Produced by Daniel Miller & Depeche Mode.
… Read Full Bio ↴Written by Martin L. Gore.
Produced by Daniel Miller & Depeche Mode.
Engineered by Gareth Jones.
Mixed by Daniel Miller, Gareth Jones & Depeche Mode.
Recorded at Music Works, London, January 1984.
Mixed at Hansa, Berlin, January 1984.
People Are People
Depeche Mode Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You and I should get along so awfully
People are people, so why should it be?
You and I should get along so awfully
So we're different colors, and we're different breeds
And different people, have different needs
It's obvious you hate me, though I've done nothing wrong
I can't understand
What makes a man hate another man?
Help me understand
People are people, so why should it be?
You and I should get along so awfully
People are people, so why should it be?
You and I should get along so awfully
Help me understand, help me understand
Help me understand
Now you're punching, and you're kicking
And you're shouting at me
I'm relying on your common decency
So far it hasn't surfaced but I'm sure it exists
It just takes a while to travel from your head to your fist
I can't understand
What makes a man hate another man?
Help me understand
People are people, so why should it be?
You and I should get along so awfully
People are people, so why should it be?
You and I should get along so awfully
I can't understand what make a man hate another man
Help me understand
I can't understand what make a man hate another man
Help me understand
I can't understand what make a man hate another man
Help me understand
I can't understand what make a man hate another man
Help me understand
I can't understand what make a man hate another man
Help me understand
I can't understand what make a man hate another man
Help me understand
In Depeche Mode's iconic song "People are People," the band addresses the issue of discrimination and prejudice. At its core, the song is a plea for people to put their differences aside and recognize that, despite being from different walks of life, we are all human and we should strive to get along.
The lyrics contrast the commonalities that we all share as human beings with the differences that often lead to conflict. The opening lines of the song "People are people, so why should it be? You and I should get along so awfully" emphasize this central message. Despite our differences in gender, race, and culture, we all share the common ground of being human.
The song also acknowledges that people often harbor prejudices against individuals they have never met or interacted with. The line "It's obvious you hate me, though I've done nothing wrong. I've never even met you, so what could I have done?" speaks to this phenomenon of judging people based solely on their race, religion, or other superficial characteristics.
Overall, "People are People" is an anthem for tolerance and understanding, urging people to put aside their differences and treat each other with kindness and respect.
Line by Line Meaning
People are people, so why should it be?
Why should our differences be a cause for conflict when fundamentally, we are all human.
You and I should get along so awfully
Instead of hostility, there should be agreement and cooperation between us.
So we're different colors, and we're different breeds
There is noticeable diversity among us in terms of race and ethnicity.
And different people, have different needs
We all have unique necessities that we require met.
It's obvious you hate me, though I've done nothing wrong
You clearly dislike me even though I have not offended you in any way.
I've never even met you, so what could I have done?
I haven't had the chance to do anything that would justify your animosity towards me since we haven't interacted.
I can't understand
I am confused and cannot fathom.
What makes a man hate another man?
I don't comprehend why someone would despise another individual based on their differences.
Help me understand
Please enlighten me and explain what I am missing or not seeing.
Now you're punching, and you're kicking
You are becoming violent towards me.
And you're shouting at me
You are yelling at me aggressively.
I'm relying on your common decency
I am depending on you to act rationally and treat me with respect.
So far it hasn't surfaced but I'm sure it exists
I remain confident that your basic human decency will eventually reveal itself despite your current behaviour.
It just takes a while to travel from your head to your fist
Perhaps, your anger and frustration take longer than expected to manifest themselves physically.
Lyrics ยฉ Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Martin Gore
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@OdesaFilmStudio
The lyrics to this song are still true today, always will be.
@sonjabaumann6194
Kannst du mir von da helfen, also nein.
@sonjabaumann6194
Da koennte man einen guten Film machen
@IN-gx9oq
!!
@herminiacx8871
Well letโs hope it isnโt true always because we have to end racism
@mangoman3912
Herminia Cx you canโt make everyone like everyone tho
@ronneyrendon
"I can't understand what makes a man hate another man, help me understand." such a beautiful line.
@kevinknight3606
What,s to understand, it pure ignorance and stupidity,the urge to bully someone else.
@kevinknight3606
The more things change,the more they stay the same.
@jeffsummstl
Itโs in our nature, unfortunately. Weโre not as basically good as we like to think.