Electric Youth frontman
Austin Garrick, along with David Grellier, who performs as College, have cited separate inspirations for producing the song. Garrick was inspired to write the song by a quote from his grandfather, who spoke of airline captain
Chesley Sullenberger after the
US Airways Flight 1549 water landing incident. Garrick's grandfather referred to Sullenberger as "a real human being and a real hero", which became the song's
refrain. The second verse of the song, which includes the line "155 people on board", refers to the 155 survivors of US 1549. Grellier, on the other hand, drew inspiration from cinema, particularly the character
Max Rockatansky from the
Mad Max franchise. Grellier has stated that he "wanted to give a homage to that lonely hero that we see in movies like
Mad Max. People who make their own choice and try to save lives. I want to give an homage." The first verse of the song is more along these lines and could be taken to be about Mad Max himself, although it could also be about Sullenberger. ==Cover versions==