The song "Empire State Human" by The Human League tells the story of a person who desires to be larger than life, both physically and metaphorically. From a young age, the narrator realizes that they never wanted to be of average size or blend in with the crowd. They express a longing in their heart to become something greater and overcome their feelings of smallness. To achieve their desire, the narrator embraces the concept of growth and compares it to the majestic nature of a mountain. They want to become tall, as tall as a wall, symbolic of becoming someone grand and powerful. If they cannot physically grow to be tall, they will continue to metaphorically grow in other ways, never settling for their current state. The lyrics mention the concentration and effort put into increasing their size until they claim to be fourteen stories high, drawing a comparison between themselves and the Empire State Building. They even express a desire to travel to Egypt to become as grand as the pyramids. Throughout the song, the repetition of the phrase "brick by brick, stone by stone" emphasizes the determination and persistence of the narrator in their quest for growth. They are willing to fetch more water and sand, metaphorically indicating their commitment to becoming the biggest person in the land. Overall, "Empire State Human" delves into themes of ambition, the desire for personal growth, and the yearning to be extraordinary and stand out from the crowd.
