Something Human
| "Something Human" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Muse | ||||
| from the album Simulation Theory | ||||
| Released | 19 July 2018 | |||
| Recorded | 2017 | |||
| Length | 3:46 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriter(s) | Matt Bellamy | |||
| Producer(s) |
| |||
| Muse singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Something Human" is a song by English rock band Muse. It was released as the third single from the band's eighth studio album, Simulation Theory.[1] Matt Bellamy described the track as "intimate" and that it marked a departure from the "dark and moody" Drones[2]. The track was released on 19 July 2018, following their previous single "Thought Contagion", which was released February of that year.
Writing and recording
[edit]"Something Human" was the first song frontman Matt Bellamy wrote after the Drones World Tour.[3] He has said that the song is about getting "a bit burnt out from being on the road for too long", and that it came as a natural result after playing the tour, as the song has a lighter tone than most of the songs on the band's previous album, Drones.[4]
In another interview Bellamy stated that the inspiration for the stripped down style of the song came from a common cliché about Muse being over the top. Bellamy said that people "talk about how [Muse does] everything on such a big scale and over the top and crazy," and that he'd always wanted to "do something a bit more stripped down.”[5] Drummer Dominic Howard also chimed in saying “I just like the song a lot, it was literally the first thing I heard it was just Matt playing the guitar and singing it. So it’s a case of how are we going to do this? But I just really like the song, so we figured out how to turn it into what it is.”[5]
On the deluxe versions of the album, an acoustic rendition of the song, with less electronic elements, was included.
Promotion
[edit]The song was originally teased after the credits at the end of the Drones World Tour live film on 12 July 2018, with Bellamy posting an acoustic preview of the track on his Instagram the morning after.[6]
Music video
[edit]A music video for "Something Human" was released alongside the track on 19 July 2018.[7] The video was directed by Lance Drake, who directed the music videos for the band's previous two singles, "Dig Down" and "Thought Contagion".[8] Drake said that their aim with "Something Human" was to "continue the journey that began in 'Dig Down' and 'Thought Contagion.'" It follows the band members on the "chase of a lifetime," and "something as simple as returning some video tapes becomes an epic journey." Bellamy also added: "Life on the road can bring out your inner beast," and that this video is about "taming that beast, desiring a return to something human, Plus, Teen Wolf is cool."[8]
Charts
[edit]| Chart (2018) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[9] | 4 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[10] | 48 |
| France (SNEP)[11] | 17 |
| Iceland (Tónlistinn)[12] | 16 |
| Netherlands Single Tip (MegaCharts)[13] | 26 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[14] | 77 |
| UK Singles Downloads (OCC)[15] | 61 |
| UK Singles Sales (OCC)[16] | 61 |
| US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[17] | 19 |
| US Adult Alternative Songs (Billboard)[18] | 9 |
| US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[19] | 10 |
References
[edit]- ^ "Muse unveil new single 'The Dark Side' and announce new album 'Simulation Theory'". NME. 30 August 2018. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
- ^ "Drones World Tour film to feature never-before-seen AR, says Muse's Matt Bellamy - Independent.ie". Independent.ie. Retrieved 2018-11-27.
- ^ "Muse Have Shared A New Acoustic Song Called 'Something Human' & Fans Are Crying". Music Feeds. 14 July 2018. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
- ^ "Muse's Matt Bellamy Talks New Single 'Something Human' & 'Simulation' Themes on Upcoming Album". Billboard. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
- ^ a b "Muse on New Song 'Something Human': "It's Our Soft Side"". The World Famous KROQ. 2018-07-19. Retrieved 2018-11-27.
- ^ "Muse's Matt Bellamy shares new acoustic track 'Something Human'". NME. 13 July 2018. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
- ^ "Something Human". Muse Official Website. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
- ^ a b "Muse have shared a futuristic, Teen Wolf inspired video for 'Something Human'". NME. 19 July 2018. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
- ^ "Muse – Something Human" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved 24 November 2018.
- ^ "Muse – Something Human" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 24 November 2018.
- ^ "Muse – Something Human" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 24 November 2018.
- ^ "Vika 36 – 2018". Plötutíðindi (in Icelandic). Archived from the original on 13 September 2018. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
- ^ "Netherlands Single Tip Chart – 11/08/2018". MegaCharts. 11 August 2018. Retrieved 24 November 2018.
- ^ "Muse – Something Human". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 24 November 2018.
- ^ "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
- ^ "Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. 27 July 2018. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
- ^ "Muse Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 24 November 2018.
- ^ "Muse Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 24 November 2018.
- ^ "Muse Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 24 November 2018.
External links
[edit]- "Something Human" music video on YouTube
