People People, by Ruth Theodore

People People

by Ruth Theodore

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11

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Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Cherry Picker, People People, Full Metal Jacket, Thompson (SINGLE RELEASE), Cactacus, You Can't Help Who You Love (Single Release), Volume One: 'Earth to Shovel' EP, Dear Lamp Love Moth, and 3 more. , and , .

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	1.	People People 05:42	lyrics	buy track
	Bumped into friend of mine in the council line back in spring time She said “I didn’t think I’d see you here Didn’t I hear you were hitting the big time?” And heads turned to faces As she said “we heard you were going places. Does Emma know you’re back in town? She’s not herself when you’re not around” And I feel the urgency like a push on a beat To be who she wants me to be Though I’m dead on my feet And I see Orion rising And drawing his bow over Cannery Row And I feel like crying ‘cause I’m tired And laughing cause I’m not alone Tell Emma I’m home dry That I’ll come by soon enough And give her my love (my love) Tell her my minds made up Yeah tell Emma I’m home dry That I’ll come by soon enough and Give her my love We were still waiting in the council queue When I asked her “so what’s new with you?” She said “I’m still doing the radio show but I’m Down on my luck if you really wanna know I had a boyfriend half Jamaican He was deported All very hush hush He was born here worked as a labourer Received a letter - something about Windrush Now I have a boyfriend in Jamaica And his baby in my arms And I feel like crying ‘cause I’m tired And laughing cause I’m not alone I said “Look at us all standing in queue Don’t they know who they’re talking to? We are many and they are few And I wouldn’t let it get the best of you Don’t you forget we’ve come this far Don’t forget who we are! We are The People people And we are the people people” She strokes the forehead of her infant And lays a finger on the fence It gives a little and she turns to me and says “...It’s good to see you my friend We’re not as young as we were then... Could we do it all again?” And I said “Remember when Emma Climbed the roof top to stop the diggers? And those policemen chased her all night around the chimneys in a cherry picker? And we cheered her on from the rigging handcuffed and singing… "Singing voices rising higher Weave a dove into the wire In our hearts a blazing fire" (we are the people people) "Singing voices rising higher Weave a dove into the wire In our hearts a blazing fire” Tell Emma I’m home dry That I’ll come by soon enough And give her my love Tell her my minds made up Tell Emma I’m home dry That I’ll come by soon enough and Give her my love And then meet me on Friday Behind the Costa that used to be the Library The girl that works there says it’s likely That if I ask nicely She can get keys from the Old Town Hall For the empty municipal swimming pool Put out a call to Paddy and Maria Tell them ‘Tea urn. And a speaker’ ‘Cause this is what we call divide and rule Maybe you want less and I want more Maybe you are against what I am for But before we take our sides Let’s ask each other why We try and squeeze inside these boxes that don’t fit us right When we could stand our ground Let them know we won’t be pushed around We could take up space and let them Know who owns this place Yeah let’em know who’s who Let’em know who they’re talking to We are many and they are few And I wouldn’t let it get the best of you Don’t you forget we’ve come this far Don’t forget who we are We are The People people And we are the people people. “Singing voices, rising higher Weave a dove into the wire”

about

The feature single ‘PEOPLE PEOPLE’ is a defiant but deeply humane account of a reunion between two friends who meet again whilst waiting in queue at the local council office. At face value this is no more than a casual conversation but beneath it runs layer upon layer of political context, personal truths and poignant social comments that become ever more raw as the track snowballs into an out and out call to arms. Begging the question that’s on all of our lips -
When is enough enough?
But despite the dystopia, genuine warmth emanates from this track, as the tone of Ruth’s delivery exudes hope at every twist and turn, enabling the social narrative to teeter between futility and ferocity without losing its sense of humour or our sense of Ruth’s own humility. The rewarding chorus, rich with male backing vocals, reaches out to the listener, like a hug for the ears, allowing the desperation of the situation to evaporate and a well earned sense of human kindness to prevail.

“It is in the communities that exist between the cracks, and the conversations that happen between the lines, that I find my genuine hope.”

credits

released November 22, 2023

Words and music by Ruth Theodore
Produced by Ruth Theodore, Mathias Kunzli and Todd Sickafoose
Includes lines from 'Carry Greenham Home' by Peggy Seeger.

Ruth Theodore - Guitar, cello and Lead Vocals
Todd Sickafoose - Bass, Keys, additional sounds.
Mathias Konzil - Drums, Percussion and additional sounds.
Abdul Shyllon - Backing Vocals
Melody Brooks - Backing Vocals
Jabez Walsh - Backing Vocals

Photograph of Claremont Road protest: @gideonmendel

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about

Ruth Theodore UK

Establishing her own unique sound and signature guitar style whilst busking in doorways on detuned guitars. Ruth has gone on to perform alongside legendary artists Ani Difranco, Dar Williams, Nick Harper & Hamell On Trial. Collaborating with multi award winning producer Todd Sickafoose.

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