The Voidz "Human Sadness"

"Human Sadness" is the debut single by Julian Casablancas + The Voidz, released on September 2, 2014, as part of their first album, Tyranny. The track is notable for its epic length (nearly 11 minutes) and its experimental, sprawling structure, marking a significant departure from Casablancas' earlier work with The Strokes167.

Composition and Themes:

• The song originated when drummer Alex Carapetis introduced a sample from Mozart's Requiem in D Minor to Casablancas, which became the foundation for the track12.
• Lyrically, "Human Sadness" explores themes of greed, corruption, and personal loss. The opening line, "Put money in my hand and I will do the things you want me to," reflects the album's preoccupation with societal and economic critique125.
• Much of the song is also a meditation on Casablancas' relationship with his estranged father, John Casablancas, who died in 201312.
• The chorus features a line inspired by the 13th-century Persian poet Rumi: "Beyond all ideas of right and wrong, there is a field / I will be meeting you there,"
  which introduces a spiritual and philosophical dimension to the song, suggesting a longing for reconciliation and understanding beyond judgment5.

Musical Style:

• The track is characterized by its complex, multi-part structure, blending mournful strings, distorted vocals, aggressive synths, and guitar solos6710.
• It moves through several movements, from an eerie piano and sampled strings to chaotic, abrasive sections and back to more melodic, introspective passages510.
• Critics have compared its ambitious, genre-blurring style to Sufjan Stevens' The Age of Adz27.

Reception and Impact:

• "Human Sadness" was received positively by critics, who praised its ambition and emotional depth, though some noted the lyrics can be difficult to decipher, requiring listeners to focus on the overall mood and soundscape for meaning2510.
• The song's music video, a 13-minute short film, visually amplifies its themes of personal and societal struggle, depicting scenes of war, loneliness, and everyday hardship, ultimately conveying a message of perseverance8.

Interpretations:

• Fans and critics have interpreted the song as an exploration of depression, existential crisis, and transformation. The repeated lyric "to be is not to be, to be is not the way to be" has been read as a reflection on the inadequacy of mere existence without striving for happiness or meaning, and possibly as a meditation on ego dissolution or personal change in the face of suffering35.

Notable Lyrics:

• "Put money in my hand and I will do the things you want me to."
• "Beyond all ideas of right and wrong, there is a field / I will be meeting you there."
• "Understanding is more important than love / If not, money will always trump justice / All is lost, I’ll find my way / So I say to be is not to be, to be is not the way to be."5

Summary Table:

"Human Sadness" stands as a centerpiece of Tyranny, encapsulating The Voidz's experimental ethos and Julian Casablancas' willingness to confront both personal and universal suffering through music156.