me relates to that comment.

Me too :(

Not Valid

It's hard to believe him out of all people could be lonely.

Not Valid
Cover art for Human Nature lyrics by Michael Jackson

It's about the inquisitive/experimental human nature. A young person just wants to explore life/love/freedom here in the name of NewYork city. "Why does he do that way" probably refers to God/creator who has made human nature/human the way they are.

@karmic123 I love this interpretation! I never thought of it like that, but it fits. Adds a new level of meaning to the song for me.

Cover art for Human Nature lyrics by Michael Jackson

Best song from M.J.

Cover art for Human Nature lyrics by Michael Jackson

Beautiful lyrics and a haunting melody which are sung so wistful by Michael.

Verse 1 & 2 eloquently convey the pull of the big city (New York) and the urge to get out and experience it (at night).

Verse 3 is about finding and making contact with a girl, a stranger, who likes the way he stares at her. The "electric eyes" are streetlights.

Verse 4 is about the next morning when he touches the shoulder of a girl, evidently in his bed. His thoughts, however, are of the street again, and the desire/quest for another girl.

The chorus verse "why, why does does do me that way" is actually sung by the girlfiriend or wife of the man he left behind, but who likes "Livin' this way" and "Lovin' this way.

So it's a song about a man who goes out at night in an unfamiliar city to find a girl, leaving behind his girlfriend or wife who laments "why, why does he do me that way."

My Interpretation
Cover art for Human Nature lyrics by Michael Jackson

Completely agree with you, razajac. The ability to love freely and live the way you want in a city with so many new people is I think what the writer was trying to get across. This is my absolute favorite song by Michael! <3

Cover art for Human Nature lyrics by Michael Jackson

This was the best song Michael Jackson ever did. Every time I hear it, it evokes an image of a city at night with someone special...doesn't have to be New York...it's simply an amazing song.

Cover art for Human Nature lyrics by Michael Jackson

The background vocals most prominently heard at the 3:26 mark are "If they say, "She's keeping him by keeping him around". Steve Porcaro (the original songwriter of the Human Nature demo) confirmed this in a 2014 interview: http://en.michaeljackson.ru/steve-porcaro-chicago-1945/

Song Fact
Cover art for Human Nature lyrics by Michael Jackson

All his best songs have no comments on!

Cover art for Human Nature lyrics by Michael Jackson

All his best songs have no comments on!