Songs About People

Updated April 1, 2024

When it comes to Songs About People, there are so many artists exploring this feeling. We wrote about 25 of our favorites.

Pumped Up Kicks by Foster The People

From the album, Torches, released on May 23, 2011

"Pumped Up Kicks" is a song about a school shooting, told from the perspective of the shooter. The song was written by frontman Mark Foster, who has said that it was inspired by a news report he saw about a school shooting. The song was produced by Paul Epworth and released as the lead single from the band's debut album, Torches, in September 2011. The song became a surprise hit, reaching number three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and becoming the band's most successful single to date.

People You Know by Selena Gomez

From the album, Rare, released on January 10, 2020

This song is about how the people we know can change over time. Gomez sings about how someone can be our friend one day and then turn into a stranger the next. She also talks about how we can never really know what someone is thinking or feeling. The song was produced by Marshmello and was released on Selena Gomez's album, Rare.

People Watching by Conan Gray

From the album, Superache, released on June 24, 2022

The song "People Watching" by Conan Gray is a pop song with an electronic production. The song is about Gray observing the people around him and feeling like an outsider. The song has a positive and upbeat message, despite the lyrics being about feeling like an outsider.

Beautiful People (feat. Khalid) by Ed Sheeran

From the album, Beautiful People (feat. Khalid), released on June 28, 2019

The song is a duet between Ed Sheeran and Khalid. It is a pop song with a light electronic production. The lyrics are about two people who are in love and appreciate each other for who they are, flaws and all.

People Are Strange by The Doors

From the album, Strange Days, released on September 25, 1967

"People Are Strange" is a song by American rock band the Doors, released as a single in September 1967 from their second album Strange Days. The song reached number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song was written by Doors guitarist Robby Krieger, and was inspired by his experiences with LSD. The song's lyrics are about the feeling of alienation that Krieger felt while under the influence of the drug. The song was recorded in March 1967, and was produced by Doors producer Paul A. Rothchild.

The Beautiful People by Marilyn Manson

From the album, Antichrist Superstar, released in 1996

"The Beautiful People" is a song by American rock band Marilyn Manson. It was released as the lead single from their second studio album, Antichrist Superstar in September 1996. The song was written by Marilyn Manson and Twiggy Ramirez, and was produced by Trent Reznor. The song is a commentary on the shallowness of the celebrity and fashion world. The lyrics describe a group of people who believe themselves to be better than others because of their looks and status. The song became a surprise hit, reaching the top 40 in several countries. It has since been considered one of Marilyn Manson's signature songs.

Float On by Modest Mouse

From the album, Good News For People Who Love Bad News, released on April 5, 2004

The song "Float On" by Modest Mouse was released in 2004 as the first single from their album Good News for People Who Love Bad News. The song was written by frontman Isaac Brock and produced by Dennis Herring. The song features a catchy guitar riff and optimistic lyrics about overcoming hardships. The song was a commercial success, peaking at #1 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and #38 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Like Real People Do by Hozier

From the album, Hozier (Expanded Edition), released on September 19, 2014

"Like Real People Do" is a folk-rock song by Irish singer-songwriter Hozier. It was released as the fourth single from his self-titled debut EP on October 24, 2013. The song is about a relationship between two lovers that is characterized by intimacy, connection, and understanding. The instrumentation includes guitars, strings, and percussion. The production was handled by Markus Dravs and mixed by Ruadhri Cushnan.

People by Agust D

From the album, D-2, released on May 22, 2020

"People" is a 2020 single by South Korean rapper Agust D, who is also the alter-ego of BTS member Suga. The song was produced by Suga himself, with other production credits going to Pdogg and Hiss Noise. The track is a dark and intense rap number, as Suga reflects on his life, his career and the people he has encountered. Lyrically, the song deals with themes of loneliness and feeling like an outsider, as well as his loneliness and longing for real connections with people. Musically, the song is driven by a hard-hitting hip-hop beat, which is punctuated by skittering hi-hats, strings, and other sonic effects. The song was released on August 16, 2020, and is the lead single from Agust D's second mixtape D-2.

People I Don't Like by UPSAHL

From the album, People I Don't Like, released on July 17, 2020

"People I Don't Like" is a song by American singer-songwriter UPSAHL. It was released as a single on October 19, 2018. The song is about a person who is surrounded by people who don't like them, but rather than trying to please everyone, they choose to focus on themselves. The upbeat pop production is driven by a bouncy synth melody and a steady beat. The song has been described as "an anthemic bop about self-gratitude, no matter the haters." The song was produced by Aaron Kamm and the One Drop, who have previously worked with Charlie Puth, Selena Gomez, and Marshmello.

People = Shit by Slipknot

From the album, Iowa, released in 2001

"People = Shit" is a single by American heavy metal band Slipknot, released on August 7, 2001. The song appears on the band's second album Iowa, and is one of the band's most popular songs. The song features a heavy and aggressive sound, driven by a distorted guitar riff and drums. Lyrically, the song is a scathing attack on people who pretend to be someone they are not. The lyrics are also highly critical of the music industry and its tendency to embrace false values. The song was produced by Ross Robinson and Slipknot, and was recorded in April 2001 at Sound City Studios in Van Nuys, California. The song was mixed by Andy Wallace and mastered by Howie Weinberg.

People Are Crazy by Billy Currington

From the album, Little Bit Of Everything, released on January 1, 2008

"People Are Crazy" is a country/pop crossover song by American singer/songwriter Billy Currington. It was released in April 2009 as the lead single from his fifth studio album, Little Bit of Everything. The song was written by Troy Jones, and produced by Mark Bright. It is an uptempo country/pop song, backed by a banjo and electric guitar, with lyrics that talk about the crazy things people do in the world. The song peaked at number 3 on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, and reached the top 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. It was certified 2x Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, and also won the 2010 Academy of Country Music Award for Song of the Year.