The melody for "People Help the People" came into lead singer Simon Aldred's head unexpectedly as he arrived in India for a three month backpacking holiday. In order to remember the tune throughout his guitar-less sojourn, he would hum it to himself daily.
Two music videos were produced for the song, one directed by Huse Monfaradi, the other one directed by Chris Hopewell.
English musician Birdy released a cover version of the song, which was released on 28 October 2011 as a download in the United Kingdom. In 2012, the song received attention in Australia when it was used in a trailer for a Neighbours storyline.
People Help The People
Cherry Ghost Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I guess you kissed the girls and made them cry
Those hardfaced Queens of misadventure
God knows what is hiding in those weak and sunken eyes
A Fiery throng of muted angels
Giving love and getting nothing back
People help the people
People help the people
And nothing will drag you down
Oh and if I had a brain, Oh and if I had a brain
I'd be cold as a stone and rich as the fool
That turned, all those good hearts away
God knows what is hiding, in that world of little consequence
Behind the tears, inside the lies
A thousand slowly dying sunsets
God knows what is hiding in those weak and drunken hearts
I guess the loneliness came knocking
No on needs to be alone, oh save me
People help the people
And if your homesick, give me your hand and I'll hold it
People help the people
Nothing will drag you down
Oh and if I had a brain, Oh and if I had a brain
I'd be cold as a stone and rich as the fool
That turned, all those good hearts away
People help the people
And if your homesick, give me your hand and I'll hold it
People help the people
Nothing will drag you down
Oh and if I had a brain, Oh and if I had a brain
I'd be cold as a stone and rich as the fool
That turned, all those good hearts away
Cherry Ghost’s song “People Help the People” talks about the struggle of loneliness and how everyone needs someone to lean on. The opening lines, “God knows what is hiding in that weak and drunken heart, I guess you kissed the girls and made them cry” paints a picture of someone who has hurt others in the past, but at the same time, is struggling with their own emotions. The lyrics later mention “A thousand slowly dying sunsets,” which represents the feeling of hopelessness and the sense that time is running out for them.
The chorus emphasizes the importance of lending a helping hand to those in need, “People help the people, and if you’re homesick, give me your hand and I’ll hold it…” The phrase “Nothing will drag you down” is a comforting reminder that seeking help and relying on others can uplift oneself, rather than dragging them down.
The final lines, “Oh and if I had a brain, Oh and if I had a brain, I'd be cold as a stone and rich as the fool, That turned all of those good hearts away” reveals regret and sorrow for previous actions. The singer wishes they had been more understanding and open to those around them, rather than turning good-hearted people away.
Overall, “People Help the People” is an emotional plea for individuals to lend a helping hand to those around them who may be struggling with their own battles. It is a reminder to never turn someone away who is in need, for fear of some misguided thought that it will hurt ourselves.
Line by Line Meaning
God knows what is hiding in that weak and drunken heart
Nobody but God knows what thoughts and emotions are hidden deep inside a weak and broken heart.
I guess you kissed the girls and made them cry
It is assumed that you might have played with the feelings of girls, hence making them unhappy.
Those hardfaced Queens of misadventure
The girls mentioned earlier are depicted as stubborn and mischievous.
God knows what is hiding in those weak and sunken eyes
Only God knows what lies behind the dull expressions and tiredness shown in one's eyes.
A Fiery throng of muted angels
The people who seem silent and calm may also have a passionate heart and soul.
Giving love and getting nothing back
Some people give unconditional love to others but may receive nothing in return.
People help the people
The song emphasizes the importance of people helping each other and working together for a better world.
And if your homesick, give me your hand and I'll hold it
The singer is urging people who feel homesick and sad to reach out for help and support and assures holding their hand through difficult times.
Nothing will drag you down
The power of togetherness and support can lift a person's spirit and nothing external can affect them anymore.
Oh and if I had a brain, Oh and if I had a brain
The singer is almost mocking himself for not being able to understand why people aren't helping each other, despite it being such a simple thing.
I'd be cold as a stone and rich as the fool
The singer imagines being emotionless and selfish, like a stone, and becoming wealthy by not helping others, thus ironically calling himself a fool.
That turned, all those good hearts away
Refers to people becoming disappointed and put away goodness from their lives because of someone turning them away.
God knows what is hiding, in that world of little consequence
There are numerous little things in the world which hardly make any difference, but still one doesn't know the conflict going inside a person.
Behind the tears, inside the lies
Many tears represent lies because the truth is being hidden inside them.
A thousand slowly dying sunsets
Sunset is referred to here as life, and people may experience a thousand deaths in their life living a slow and miserable one.
I guess the loneliness came knocking
The song suggests feeling of great loneliness - a feeling so strong that it feels like its knocking on the door.
No on needs to be alone, oh save me
The singer pleads with someone to save him or herself from being left alone and vulnerable.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Simon Aldred
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ryan Stothert
God knows what is hiding in that weak and drunken heart
I guess you kissed the girls and made them cry
Those hardfaced Queens of misadventure
God knows what is hiding in those weak and sunken eyes
A Fiery throng of muted angels
Giving love and getting nothing back
People help the people
And if your homesick, give me your hand and I'll hold it
People help the people
And nothing will drag you down
Oh and if I had a brain, Oh and if I had a brain
I'd be cold as a stone and rich as the fool
That turned, all those good hearts away
God knows what is hiding, in that world of little consequence
Behind the tears, inside the lies
A thousand slowly dying sunsets
God knows what is hiding in those weak and drunken hearts
I guess the loneliness came knocking
No on needs to be alone, oh save me
People help the people
And if your homesick, give me your hand and I'll hold it
People help the people
Nothing will drag you down
Oh and if I had a brain, Oh and if I had a brain
I'd be cold as a stone and rich as the fool
That turned, all those good hearts away
People help the people
And if your homesick, give me your hand and I'll hold it
People help the people
Nothing will drag you down
Oh and if I had a brain, Oh and if I had a brain
I'd be cold as a stone and rich as the fool
That turned, all those good hearts away
Deanna D
we should just appreciate this song without comparing whose version is better. Personally, Both is amazing and have different personas. I just love the meaning of this song.
Janice Livett
@Spencer Jones powerful words
Jeremy Wray
@William Bodie wrong.
Sweden Belfast
@Neil Robbins 👍🎶👍🎶
Sweden Belfast
👌👍👍
Spencer Jones
It's not aboout comparing versions. The young girl who covered it belongs to a cultually bankrupt generation. She and her peers could never concieve of something as beautiful as this themselves. And my friend Edgar played bass on this one as well so you could accuse me of bias. But no, 22 years into a century and no Picasso, no Beatles no Basquiat no Cobain nothing. History will look back at this time as the second dark ages. The country allowed that "what chest are those trousers" jar of pea skinned riddled shit Simon Cowell to slit the cultural throat of an entire generation and people called it 'harmless entertainment'. Doesn't seem so harmless now when that balless, souless middle of road Ed Sherin is the biggest star in the world does it?
Stefano De Chirico
sono passati anni da quando questo brano è uscito in Italia, avevo solo 14 anni e già la ascoltavo. Sono passati più di 10 anni e continuo ad avere i brividi a 27 anni. Meravigliosa canzone.
il primo, vero, Teofilatto Dei Leonzi The Official
Odio quando le persone vogliono fare i fenomeni correggendo e poi fanno vedere che sono dei minorati mentali.
Denis Guerra
Come si chiamava italiano
Stefano De Chirico
@roberto de candia Forse hai margini tu nella comprensione del testo, ciao caro......:)