# People Help the People

"People Help the People" is the second single taken from Cherry Ghost's début album, Thirst for Romance. It was made available to download on 11 June 2007, and followed two weeks later on CD and 7-inch vinyl. The band played the song live on Later... with Jools Holland on 24 November 2006. Jimi Goodwin of the band Doves plays drums on the single. "People Help the People" peaked the UK Singles Chart at number 27. The song was also a hit in Italy.
The song was written in Aldred's childhood box room bedroom in Bolton in the run up to Xmas 2005.
Two music videos were produced for the song, one directed by Huse Monfaradi, the other one directed by Chris Hopewell.

## Track listings

All songs written by Simon Aldred, except where noted.
CD (HVN168CD):
* "People Help the People" – 3:59
* "Four Eyes" – 4:47
7" vinyl (HVN168):
* "People Help the People" – 3:59
* "Please Come Home" (Aldred, Parsons, Rhodes) – 4:39
Download (UK iTunes only):
* "People Help the People" – 3:59
* "People Help the People" (Cowboys and Cosmonauts Remix) – 4:10

## Weekly charts

| Chart (2007) | Peak position |
| Ireland (IRMA) | 41 |
| Italy (FIMI) | 23 |
| United Kingdom (Official Charts) | 27 |

## Birdy version

English musician Birdy released a cover version of the song, which was released on 28 October 2011 as a download in the United Kingdom. In 2012, the song received attention in Australia when it was used in a trailer for a Neighbours storyline.

### Music video

A music video to accompany the release of "People Help the People" was first released onto YouTube on 6 October 2011 at a total length of four minutes and eighteen seconds. It was shot in black and white, and it features Birdy walking through London. The video has amounted 217 million views as of June 2024. Another music video, released on YouTube 30 October 2012, was shot in France. It was directed by Florent Déchard.

### Charts
#### Weekly charts

| Chart (2011–2014) | Peak position |
| Australia (ARIA) | 10 |
| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) | 7 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) | 2 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia) | 5 |
| Czech Republic (Rádio – Top 100) | 13 |
| Denmark (Tracklisten) | 37 |
| France (SNEP) | 7 |
| Germany (GfK) | 3 |
| Ireland (IRMA) | 84 |
| Italy (FIMI) | 22 |
| Luxembourg Digital Songs (Billboard) | 1 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) | 5 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100) | 5 |
| Scotland (OCC) | 30 |
| Slovakia (Rádio Top 100) | 19 |
| Slovenia (SloTop50) | 1 |
| Spain (PROMUSICAE) | 7 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) | 2 |
| UK Singles (OCC) | 33 |

#### Year-end charts

| Chart (2012) | Position |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) | 9 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia) | 17 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) | 16 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100) | 22 |
| Chart (2013) | Position |
| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) | 49 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia) | 61 |
| France (SNEP) | 31 |
| Germany (Media Control AG) | 37 |
| Slovenia (SloTop50) | 14 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) | 12 |

### Certifications

| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
| Australia (ARIA) | 3× Platinum | 210,000$^‡$ |
| Austria (IFPI Austria) | Platinum | 30,000$^*$ |
| Belgium (BEA) | Platinum | 30,000$^*$ |
| Denmark (IFPI Danmark) | Gold | 45,000$^‡$ |
| France (SNEP) | Gold | 75,000$^*$ |
| Germany (BVMI) | Platinum | 300,000$^^$ |
| Italy (FIMI) | Platinum | 50,000$^‡$ |
| New Zealand (RMNZ) | Gold | 15,000$^‡$ |
| Spain (PROMUSICAE) | Gold | 30,000$^‡$ |
| Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland) | 2× Platinum | 60,000$^^$ |
| United Kingdom (BPI) | Platinum | 600,000$^‡$ |
| $^*$ Sales figures based on certification alone. $^^$ Shipments figures based on certification alone. $^‡$ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |||

### Release history

| Country | Date | Format | Label |
| Ireland | 28 October 2011 | Download | Warner Music |
| United Kingdom | 30 October 2011 | Download | Warner Music |