People
Audrey Ryan Lyrics
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For depression and anxiety, going to turn it around
What did they do in the old days when they were feeling obscure?
Did they drink themselves silly? Or did they have their own cure?
(Paxil, Zoloft, Prozac)
Peeeeeeee
Peeeeople
I have a hard time in the morning getting up for work
I'm not sure what it means, but sometimes it hurts
So many people do things that they'd rather not do
They drag themselves through life like they have no choice - do you?
(Paxil, Zoloft, Prozac)
Peeeeee
Peeeeeeople
And there's people with ambition all over this town
With their vision and precision, gonna' fill up their crowns
So many people just go and go - they never stop
Do they do it for glory, for money - or what?
(Paxil, Zoloft, Prozac)
Peeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Peeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeople
Peeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeople
And there's people all on medication all over this town
For depression and anxiety, going to turn it around
What did they do in the old days when they were feeling obscure?
Did they drink themselves silly? Or did they have their own cure?
(Paxil, Zoloft, Prozac)
Or did they have their own cure?
Or did they have their own cure?
Or did they have their own cure?
Audrey Ryan's song "People" is a commentary on the prevalence of mental health issues in contemporary society and the corresponding reliance on medication to treat these ailments. The lyrics suggest that in today's world, it is common for people to struggle with depression and anxiety and that medication (such as Paxil, Zoloft, and Prozac) is often viewed as a quick fix for these problems. However, the song also raises questions about how people dealt with mental health issues in the past, before these medications existed.
The song begins by describing the widespread use of medication for depression and anxiety, highlighting the fact that it is not only a few people who suffer from these conditions - "there's people all on medication all over this town." The singer raises the question of how people in the past dealt with these same kinds of issues, wondering if they turned to alcohol or other remedies. By doing so, the song suggests that medication is not the only answer to mental health struggles; there may be other ways to address these issues.
The middle section of the song turns inward, with the singer describing her own difficulties in getting up for work in the morning and questioning whether we all have a choice in the things we do. The song returns to the theme of ambition and the drive to succeed, questioning whether people push themselves to achieve for personal glory, money, or something else. Overall, the song seems to be encouraging listeners to think critically about their own mental health and to consider alternative ways of addressing these issues beyond medication.
Line by Line Meaning
And there's people all on medication all over this town
There are a lot of people in this town who are taking medication for their depression and anxiety.
For depression and anxiety, going to turn it around
These people are hoping that taking medication will help them overcome their depression and anxiety.
What did they do in the old days when they were feeling obscure?
The singer is wondering how people in the past dealt with feelings of being lost or uncertain.
Did they drink themselves silly? Or did they have their own cure?
She suggests that perhaps they self-medicated with alcohol, or maybe they had their own remedies for feeling better.
I have a hard time in the morning getting up for work
The singer struggles with motivation in the morning when she has to go to work.
I'm not sure what it means, but sometimes it hurts
She doesn't understand why it's so hard for her to get going, but it causes her pain.
So many people do things that they'd rather not do
There are many people who are stuck doing things they don't enjoy.
They drag themselves through life like they have no choice - do you?
She questions whether people feel like they have a choice or if they're just going through the motions of life.
And there's people with ambition all over this town
There are also many people in the town who are driven and have goals.
With their vision and precision, gonna' fill up their crowns
These ambitious people have specific plans and work hard to achieve success.
So many people just go and go - they never stop
There are people who never slow down and are always working towards something.
Do they do it for glory, for money - or what?
She questions what motivates people who are always working and striving for success.
Or did they have their own cure?
The singer reiterates her curiosity about whether people in the past had their own remedies for feeling better.
Or did they have their own cure?
She asks this question two more times, emphasizing her curiosity.
Contributed by Josiah F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.