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People Watching (Sam Fender song)

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"People Watching"
Single by Sam Fender
from the album People Watching
B-side"Me & the Dog"
"Tyrants"
Released15 November 2024 (2024-11-15)
Length
  • 5:04
  • 4:02 (radio edit)
LabelPolydor
Songwriter(s)Sam Fender
Producer(s)
Sam Fender singles chronology
"Homesick"
(2024) 		"People Watching"
(2024) 		"Arm's Length"
(2025)
Music video
"People Watching" on YouTube

"People Watching" is a song by English singer-songwriter Sam Fender. It was released on 15 November 2024 as the lead single from his third studio album of the same name. It was written as a tribute to his "late friend and mentor" Annie Orwin, who he described as being "like a surrogate mother" to him. He drew inspiration from his walks to and from her care home. Fender co-produced the song in Los Angeles with Adam Granduciel of the American rock band the War on Drugs.[1][2][3]

The CD single features an exclusive bonus track, "Me & the Dog", while the 7-inch single includes another exclusive track, "Tyrants".[4]

Background and release

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In 2024, Fender began hinting at the imminent release of his third studio album. During a warm-up gig in Plymouth on 3 August, the singer premiered the new tracks "People Watching" and "Nostalgia’s Lie" live for the first time and announced that both would be included on his upcoming album.[5][6] On 7 October, the singer confirmed in a social media post that he had finished and mastered his new album.[7] A day later, Fender released the live version of "People Watching" from Boardmasters on his YouTube channel.[8] On 6 November, Fender shared new previews of the song through his social media, revealing parts of its lyrics.[8] On 8 November, the singer announced that he would release his new single, "People Watching," on 15 November 2024.[9]

Composition and lyrics

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"People Watching" is 5 minutes and 11 seconds long. Fender wrote the song and also participated in the production along with Adam Granduciel, member of the American band The War on Drugs.[10][11] "People Watching" sees Fender reflect on the passers-by he observes on the street, feeling "envious at the glimmer of hope" in their lives.[5] The song was described in a press release as "written for his late friend and mentor, Annie Orwin", and is based on Fender's "thoughts as he traveled to and from her palliative care home".[11] Fender told BBC Radio 1 the song was inspired by walks to and from the care home where Annie died.[12]

"People Watching" has been described as a heartland rock song.[13][14] The opening verse presents raw vulnerability, showing a moment of relief from loneliness and ego. In the second verse, Fender criticizes the failings of the healthcare system, referring to it as understaffed and controlled by insensitive hands.[14]

Critical reception

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"People Watching" received positive reviews from critics. Rhian Daly of NME gave the song a four-star review and said it was a "song whose lyrics you feel like you can walk through and one that seamlessly weaves together big picture concerns with personal experience".[15] Cerys Millard of The Courier called the song one of Fender's best to date.[16]

Commercial performance

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"People Watching" debuted at number four on the UK Singles Chart on 22 November 2024, becoming Fender's third top ten single following "Seventeen Going Under" and "Homesick". It also became the first alternative song by a British artist to debut inside the top four of the chart in over a decade.[17] On 19 November 2024 the song topped the UK's Official Trending Chart.[18] On 03 January 2025 the single went to no. 1 on the UK Official Singles Sales Chart.[19]

Music video

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The music video for "People Watching" was released on 29 January 2025.[20] It was directed by Stuart A. McIntyre and starred Irish actor Andrew Scott.[21][22] The video features Scott as a drifter on a solitary journey. Waking up on a sidewalk, he hitchhikes, visits desolate diners, and navigates moments of isolation and fleeting companionship. Throughout the video, glimpses of his childhood appear, hinting at a past he is both escaping and longing for. In between scenes of self-destruction, he sketches an image that ultimately reveals a portrait of his mother.[23]

Describing his involvement in the video, Scott called "People Watching" a "masterpiece" and a "true friend." He stated that working on it was a cathartic experience and expressed gratitude to Sam, the creative team behind the film, and his mother, whom he dedicated the performance to.[22]

Live performance

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He performed the song during the Brit Awards 2025

Track listing

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Charts

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Certifications

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Certifications for "People Watching"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[39] Silver 200,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ Collins, Riyah. "Sam Fender tackles grief in new single People Watching". Newsbeat. BBC. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  2. ^ Brodsky, Rachel (15 November 2024). "Sam Fender Shares New Song "People Watching": Listen". Stereogum. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  3. ^ Smith, Thomas (15 November 2024). "Sam Fender Releases First New Music Since 2022 With War On Drugs-Produced Single 'People Watching'". Billboard. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  4. ^ Taylor, Sam (15 November 2024). "Sam Fender has released the title-track from his forthcoming album 'People Watching'". Dork. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  5. ^ a b Richards, Will (5 August 2024). "Watch Sam Fender debut two new songs at comeback gig". Rolling Stone UK. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  6. ^ Rigotti, Alex (4 August 2024). "Watch Sam Fender debut two songs 'People Watching' and 'Nostalgia's Lie' live". NME. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  7. ^ Pilley, Max (5 October 2024). "Sam Fender teases new album is finished and "mastered"". NME. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  8. ^ a b England, Adam (8 October 2024). "Sam Fender shares live version of new song 'People Watching' as he continues to tease new album". NME. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  9. ^ Burton, Poppy (8 November 2024). "Sam Fender announces new single 'People Watching' and teases album news". NME. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  10. ^ "People Watching". TIDAL. 18 November 2024. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  11. ^ a b Smith, Thomas (15 November 2024). "Sam Fender Releases First New Music Since 2022 With War On Drugs-Produced Single 'People Watching'". Billboard. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  12. ^ Collins, Riyah (19 November 2024). "Sam Fender tackles grief in new single People Watching". BBC Home. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  13. ^ Daly, Rhian (15 November 2024). "Sam Fender's 'People Watching' is a grand return from one of the UK's best storytellers". NME. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  14. ^ a b Harris, Alex (21 November 2024). "Sam Fender 'People Watching' Lyrics: A Deep Dive Into His Most Personal Track Yet". Neon Music. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  15. ^ Daly, Rhian (15 November 2024). "Sam Fender's 'People Watching' is a grand return from one of the UK's best storytellers". NME. Archived from the original on 12 February 2025. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  16. ^ "People Watching by Sam Fender song review: one of his best songs to date". The Courier Online. 11 December 2024. Archived from the original on 12 February 2025. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  17. ^ Griffiths, George. "Gracie Abrams' That's So True holds strong as Sam Fender makes historic Top 5 debut". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
  18. ^ Griffiths, George. "Sam Fender tops Official Trending Chart with new single People Watching". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
  19. ^ "Official Singles Sales Chart 3 January 2025 - 9 January 2025". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
  20. ^ Dunworth, Liberty (29 January 2025). "Watch Andrew Scott star in dramatic video for Sam Fender's "masterpiece of a song" 'People Watching'". NME. Archived from the original on 12 February 2025. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
  21. ^ Carter, Daisy (30 January 2025). "Andrew Scott stars in moving video for Sam Fender's 'People Watching'". DIY. Archived from the original on 12 February 2025. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
  22. ^ a b Reilly, Nick (29 January 2025). "Andrew Scott stars in new video for Sam Fender's 'People Watching'". Rolling Stone UK. Archived from the original on 12 February 2025. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
  23. ^ Paul, Larisha (29 January 2025). "Andrew Scott Is Fueled by Grief in Sam Fender 'People Watching' Video". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 12 February 2025. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
  24. ^ "People Watching (Edit)". Apple Music. 18 November 2024. Archived from the original on 12 February 2025. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
  25. ^ "People Watching CD Single". Sam Fender | Official Shop. Archived from the original on 12 February 2025. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
  26. ^ "People Watching 7"". Sam Fender | Official Shop. Archived from the original on 12 February 2025. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
  27. ^ "ARC 100 - Week 21 (27.01.2025.)". HRT. 27 January 2025. Archived from the original on 29 January 2025. Retrieved 29 January 2025.
  28. ^ "Tónlistinn – Lög: Streymi, spilun og sala viku 7. Birt 15. febrúar 2025 – Næst uppfært 22. febrúar 2025" (in Icelandic). Plötutíðindi. Archived from the original on 15 February 2025. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
  29. ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  30. ^ "Top Radio Hits Lithuania Weekly Chart: Dec 5, 2024". TopHit. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
  31. ^ "Hot 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. 22 November 2024. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  32. ^ "OLiS – oficjalna lista airplay" (Select week 04.01.2025–10.01.2025.) (in Polish). OLiS. Retrieved 13 January 2025.
  33. ^ "Top 50 – Radio San Marino RTV – 20/12/2024" (in Italian). San Marino RTV. 20 December 2024. Archived from the original on 20 December 2024. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  34. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  35. ^ "Sam Fender Chart History (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 30 December 2024.
  36. ^ "Sam Fender Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  37. ^ "Sam Fender Chart History (Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 30 December 2024.
  38. ^ "Top Radio Hits Lithuania Monthly Chart: January 2025". TopHit. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
  39. ^ "British single certifications – Sam Fender – People Watching". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
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