People Help the People

Album: Birdy (2011)
Charted: 33
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "People Help The People" is the third single from Birdy's self titled debut album, released when the British singer was just 15. All 11 tracks are cover versions; this one written and first released by Cherry Ghost, the performing name for Simon Aldred, who also wrote the song. He wrote it in December 2005 as a Christmas song in the tradition of John Lennon's "Give Peace A Chance," but it became something more universal.

    In the UK, the Cherry Ghost original went to #27 in 2007; Birdy's cover reached #33 in 2011 but was a much bigger hit in several other European countries, including Switzerland, where it reached #2.
  • "I was tremendously flattered by Birdy's cover," Simon Aldred of Cherry Ghost told Songfacts in 2023. "I thought it was beautiful and we have since written together and become good friends. Her cover was instrumental in starting me on a path for writing songs for other artists, which is now my main profession."

    Aldred's CV as a songwriter includes "For What It's Worth" by Liam Gallagher and "Not Your Muse" by Celeste.
  • Birdy's cover received attention in Australia in 2012 when it was used in a trailer for a Neighbours storyline.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Barney Hoskyns Explores The Forgotten History Of Woodstock, New York

Barney Hoskyns Explores The Forgotten History Of Woodstock, New YorkSong Writing

Our chat with Barney Hoskyns, who covers the wild years of Woodstock - the town, not the festival - in his book Small Town Talk.

Ron and Russell Mael of Sparks

Ron and Russell Mael of SparksSongwriter Interviews

The men of Sparks on their album Hippopotamus, and how Morrissey handled it when they suggested he lighten up.

Colbie Caillat

Colbie CaillatSongwriter Interviews

Since emerging from MySpace with her hit "Bubbly," Colbie has become a top songwriter, even crafting a hit with Taylor Swift.

Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty

Rob Thomas of Matchbox TwentySongwriter Interviews

Rob Thomas on his Social Distance Sessions, co-starring with a camel, and his friendship with Carlos Santana.

What Musicians Are Related to Other Musicians?

What Musicians Are Related to Other Musicians?Song Writing

A big list of musical marriages and family relations ranging from the simple to the truly dysfunctional.

Martin Page

Martin PageSongwriter Interviews

With Bernie Taupin, Martin co-wrote the #1 hits "We Built This City" and "These Dreams." After writing the Pretty Woman song for Go West, he had his own hit with "In the House of Stone and Light."