John Guldberg and Tim Stahl met in the mid-1970s, and they played together in a group called the Starbox Band.[1] After a poorly received show supporting the Kinks, the band split up, but the duo continued working together. Guldberg set up a small studio in downtown Copenhagen where the two musicians began exploring the possibilities that were being opened up by new technologies, such as multitrack tape recorders, synthesizers and drum machines.
Their debut album, simply titled Laid Back, was released in 1981, and the single "Maybe I'm Crazy" became a number-one hit in Denmark.[1]
The next year, the single "Sunshine Reggae" was released, and it became another chart-topper in their home country; it was later included on the band's second album, Keep Smiling, in 1983, and went on to become a number-one single in Italy, West Germany, and nineteen other countries around the world. In the US, however, it was the single's B-side that became the band's only big hit. "White Horse" is a funk-influenced dance track with a memorable bassline and ambiguous, drug- and/or sex-themed lyrics ("white horse" being a slang for heroin) that became popular in US clubs. After the song was re-released as an A-side on both 7-inch and 12-inch vinyl, it went on to spend three weeks at number one on Billboard's National Disco Action charts; it was also a crossover success, reaching the top five on the Hot Black Singles chart while peaking at number 26 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1984. Its relatively poor performance on the Hot 100 is most likely due to the track's controversial lyrics (including the word "bitch"), which prevented it from receiving radio airplay in much of the country. In 1989, the American rap act 2 Live Crew sampled "White Horse" heavily for their single "Get the Fuck Out of My House"; it was later sampled for Monifah's 1998 hit "Touch It".
Laid Back's next two albums, Play It Straight (1985) and See You in the Lobby (1987),[1] and singles such as "Abu Dhabi" and "Tricky Kind of Thing", were released to little fanfare and limited chart success.
The duo made a return to the European charts in 1989 with the single "Bakerman" (featuring Danish singer Hanne Boel[2]), which peaked at number nine on the West German chart, and number 44 in the United Kingdom in early 1990. It was accompanied by an unusual video, directed by Lars von Trier, which featured the band skydiving while "playing" their instruments. Guldberg and Stahl have both named this their favourite Laid Back track, and said the words were written by Guldberg during the recording session for the song. The lyrics are in English except for the phrase "Sagabona kunjani", which Guldberg has described as a Swahili phrase meaning "Hello, how are you?"[3]
Hoping to capitalize on the success of Bakerman, their label re-released "White Horse" (as "White Horse '89") with new remixes, although this was a commercial disappointment.
Over the course of the following two decades, Laid Back continues to work together, and have since released four albums, a handful of singles, and two greatest hits albums (Laidest Greatest in 1995 and Good Vibes – The Very Best of Laid Back in 2008). The duo also composed the soundtrack of the 2001 feature film Flyvende Farmor, for which they were awarded a Robert, the Danish equivalent of an Oscar. That same year, an exhibition of the band's artwork, including pieces that appeared on their records and promotional posters, took place in Copenhagen. In 2003 they featured on the track "Tango" by Danish band Hæst, produced by Umpff. They continue to make sporadic live performances, as well, including high-profile shows at the Isle of Wight Festival in 2004, and the Roskilde Festival in 2005. A remix of "Bakerman" by British DJ Shaun Baker reached number one in Greenland in 2006.
In 2010 Laid Back returned with the single "Cocaine Cool".
People
Laid Back Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Around the world
Share the same feelings
Black boy, white girl
People
Don't close your eyes
Only love can save the world
It's your life (It's your life)
It's your life (It's your life)
It's your life (It's your life)
It's your life (It's your life)
(It's your life)
People
Around the world
Share the same fashion
For diamonds and pearls, yeah
People (People)
Don't close your eyes (People, don't close your eyes)
Only love can save the world
And make us survive (Only love can make us survive)
(We've got to realize) Got to realize (Got to realize)
(Got to realize) Yeah, got to realize (Got to realize)
(Got to realize) Got to realize (Got to realize)
(Got to realize)
People are people
People are people
People are people (Yes, people are people)
So different (People are people) (People)
People are all the same
The lyrics of Laid Back's song "People" offer a powerful message of unity and encourage listeners to recognize the similarities among people around the world. The opening lines declare that despite differences in race and ethnicity, people worldwide share the same emotions and experiences. The next set of lyrics draws attention to the common material desires of people for luxury items like diamonds and pearls. In both instances, the song emphasizes the similarities among people despite outward differences.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "It's your life" multiple times, encouraging listeners to take control of their own lives and to recognize that they have the power to make a positive impact on the world. The repeated phrase reinforces the idea that we are all responsible for creating a better future for ourselves and for those around us.
The song's final lines, "People are people, so different, people are all the same," serve as a direct summary of the song's main message. Despite differences in appearance, nationality or culture, ultimately, all people share similar hopes, dreams, and desires. The song suggests that it is love that can bring us together and help us to survive the challenges that we all face.
Line by Line Meaning
People
The human race
Around the world
All over the globe
Share the same feelings
Experience similar emotions
Black boy, white girl
Regardless of race or gender
Don't close your eyes
Be aware
Only love can save the world
Love is the essential remedy
And make us survive
Without it, we will wither
It's your life (It's your life)
You're in control of your destiny
Around the world
All over the globe
Share the same fashion
Have similar tastes
For diamonds and pearls, yeah
In regards to material possessions
People (People)
The human race
Don't close your eyes (People, don't close your eyes)
Be aware
Only love can save the world
Love is the essential remedy
And make us survive (Only love can make us survive)
Without it, we will wither
(We've got to realize) Got to realize (Got to realize)
Recognition is necessary
(Got to realize) Yeah, got to realize (Got to realize)
Understanding is needed
(Got to realize) Got to realize (Got to realize)
Awareness is essential
(Got to realize)
In conclusion
People are people
The human race
People are people
The human race
People are people (Yes, people are people)
The human race
So different (People are people) (People)
Unique, but similar
People are all the same
We all share a common bond
Writer(s): Jule Styne, Bob Merrill
Contributed by Emily T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Camila Fengen
People
People around the world
Share the same feelings
Black boy white girl
People don't close your eyes
Only love can save the world and make us survive
It's your life
It's your life
It's your life
It's your life
People around the world
Share the same fashion
For diamonds and pearls
People don't close your eyes
Only love can save the world and make us survive
Got to realize
Got to realize
Got to realize
Got to realize
People are people
People are people
People are people
So different
People are people
People are all the same
Camila Fengen
Pessoas
As pessoas ao redor do mundo
compartilham os mesmos sentimentos
Preto menino garota branca. Pessoa
não feche os olhos
Só o amor pode salvar o mundo e nos faz sobreviver
É a sua vida
É a sua vida
É a sua vida
É a sua vida
As pessoas ao redor do mundo
Compartilhar da mesma forma
Para diamantes e pérolas. Pessoa
não feche os olhos
Só o amor pode salvar o mundo e nos faz sobreviver
tem que perceber
tem que perceber
tem que perceber
tem que perceber
As pessoas são pessoas
As pessoas são pessoas
As pessoas são pessoas
tão diferente
As pessoas são pessoas
As pessoas são todas iguais
angieand leo
Laid back son un grupo sensacional. Y las letras de sus canciones hermosas. Muchas gracias por magnífica música. GRACIAS MUCHAS GRACIAS
paul hill
I don't understand why its taken me so long to discover this band
Benzaiten Apollo
the same with me (:
Mirno More
Well, it is good. It means that you are young.
Edgardo Gregorini
Todo a su debido tiempo hh
David Jones
Me too 😎
Christina Fresenborg
Me too
SyncMaster Tasos
I had my father playing that song sometimes in the car, almost twenty years ago when i was 5-6, i haven't listened to it since back then. The last few months the melody came into my mind and i only remembered the guitar, the vocals, and two lyrics : "people are people" and "got to realise". I tried playing it in my mind but couldn't remember any other lyric, nor find it in tube, finally i tried once more late that night searching the song by its lyrics (what i still remembered at least) and it worked out!( 2 hours after) Its really late, im going to listen to it tomorrow to remember those days ✌🏻
Rodrigo Prado
Solo da hora , timbre parecido com a afinação da guitarra do Santana
sAnJa
people.. the message is clear 💟