Beautiful People

Big Country

About Beautiful People

"Beautiful People" is a song by Scottish rock band Big Country, released in 1991 as the second and final single from their fifth studio album No Place Like Home. It was written by Stuart Adamson and produced by Pat Moran. "Beautiful People" reached No. 72 on the UK Singles Chart, and No. 36 on the BBC's Heavy Metal/Rock chart. The song's music video was directed by Roger Pomphrey and shot at Peckham, London. Speaking to the Big Country fanzine Inwards in 1991, Adamson said of the song: "This is about how you can find cool things in the most fucked-up places. " 


Year:
2017
5:32
39 
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If beauty is an ecstasy and anger keeps you poor
A hungry man is never free, a rich man never cured
Things were never what they used to be
Now every crowd has its silver lining, we all got stuff to sell

And you may live your life so bitter, but you remember it so well
Things were never what they used to be
For all the folks who can run the world, drive cabs or cut your hair
And the sun may set without your help, but you're beautiful people to me

You may fall before you're pushed, but it's beautiful people I see
If you only see the stars when it's dark, that's enough for me
An empty soul with a full opinion is beautiful people to me
It's all the same in different hats, the proof of the missing link
A nation talking to itself and none of us can think
Things were never what they used to be
For a silent fool may still be wise, there's no way you can tell
And the captain more scared than his crew is beautiful people to me
And the finest government you could buy, it's beautiful people I see
If you live five to one against, it's good enough for me
Can't use two steps to cross a canyon, you're beautiful people to me
If you don't see the same trees I see, you're beautiful people to me
Make deserts bloom and oceans die, just beautiful people to me
If you're lost and dying of civilization, that's enough for me
If you believe your own blind eye, you're beautiful people to me
And you may miss what you never had and have what you don't need
And the sun may set without your help, but you're beautiful people to me
You may fall before you're pushed, but it's beautiful people I see
If you only see the stars when it's dark, that's enough for me
An empty soul with a full opinion is beautiful people to me
And the captain more scared than his crew is beautiful people to me
And the finest government you could buy, it's beautiful people I see
If you live five to one against, it's good enough for me
Can't use two steps to cross a canyon, you're beautiful people to me
If you don't see the same trees I see, you're beautiful people to me
Make deserts bloom and oceans die, just beautiful people to me
If you're lost and dying of civilization, that's enough for me

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Big Country

Big Country is an internationally-renowned Scottish rock band formed in Dunfermline, Fife in 1981. more »

2 fans

Written by: STUART ADAMSON

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Release Date
"Beautiful People" by Big Country was released in August 1991, it was the first single from their fifth studio album, "No Place Like Home".
Album
The album "No Place Like Home" marked a stylistic shift for Big Country, moving away from their initial post-punk and alternative rock sound to a more classic rock and folk-influenced style.
Chart Performance
Despite its catchy tune and deep lyrics, "Beautiful People" didn't do very well on the charts. It only managed to reach number 48 on the UK Singles Chart.
Line-up
This song was performed by the classic line-up of Stuart Adamson (vocals, guitar), Bruce Watson (guitar), Tony Butler (bass), and Mark Brzezicki (drums).
Video
The video for "Beautiful People" was shot in black and white, a stark contrast to the colorful cover of the album. This may have been intended to reflect the song's commentary on societal expectations and identity.
Meaning
The lyrics of “Beautiful People” delves into the perceived need for society's approval, reflecting on humanity's external focus and the pressure to conform to societal standards of beauty, hence the title "Beautiful People".
Songwriter
The song was written by Stuart Adamson. Adamson was known for his poignant, metaphorical lyrical writing style.
Live Performances
Despite the lack of substantial commercial success, "Beautiful People" remained a fan favorite and regularly featured in the band's live sets.
Legacy
While not one of Big Country's bigger hits, "Beautiful People" further established the band's prowess in blending rock and folk elements, leaving an indelible mark in rock history.
Band's View
In various interviews, band members have shared that they believe "Beautiful People" was a high point creatively and one of the strongest tracks on the "No Place Like Home" album. Despite its poor chart performance, they remain proud of this song.
Critical Reception
Critics have lauded "Beautiful People" for its catchy guitar riffs, its poignant lyrics and its anthemic chorus, though some have criticized its less edgy, "more poppy" style.

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