Human (Christina Perri song)

"Human" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Christina Perri for her second studio album, Head or Heart (2014). The song was written by Perri and Martin Johnson, who also produced the song. It was released on November 18, 2013 as the lead single for the album.[1] Released to generally positive reviews, "Human" has since become a Top 10 Adult Pop hit in the United States, as well as her third top 40 entry on the Billboard Hot 100. It was certified Platinum by RIAA in June 2014.[2]

"Human"
Single by Christina Perri
from the album Head or Heart
ReleasedNovember 18, 2013 (2013-11-18)
Recorded2013
Genre
Length4:10
LabelAtlantic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Martin Johnson
Christina Perri singles chronology
"Distance"
(2012)		 "Human"
(2013)		 "Burning Gold"
(2014)
Music video
"Human" on YouTube

Background

"Human" was written by Perri and Martin Johnson in April 2013, and was produced by Martin Johnson.[3][4] The song was written at the end of a long session of song-writing, and originally Perri wasn't sure if the song would be in the album because she felt it was too personal, but because of the positive reactions to the song, she decided to put in the album and chose it as the lead single.[1] The song was released on iTunes on November 18, 2013, and Perri debuted the song with a performance on The Queen Latifah Show the same day.[3] "Human" impacted American hot adult contemporary radio on December 9, 2013.[5]

Composition

Like previous singles "Jar of Hearts" and "Arms", "Human" is largely built around a piano melody and showcases her voice.[6] It is a pop power ballad written in key Ab major, and features a strong build-up towards the chorus.[7][8] The song features a string arrangement by notable arranger David Campbell. Critics have compared Perri's honest, heart-on-her-sleeve songwriting to that of Taylor Swift.[6] Lyrically, "Human" uses relatable yet specific details to describe the vulnerability of being human. The verses find Perri musing the things she would do for love, yet as she sings in the chorus, "I'm only human / And I bleed when I fall down."

Critical reception

"Human" was acclaimed by critics. Sam Lansky of Idolator applauded the song for being "properly dramatic" in its approach, noting that Perri "[sings] her heart out over triumphant production," resulting in what he described as an "epic and radio-friendly" ballad.[8] Amy Sciarretto of PopCrush responded positively to the confessional nature of the lyrics, as well as Perri's "angelic" voice, of which she "shows a wider range than ever" in her delivery. She rated the song 3.5 stars out of 5.[6] Robert Copsey of Digital Spy described it as a "gothic-tinged" ballad that is "as satisfying as it comes", and rated it three stars out of five.[9]

Commercial performance

On its week of release, the song debuted on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart at No. 1. It entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart at No. 90 for the chart dated February 22, 2014, and peaked at No. 31 on the Hot 100 for the chart dated May 3, 2014. The song reached its millionth digital sales mark in June 2014.[10]

The song debuted on at No. 71 on the Canadian Hot 100 chart on its week of release.

Music video

The official music video for "Human" premiered on January 3, 2014[11] and was uploaded to Perri's YouTube account the following day. The video was directed by Elliott Sellers (former drummer of American death metal band, Job for a Cowboy) and features Perri as a robot sitting in a white room, with close-ups of the mechanics working inside of her body. As Perri begins to move, various body parts are shown to be bionic. Towards the end of the video, Perri begins to transform from a machine into a human as sparks fall behind her; her tattoos reappear as a symbol of her individuality and her robotic heart begins to pump fluid around her body.[12]

Charts

Weekly charts
Chart (2013–14) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[13] 39
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[14] 42
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[15] 71
Germany (Official German Charts)[16] 59
Ireland (IRMA)[17] 24
Scotland (OCC)[18] 17
Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[19] 13
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[20] 23
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[21] 14
UK Singles (OCC)[22] 14
US Billboard Hot 100[23] 31
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[24] 16
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[25] 10
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[26] 16
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[27] 31

Year ends charts
Chart (2014) Position
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[28] 44
US Adult Pop Songs (Billboard)[29] 33

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[30] Platinum 80,000*
United Kingdom (BPI)[31] Gold 400,000
United States (RIAA)[2] 3× Platinum 1,000,000[10]

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history
Country Date Format Label Ref.
Canada November 18, 2013 Digital download Atlantic [32]
United States [33]
December 9, 2013 Hot / Modern / AC radio
  • Atlantic
  • RRP
 [5]
December 10, 2013 Contemporary hit radio [34]
United Kingdom March 10, 2014 Digital download Atlantic [35]

References
  1. Brad Wete (April 10, 2014). "Christina Perri, 'Head or Heart: Behind the Album': Documentary Premiere". Billboard. Video
  2. "American single certifications – Christina Perri – Human". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved December 10, 2020. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH. 
  3. Atlantic Records. "Christina Perri Unveils Long Awaited New Single "HUMAN"". Yahoo Finance. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
  4. Jason Lipshutz (November 18, 2013). "Christina Perri Makes Vulnerable Return with 'Human' Single: Listen". Billboard.
  5. "Hot/Modern/AC Future Releases". All Access Media Group. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved December 18, 2016.
  6. Sciarretto, Amy. "Christina Perri, 'Human' - Song Review". PopCrush. Townsquare Media. Retrieved 7 February 2014.
  7. "Human By Christina Perri - Digital Sheet Music". Musicnotes.
  8. Lansky, Sam. "Christina Perri Goes For A Big Ballad With "Human": Listen". Idolator. Spin Media. Retrieved 7 February 2014.
  9. Robert Copsey (February 27, 2014). "Christina Perri 'Human' review: 'Gothic-tinged balladry at its best'". Digital Spy.
  10. Paul Grein (June 11, 2014). "Chart Watch: Sam Smith Zooms Into Top 10". Yahoo Music.
  11. ""Human (Official)" by Christina Perri". VH1. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
  12. Lee, Christina. "Christina Perri's a Machine in "Human" Video: Watch". Idolator.com. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  13. "Australian-charts.com – Christina Perri – Human". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  14. "Austriancharts.at – Christina Perri – Human" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  15. "Christina Perri Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 2014-03-31.
  16. "Offiziellecharts.de – Christina Perri – Human". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 2019-02-07.
  17. "Chart Track: Week 10, 2014". Irish Singles Chart.
  18. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  19. "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201407 into search.
  20. "Spanishcharts.com – Christina Perri – Human" Canciones Top 50.
  21. "Swisscharts.com – Christina Perri – Human". Swiss Singles Chart.
  22. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  23. "Christina Perri Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 2014-03-31.
  24. "Christina Perri Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 2014-06-13.
  25. "Christina Perri Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 2014-02-15.
  26. "Christina Perri Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 2014-04-14.
  27. "Christina Perri Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 2014-06-13.
  28. "Adult Contemporary Songs - Year-End 2014". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved December 18, 2016.
  29. "Adult Pop Songs - Year-End 2014". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved December 18, 2016.
  30. "Canadian single certifications – Christian Perri – Human". Music Canada. Retrieved December 18, 2016.
  31. "British single certifications – Christina Perri – Human". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved December 10, 2019. Select singles in the Format field. Select Gold in the Certification field. Type Human in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  32. "human (2013) | Christina Perri". 7digital Canada. Retrieved December 18, 2016.
  33. "human (2013) | Christina Perri". 7digital US. Retrieved December 18, 2016.
  34. "Top 40/M Future Releases". All Access Media Group. Archived from the original on December 2, 2013. Retrieved December 18, 2016.
  35. "human (2013) | Christina Perri". 7digital UK. Retrieved December 18, 2016.
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