Symptom of Being Human was written by Brent Smith and Eric Bass. It was sung by the band, Shinedown. The members of Shinedown are Barry Kerch, Brad Stewart (2001–2007), Brent Smith (2001–present), Eric Bass (2008–present), Jasin Todd (2001–2008), and Zach Myers (2005–present). They originated in Jacksonville, Florida, although the song, Symptom of Being Human was recorded in Charleston, South Carolina. Shinedown released the song on July 1, 2022.
Symptom of Being Human by Shinedown is such an emotionally intensive song. It hits me on a very personal level and evokes a lot more than I would normally expect from a song. The songwriting is poetic and its meaningful lyrics make the song very introspective, combined with the tune, provoking and ethereal, a great call for self-reflection, compassion, and hope. The song amplifies the vulnerabilities of human experience therefore it allows me to foster those emotions, while at the same time promoting the spirit of power. In total, while listening to Symptom of Being Human, I perceive some marvelous capacity to elicit deep emotional responses or build very pertinent and requisite relationships with the human condition. For some time I had often listened to this song during some tough moments and still, it makes one appreciate how much more complex human beings are.
Harmony, melody, rhythm, dynamics, and timbre greatly influence my personal response. The words of the song are engrossing and full of meaningful thoughts make me feel emotional and let me explore the core point of the song. The enchanting and enchanting melody stimulates and makes me seriously listen with feelings of admiration, and even physically, lingering after the song. Yelling also doesn't fit as a vocal approach and this is why the usage of emphatic and deep vocals is so effective: the singer is very open and fragile at the same time; people can easily feel what she is singing about. Moreover, the listeners are absorbed in their own emotions and philosophic introspection. The addition of dynamics throughout a piece, starting with a clear whisper and reaching a strong forte allows for the game to again become an emotional tool - one that can be used to better understand the experiences of oneself and others. These elements, together with the artistical message, form a strong and touching actual as well as spiritual, musical experience that reflects the multifaceted characteristics of the human being.
"The message is quite simple: we’re only human. Every single one of us. We all have difficulties we have to battle through, and we’re all a work in progress. Some of you may be going through the worst of it at the moment, and we’re sorry that you are. That’s rough. We’ve been there, too, and we hope the message in this song uplifts and provides you strength. On the other hand, some of you may be going through the best moments of your life, and that’s fantastic." Alycia Pritchard stated that on an article that she posted on The Honey Pop website.
Someone on Music City Music Magazine stated that “A Symptom Of Being Human resonates with listeners due to its uplifting message about human imperfection. The track has garnered tens of millions of streams across various versions, including live, pop remix, acoustic, and piano." on a article that they posted.
Pritchard, Alycia, et al. “The Important Message in Shinedown’s ‘A Symptom of Being Human.’” The Honey POP, 3 July 2023, thehoneypop.com/2023/07/03/the-important-message-in-shinedowns-a-symptom-of-being-human/#google_vignette.
Staff, Mcmm. “Shinedown’s ‘A Symptom of Being Human’ Breaks into Top 20 at Top 40 Radio - Music City Music Magazine.” Music City Music Magazine - Nashville Live Music Blog & Photography, 25 May 2024, musiccitymusicmag.com/shinedowns-a-symptom-of-being-human-breaks-into-top-20-at-top-40-radio/.
Hello Vashti, I have never listened to "Symptom of Being Human" by Shinedown before, but it is right up my alley, this song is great. I completely agree with you about the song's emotional depth and its ability to resonate with the complexities of being human. Have you listened to their acoustic versions? I found it after listening to the original in your analysis, and it brings out even more emotion and might be worth listening to, if you haven't already. Here is the link -
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uP0O5X0FUyg