Nearly Human

Nearly Human
Studio album by Todd Rundgren
Released	May 18, 1989
Genre	Pop rock, Soul
Length	53:02
Label	Warner Bros.
Producer	Todd Rundgren
Todd Rundgren chronology
A Cappella (1985) Nearly Human (1989) 2nd Wind (1991)

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
allmusic
Rolling Stone	(4/5)

Nearly Human is a 1989 album by Todd Rundgren, and his second for Warner Bros. Records. His first release in four years time - the longest break in Rundgren's discography up to that point, although he had been active as a producer in the intervening years - the album has a soulful, searching, sometimes ironic but ultimately life-affirming ambience. Many of the songs deal with loss, self-doubt, jealousy and spiritual recovery, themes that seem to reflect his final separation and divorce from Bebe Buell and the loss of custody of Buell's daughter Liv Tyler who had grown up thinking Rundgren was her father.

The album was also the first collaboration of Rundgren and Michele Gray, a singer and ex-model who helped organize the sessions, and sang background vocals both on the record and on the subsequent tours; she and Rundgren would eventually marry.

Nearly Human garnered very favourable reviews and is considered one of Rundgren's best albums by many of his fans, the songs having aged well in the intervening years.

In contrast to much of his other solo work where Rundgren performed in isolation playing all instruments, the album was performed live in the studio with many musicians contributing. The technique was reminiscent of the fourth side of the popular Something/Anything?, except that the material reflected the more mature perspective of a 40-year-old.

For the Japanese release of the album, the sixth finger of the handprint on the cover was removed, "due to the religious significance of six fingers in Japan."

Track listing

All songs written by Todd Rundgren unless otherwise noted.

CD issue

1. "The Want of a Nail" (ft. Bobby Womack) (5:14)
2. "The Waiting Game" (4:16)
3. "Parallel Lines" (4:22)
4. "Two Little Hitlers" (Elvis Costello) (3:55)
5. "Can't Stop Running" (5:00)
6. "Unloved Children" (4:03)
7. "Fidelity" (4:39)
8. "Feel It" (Rundgren/Tubes/Vince Welnick) (5:47)
9. "Hawking" (6:51)
10. "I Love My Life" (8:55)

LP issue

Side one

1. "The Want of a Nail"
2. "The Waiting Game"
3. "Parallel Lines"
4. "Unloved Children"
5. "Can't Stop Running"

Side two

1. "Fidelity"
2. "Feel It" (Rundgren/Tubes/Vince Welnick)
3. "Hawking"
4. "I Love My Life"

Starring Musicians

• Brent Bourgeois - keyboards
• Larry Tagg - bass guitar
• Lyle Workman - guitar
• Michael Urbano - percussions
• Kasim Sulton - bass guitar on "Can't Stop Running"
• Bobby Womack - appearance on "The Want of a Nail"
• Elvis Costello - appearance on "Two Little Hitlers"
• Clarence Clemons - backing vocals

Charts

Album - Billboard

Year	Chart	Position
1989	The Billboard 200	102

Singles - Billboard

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1989	"The Want of a Nail"	Mainstream Rock Tracks	15