High On Humans

Oh Wonder are a London-based synth-pop duo consisting of Josephine Vander Gucht and Anthony West. This track was released as the second single from the duo's sophomore album, Ultralife. Lyrically, it is about the extraordinary power of interaction with everyday people. Josephine Vander Gucht explained the story behind the song: "'High On Humans' was inspired by a tube journey. On the way back from Heathrow Airport, I eavesdropped on a conversation between two girls who worked in a sunglasses shop at the terminal. They were happily going back and forth discussing their favorite foods. When one girl declared that she didn't like avocados, I rudely interrupted and said 'what do you mean you don't like avocados?!'. We then proceeded to have a twenty-minute conversation about hot sauces and condiments, and the three of us exited the carriage high on adrenaline having connected with strangers. I then went on to talk to a man who had knocked all his teeth out and was covered in blood. It created a carriage-wide conversation about injuries and operations. Everyone's mood seemed lifted by this random interaction with the unknown. On the way back home from the station, I sang 'I'm getting high on humans' into voice notes on my phone, and sat down with Anthony to fully write it the next day." This song celebrates the potential to 'get high' and feel liberated by talking to strangers. It's something we all fear, and something we should all do more of!"