We Are The People

Album: Walking on a Dream (2008)
Charted: 14
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Empire of the Sun are singer Luke Steele, of critically lauded but commercially unsuccessful Aussie indie band The Sleepy Jackson, and fellow Australian Nick Littlemore of house duo Pnau. The duo took their name from the JG Ballard novel, which Steven Spielberg made into a cinema film in 1987.
  • The duo are both committed Christians and in an interview with The Sunday Times February 1, 2009, Luke Steele described the music as "our ministry." Steele went on to tell a story about the making of the song's video, which used the ancient Mexican festival Day of the Dead as an inspiration and was partly shot in a church in the Mexican desert: "Nick and I went in that morning and prayed, and it had this quiet energy. We filmed a segment and it was beautiful, holy. Suddenly, the whole church starts to fill up with the director and crew. Everyone is cussing and smoking and making a noise. The next thing we know - boom! All the lights start making this terrible screeching sound, and it won't stop. The producer, a Mexican guy, turns to me and says, 'We should go.'"

Comments: 2

  • Ruth from Brighton, England.One of my favourite videos and songs ever! Remember: 'Agua es Vida' water is life...
  • Allox from Pom, --Amazing song. So blown away when I saw the video clip too.

    The shots, dancing, makeup/costumes, energy just gets to me everytime!!!!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Supertramp founder Roger Hodgson

Supertramp founder Roger HodgsonSongwriter Interviews

Roger tells the stories behind some of his biggest hits, including "Give a Little Bit," "Take the Long Way Home" and "The Logical Song."

Hardy

HardySongwriter Interviews

The country hitmaker talks about his debut album, A Rock, and how a nursery rhyme inspired his hit single "One Beer."

Arrested For Your Art - The Story Of 2 Live Crew's "Obscene" Album

Arrested For Your Art - The Story Of 2 Live Crew's "Obscene" AlbumSong Writing

In the summer of 1990, you could get arrested for selling a 2 Live Crew album or performing their songs in Southern Florida. And that's exactly what happened.

Weird Al Yankovic

Weird Al YankovicFact or Fiction

Did Al play on a Beach Boys record? Did he have beef with George Lucas and Coolio? See if you can spot weird but true stories.

The Truth Is Out There: A History of Alien Songs

The Truth Is Out There: A History of Alien SongsSong Writing

The trail runs from flying saucer songs in the '50s, through Bowie, blink-182 and Katy Perry.

Michelle Branch

Michelle BranchSongwriter Interviews

Michelle Branch talks about "Everywhere," "The Game Of Love," and her run-in with a Christian broadcasting network.