The song officially premiered on BBC Radio 1 on August 22, 2019, as the “Hottest Record in the World,” one day prior to The 1975’s headline set at Reading and Leeds Festival.
The song was teased through promos after the band returned from their usual disappearance from social media representing the start of a new era. With this began a countdown to the release of the song on the band’s website. A promo consisting of lyrics from the song was first shared on May 7, 2019, through frontman Matty Healy’s social media accounts.
"'This song is right back to where we came from—almost what we were like in our first incarnation of the band. Very inspired by bands like Refused and Converge and stuff like that. It was around the time of the Alabama abortion bill and we’d just played a show in Alabama. It was the feeling of oppressive, conservative religion. It happened up on the tour bus. It was kind of like our “Youth Against Fascism"—[UK journalist] Dorian Lynskey said that. I was definitely thinking about that Sonic Youth song. I think that it’s about fear and apathy and referencing how annoying responsibility can feel. I wanted there to be like a slapstick madness to its urgency.'" - Matty Healy, via Apple Music
The music video has an epilepsy warning before the video, and features some flashing images. The music video is reminiscent of Marilyn Manson’s style and early ‘90’s music videos. It’s not visually scary but talks about the political and ecological issues in society.
In an interview with ‘NME’, ‘Matty’ said:
"'I wrote ‘People’ on my tour bus in Texas on the day the abortion bill was circulating in Alabama. After playing our show there in Alabama, we were advised to leave quickly due to Alabama being an Open Carry state [ie, one where citizens may carry guns in public]. So we did, and we soon stopped in a truck stop in Texas. I bought some Cheetos that were next to a collection of knives for incels and various bumper stickers encouraging women to give oral sex to truck drivers as some kind of trade for the privilege of being in the truck and in the presence of such a great man. I was pretty pissed off. I am pretty pissed off. God bless.'"
People
The 1975 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's Monday morning and we've only got a thousand of them left
Well, I know it feels pointless and you don't have any money
But we're all just gonna try our fucking best
Well, my generation wanna fuck Barack Obama
Living in a sauna with legal marijuana
Well, girls, food, gear
(Yeah, woo, yeah, that's right)
People like people
They want alive people
The young surprise people
Stop fucking with the, fucking with the
People like people
They want alive people
The young surprise people
Stop fucking with the, fucking with the
People like people
They want alive people
The young surprise people
Stop fucking with the, fucking with the
People like people
They want alive people
The young surprise people
Stop fucking with the kids
Wake up, wake up, wake up
We are appalling and we need to stop just watching shit in bed
And I know it sounds boring and we like things that are funny
But we need to get this in our fucking heads
The economy's a goner, republic's a banana, ignore it if you wanna
Fuck it, I'm just gonna get girls, food, gear
I don't like going outside, so bring me everything here
(Yeah, woo, yeah)
People like people
They want alive people
The young surprise people
Stop fucking with the, fucking with the
People like people
They want alive people
The young surprise people
Stop fucking with the, fucking with the
People like people
They want alive people
The young surprise people
Stop fucking with the kids
People like people
They want alive people
The young surprise people
Stop fucking with the kids
People like people
They want alive people
The young surprise people
Stop fucking with the, fucking with the
People like people
They want alive people
The young surprise people
Stop fucking with the, fucking with the
People like people
They want alive people
The young surprise people
Stop fucking with the kids
The 1975's song People touches upon the issue of social apathy often seen in the younger generation. The opening lines urge people to wake up and make the most of their limited time. The singer acknowledges the challenges of living in a world where money is scarce but encourages everyone to try their best regardless. The second verse highlights the prevailing issues that plague the world, including a failing economy and a flawed political system. Despite it all, the singer says he'd rather indulge in earthly pleasures such as women, food, and fashion.
The song is a commentary on the current state of society and the need for the younger generation to take action. The repeated line "People like people, they want alive people, the young surprise people" could be interpreted in two ways. One way is that people crave authenticity and individuality, they don't want conformists. Secondly, the young hold the potential to bring about change, but it's only possible if they're not held back or hindered.
Line by Line Meaning
Wake up, wake up, wake up
It's time to pay attention and take action
It's Monday morning and we've only got a thousand of them left
Time is ticking and we need to make the most of it
Well, I know it feels pointless and you don't have any money
Life can feel overwhelming and financial struggles can add to that
But we're all just gonna try our fucking best
Despite the challenges, we must persevere and do our best
Well, my generation wanna fuck Barack Obama
We crave change and want leaders who align with our values
Living in a sauna with legal marijuana
We imagine a future where things we desire are easily accessible and accepted
Well, girls, food, gear
These are things that bring us pleasure
I don't like going outside, so bring me everything here
We value convenience and comfort
People like people
We as humans value social connections
They want alive people
We want people who are present and engaged in life
The young surprise people
The youth have the power to surprise and make change happen
Stop fucking with the, fucking with the
Stop messing around and take things seriously
The economy's a goner, republic's a banana, ignore it if you wanna
The state of affairs can feel hopeless, but we can't turn a blind eye to it
Fuck it, I'm just gonna get girls, food, gear
Coping mechanisms may numb the pain temporarily
People like people
Our desire for social connections persists
Stop fucking with the kids
Protecting the innocence and potential of youth is essential
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Adam Hann, George Daniel, Matthew Healy, Ross MacDonald
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@newpianotutorials
Love it - The 1975 saves 2019 from itself
@anya1178
Remember that girl from the ring? Well this is her now. Feel old yet?
@locuratotal4
LMAO
@jirovalencia5701
HAHAHAHAHAHHA
@cherrywaveslay
💀
@Woofwoof369
Damn The Beatles snapped
@MidnightWanderer00
Damn. I didn't know she was in her Emo phase.
@JordanBarclay
The fact that a band can agree to go from “Sincerity Is Scary” to “People” is both terrifying and incredible
@andrewmaxwell5338
Their diversity is mindblowing. Only "Weird" Al Yankovic commands greater power
@dedrick7949
Listen to the new Poppy album