The Human League

Primary members: Martyn Ware, Ian Marsh, Philip Oakey (primary members); later Susan Ann Sulley and Joanne Catherall joined to shape The Human League's pop rebirth in the 1980s
Band Biography
Albums of focus: Reproduction (1979) and Travelogue (1980)
Songs for study:

"Path of Least Resistance" (live)
"Circus of Death" (live)
"Being Boiled"
"Life Kills"
"Do or Die" (live)

"Path of Least Resistance" (live on BBC TV, 1979)

Faced with the choice
What would you say?
The path of least resistance
It seems the only way

But can we look a little further?
Too little far, I think
Self-belief's the answer
And not another drink

The safe method, the only way
You rationalise your course
Stay part of the crowd
And never find the source

Feel wanted, feel numb
Just stay as you are
The truth is - comfort kills
And you don't need that car

 

So sad, the early grave
When all the fun's for free
Start digging the early grave
And keep it warm for me

Faced with the choice
What would you say?
The path of least resistance
It seems the only way

But let's look a little further
Too little far, I think
Self-belief's the answer
And not another drink

The safe method, the only way
You rationalise your course
Stay a part of the crowd
And never find the source

Feel wanted, feel numb
Just stay as you are
The truth is, comfort kills
And you don't need that car

 

"Circus of Death" (live on BBC TV, 1978)

Nine o'clock flight from Hawaii
The Trident is just touching down
We're waiting here on the tarmac
McGarrett is wearing a frown
He's here to help with a problem
A blood-spattered curse on our land
Please cast your eye over this map, sir
This business is quite out of hand

The circus of death is approaching
Its pathway is painted in red
Before it the frightened and helpless
Behind it a trail of the dead

The narcotic that forges their union is a substance known only to one
To the clown it is known as Dominion
It's a secret that he'll give to none
The drug which gives the clown power means the circus can never be stopped
And his dream can go on unhindered 'til the last human being has dropped

Spare me and my family
I've done you no wrong
Go away, please let us be
I've known you for too long

Think we'll ever find any real intelligent life out there?
Who cares?

"Being Boiled" (from Reproduction, 1979)

Listen to the voice of Buddha
Saying, stop your sericulture
Little people like your offspring
Boiled alive for some gods stocking
Buddha's watching, Buddha's waiting

Just because the kid's an orphan
Is no excuse for thoughtless slaying
Children don't forget this torture
Just because you call her "Mother"
Doesn't mean that she's your better

Once more with the voice of Buddha
He'll say carry on your slaughter
Who cares for the little children
You may slice with no conviction
Blind revenge on a blameless victim

"Life Kills" (from Travelogue, 1980)

When you fall into your seat
You know you feel you might be dying
As the breath rasps in and out
Of your burning throat

You can't control your lungs because you're so tired
You're half awake with one arm in your coat

Well thank god that there is someone there to drive you
You know you couldn't make it on your own
He helps you through the door
You sit down on the floor
And you're asleep before you are alone

Your life is like a schedule
You run to meet the bills
No one's awake to tell you
Life kills

Your life is like a schedule
You run to meet the bills
No one's awake to tell you
Life kills

For a while it seems exhaustion has subsided
The day is over and the moon is high
But your period of work is predecided
Funny how the hours of freedom seem to fly

Well thank god that there is someone there to drive you
You know you couldn't make it on your own
He helps you in the door
You sit down as before
Another shift to pay another loan

Your life is like a schedule
You run to meet the bills
No one's awake to tell you
Life kills

Your life is like a schedule
You run to meet the bills
No one's awake to tell you
Life kills

Repeat

"Do or Die " (live on Central Television's "Over the Top," 2 January 1982)

Those cocky little fires you started in the night
The Independent claims that just meant "Hold me tight"
The bruises on your body that you swore were from a fight
I'll pass at your insistence

Alsatians fall unconscious at the shadow of your call
One glance from your direction and the government will fall
Whole continents of misery don't bother you at all
But for me you have persistence

Run all day, run all night
Do or die, do or die
Got to run for your life
Do or die, do or die

 

I'd like to leave so would you kindly look the other way
You tell me to be honest but I've nothing left to say
Just like your feet my goddess, my brain has turned to clay
An end to all resistance

Run all day, run all night
Do or die, do or die
Got to run for your life
Do or die, do or die

Run all day, run all night
Do or die, do or die
Got to run for your life
Do or die, do or die

Run all day, run all night
Do or die, do or die
Got to run for your life
Do or die, do or die
Run all day, run all night
Do or die, do or die
Got to run for your life
Do or die, do or die