Love of the Common People

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Love of the Common People is a 1967 Four Preps song written by John Hurley and Ronnie Wilkins.

meaning

The song tells a bleak story of poverty and unemployment. The first lines mention "free grocery cards," a reference to government food stamp and welfare programs. The family in the song also walks around in the lyrics with holes in their clothes and shoes. The last verse, however, is more optimistic as it calls for one not to lose faith and for hope for improvement.

On the other hand, the text can be interpreted cynically, as the cheap bus fares are also praised in an absurd phrase.

Cover version by Paul Young

Chart positions
Explanation of the data
Singles
Love of the Common People
  DE 5 12/12/1983 (17 weeks)
  AT 3 02/01/1984 (12 weeks)
  CH 3 01/29/1984 (9 weeks)
  UK 2 11/19/1983 (13 weeks)
  US 45 05/19/1984 (11 weeks)

In 1982 Paul Young recorded the song for his album No Parlez . When his version was first published, the cover did not make it into the charts. Only after the hits Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home) and Come Back and Stay did Young's version of the song achieved international success in the charts when it was re-released on November 7, 1983. The synth pop and soft rock number became a number one hit in Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium and Italy . The trombone solo was played by Rico Rodriguez .

Music video

In the music video, Paul Young performs the song with accompanying musicians, while city scenes are also faded in.

Other covers

Individual evidence

  1. ^ The Four Preps - Love Of The Common People . Retrieved January 3, 2019.
  2. ^ Translation on Golyr.de
  3. ↑ Sources for chart placements: Chartsurfer.de
  4. ↑ Music video on Youtube.com