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T‐Bone Burnett — Humans From Earth
Album: The Criminal Under My Own Hat
Avg rating:
6.3

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1071









Released: 1992
Length: 2:40
Plays (last 30 days): 3
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We come from a blue planet light years away
Where everything multiples at an amazing rate
We're out here in the universe buying real estate
Hope we haven't gotten here too late

We're humans from earth
We're humans from earth
You have nothing at all to fear
And I think we're going to like it here

We're looking for a planet with atmosphere
Where the air is fresh and the water clear
With lots of sun like you have here
And three or four hundred days a year

We're humans from earth
We're humans from earth
You have nothing at all to fear
And I think we're going to like it here

We bought Manhattan for a string of beads
And we brought along some gadgets for you to see
Here's a crazy little thing we call TV
Do you have electricity?

We're humans from earth
We're humans from earth
You have nothing at all to fear
And I think we're going to like it here

I know we may look pretty strange to you
But we got know how and the golden rule
We're here to see manifest destiny through
And there ain't nothing we can't get used to
We're humans from earth
We're humans from earth
Comments (109)add comment
Just saw him live last week (and performing with Elvis Costello on Stephen Colbert this week) - great show, and quite the raconteur!
Posted 1 day ago by maryte    [ Reply ]
I wonder what the people who dislike this song listen to? What I do know is they have zombie humour!
Posted 4 months ago by johnfiva    [ Reply ]
 newbolddrive wrote:

Bill, just please don't play the song about "grabbing the children and run", can't think of the name...my brain can only handle so much depressing news...



Mont Blanc by Quiet Hollers?
Posted 4 months ago by q4Fry    [ Reply ]
Hey T-Bone! Meet me at Joe T's sometime. I'm buying and I have questions! 
Posted 4 months ago by awhfman    [ Reply ]
Bill, just please don't play the song about "grabbing the children and run", can't think of the name...my brain can only handle so much depressing news...
Posted 9 months ago by newbolddrive    [ Reply ]
 james_of_tucson wrote:

Artists who I know personally get 9's, no exceptions!


Funny, I said something very similar to Ludwig van Beethoven a few days ago while we were playing pool in a local bar.
Posted 2 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
Just made this song a nine
Posted 2 years ago by jp33442    [ Reply ]
Alien #1: Someone at the door claiming to be humans from Earth.
Alien #2: Oh, no! Quick, lock up the good spoons....
Posted 3 years ago by richard237    [ Reply ]
This is a very cool song, but the better version is on the soundtrack to the film "Until the End of the World", which can be downloaded on YouTube.
Posted 3 years ago by BobHeisler    [ Reply ]
T Bone is one of the most influential producers today.  he's had his hand in too many career making musicians futures to count.  And he's a fucking weirdo which is awesome.
Posted 3 years ago by tm    [ Reply ]
it's weird, but i get the nick cave's vibe from "o'malley's bar"
Posted 3 years ago by CougarAT    [ Reply ]
Shrug.
Posted 3 years ago by Grammarcop    [ Reply ]
I'm gonna rhyme, all the time.  It's not a crime. Slime.  
Posted 4 years ago by MrsTom    [ Reply ]
 james_of_tucson wrote:
Artists who I know personally get 9's, no exceptions!
 

Name dropping, however subtle, will get you nowhere with most people except other name droppers. No nine here, but I like the song. Maybe if I knew him.........
Posted 4 years ago by kazoo    [ Reply ]
definitely not words that an otherworldly being wants to hear... good song tho!
Posted 4 years ago by lynn01    [ Reply ]
Tonight, in the throes of a pandemic, feelings of something like dread are in the air. As I sat looking through the most recent National Geographic that looks 50 years into the future from both the optimists and the pessimists perspectives, this piece comes on. Somehow, it's far too descriptive of our collective ability tendency to control our most destructive impulses. Any song can be seen to reflect on current events to some extent, but this one hits really close.
Posted 4 years ago by bam23    [ Reply ]
 james_of_tucson wrote:
Artists who I know personally get 9's, no exceptions!
 
Artists whom I don't know personally get zeroes, no exceptions!
Posted 4 years ago by ice-9    [ Reply ]
 palad1 wrote:
Talking Heads' Burning down the house, then T Bone Burnett's Humans from earth... Someone has been listening to Vim Venders' "Until the end of the world" soundtrack lately... :)
 

 I like that soundtrack's version of this track better than this version....more "alive" and dynamic
Posted 5 years ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
 aspicer wrote:
His version from the Wim Wenders film, "Until the End of the World, is great.  Film was not that great, but the soundtrack is definitely worth picking up - excellent overall!

 

 
I'm not sure I ever saw the movie, but agree that the soundtrack was really good!  It was in solid rotation back in the 90's.

Posted 5 years ago by drictor    [ Reply ]
@longformud: yeah, the lyrics made me wince so hard I had to post a comment.
Posted 6 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
Dear Bill and Rebecca, 

Earth Theme. Loving it.

Regina Spektor - Blue Lips
Neko Case - Never Turn Your Back
T Bone Burnett - Humans From Earth

Here's a challenge. This Friday. You know. January 20th... Do a 24 hour marathon of songs celebrating the environment, diversity, and tolerance. For the WORLD. 

With Hope, Spiderwoman 
Posted 7 years ago by Spiderwoman    [ Reply ]
great producer, terrible songwriter!
Posted 8 years ago by thatslongformud    [ Reply ]
This sounds great.  Come to think of it, I read a book years ago about humans and androids colonising the universe and that spoke of "manifest destiny' a lot.  Written in the 50's or thereabouts, I think, by Clifford D. Simak.  Main character called Sutton, I believe.  Can't find the book now cos it's buried in the loft somewhere, but I wish I could.  Perhaps T-Bone read it, cos the lyrics seem to fit.
Posted 8 years ago by DaidyBoy    [ Reply ]
Artists who I know personally get 9's, no exceptions!
Posted 10 years ago by james_of_tucson    [ Reply ]

Posted 10 years ago by zepher    [ Reply ]
Awesome.
Posted 10 years ago by gillespp    [ Reply ]
if I lived a few light years from here, I would be arming my self......more
Posted 11 years ago by oldfart48    [ Reply ]
Interesting song. 
Posted 11 years ago by Domorodac    [ Reply ]
T-TO THE BONE.   ( we be scarey)
Posted 11 years ago by oldfart48    [ Reply ]
I only ever knew the soundtrack version of this song until now... Quite liking the wailing electric guitar!
Posted 11 years ago by subgyro    [ Reply ]
 haljordan wrote:
(clipped)
Anyone remember the name of that record store?
 
If you were talking about Atlanta, it could be Criminal Records.  They're still around and still as funky.
Posted 11 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
That groove is powerful enough to haul 100 rail cars of coal all by itself.
Posted 11 years ago by BBoyes    [ Reply ]
 haljordan wrote:
I first heard this one on a compilation tape I got free in a record store in Little Five Points when I was in college. It was a "Halloween Sampler" ("music so good it's scary" I believe was the subtitle) that also had Shawn Colvin's "Polaroids" on it. Anyone remember the name of that record store?
 
I really love these stories about our personal experiences with particular songs...
Posted 12 years ago by Jeff09    [ Reply ]
Love this song. And most all TBone
Posted 12 years ago by djengs    [ Reply ]
LOVE that photo
Posted 12 years ago by oldsaxon    [ Reply ]
His version from the Wim Wenders film, "Until the End of the World, is great.  Film was not that great, but the soundtrack is definitely worth picking up - excellent overall!

 

Posted 12 years ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
Sweet groove. I'll weigh in with an 8.
Posted 13 years ago by d-don    [ Reply ]
A great producer and singer/songwriter, enjoy.
Posted 13 years ago by nalle    [ Reply ]
 Jeff09 wrote:

Soundtrack is better.  Movie is one of the more interesting and visionary failures in the last couple of decades...love it.

 
Had a copy of the movie on laser disk, fancy that!  Worked for Pioneer a while back (which invented the laser disk), so got players and disks for cheap.  Don't know what happened to those disks or the player.  Another technology in the dust heap of history.

Posted 13 years ago by drictor    [ Reply ]
i LOVE LOVE LOVE THE GUITARS
Posted 14 years ago by Drunkenlilacwine    [ Reply ]
I rated this an 8 but made no comment. I'm a dork.  I love this song - and looking through the comments, I'm guessing I'll have to watch a few movies to be fully in-the-know.   Can't I just start with "Earth Girls Are Easy"?  Sorry - it's about all I can handle right now.

T-Bone Burnett is an icon - instrumental in so many careers, including his own. I love the heck outta him. So - off to check out the movies cited in this thread. And maybe a couple of days of total oblivion (don't ask.) {#Whistle}
Posted 14 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
 socalhol wrote:

I fully agree — I like the version on the soundtrack much better.  'Course I may be biased, it is one of my all time favorite soundtracks!  {#Wink}
 
Soundtrack is better.  Movie is one of the more interesting and visionary failures in the last couple of decades...love it.

Posted 14 years ago by Jeff09    [ Reply ]
Thinking about this song last night listening to Coast-to-Coast and this man was talking about us colonizing space...
"Hi there! We're heeeere!"
Posted 14 years ago by Giselle62    [ Reply ]
 Giselle62 wrote:

i wish i could see that movie again. it's not on Netflix and haven't seen it in ages.

 
If you don't mind watching on your computer, you can rent it from Amazon.  Or with a little tech savvy, can probably find a free download.  It's one of my favorites also.

Posted 14 years ago by Jeff09    [ Reply ]
 bitterdave wrote:


An acoustic version of this is on the soundtrack to "Until the End of the World". Overall, a great CD.
 
 Marr wrote:


I think I like that version better than this one. There are subtle differences that I think make it more approachable and a little less cynical sounding.
 
I fully agree — I like the version on the soundtrack much better.  'Course I may be biased, it is one of my all time favorite soundtracks!  {#Wink}
Posted 14 years ago by socalhol    [ Reply ]
Here's a crazy little thing we call TV!  One of my all-time favorites...


Posted 14 years ago by Jeff09    [ Reply ]
 marlenacb wrote:
Oh, cool! Two songs from the soundtrack to Wim Wenders' "Until the End of the World!" - an awesome collection and movie!
 
i wish i could see that movie again. it's not on Netflix and haven't seen it in ages.

Posted 14 years ago by Giselle62    [ Reply ]
Now this is how you write lyrics criticizing your own species faults!  Sarcastic and slyly.
Posted 14 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
and there ain't NOTHING we can't get used to...kind of chilling.
Posted 14 years ago by Giselle62    [ Reply ]
 a_genuine_find wrote:
We're humans from earth
We're humans from earth
Bought Manhatten for a string of beads
Brought along some gadgets for you to see
Heres a crazy little thing we call TV
Do you have electricity?

{#Group-hug}

I know we may seem pretty strange to you
But we got know-how and a golden rule
We're here to see manifest destiny through
Ain't nothing we can't get used to

We're humans from earth
We're humans from earth

  Yeah, I agree with you.  It is quite offensive.


Posted 14 years ago by pinto    [ Reply ]

This was soooo cool I had to steal it!
Posted 15 years ago by lattalo    [ Reply ]
We're humans from earth
We're humans from earth
Bought Manhatten for a string of beads
Brought along some gadgets for you to see
Heres a crazy little thing we call TV
Do you have electricity?

{#Group-hug}

I know we may seem pretty strange to you
But we got know-how and a golden rule
We're here to see manifest destiny through
Ain't nothing we can't get used to

We're humans from earth
We're humans from earth

Posted 15 years ago by a_genuine_find    [ Reply ]
 bitterdave wrote:


An acoustic version of this is on the soundtrack to "Until the End of the World". Overall, a great CD.
 

I think I like that version better than this one. There are subtle differences that I think make it more approachable and a little less cynical sounding.
Posted 15 years ago by Marr    [ Reply ]
I first heard this one on a compilation tape I got free in a record store in Little Five Points when I was in college. It was a "Halloween Sampler" ("music so good it's scary" I believe was the subtitle) that also had Shawn Colvin's "Polaroids" on it. Anyone remember the name of that record store?
Posted 16 years ago by haljordan    [ Reply ]
T Bone rocks so much ass.....
Posted 16 years ago by Monster    [ Reply ]
WOW! I can't believe it. I love Radio Paradise. Haven't heard this song for years. I love TBONE. He has sort of dissapeared off my radar. Need to get some more of his stuff. Thanks RP. It's been good today. I've not used this for awhile and it really saved me today.
Posted 17 years ago by cullyvan    [ Reply ]
I AM FROM JUPITER! fuh2 wrote:
This should be followed by Dr. Octagon's "Earth People"!
Posted 17 years ago by techer2    [ Reply ]
liser wrote:
Thats cool. I've got to learn how to cut and paste like that!!!
Posted 17 years ago by parrothead    [ Reply ]
Talking Heads' Burning down the house, then T Bone Burnett's Humans from earth... Someone has been listening to Vim Venders' "Until the end of the world" soundtrack lately... :)
Posted 17 years ago by palad1    [ Reply ]
Posted 17 years ago by liser    [ Reply ]
fuh2 wrote:
This should be followed by Dr. Octagon's "Earth People"!
... half shark/alligator, half man.
Posted 17 years ago by themotion    [ Reply ]
Good message, tedious composition.
Posted 17 years ago by nausicaa    [ Reply ]
ugh. 2
Posted 17 years ago by OldFrenchie    [ Reply ]
Love it...
Posted 17 years ago by djinnthespazz    [ Reply ]
This should be followed by Dr. Octagon's "Earth People"!
Posted 17 years ago by fuh2    [ Reply ]
Rad...Second T-Bone song today!!!! I like this one a great deal!!!!! This by the way is the 5th 10 I've given in the last hour!!!! 10 - T Bone Burnett - Humans From Earth 10 - Talking Heads - Burning Down The House 10 - Johnny Cash - Ring of Fire 10 - Bob Dylan - Visions of Johanna 10 - Ray LaMontagne - Empty
Posted 17 years ago by SpaceCase    [ Reply ]
Oh, cool! Two songs from the soundtrack to Wim Wenders' "Until the End of the World!" - an awesome collection and movie!
Posted 17 years ago by marlenacb    [ Reply ]
birdland wrote:
Ditto.
I'll happily third that. This version is just a little too disjointed for me.
Posted 18 years ago by Marr    [ Reply ]
DaWiz wrote:
He does lots of producing. He is masterful on the "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" soundtrack.
Talented he may be...but this one sounds like bad 80's junk.
Posted 18 years ago by russteaches    [ Reply ]
DaWiz wrote:
He does lots of producing. He is masterful on the "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" soundtrack.
He also produced several of Bruce Cockburn's albums in the 90s.
Posted 18 years ago by Bosonator    [ Reply ]
cutterjudd wrote:
If my memory serves me correct but I think T-Bone produced the music in the movie "Walk The Line". A talented gent....me thinks.
He does lots of producing. He is masterful on the "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" soundtrack.
Posted 18 years ago by DaWiz    [ Reply ]
Ditto. blinkblink wrote:
I preferred the version that was on Until the end of the World sound track, which by the way has got to be one of the best soundtracks of all time.
Posted 18 years ago by birdland    [ Reply ]
cdcassaw wrote:
I just vomited in my mouth a little. HORRIBLE.
That IS horrible... hey, what did you think of the song?
Posted 18 years ago by adu    [ Reply ]
He really does a disservice to humanity with this song. I mean now every superior alien race that receives this transmission will immediately obliterate our planet with their cosmic death rays.
Posted 18 years ago by adu    [ Reply ]
I just vomited in my mouth a little. HORRIBLE.
Posted 18 years ago by cdcassaw    [ Reply ]
cutterjudd wrote:
If my memory serves me correct but I think T-Bone produced the music in the movie "Walk The Line". A talented gent....me thinks.
Personally, I like his work on the Horse Whisperer soundtrack. He produced a great track for Gillian Welch and the whole album has some kick-ass cowpoke songs (better than the movie really, IMO).
Posted 18 years ago by Mary_Read    [ Reply ]
If my memory serves me correct but I think T-Bone produced the music in the movie "Walk The Line". A talented gent....me thinks.
Posted 18 years ago by cutterjudd    [ Reply ]
Yeah, definately prefer the soundtrack version. I'd already rated this an 8 before I realized it wasn't the song I was used to. Gave it a listen. Down to 6.
Posted 18 years ago by pregister    [ Reply ]
This is from a really good cd, especially if you like Dobro master Jerry Douglas...
Posted 18 years ago by wayneoh    [ Reply ]
majomojo wrote:
that one is in a film by W.Wenders, no? i can't remember...
An acoustic version of this is on the soundtrack to "Until the End of the World". Overall, a great CD.
Posted 18 years ago by bitterdave    [ Reply ]
OK, now I'm missing Hard Day on The Planet....
Posted 18 years ago by babygirl614    [ Reply ]
that one is in a film by W.Wenders, no? i can't remember...
Posted 18 years ago by majomojo    [ Reply ]
RichardPrins wrote:
... I think we're gonna like it here? ... ...
Posted 18 years ago by Mari    [ Reply ]
I preferred the version that was on Until the end of the World sound track, which by the way has got to be one of the best soundtracks of all time.
Posted 18 years ago by blinkblink    [ Reply ]
Posted 18 years ago by R_P    [ Reply ]
Faithful_Fool wrote:
Ass Kicking set (once again) Mr.G Now Playing: T Bone Burnett - Humans From Earth Loudon Wainwright III - Hard Day On The Planet Zero 7 - Home The Smiths - A Rush and a Push and the Land is ...
This set looks very familiar! Still, it works.
Posted 18 years ago by smallstakes    [ Reply ]
babygirl614 wrote:
The first time I've heard this song where it wasn't played right after Loudon Wainwright's Hard Day on the Planet.
whoops, back to the old routine... i'd like to hear it out of place...
Posted 18 years ago by TobalMoreno    [ Reply ]
The first time I've heard this song where it wasn't played right after Loudon Wainwright's Hard Day on the Planet.
Posted 18 years ago by babygirl614    [ Reply ]
He was great in that Cuba Gooding, Jr. movie as a convicted felon. He was supposed to be kind of scary. Did a good job:)
Posted 19 years ago by smilestoomuch    [ Reply ]
This is a far-out, excellent song. Lots going on with T-Bone's instumentation. Unconventional (by my reckoning) song.
Posted 19 years ago by plutodazed    [ Reply ]
Ass Kicking set (once again) Mr.G Now Playing: T Bone Burnett - Humans From Earth Loudon Wainwright III - Hard Day On The Planet Zero 7 - Home The Smiths - A Rush and a Push and the Land is ...
Posted 19 years ago by Faithful_Fool    [ Reply ]
pilgrim wrote:
T BONE!!! I love this tune...there is a great version on the "Until the End of the World" Soundtrack also!
Yes! If it was that version, I would give it a 10! But this version only deserves a 6.
Posted 19 years ago by saturnine    [ Reply ]
pilgrim wrote:
T BONE!!! I love this tune...there is a great version on the "Until the End of the World" Soundtrack also!
Just my opinion, but if RP listeners can stand to sit through Side B of "Abbey Road" and Side B of "Dark Side of the Moon," someone should try uploading the entire "UTEOTW" album. I wouldn't budge until it was over. It may be the most eclectic album in history.
Posted 19 years ago by Trustocity    [ Reply ]
redeyespy wrote:
And to my ears, that mix is preferable to this one. A bit over orchestrated.
I totally agree - I thought this version was really odd after only hearing the soundtrack version.
Posted 19 years ago by japanmoran    [ Reply ]
pilgrim wrote:
T BONE!!! I love this tune...there is a great version on the "Until the End of the World" Soundtrack also!
And to my ears, that mix is preferable to this one. A bit over orchestrated.
Posted 20 years ago by redeyespy    [ Reply ]
Great lyrics!
Posted 20 years ago by indigo_xia    [ Reply ]
Sounds like something I would have heard on the Miami Vice sdtk.
Posted 21 years ago by eval    [ Reply ]
Great reversal of the old \"evil aliens\" concept!
Posted 21 years ago by alanb    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by pilgrim: T BONE!!! I love this tune...there is a great version on the "Until the End of the World" Soundtrack also!
Indeed. Any or ALL of the tracks on that sound-track would be very much at home here. Not all "Rock" but then that doesn't hold Bill back
Posted 21 years ago by stubbsz    [ Reply ]
Interesting, satirical lyrics in a sexy candy coating.
Posted 21 years ago by mrtyler    [ Reply ]
T Bone seems to be kicking my ass, god I feel like a cold beer now...
Posted 21 years ago by Jeronimus_Funk    [ Reply ]
yes !
Posted 21 years ago by Damdew    [ Reply ]
Rockin\' great song. More T Bone, please.
Posted 22 years ago by lindydallas    [ Reply ]
definitely cool. love the voice and the general atmosphere of the tune.
Posted 22 years ago by Platypus    [ Reply ]
T BONE!!! I love this tune...there is a great version on the \"Until the End of the World\" Soundtrack also!
Posted 22 years ago by pilgrim    [ Reply ]
This is one of my all-time favorite albums! Please play Criminal Under My Own Hat! What a fine musician/writer/producer!! THANKS Bill!!
Posted 22 years ago by Antigone    [ Reply ]
I\'ve often thought T Bone would sound good on RP, but thought his solo work might be too obscure even for RP. When I heard him for the first time on another song yesterday I was thrilled, but hearing this rare little gem I\'m totally blown away! BillG, you\'re incredible! :D
Posted 22 years ago by beachedge_bill    [ Reply ]