River of People explained

River of People
Cover:Love and Money River of People 1987 single cover.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Love and Money
Album:All You Need Is...
B-Side:Desire
Released:9 January 1987[1]
Label:
Producer:Tom Dowd
Prev Title:Dear John
Prev Year:1986
Next Title:Love and Money
Next Year:1987

"River of People" is a song by Scottish band Love and Money, which was released in 1987 as the third single from their debut studio album All You Need Is.... The song was written by James Grant and Bobby Paterson, and produced by Tom Dowd. "River of People" reached No. 82 in the UK Singles Chart and remained in the Top 100 for four weeks.[2]

Critical reception

On its release as a single, William Shaw of Smash Hits described "River of People" as "very enjoyable" and an "optimistic, soulful thing that swings along at a joyful pace".[3] Kid Jensen, writing for Number One, noted the song's "loose arrangement which sounds effortlessly slick and is not too dissimilar to the Style Council's recent offering". He concluded, "It's the sort of white dance music I favour and which could even have some impact in the American market."[4]

Lesley O'Toole of Record Mirror felt the song was "less overtly aggressive" than "Candybar Express" and "less Hall & Oates" than "Dear John". She wrote, "'River of People' sees Grant drawing in his quiff (metaphorically speaking), toning down the squealing guitars a mite and unravelling his most conventional rocker to date. Forceful, fixating and damned wearing on the toes." She concluded that the song "should give them the shortest odds on a hit yet".[5] Jerry Smith of Music Week described "River of People" as a "bright and lively dance track". He added, "Its strong vocal and irresistible, bubbling beat within a crisp production should pick up plenty of exposure and follow 'Candybar Express' at least to the lower reaches of the charts."[6] Music & Media picked the song as one of their "records of the week" during April 1987.[7]

Track listing

7-inch single[8]

  1. "River of People" – 4:25
  2. "Desire" – 4:40

12-inch single[9]

  1. "River of People" (Extended Mix) – 7:03
  2. "Candybar Express" (Shep Pettibone Mix) – 5:59
  3. "Desire" – 4:40

Double 12-inch single[10]

  1. "River of People" (Extended Mix) – 7:03
  2. "Candybar Express" (Shep Pettibone Mix) – 5:59
  3. "Desire" – 4:40
  4. "River of People" (Acapella Version) – 5:

12-inch single (UK promo)[11]

  1. "River of People" (Extended Mix) – 7:03
  2. "Candybar Express" (Shep Pettibone Mix) – 5:59

Personnel

Credits are adapted from the UK 12-inch single sleeve notes and the All You Need Is... booklet.[9] [12]

Love and Money

Production

Notes and References

  1. Smith . Robin . News Digest . . 10 January 1987 . 6 . 0144-5804.
  2. Web site: LOVE & MONEY; full Official Chart History . Official Charts Company . 15 October 2021.
  3. Shaw. William. 14 January 1987. Singles. Smash Hits. 50.
  4. Jensen. Kid. 7 February 1987. Singles. Number One. 27.
  5. O'Toole . Lesley . Singles . . 10 January 1987 . 11 . 0144-5804.
  6. Smith. Jerry. 17 January 1987. A&R: Singles. Music Week. 13. World Radio History. 15 October 2021.
  7. 25 April 1987. M&M Euro Tip Page. Music & Media. 17. World Radio History. 15 October 2021.
  8. River of People. Love and Money. 1987. UK 7-inch single sleeve. Mercury Records. MONEY 3.
  9. River of People. Love and Money. 1987. UK 12-inch single sleeve. Mercury Records. MONEY 312.
  10. River of People. Love and Money. 1987. UK 12-inch single sleeve. Mercury Records. MONEY 313.
  11. River of People. Love and Money. 1987. UK 12-inch promotional single sleeve. Mercury Records. MADDOX 19.
  12. All You Need Is.... All You Need Is.... Love and Money. 1986. UK album CD booklet. Mercury Records. 830 021-2.

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