The People That We Love
Encyclopedia
"The People That We Love" is a song by post-grunge
band Bush
and the lead single
from their fourth album Golden State
. "The People That We Love" could not be included on future compilations such as The Best Of: 1994–1999 due to lack of licensing rights.
The song was initially titled "Speed Kills," which can be found on early promotional copies, but it was changed to "The People That We Love" out of sensitivity for the victims of the September 11th terrorist attacks in the United States; this title was borrowed from the first line of the chorus. The song's lyrical theme revolves around global acts of violence and the destruction they cause; although, it was also rumored to be inspired by the Clinton
/Gore
US presidential campaign
documentary, The War Room
. Gavin Rossdale noted that the title has "nothing to do with war and nothing to do with aggression -- it was the speed of thought."
Stylistically, "The People That We Love" saw a return to form after the experimental sounds of Deconstructed
and The Science of Things
. The music video
was a big success on television outlets such as MTV2
and MMUSA
. Described once as "stop-start grunge
heroics," the song also found significant radio play within the early weeks of release but was unable to persevere like early Bush singles.
"The People That We Love" was also featured on the popular video game Need for Speed Hot Pursuit 2 and the CW TV series Smallville
.
Post-grunge
Post-grunge is a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged in the mid-1990s as a derivative of grunge, using the sounds and aesthetic of grunge, but with a more commercially acceptable tone...
band Bush
Bush (band)
Bush are an alternative rock band formed in London in 1992 shortly after vocalist/guitarist Gavin Rossdale and guitarist Nigel Pulsford met in a London nightclub. Realising they shared a love for such diverse artists as the Pixies, Bob Marley, The Jesus Lizard, MC5, Nirvana, Hüsker Dü, and Big...
and the lead single
Lead single
A lead single is usually the first single released by a musician or a band before the release of its home album.During the era of the grammophone record, all music arrived in the marketplace as what is now termed a single, one potential hit song backed by an additional song of generally less...
from their fourth album Golden State
Golden State (album)
Golden State is the fourth studio album by British post-grunge band Bush, released in 2001. Stylistically, it was seen as a return to the post-grunge that Bush became famous for in contrast to their more recent experimental work. However, it ended up being their worst-selling album to date, not...
. "The People That We Love" could not be included on future compilations such as The Best Of: 1994–1999 due to lack of licensing rights.
The song was initially titled "Speed Kills," which can be found on early promotional copies, but it was changed to "The People That We Love" out of sensitivity for the victims of the September 11th terrorist attacks in the United States; this title was borrowed from the first line of the chorus. The song's lyrical theme revolves around global acts of violence and the destruction they cause; although, it was also rumored to be inspired by the Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
/Gore
Al Gore
Albert Arnold "Al" Gore, Jr. served as the 45th Vice President of the United States , under President Bill Clinton. He was the Democratic Party's nominee for President in the 2000 U.S. presidential election....
US presidential campaign
Bill Clinton presidential campaign, 1992
Bill Clinton's 1992 campaign for President of the United States was a critical turning point for the Democratic Party, which had controlled the White House for only four of the previous twenty-four years. Initially viewed as an unlikely prospect to win his party's nomination, Clinton did so and...
documentary, The War Room
The War Room
The War Room is a 1993 American documentary film about Bill Clinton's campaign for President of the United States during the 1992 presidential election.-Background:...
. Gavin Rossdale noted that the title has "nothing to do with war and nothing to do with aggression -- it was the speed of thought."
Stylistically, "The People That We Love" saw a return to form after the experimental sounds of Deconstructed
Deconstructed (Bush album)
Deconstructed is a remix album by British post-grunge band Bush. It did not feature any truly new material more so than it was a collaborative effort between the band and various producers working in the electronic genre of music which showcased complete remixes of the band's previous songs,...
and The Science of Things
The Science of Things
The Science Of Things is the third studio album by British post-grunge band Bush. Released in 1999, it was the last Bush album under Trauma Records...
. The music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
was a big success on television outlets such as MTV2
MTV2
MTV2 is a cable network that is widely available in the United States on digital cable and satellite television, and is progressively being added to analogue cable lineups across the nation...
and MMUSA
Fuse TV
Fuse is an American national television network dedicated exclusively to music. It features original series and specials, exclusive interviews, live concerts and video blocks....
. Described once as "stop-start grunge
Grunge
Grunge is a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged during the mid-1980s in the American state of Washington, particularly in the Seattle area. Inspired by hardcore punk, heavy metal, and indie rock, grunge is generally characterized by heavily distorted electric guitars, contrasting song...
heroics," the song also found significant radio play within the early weeks of release but was unable to persevere like early Bush singles.
"The People That We Love" was also featured on the popular video game Need for Speed Hot Pursuit 2 and the CW TV series Smallville
Smallville (TV series)
Smallville is an American television series developed by writers/producers Alfred Gough and Miles Millar based on the DC Comics character Superman, originally created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. The television series was initially broadcast by The WB Television Network , premiering on October...
.
Track listing
- AUS CD Single 7567851622
- "The People That We Love" - 4:03
- "American Eyes" - 3:36
- "The People That We Love [Golden Dub Mix]" - 5:42
- UK Promo CD Single PRO2782
- "Speed Kills [Album Version]" - 4:03
Chart positions
| Chart (2002) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
— |
| U.S. Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles The Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States. It lists the top 25 singles below number 100 that have not yet charted on the Billboard Hot 100. Sometimes, however, singles halt their progress on this chart, and never appear on the Hot 100... |
14 |
| U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks Mainstream Rock Tracks Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks is a ranking in Billboard magazine of the most-played songs on mainstream rock radio stations, a category that includes stations that play primarily rock music. Modern rock tracks are counted in the Alternative Songs chart.This chart began with the March 21, 1981, issue... |
10 |
| U.S. Billboard Modern Rock Tracks Modern Rock Tracks Alternative Songs is a music chart in the United States that has appeared in Billboard magazine since September 10, 1988. It lists the 40 most-played songs on modern rock radio stations, most of which are alternative rock songs... |
11 |