People (Soul II Soul song) explained

People
Cover:Soul_II_Soul-People.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Soul II Soul featuring Marcia Lewis
Released:1990
Genre:
Length:3:50
Label:Virgin
Producer:
Chronology:Soul II Soul
Prev Title:A Dream's a Dream
Prev Year:1990
Next Title:Missing You
Next Year:1990

"People" is a song by British R&B band Soul II Soul, released in 1990 as the third single from their second album, (1990). It features singer Marcia Lewis, who had performed on their previous single, "Get a Life". The song was a notable hit, peaking at number ten in Italy, number 16 in the Netherlands and number 46 in Germany. It is one of the few songs by the band not to chart in the UK. It reached number three on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart in the US.

Critical reception

Greg Sandow from Entertainment Weekly remarked that the band "sometimes [are] in a more lighthearted mood", as on the song, "where, to the pulse of a house-music beat, comments on crowds passing in the street evoke a vision of the humanity all of us share."[1] Paolo Hewitt from NME said, "It is only on "People", with its trite melody and even triter lyrics that the group show a rare lack of quality control".[2] Nathaniel Wice from Spin felt the best hooks come in "People", "an interpration of urban life in the Soul II Soul style—bright, lively and melodic."[3]

Track listing

  1. "People" – 3:50
  2. "Feelin' Free" – 4:14
  1. "People" (12" Mix) – 5:35
  2. "People" (Alternate # 2) – 9:25
  1. "People" (7" Mix) – 3:50
  2. "People" (12" Mix) – 5:35
  3. "People" (Alternate #2) – 9:25
  1. "People" (7" Mix) – 3:50
  2. "People" (LP Version) – 4:55
  3. "People" (12" Mix) – 5:35
  4. "People" (Alternate #1) – 5:26
  5. "People" (Acappella) – 4:56

Charts

Chart performance for "People"!Chart (1990)!Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[4] 90
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[5] 97
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[6] 12
Germany (Official German Charts)46
Italy (Musica e dischi)[7] 10
US Hot Dance Club Play (Billboard)3
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)44

Notes and References

  1. Sandow, Greg. Vol. II 1990 A New Decade. Entertainment Weekly. 1 June 1990. 18 October 2021.
  2. Paolo. Hewitt. NME. Long Play. 19 May 1990. 24 February 2023.
  3. Nathaniel. Wice. Spins. Spin. August 1990. 74. 23 January 2023.
  4. 261.
  5. Eurochart Hot 100 Singles. 13 October 1990. 22 June 2021. Music & Media.
  6. Book: Pennanen, Timo. Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021. 2021. Soul II Soul. 242. Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. Helsinki. 4 July 2022. fi.
  7. Web site: Classifiche. Musica e Dischi. it. 30 May 2022. Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Soul II Soul".