# We Are the People (Empire of the Sun song)

"We Are the People" is a song by Australian electronic music duo Empire of the Sun, released as the second single from their debut studio album, Walking on a Dream (2008). It was released in Australia on 20 September 2008 and debuted at number 85 on the ARIA Singles Chart before peaking at number 24 on 12 January 2009. It reached number one in Germany in December 2010.

## Music video

The music video for the song, directed by Josh Logue, was shot in Mexico, and was inspired by the ancient Mexican festival Day of the Dead (Día de Muertos). Locations included the surreal gardens of Sir Edward James at Las Pozas of Xilitla in the state of San Luis Potosí, Monterrey, Nuevo León and García, Nuevo León.
The Josh Logue of Mathematics directed music video was nominated for Best Video at the ARIA Music Awards of 2008.

## Usage in media

The song has been used in media productions such as advertisements for the Special Broadcasting Service, Vizio televisions, and Idents for Channel V. From October 2010, the song was used in Vodafone TV commercials in Germany, upon which it reentered the charts and reached number 1. The song was also used in the 2011 films The Roommate and Hall Pass, as well as in episode 11 of season 6 of Entourage.

## Track listings

Australian CD
* "We Are the People" – 4:34
* "We Are the People" (Shazam remix) – 5:44
* "We Are the People" (Sam La More remix)" – 7:32
* "Walking on a Dream" (Neon Neon mix) – 3:50
* "Walking on a Dream" (Danger racing remix) – 4:37
UK iTunes EP 1
* "We Are the People" – 4:32
* "We Are the People" (Burns remix) – 6:52
* "We Are the People" (The Golden Filter remix – UK edit) – 6:57
* "We Are the People" (We Are the Cagedbaby mix – UK edit) – 6:56
* "We Are the People" (Crazy P remix – UK edit) – 6:49
UK iTunes EP 2
* "We Are the People" – 4:32
* "We Are the People" (Wawa remix; UK edit) – 6:55
* "We Are the People" (The Shapeshifters vocal remix; UK edit) – 6:47
* "We Are the People" (Sam La More remix; UK edit) – 6:47
* "We Are the People" (Shazam remix) – 5:44
* "We Are the People" (Style of Eye remix; UK edit) – 6:58

## Certifications

| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
| Australia (ARIA) | 5× Platinum | 350,000$^‡$ |
| Austria (IFPI Austria) | Gold | 15,000$^*$ |
| Austria (IFPI Austria) Southstar remix | Gold | 15,000$^‡$ |
| Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil) | Gold | 30,000$^‡$ |
| Canada (Music Canada) | Platinum | 80,000$^‡$ |
| Denmark (IFPI Danmark) | Gold | 45,000$^‡$ |
| Germany (BVMI) | 3× Gold | 450,000$^‡$ |
| Italy (FIMI) | Gold | 50,000$^‡$ |
| New Zealand (RMNZ) | 2× Platinum | 60,000$^‡$ |
| Poland (ZPAV) Southstar remix | Gold | 25,000$^‡$ |
| Spain (PROMUSICAE) | Gold | 30,000$^‡$ |
| Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland) | Gold | 15,000$^^$ |
| United Kingdom (BPI) | Platinum | 600,000$^‡$ |
| Streaming |||
| Greece (IFPI Greece) | Platinum | 2,000,000$^†$ |
| $^*$ Sales figures based on certification alone. $^^$ Shipments figures based on certification alone. $^‡$ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. $^†$ Streaming-only figures based on certification alone. |||

## Release history

| Country | Date | Label | Format |
| Australia | 20 September 2008 | Capitol EMI | Digital single |
| Australia | 20 February 2009 | Capitol EMI | Digital EP |
| Australia | 20 February 2009 | Capitol EMI | CD single |
| Australia | 1 May 2009 | Capitol EMI | Digital remix EP |
| Germany | 8 May 2009 | EMI | Digital EP |
| United Kingdom | 24 May 2009 | Virgin | Digital EP |
| United Kingdom | 31 May 2009 | Virgin | Digital EP |
| United Kingdom | 1 June 2009 | Virgin | 7" single |
| Germany | 26 November 2010 | EMI | CD single |