Armatrading has mixed eclectic musical styles over decades of recording and performing. She has had several British hit singles, the biggest of which were "Love & Affection", "Me Myself I", and "Drop the Pilot". Her music is generally pop, with forays into rock, folk, jazz, and even reggae. Her popularity is primarily as an album artist.
She gained a new audience following her writing and performing "The Flight of the Wild Geese", which was used during the opening and end titles for the 1978 film The Wild Geese.
Armatrading first performed in a concert at Birmingham University for her brother at the age of about 16 (circa 1966). She only knew her own songs, but her brother asked her to perform something that would be familiar to the audience; she chose "The Sound of Silence".[9] She then performed her own songs around the local area with a friend from school, and played bass and rhythm guitar at local clubs.
People
Joan Armatrading Lyrics
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People to the right
I wanna be alone
But it just gets worse all the time
Can't make it work
People all around me
In love, in pain
Driving me insane
They're gonna drive me right out of my head
Scheming
There's people cheating
Pressure from all sides
Chain you
They'll try to change you
There's no escaping
People
People
People
Standing right in front of me
Moving up behind
Ringing on my phone
I got no place to hide
Nowhere to go
People all around me
Singing out of tune
Draw me, don't trace you
Oh leave me alone
I gotta find somewhere else I can go
Once I wanted loving
Somebody of my own
That's all changed
Love somebody of my own
That's all changed
People all around me
In love, in pain
Some are integrated
Driving me insane
They're gonna drive me right out of my head
People
People
People
In Joan Armatrading's song People, she sings about feeling overwhelmed and suffocated by the people around her. The first few lines describe feeling crowded and wanting to be alone, but not being able to escape from the constant presence of others. Despite her desire to be independent and self-sufficient, she can't seem to make it work with people all around her. The chorus repeats the word "people" multiple times, highlighting the focus on the surrounding individuals that are causing her distress.
The second verse adds to the tension as she describes how people are scheming and cheating, which adds to the pressure she feels. She also mentions how people will try to change you and how there is no escaping from their influence. This idea of feeling trapped is emphasized by the repetition of the word "people" and the increasing number of people surrounding her.
The chorus repeats once again, and then the song takes a different turn as she reflects on her desire for love and companionship. She admits that this has changed and that she now just wants to be left alone. The song ends with the same sense of frustration and annoyance towards people who are in love, in pain, or otherwise integrated into her life.
Line by Line Meaning
People to the left of me
There are people to my left, on my side.
People to the right
There are people to my right, on the other side.
I wanna be alone
I desire solitude and silence.
But it just gets worse all the time
Despite my desire to be alone, my situation is deteriorating over time.
Can't make it work
I am unable to succeed or make progress.
People all around me
There are people surrounding me on all sides.
In love, in pain
Some people around me are experiencing love and happiness, while others are experiencing pain and sadness.
Some are integrated
Some people around me are accepted, valued, and successful in society.
Driving me insane
Their presence is causing me great frustration, anxiety, and discomfort.
They're gonna drive me right out of my head
The pressure from these people is becoming too much for me to bear, and I am at risk of losing my mind.
Scheming
Some people around me are making plans, especially secret or dishonest ones.
There's people cheating
Some people around me are acting in a dishonest or unfair way.
Pressure from all sides
I am experiencing a lot of pressure and stress from all sides.
Chain you
These people will try to limit, control, or restrict you.
They'll try to change you
These people will try to make you conform to their expectations and beliefs.
There's no escaping
There is no way to avoid, evade, or get away from these people.
Standing right in front of me
There are people directly in front of me, blocking my path or view.
Moving up behind
There are people approaching me from behind, possibly threatening or surprising me.
Ringing on my phone
I am receiving calls, messages, or notifications from people, interrupting my peace or privacy.
I got no place to hide
I have nowhere to conceal, protect or isolate myself from these people.
Singing out of tune
Some people around me are singing, speaking, or acting in a wrong or inappropriate way.
Draw me, don't trace you
I want people to appreciate me for who I am, not for imitating or copying someone else.
Oh leave me alone
I want these people to go away and stop bothering me.
I gotta find somewhere else I can go
I need to find a new place, situation, or community where I can feel safe and comfortable.
Once I wanted loving
I used to desire love, romance, and companionship.
Somebody of my own
I wanted to find someone who would love me exclusively and reciprocate my feelings.
That's all changed
My desires and priorities have shifted or transformed over time.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Adam Bainbridge
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind