Humankind

David Kushner's song "Humankind" delves into the profound disillusionment and betrayal felt by the narrator in a world that promises salvation but delivers heartache. The song opens with a striking image of the devil, a symbol of ultimate deceit, participating in a religious ritual. This juxtaposition of evil in a holy setting sets the tone for the song's exploration of hypocrisy and moral decay. The devil's actions, such as spending lavishly on fashion while pretending to be pious, highlight the superficiality and insincerity that the narrator perceives in society.

The chorus reveals the narrator's personal anguish and sense of betrayal. The metaphor of looking for "living water"—a symbol of spiritual sustenance and hope—only to be left to drown, underscores the deep sense of abandonment. The phrase "land of the free chained to the ground" poignantly captures the paradox of a society that prides itself on freedom yet is bound by its own moral failings. The repeated refrain, "Humankind just lets me down," encapsulates the narrator's overarching disappointment with humanity.

In the second verse, Kushner continues to critique societal norms and traditions that perpetuate harm. The imagery of a blood-covered message in a bottle and the commercialization of salvation speaks to the corruption and loss of genuine compassion. The line "We love the ones who hurt us, and we hurt the ones that we love" reflects the cyclical nature of pain and betrayal in human relationships. Despite this, the song ends on a somewhat hopeful note, acknowledging the shared humanity between the narrator and the listener, and a plea for connection and understanding.

"Humankind" is a poignant reflection on the complexities of human nature, the search for genuine kindness, and the pervasive sense of disillusionment in a world fraught with hypocrisy and moral contradictions.