People Watching

"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." He later released his debut album, Kid Krow, in 2020 on which he also collaborated with Dan Nigro. The following year he released two singles, "Overdrive" and "Astronomy." Gray began teasing a third single, later revealed to be "People Watching," which was released on July 15, 2021. The song was featured as the second track on Gray's second studio album Superache in 2022. "Astronomy" was also released on the album while "Overdrive," and Gray's following single, "Telepath," were featured as bonus tracks on Superache's Japanese CD release.

Composition and lyrics
"People Watching" is an indie pop up-tempo ballad that explores the activity of people-watching. For the song, Gray collaborated with Julia Michaels and his producer Dan Nigro; the three share a writing credit on the single. Gray said he obtained the idea for the lyrics from eavesdropping on couples and wanting to share true romantic feelings with someone. He also explained that he had never dated anyone prior to writing the song, 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." 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. "People Watching" opens with a steady guitar and builds towards the end of the second verse. 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.

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. Ones to Watch writer Maxamillion Polo mentions the "emotional depth" that Gray harnesses in the track by highlighting the significance behind the lyrics. Uproxx's 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.

Credits and personnel
Adapted from Tidal.
 * Conan Gray – composer, lyricist, associated performer, background vocalist, vocals
 * Dan Nigro – producer, composer, lyricist, associated performer, background vocalist, bass, drum programming, percussion, piano, synthesizer
 * Julia Michaels – composer, lyricist, associated performer, background vocalist
 * Ryan Linvill – associated performer
 * Sterling Laws – associated performer, drums
 * Randy Merrill – mastering engineer, studio personnel
 * Serban Ghenea – mixer, studio personnel

Music video
A music video for the song, directed by Joe Mischo, was released on the day after the track. In the video, Gray is featured working in a café and jealously observes various couples drinking coffee and eating pastries. 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. 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.

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." It was also performed on the Superache Tour. "People Watching" was featured along with "Crush Culture" in the Heartstopper season two episode, "Sorry."