"People" is a song by British
R&B band
Soul II Soul, released in 1990 as the third single from their second album, ''
Vol. II: 1990 – A New Decade'' (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
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 ...
''
Hot Dance Club Play chart in the US.
Critical reception
Greg Sandow
Greg Sandow (born June 3, 1943) is an American music critic and composer.
Education
Sandow is a graduate of Harvard University, with a bachelor's degree in government. He is also a graduate of Yale University, with a master's degree in composi ...
from ''
Entertainment Weekly'' remarked that the band "sometimes
rein 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." 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". Nathaniel Wice from ''
Spin
Spin or spinning most often refers to:
* Spinning (textiles), the creation of yarn or thread by twisting fibers together, traditionally by hand spinning
* Spin, the rotation of an object around a central axis
* Spin (propaganda), an intentionally b ...
'' felt the best hooks come in "People", "an interpration of urban life in the Soul II Soul style—bright, lively and melodic."
Track listing
* 7", UK (1990)
#"People" – 3:50
#"Feelin' Free" – 4:14
* 12", UK & Europe (1990)
#"People" (12" Mix) – 5:35
#"People" (Alternate # 2) – 9:25
* CD single, UK & Europe (1990)
#"People" (7" Mix) – 3:50
#"People" (12" Mix) – 5:35
#"People" (Alternate #2) – 9:25
* CD maxi, Europe (1990)
#"People" (7" Mix) – 3:50
#"People" (LP Version) – 4:55
#"People" (12" Mix) – 5:35
#"People" (Alternate #1) – 5:26
#"People" (Acappella) – 4:56
Charts
References
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1990 singles
1990 songs
Soul II Soul songs
Song recordings produced by Nellee Hooper
Songs written by Jazzie B
Virgin Records singles