People Are People
Depeche Mode
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People are people so why should it be You and I should get along so awfully So we're different colours And we're different creeds And different people have different needs It's obvious you hate me Though I've done nothing wrong I never even met you So what could I have done 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 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
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Written by: Martin Gore
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Album Inclusion"People Are People" is a song by the British synth-pop band Depeche Mode. It is featured as the tenth track on their fourth studio album, "Some Great Reward" released in 1984.
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Notable Chart PerformanceThe song achieved significant success and popularity on the charts globally. In the United States, it was Depeche Mode's first hit, reaching number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1985.
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Top Ranking in Germany"People Are People" was a number 1 hit in West Germany, making it Depeche Mode's most successful single in that country.
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Social ThemeThe song carries a strong social message. Its lyrics ask why humans can’t accept each other’s differences and why they tend to conflict with one another. This resonated with a lot of fans making the song an anthem for equality.
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Notable Sound EffectsDepeche Mode used innovative sound effects in "People Are People" including the use of metal pipes and chains to create a unique percussion sound. This added to the overall impact of the song and marked it as uniquely innovative for its era.
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Critics' ReceptionWhile it did well commercially, critics' opinions on "People Are People" were divided. Some hailed it as a pop song with a great message, while others found it too simplistic, direct, or lacking in depth.
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Band's ViewDespite its popularity, the band members, especially Martin Gore, aren’t fond of the song due to its straightforward and simplistic lyrics. They have often left it out of their setlists in recent years.
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Use in AdvertisingIn 1984, the song was also used in a television commercial for the PacTel Corporation, making it even more popular in the process.
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Remixes and Cover Versions"People Are People" has been remixed several times and covered by a number of other artists, including RuPaul and A Perfect Circle, indicating its lasting influence in pop culture.
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Notable AwardsThe success of "People Are People" helped Depeche Mode earn their first gold record in America in 1985.
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Citation
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"People Are People Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 14 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/16202396/Depeche+Mode/People+Are+People>.
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