People Help the People

"People Help the People" is the second single taken from Cherry Ghost's début album, Thirst for Romance. It was made available to download on 11 June 2007, and followed two weeks later on CD and 7-inch vinyl. The band played the song live on Later... with Jools Holland on 24 November 2006. Jimi Goodwin of the band Doves plays drums on the single. "People Help the People" peaked the UK Singles Chart at number 27.^[1] The song was also a hit in Italy.

"People Help the People"
Single by Cherry Ghost
from the album Thirst for Romance
Released	12 June 2007
Recorded	Ape (Little Neston, Cheshire, England)
Genre	Indie rock
Length	3:59
Label	Heavenly
Songwriter(s)	Simon Aldred
Producer(s)	Dan Austin Simon Aldred
Cherry Ghost singles chronology
"Mathematics" (2007) "People Help the People" (2007) "4 AM" (2007)

The song was written in Aldred's childhood box room bedroom in Bolton in the run up to Christmas 2005.^[2]

Two music videos were produced for the song, one directed by Huse Monfaradi,^[3] the other one directed by Chris Hopewell.^[4]

Track listings

All songs written by Simon Aldred, except where noted.

CD (HVN168CD):

1. "People Help the People" – 3:59
2. "Four Eyes" – 4:47

7" vinyl (HVN168):

1. "People Help the People" – 3:59
2. "Please Come Home" (Aldred, Parsons, Rhodes) – 4:39

Download (UK iTunes only):

1. "People Help the People" – 3:59
2. "People Help the People" (Cowboys and Cosmonauts Remix) – 4:10

Weekly charts

Chart (2007)	Peak position
Ireland (IRMA)[5]	41
Italy (FIMI)[6]	23
United Kingdom (Official Charts Company)[7]	27

Birdy version

"People Help the People"
Single by Birdy
from the album Birdy
B-side	"Without a Word"
Released	28 October 2011 (2011-10-28)
Recorded	2011
Genre	Folk soul
Length	4:16
Label	Warner Music
Songwriter(s)	Simon Aldred
Birdy singles chronology
"Shelter" (2011) "People Help the People" (2011) "1901" (2012)
Music video
"People Help the People" (Official) on YouTube

English musician Birdy released a cover version of the song, on 28 October 2011 as a download in the United Kingdom. In 2012, the song received attention in Australia when it was used in a trailer for a Neighbours storyline.^[8]

Music video

A music video to accompany the release of "People Help the People" was released on YouTube on 6 October 2011 with a total length of four minutes and eighteen seconds.^[9] It was shot in black and white, and features Birdy walking through London. The video had 237 million views as of April 2025^[update]. Another music video, released on YouTube 30 October 2012, was shot in France. It was directed by Florent Déchard.^[10]

Track listing

Download

No.	Title	Length
1.	"People Help the People"	4:16
2.	"People Help the People" (Two Inch Punch Remix)	4:53
3.	"People Help the People" (Dawn Golden and Rosy Cross Remix)	6:30
4.	"Without a Word"	3:08

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2011–2014)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)[11]	10
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[12]	7
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[13]	2
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[14]	5
Czech Republic (Rádio – Top 100)[15]	13
Denmark (Tracklisten)[16]	37
France (SNEP)[17]	7
Germany (GfK)[18]	3
Ireland (IRMA)[19]	84
Italy (FIMI)[20]	22
Luxembourg Digital Songs (Billboard)[21]	1
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[22]	5
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[23]	5
Scotland (OCC)[24]	30
Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[25]	19
Slovenia (SloTop50)[26]	1
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[27]	7
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[28]	2
UK Singles (OCC)[29]	33

Year-end charts

Chart (2012)	Position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[30]	9
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[31]	17
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[32]	16
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[33]	22

Chart (2013)	Position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[34]	49
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[35]	61
France (SNEP)[36]	31
Germany (Media Control AG)[37]	37
Slovenia (SloTop50)[38]	14
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[39]	12

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[40]	3× Platinum	210,000‡
Austria (IFPI Austria)[41]	Platinum	30,000*
Belgium (BRMA)[42]	Platinum	30,000*
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[43]	Gold	45,000‡
France (SNEP)[44]	Gold	75,000*
Germany (BVMI)[45]	Platinum	300,000^
Italy (FIMI)[46]	Platinum	50,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[47]	Gold	15,000‡
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[48]	Gold	30,000‡
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[49]	2× Platinum	60,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[50]	Platinum	600,000‡
* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Country	Date	Format	Label
Ireland	28 October 2011[51]	Download	Warner Music
United Kingdom	30 October 2011[52]

See also

• Mr Bates vs The Post Office