Human

Human is the title of a song recorded and released as a single by The Human League on 11 August 1986. It was the group's first song and single to be released from their recording sessions in Minneapolis, USA with producers and songwriters Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis.

Human was released as a single a few weeks ahead of the group's Crash album on which it was later featured in a slightly longer version. The single reached no. 8 in the UK (their first top 10 single since (Keep Feeling) Fascination in 1983) and in November became their second no.1 hit in the US after Don't You Want Me in 1982. It was also their first hit not to be written by any member of the group.

The track remains one of the group's best known songs and is still performed live.

Single release
A. Human (3:45)
 * 7" VS 880

B. Human (instrumental) (3:45)

A. Human (extended version) (5:00)
 * 12" VS 880-12

B1. Human (accapella version) (2:00)

B2. Human (instrumental version) (5:00)

Sleeve
Human is the first Human League release to feature the trio of Oakey/Catherall/Sulley only on the front cover. Other members of the band - Burden / Wright / Russell are featured in smaller black and white portraits on the rear of the sleeve together with similar close-ups of Jam and Lewis.

The artwork and labels also feature a new typeface, which remains unique to this release. The group name also drops the definite article, i.e 'Human League' as with previous Hysteria-era releases. Full name 'The Human league' was however re-adopted for the album and subsequent single releases.

Promo video

 * Like the single sleeve front cover, the video features group members Oakey/Catherall/Sulley only.

Other TV performances

 * 13 August 1986: Wogan
 * 28 August 1986: Top of the Pops (when the single was at no.10)

- both performances and the promo video are available on A Very British Synthesizer Group (2016).

Re-releases
Digital download and streaming bundle (Spotify)

rel. 15 September 2023