You know that feeling when a song just stops you in your tracks? It happened to everyone in 2016. You couldn't pump gas, buy groceries, or flip through radio stations without hearing that booming, gravelly baritone. I'm talking about the song I am only human after all—officially titled "Human" by Rag'n'Bone Man. It was everywhere. It felt like a modern spiritual, something pulled out of the mud and polished into a chart-topping diamond.
Honestly, the track shouldn't have worked as well as it did. At the time, the charts were dominated by thin, high-pitched synth-pop and tropical house beats. Then comes Rory Graham, a guy who looks like he should be fronting a hardcore punk band or running a custom motorcycle shop, singing with the soul of a bluesman from the 1940s. It was a total system shock.
The Story Behind the Lyrics
When people search for the song I am only human after all, they’re usually looking for a deeper meaning. Is it about a specific mistake? Is it political? Not really. It’s simpler and more relatable than that. Rory Graham (Rag'n'Bone Man) wrote it with Jamie Hartman. The core idea came from a place of frustration with how people treat each other.
We live in a culture where we expect perfection. We expect the people around us to have all the answers, to never stumble, and to always be "on." The song is a plea for a little bit of grace. It’s basically saying, "Look, I’m just a guy. I’m flawed. Don't look to me for salvation because I’m probably going to let you down eventually."
It’s a heavy theme.
The lyrics tackle the weight of being someone's shoulder to cry on. Sometimes that weight is too much. When he sings about not being a prophet or a messiah, he’s pushing back against the pedestal we put celebrities—and even our friends—on. It’s a defense mechanism set to a beat.
Why the Production Flipped the Script
If you strip away the vocals, the track is actually quite sparse. It relies on a heavy, stomping rhythm that feels like a march. This was intentional. Ben Ash, known professionally as Two Inch Punch, produced it. He managed to blend traditional blues elements with a crisp, hip-hop-influenced drum pattern.
That contrast is the secret sauce.
If it had been a traditional blues song with just a guitar, it might have been a niche hit. By adding that "big" commercial production, it became an anthem. You’ve got the humming in the background—that low, vibrating drone—which builds tension before the chorus explodes. It sounds ancient and futuristic at the exact same time.
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Most people don't realize how much the "hum" matters. It creates an atmosphere of unease. It makes you feel the pressure he’s singing about.
The Confusion with Other "Human" Songs
Music history is littered with songs called "Human" or tracks that use the line I am only human after all. It gets confusing for fans.
First, there’s The Killers. Their 2008 hit "Human" is famous for the somewhat grammatically confusing line, "Are we human or are we dancer?" That’s a synth-pop masterpiece, but it’s lightyears away from Rag'n'Bone Man’s grit. Then you have Christina Perri’s "Human," a beautiful, fragile ballad about emotional vulnerability.
And let's not forget the Daft Punk classic, "Human After All."
The robots were singing about it way before Rory Graham was. But where Daft Punk used the phrase to highlight the irony of machines wanting to be flesh and blood, Rag'n'Bone Man uses it to remind us that being flesh and blood is exhausting. It’s the same sentiment from two completely different ends of the musical spectrum.
A Career-Defining Moment
For Rag'n'Bone Man, this song was a blessing and a bit of a curse. It won him the British Single of the Year at the 2017 Brit Awards. It went multi-platinum in basically every country that has a record chart. But when your first massive global hit is this iconic, where do you go from there?
He’s talked about this in interviews. The pressure to replicate "Human" was immense. His follow-up album, Life by Misadventure, took a turn toward a more acoustic, Laurel Canyon folk sound. It was a brave move. He didn't want to just be "the guy with the deep voice and the stomp-clap beat" forever.
He wanted to prove he could write songs that didn't rely on the "Human" formula.
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Still, no matter what he releases, the crowd at every festival and arena is waiting for those first four bars of the song I am only human after all. It’s the kind of song that defines a decade. It captured a specific zeitgeist of collective exhaustion and a longing for authenticity.
The Impact on Pop Culture and Covers
The song’s longevity isn't just because of radio play. It became a staple for reality TV singing competitions. The Voice, American Idol, X-Factor—you name it, someone has tried to cover it. Most fail.
Why? Because they try to out-sing Rory Graham. You can’t.
His voice has a specific "break" in it. It’s not about hitting the highest note; it’s about the texture of the sound. It’s about the soul. When a 19-year-old kid on a stage with strobe lights tries to sing it, they often miss the weariness that makes the original work.
The song has also been used in countless trailers and TV shows. From Inhumans to The Handmaid’s Tale (in promos), its dramatic flair makes it perfect for "prestige" television. It signals to the audience that things are about to get serious. It adds weight to whatever imagery it’s paired with.
Misconceptions About the Lyrics
There is a common misunderstanding that the song is pessimistic. Some people hear "Don't put your blame on me" and think it's about dodging responsibility.
I see it differently.
It’s actually about setting boundaries. In a world where we are constantly accessible via social media and smartphones, everyone wants a piece of you. Everyone has an opinion on how you should live. The song is a declaration of independence from those expectations. It’s okay to not be okay. It’s okay to not have the solution to every problem your friends bring to you.
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It’s an admission of limitation, which is actually a very healthy thing.
How to Truly Appreciate the Track Today
If you haven't listened to the song I am only human after all in a few years, do yourself a favor. Put on a pair of high-quality headphones. Don’t listen to it on your phone’s tinny speakers.
Listen for the layers.
- The Bass: Notice how it hits right in your chest.
- The Backing Vocals: They provide a gospel-like foundation that lifts the chorus.
- The Dynamics: Pay attention to how the song grows from a whisper to a roar.
It’s a masterclass in tension and release. Even after hundreds of listens, that final chorus still feels like a physical weight being lifted.
Actionable Ways to Explore Rag'n'Bone Man’s Catalog
If "Human" is the only song of his you know, you’re missing out on a lot of nuance.
- Listen to "Skin": This was the follow-up single. It’s a soaring power ballad that shows off his range even better than "Human" does.
- Check out the "Human" (Acoustic) version: It strips away the hip-hop beat and leaves just the piano and his voice. It’s haunting.
- Watch his Glastonbury performances: Seeing him live is a different experience. The grit in his voice is real; there’s no studio magic hiding anything.
- Listen to the album Life by Misadventure: Specifically the track "Anywhere Away from Here" with P!nk. It shows his evolution into a more melodic, classic songwriter.
The song I am only human after all served as a gateway. It introduced the world to a voice that sounds like it’s been around for a hundred years. While the hype has cooled since 2016, the song’s message remains evergreen. We are all flawed, we are all struggling, and sometimes, the best thing we can do is admit that we aren't superheroes.
Next time you’re feeling overwhelmed by expectations, throw this track on. Let the rhythm ground you. Remember that even the biggest stars feel the same weight you do. It’s not a song about giving up; it’s a song about being real. And in a world of filters and fake news, being real is about the most radical thing you can do.