People Watching Explained

Cover:People_Watching_Cover.jpg
Caption:Cover art for the single release
Type:single
Artist:Conan Gray
Album:Superache
Genre:Indie pop
Length:2:38
Label:Republic
Producer:Dan Nigro
Prev Title:Astronomy
Prev Year:2021
Next Title:Telepath
Next Year:2021

"People Watching" is a song by American singer-songwriter Conan Gray. It was released by Republic Records on July 15, 2021 as a single from Gray's second studio album Superache. The single was written by Gray, Julia Michaels, and Dan Nigro, who also produced the song. Inspired by Gray's personal experiences during college, "People Watching" is an indie pop song that is about the similarly named activity of people-watching. The song received positive reviews from critics and was certified gold in Australia as well as placing on charts in New Zealand and Singapore. A music video featuring Gray working in a café was released on the day after the single.

Background and release

In 2017, Gray posted a tweet on Twitter stating "i love people watching so much."[1] He later released his debut album, Kid Krow, in 2020 on which he also collaborated with Dan Nigro.[2] The following year he released two singles, "Overdrive" and "Astronomy."[3] Gray began teasing a third single,[4] later revealed to be "People Watching," which was released on July 15, 2021.[5] The song was featured as the second track on Gray's second studio album Superache in 2022.[6] "Astronomy" was also released on the album while "Overdrive," and Gray's following single, "Telepath," were featured as bonus tracks on Superaches Japanese CD release.[7]

Composition and lyrics

"People Watching" is an indie pop up-tempo ballad that explores the activity of people-watching.[8] [9] For the song, Gray collaborated with Julia Michaels and his producer Dan Nigro; the three share a writing credit on the single.[10] Gray said he obtained the idea for the lyrics from eavesdropping on couples and wanting to share true romantic feelings with someone.[11] He also explained that he had never dated anyone prior to writing the song,[12] which is representative through lyrics in the chorus which states, "but I wanna feel all that love and emotion; be that attached to the person I'm holding; someday, I'll be falling without caution; but for now, I'm only people watching."[13] The overall concept of the song expands on Gray's view of romantic relationships which he previously explored in songs such as "Crush Culture" from his 2018 extended play, Sunset Season.[14] "People Watching" opens with a steady guitar and builds towards the end of the second verse.[15] The bridge features increasing bass, piano, and drums over the lyrics "Cut people out like tags on my clothing" followed by Gray describing life as being monotone.[16] [17]

Critical reception

Robin Murray with Clash said the song "balances a longing for love with an awareness of loneliness" and notes Gray's ability to write from the perspective of an outsider.[18] Ones to Watch writer Maxamillion Polo mentions the "emotional depth" that Gray harnesses in the track by highlighting the significance behind the lyrics.[19] Uproxxs Caitlin White describes the single as "vulnerable" mentioning how the song is told from a position where the subject is safe from relationship turmoil but at the same time, lacks intimacy.[20]

Charts

Chart (2021)Peak
position
Singapore (RIAS)[21] 25
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[22] 22

Credits and personnel

Adapted from Tidal.[23]

Music video

A music video for the song, directed by Joe Mischo, was released on the day after the track.[24] In the video, Gray is featured working in a café and jealously observes various couples drinking coffee and eating pastries.[25] In the process of people-watching, he falls behind in performing his job duties causing a croissant to catch fire and allowing a coffee mug to fall to the ground and break; as the other employees deal with mishap, the café fills with smoke while Gray appears unfazed and continues to people-watch.[26] [27] Gray attributed the concept of the video to his time in college when he would regularly people-watch in a similar café on campus. He also stated he would joke about being terrible at working in a café with his best friend Ashley who appeared in the video.[28] [29]

Live performances and other uses

Gray performed "People Watching" along with "Disaster" and "Memories" from Superache and "Heather" from Kid Krow on The Today Show as part of their "Citi Concert Series."[30] It was also performed on the Superache Tour.[31] "People Watching" was featured along with "Crush Culture" in the Heartstopper season two episode, "Sorry."[32]

Notes and References

  1. 856918131578744832. i love people watching so much. conangray. Gray. Conan. Conan Gray. April 25, 2017. April 15, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240417062702/https://twitter.com/conangray/status/856918131578744832. April 17, 2024. live.
  2. Web site: Conan Gray releases new single People Watching for "all my fellow lonely people". Corner. Lewis. July 15, 2021. April 14, 2024. Gay Times. November 30, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211130100924/https://www.gaytimes.co.uk/culture/conan-gray-new-single-people-watching/. live.
  3. Web site: Conan Gray had Dropped his New Single 'People Watching'. Newton. Felicity. July 15, 2021. April 14, 2024. Dork. June 3, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230603154527/https://readdork.com/news/conan-gray-single-people-watching/. live.
  4. 1404137615012491265. life feels so monotone. conangray. Gray. Conan. Conan Gray. June 13, 2021. April 16, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20220802141931/https://twitter.com/conangray/status/1404137615012491265. August 2, 2022. live.
  5. Web site: Conan Gray Releases New Single "People Watching". July 15, 2021. April 16, 2024. Arambulo Live. November 30, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231130040525/https://arambulolive.com/2021/07/15/conan-gray-releases-new-single-people-watching/. live.
  6. Web site: Superache: A Review of Conan Gray's Newest Album. Hicks. Shaeley. August 10, 2022. April 16, 2024. Unpublished Zine. April 16, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240416075328/https://www.unpublishedzine.com/music/superache-a-review-of-conan-grays-newest-album. live.
  7. Web site: スーパーエイク. June 24, 2022. April 15, 2024. Japanese. Amazon. April 16, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240416075517/https://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/B0B1Q5WZXT. live.
  8. Web site: Conan Gray, 'People Watching'. Hernandez-Simeonidis. Sofie. August 12, 2021. April 14, 2024. NPR Music. May 17, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220517105627/https://www.npr.org/sections/now-playing/2021/08/12/1027107152/conan-gray-people-watching. live.
  9. Web site: Conan Gray Goes "People Watching". Coleman. Diana. July 19, 2021. April 14, 2024. Music Daily. June 7, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230607113513/https://musicdaily.com/conan-gray-goes-people-watching/. live.
  10. Web site: Conan Gray Releases Relatable New Single "People Watching". Koh. Vanessa. July 16, 2021. April 14, 2024. Pop Nerd Lounge. July 16, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210716173556/https://popnerdlounge.com/read/conan-gray-releases-relatable-new-single-people-watching. live.
  11. Web site: Conan Gray releases new song 'People Watching'. Graves. Shahlin. July 15, 2021. April 14, 2024. Coup De Main Magazine. December 7, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231207214438/https://www.coupdemainmagazine.com/conan-gray/17732. live.
  12. Web site: Conan Gray Releases New Track 'People Watching'. July 15, 2021. April 14, 2024. DIY. December 10, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231210142645/https://diymag.com/news/conan-gray-people-watching. live.
  13. Web site: Conan Gray, a Budding Pop Singer Who Feels It All. Gordon. Jeremy. June 28, 2022. April 14, 2024. The New York Times. subscription. January 17, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240117012803/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/28/arts/music/conan-gray-superache.html. live.
  14. Web site: Review: A Track By Track Analysis Of Conan Gray's Debut EP "Sunset Season". Ehrlich. Helen. November 16, 2018. April 16, 2024. Affinity Magazine. December 7, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231207211523/https://culture.affinitymagazine.us/review-a-track-by-track-analysis-of-conan-grays-debut-ep-sunset-season/. live.
  15. Web site: Conan Gray Releases Hit "People Watching". Ehrlich. Helen. September 12, 2021. April 14, 2024. Affinity Magazine. September 22, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230922110819/https://culture.affinitymagazine.us/conan-gray-releases-hit-people-watching/. live.
  16. Web site: Conan Gray "People Watching" Song Review. Joshi. Mitali. July 12, 2022. April 14, 2024. WKNC-FM. October 4, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231004193128/https://wknc.org/2022/07/12/conan-gray-people-watching-song-review/. live.
  17. Web site: 'People Watching' Proves Longing Can Exist Without Loneliness. Sani. Fatima. August 12, 2021. April 14, 2024. Study Breaks Magazine. April 16, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240416075621/https://studybreaks.com/culture/sounds/people-watching-longing-and-loneliness/. live.
  18. Web site: Conan Gray Shares Bittersweet Jewel 'People Watching'. Murray. Robin. July 15, 2021. April 14, 2024. Clash. October 3, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221003205106/https://www.clashmusic.com/news/conan-gray-shares-bittersweet-jewel-people-watching/. live.
  19. Web site: Conan Gray's "People Watching" Sees Him Turning His Deeply Personal Songwriting Outward. Polo. Maxamillion. July 16, 2021. April 14, 2024. Ones to Watch. November 29, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221129152525/https://www.onestowatch.com/en/blog/conan-gray-people-watching. live.
  20. Web site: Conan Gray Is 'People Watching' In His Vulnerable New Single. White. Caitlin. July 14, 2021. April 14, 2024. Uproxx. May 29, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230529014556/https://uproxx.com/pop/conan-gray-people-watching/. live.
  21. Web site: RIAS Top Charts Week 29 (16 - 22 Jul 2021). RIAS. June 13, 2024. July 29, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210729060927/https://www.rias.org.sg/rias-top-charts/.
  22. Web site: NZ Hot Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. July 26, 2021. June 13, 2024.
  23. Web site: Credits/People Watching/Conan Gray - TIDAL. April 14, 2024. tidal. April 16, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240416075554/https://listen.tidal.com/album/190293194/credits. live.
  24. Web site: Conan Gray Shares Yearning Visual For Latest Single 'People Watching'. Paul. Larisha. July 16, 2021. April 14, 2024. UDiscover Music. September 21, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230921184928/https://www.udiscovermusic.com/news/conan-gray-people-watching-music-video/. live.
  25. Web site: Conan Gray almost burns down a café in the new video for 'People Watching'. Robinson. Ellie. July 17, 2021. April 14, 2024. NME. April 6, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240406053838/https://www.nme.com/news/music/conan-gray-almost-burns-down-a-cafe-in-the-new-video-for-people-watching-2995845. live.
  26. Web site: Conan Gray's Releases Music for New Single "People Watching". July 19, 2021. April 14, 2024. VMan. April 16, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240416075329/https://vmagazine.com/article/conan-grays-releases-music-video-for-new-single-people-watching/. live.
  27. Mischo, Joe (director). People Watching - Music Video by Conan Gray - Apple Music. Music video. July 15, 2021. April 15, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20230330182211/https://music.apple.com/us/music-video/people-watching/1576370625. March 30, 2023. UMG Recordings. subscription. live.
  28. Web site: Conan Gray - 'People Watching' music video. Graves. Shahlin. July 19, 2021. April 15, 2024. Coup De Main Magazine. September 21, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230921151558/https://coupdemainmagazine.com/conan-gray/17740. live.
  29. CRZUL1OpsAe. ash n cone reunited for the "people watching" music video :,) out now. hope u enjoy <3. conangray. Gray. Conan. Conan Gray. July 16, 2021. April 15, 2024. https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/instagram/conangray/2619213432291246110_2619213428080192777. April 17, 2024. live.
  30. Web site: Watch Conan Gray hit the plaza with stellar performances — and a bold outfit. Hines. Ree. June 24, 2022. April 15, 2024. The Today Show. October 29, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231029061001/https://www.today.com/popculture/citi-music-series/watch-conan-gray-give-stellar-performance-in-bold-outfit-rcna35195. live.
  31. Web site: Concert Review: Conan Gray Aestheticizes Pain, Pleasure and Pining on his "Superache" Tour. Lawler. Lucky. October 3, 2022. April 16, 2024. The Lantern. January 23, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240123175648/https://www.thelantern.com/2022/10/concert-review-conan-gray-aestheticizes-pain-pleasure-and-pining-on-his-superache-tour/. live.
  32. Web site: Heartstopper season 2 soundtrack: Every song in Netflix drama. Craig. David. August 3, 2023. April 16, 2024. Radio Times. August 7, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230807191703/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/heartstopper-netflix-soundtrack/. live.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "People Watching".

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