So this has been.my favorite song of OTEP's since it came out in 2004, and I always thought it was a song about a child's narrative of suffering in an abusive Christian home. But now that I am revisiting the lyrics, I am seeing something totally new.
This song could be gospel of John but from the perspective of Jesus.
Jesus was NOT having a good time up to and during the crucifixion. Everyone in the known world at the time looked to him with fear, admiration or disgust and he was constantly being asked questions. He spoke in "verses, prophesies and curses". He had made an enemy of the state, and believed the world was increasingly wicked and fallen from grace, or that he was in the "mouth of madness".
The spine of atlas is the structure that allows the titan to hold the world up. Jesus challenged the state and in doing so became a celebrated resistance figure. It also made him public enemy #1.
All of this happened simply because he was doing his thing, not because of any agenda he had or strategy.
And then he gets scourged (storm of thorns)
There are some plot holes here but I think it's an interesting interpretation.
You and me we were the pretenders
We let it all slip away
In the end what you don't surrender
Well, the world just strips away
Girl, ain't no kindness in the face of strangers
Ain't gonna find no miracles here
Well, you can wait on your blessin's, my darlin'
I got a deal for you right here
I ain't lookin' for praise or pity
I ain't comin' 'round searchin' for a crutch
I just want someone to talk to
And a little of that human touch
Just a little of that human touch
Ain't no mercy on the streets of this town
Ain't no bread from heavenly skies
Ain't nobody drawin' wine from this blood
It's just you and me tonight
Tell me, in a world without pity
Do you think what I'm askin's too much?
I just want something to hold on to
And a little of that human touch
Just a little of that human touch
Oh girl, that feeling of safety you prize
Well, it comes at a hard hard price
You can't shut off the risk and the pain
Without losin' the love that remains
We're all riders on this train
So you've been broken and you've been hurt
Show me somebody who ain't
Yeah, I know I ain't nobody's bargain
But, hell, a little touch up
And a little paint
You might need somethin' to hold on to
When all the answers, they don't amount to much
Somebody that you could just to talk to
And a little of that human touch
Baby, in a world without pity
Do you think what I'm askin's too much?
I just want to feel you in my arms
Share a little of that human touch
Share a little of that human touch
Feel a little of that human touch
Feel a little of that human touch
Share a little of that human touch
Feel a little of that human touch
Give me a little of that human touch
Give me a little of that human touch
We let it all slip away
In the end what you don't surrender
Well, the world just strips away
Girl, ain't no kindness in the face of strangers
Ain't gonna find no miracles here
Well, you can wait on your blessin's, my darlin'
I got a deal for you right here
I ain't lookin' for praise or pity
I ain't comin' 'round searchin' for a crutch
I just want someone to talk to
And a little of that human touch
Just a little of that human touch
Ain't no mercy on the streets of this town
Ain't no bread from heavenly skies
Ain't nobody drawin' wine from this blood
It's just you and me tonight
Tell me, in a world without pity
Do you think what I'm askin's too much?
I just want something to hold on to
And a little of that human touch
Just a little of that human touch
Oh girl, that feeling of safety you prize
Well, it comes at a hard hard price
You can't shut off the risk and the pain
Without losin' the love that remains
We're all riders on this train
So you've been broken and you've been hurt
Show me somebody who ain't
Yeah, I know I ain't nobody's bargain
But, hell, a little touch up
And a little paint
You might need somethin' to hold on to
When all the answers, they don't amount to much
Somebody that you could just to talk to
And a little of that human touch
Baby, in a world without pity
Do you think what I'm askin's too much?
I just want to feel you in my arms
Share a little of that human touch
Share a little of that human touch
Feel a little of that human touch
Feel a little of that human touch
Share a little of that human touch
Feel a little of that human touch
Give me a little of that human touch
Give me a little of that human touch
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Ave Grave
Thee More Shallows
Thee More Shallows
Love in a Vacuum
'Til Tuesday
'Til Tuesday
Well, in my opinion this song is about being a young & maybe a little naive &/or introverted girl and finding yourself loving a man who is at first very charming, carefree & outgoing, and seems at first to be without limits, as in
"There was a time
you opened up every doorway
you didn't mind if everything
wasn't your way"
then that man starts to gradually become more introverted & shows their more possessive/obsessive side to you as the relationship progresses, even while they keep up the appearance of being carefree & outgoing to everyone else,
"Don't pull away
that goes against what you told me
I look in your eyes
I realize what you've sold me
is love in a vacuum"
so you confront them about the way they're acting and of course they deny it,
"I think you've changed
but you insist that
that's not true"
quite possibly they are an addict of some sort, my guess would be cocaine, &/or showing very obsessive behavior towards you (early on in the video for this song we see the man hanging a picture up, it is a very large portrait of Aimee & it is prominently displayed in his/their apartment for the duration of the song), thus their "love in a vacuum",
"You look so strange, so distant
that you're hardly you
Now I can see
how you have been acting different
You say it's me
but I know
that it isn't
it's love in a vacuum"
but still you are in love with them and don't want to leave them and you know that they are truly in love with you and they don't want you to leave them either, maybe they are convinced you can save them from themself, maybe they are so broken that the possibility of an overdose &/or suicide attempt is very real and you want to get through to them that their behavior not only dangerous but it is also just pissing you off and if they don't wise up they run the risk of loosing you, as in the lines
"You will be lonely
if you leave me alone", so you want to save them but can't get through to them due to the addiction &/or emotional problems they have,
"Love in a vacuum
and that's not enough
love in a vacuum
You will be lonely
you'll be the only one who feels this way
You will be lonely
if you leave me alone
You will be lonely
you'll be the only one who feels this way
it's just not enough"
you want them to understand that the love they are giving you is not enough when it is filtered through the vacuum of their drug addiction &/or emotional impairment,
"You will be lonely
you'll be the only one who feels this way
it's just not enough
and just wait
you will be lonely
Love in a vacuum
Love in a vacuum
and that's not enough
Love in a vacuum".
'Love In A Vacuum' for me is a hauntingly truthful acute argument on the loneliness of obsession and almost inevitable loss of love that follows people who are broken in some way or another; the obsessives, the coke heads, the drunks, addicts or the just-plain-old emotionally broken; a razor sharp, lyrically driven, deceptively poppy, yet ultimately-depressing-in-the-best-way song.
Quintessential Aimee Mann.
Jesse with the long hair....
Robert Earl Keen, Jr.
Robert Earl Keen, Jr.
Classic love story true to his western tx roots. One of my favorites as a story, but I think there are alot of songs that are amazing not even listed on this site. I guess I should figure out how to add them, because I have about 8 REK cd's.
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Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
By far the best bit of this song is between 1:53 and 3:12. How it goes from slow and steady - soulful, to full on rock.. those few beats, BAM BAM BAM, at 2:17, then...
"Oh girl that feeling of safety you prize Well it comes at a hard hard price You can't shut off the risk and the pain Without losin' the love that remains We're all riders on this train"
Wow! Just, Wow... gets the hairs on my arms and neck standing up each and every time I hear it - I try not to sing along to him, but its impossible. This song just moves me like no other i've heard in my life so far.
Brilliant!
Thanks Boss, for this song!
@joe1982_york IMO, Bruce writes some of the best middle eight/bridges in pop music... He knows how to raise the stakes and then “bring it home” (as he sings in Glory Days). <br /> <br /> Human Touch is a great example of this. Also, the middle eight/bridge in My Hometown is another good example... He’s got a lot of them, though...
I think it's pretty straight-forward... serious relationships produce pain, so neither of them are looking for anything too serious. But companionship is always nice, and so this song is about just wanting someone to be around, something without a lot of complications.
That's how I"ve always interpreted it.
I believe this just might be the best song Springsteen has ever made :)
It totally rocks, everything is just right, the music, the lyrics, all just right :P
I agree. I'm a huge Springsteen fan but Human Touch IS one of, if not, his best.
With the materialist world we are in, what we all need is "human touch". Some of us all busy with our work schedules..and forget about our loved ones and relationships. Some of us .. just afraid to open up and stay lonely.. What we all need is "feel a little of human touch.."
I would like to say I triple love this song and that is only half as much as I love the Pretenders. But I believe it has nothing to do with them. Bruce is just layin down how messed up it can be trying to have a love or even a life in this world at this time. The power of the poetry is AWESOME in that one minute he sings of so you've been messed up show me someone who aint- then spins a car analogy about touch up and a little paint. But after all he can find wrong in the world and himself he still makes the best offer ANYONE ever gets - someone to talk to and a little of that human touch. Yes that can be sex and just a hug even AT THE SAME TIME maybe. Feel it people this is a masterwork!
Oooh, the thought of Bruce offering to be my fuckbuddy. Take me to that planet now!
He's saying he already has a girlfriend but wants to use another to keep him company when he's lonely. THAT's what the song (and dance) is about. Nothing new here. Springsteen could never sing that great and his music was never very convincing. In essence, he's boring and he's a hasbeen.
Sparkyboy , I don't think, like mrgimme, that this song has anything to do with the Pretenders. It is "pretenders" like it says. (check brucespringsteen.net/songs/HumanTouch.html if you dont have the Human Touch booklet) But hey, you are welcome to interpret the song however you like :-)
Song is my Break Up Story...
In the end what you don't surrender Well the world just strips away...
...you never own anything in life...even love can slip through your hands anyday and theres nothing in the world you can do against...
Girl ain't no kindness in the face of strangers Ain't gonna find no miracles here...
Ain't no mercy on the streets of this town...
...take the music video in the train...theres no love in a big city and especially not in the faces of strangers...hard for somebody how`s seeking for love...no country for old lovers...
an for the Best Lines:
...So you been broken and you been hurt Show me soomebody who ain't Yeah I know I ain't nobody's bargain But hell a little touchup And a little paint...
...as hard it is to have been hurt, there are 6 billion people in this world who went through the same at one point in their life...you grow through these feelings...they make you strong...they make you... As in "Tougher than the rest" (I know you get what you can get) Springsteen is aware that their are certain girls in the world a man can never have...concentrate on the ones you can have...on the ones that match...thats why the Boss is just a ordninary guy like me...a rough boy with a lot of love...
Kind of ironic today - in light of the Smartphone and Cyber friends. this is one, i wil not pin my feelings..id rather keep them. this song is way too deep for all that non sense.
this song ROCKS!!!
This song is basicly about two people, one woman and one man. The man would love to get with this woman because life is hard and he wants that " human touch" with some love. However the woman has been hurt and is having problems with relationships.