People (Soul II Soul song)

"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 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." 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 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)
 * 1) "People" – 3:50
 * 2) "Feelin' Free" – 4:14


 * 12", UK & Europe (1990)
 * 1) "People" (12" Mix) – 5:35
 * 2) "People" (Alternate # 2) – 9:25


 * CD single, UK & Europe (1990)
 * 1) "People" (7" Mix) – 3:50
 * 2) "People" (12" Mix) – 5:35
 * 3) "People" (Alternate #2) – 9:25


 * CD maxi, Europe (1990)
 * 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