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People Are People
A Perfect Circle Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

We're different colors
And different creeds
And different people
Have different needs
It's obvious you hate me
Though I've done nothing wrong
I've never even met you
What could I have done?

La, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la

People are people, so why should it be?
You and I shouldn't get along
People are people, so why should it be?
You should hate me

People are people, so why should it be?
You and I shouldn't get along
People are people, so why should it be?
You should hate me

Punching and kicking
And you're shouting at me
I'm relying on your common, decency
La, la, la, la
So far it hasn't surfaced
But I'm sure it exists
Just takes a while, to travel
From your head to your fist

Can't understand
What makes a man
Hate another man
Help me understand

People are people, so why should it be?
You and I shouldn't get along
People are people, so why should it be?
You should hate me

People are people, so why should it be?
You and I shouldn't get along
People are people, so why should it be?
You should hate me

I can't understand
What makes a man
Hate another man?
Help me understand

I can't understand
What makes a man
Hate another man?
Help me understand

I can't understand
What makes a man
Hate another man?
Help me understand

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of A Perfect Circle's song "People are people" is a plea to understand why people hate each other when they're actually not so different from one another. The song highlights the fact that people are different in terms of their appearance, beliefs, and needs, and yet it is these differences that make us unique and interesting as a species. The song reflects on the underlying emotions of anger and violence that breed out of ignorance and prejudice. The lyrics make an appeal for mutual respect, understanding, and empathy between individuals without judgment or discrimination.


Maynard James Keenan, the lead singer of A Perfect Circle, performed a version of the song “People are people” by Depeche Mode during a live show with Tool in 2000, and it inspired him to work on a heavier, rawer, rock version of the song. The song appeared on A Perfect Circle’s second album, "Thirteenth Step", and is one of their most popular songs.


The lyrics of the song are poignant and expressive, and the melody complements the depth and the power of the lyrics. The song is memorable and thought-provoking, and it calls attention to issues of discrimination and social justice. The song has become an anthem for peace and harmony among different groups and cultures.


Line by Line Meaning

We're different colors
We have different ethnicities that make us distinct from each other


And different creeds
We follow different religions, philosophies, or belief systems that define our convictions and values


And different people
We have unique personalities, backgrounds, and experiences that shape our attitudes and behaviors


Have different needs
We require varying levels of resources, attention, and support to thrive and fulfill our aspirations


It's obvious you hate me
It's apparent that you harbor animosity towards me for reasons that are not clear or justified


Though I've done nothing wrong
Despite my innocence and good intentions, you perceive me as a threat or an enemy


I've never even met you
I have no personal history or relationship with you that could explain or prevent your hostility


What could I have done?
I cannot think of any action or omission on my part that would have caused or provoked your hatred


La, la, la, la, la
A non-verbal expression of disbelief, frustration, or resignation in the face of irrational or unjustified hostility


People are people, so why should it be?
A rhetorical question that challenges the logic or ethics of hating someone based on their differences or similarities to ourselves


You and I shouldn't get along
A counterfactual statement that opposes the notion that diversity is incompatible with harmony or cooperation


You should hate me
A sarcastic or bitter affirmation that conveys the absurdity or sadness of being the victim of prejudice or intolerance


Punching and kicking
A physical assault that represents the extreme manifestation of hate and violence towards another person


And you're shouting at me
A verbal attack that can accompany or precede physical violence as a form of intimidation, humiliation, or provocation


I'm relying on your common, decency
An appeal to the perpetrator's sense of morality, empathy, or reason as a way of mitigating or preventing harm


So far it hasn't surfaced
An acknowledgement that the perpetrator has not shown any sign of compassion, restraint, or remorse despite the victim's plea


But I'm sure it exists
An assumption that the perpetrator is capable of decency or goodness, even if their actions suggest otherwise


Just takes a while, to travel
A recognition that changing one's mindset or behavior towards others can take time, effort, and patience


From your head to your fist
A metaphor that links the perpetrator's thoughts or attitudes to their violent actions, implying that hate starts from within


Can't understand
An expression of bewilderment or frustration at the irrational and harmful nature of hate and intolerance


What makes a man
A question that highlights the gendered and cultural aspects of hate and violence, and the role of socialization and power dynamics in shaping them


Hate another man
An assertion that hate is not an innate or inevitable human trait, but a learned and propagated behavior that can harm individuals and communities


Help me understand
A plea for empathy, education, and communication as ways of reducing hate and promoting understanding, tolerance, and peace




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Martin Gore

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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