"Good People" is a protest song written and performed by Jack Johnson. It is the fourth track on the album ''

In Between Dreams ''In Between Dreams'' is the third studio album by singer-songwriter Jack Johnson, released by Brushfire Records in the United States on March 1, 2005 (see 2005 in music). The album received generally mixed reviews from music critics. However, ...

'' and was released as a single on May 9, 2005. Though the song has a positive and relaxing sound, it is a critic of contemporary

television Television, sometimes shortened to TV, is a telecommunication medium for transmitting moving images and sound. The term can refer to a television set, or the medium of television transmission. Television is a mass medium for advertisin ...

, especially with regard to frequent

violence Violence is the use of physical force so as to injure, abuse, damage, or destroy. Other definitions are also used, such as the World Health Organization's definition of violence as "the intentional use of physical force or Power (social and p ...

, and its effect on

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. The song is similar to the song "Cookie Jar" from Johnson's previous album '' On and On'', which also draws attention to the issue, but with a more explicit protest and melancholic sound.

Commercial performance

"Good People" peaked at number one on the ''

Billboard A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertise ...

'' Adult Alternative Songs chart in the United States. It also became a minor hit in the United Kingdom, peaking at number 50 on the

UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart (currently titled Official Singles Chart, with the upper section more commonly known as the Official UK Top 40) is compiled by the Official Charts Company (OCC), on behalf of the British record industry, listing the top-s ...

. It additionally reached number 25 in New Zealand and number 92 in the Netherlands. The single was certified

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by the

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Track listings

Canadian CD single # "Good People" # "No Other Way" (acoustic version) # "Butter Nut" # "Good People" (live video from the Kokua Festival) UK 7-inch single and European CD single # "Good People" # "No Other Way" (acoustic version) UK CD single # "Good People" # "No Other Way" (acoustic version) # "Butter Nut" UK DVD single # "Good People" (video) # "Butter Nut" (live video from the Kokua Festival) # "Making of ''In Between Dreams''" (filmed at The Mango Tree Hawaii, October 2004)

Charts

Certifications

Release history

References

{{Authority control 2005 singles 2005 songs Jack Johnson (musician) songs Protest songs Songs written by Jack Johnson (musician) Song recordings produced by Mario Caldato Jr.