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"Some People"
Single by Belouis Some
from the album Some People
Released	8 July 1985
Recorded	1984
Genre	New wave synth-pop
Length	4:00
Label	Parlophone
Songwriter(s)	Belouis Some
Producer(s)	Steve Thompson, Michael Barbiero
Belouis Some singles chronology
"Imagination" (1985) "Some People" (1985) ""Target Practice" (re-release)" (1986)

"Some People" is a song by British musician Belouis Some, released on 8 July 1985 as the third single from his 1985 debut album of the same name. A reissue of the song in 1986 reached the top 40 in the UK, peaking at No. 33 on the UK Singles Chart in April 1986. In the U.S., the song reached No. 67 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Writing

Belouis Some wrote "Some People" while "very drunk in a studio with one finger on the piano".

Music video

The music video was directed by Storm Thorgerson, who also directed the controversial video to Belouis Some's earlier hit, "Imagination". The video features scenes from seaside towns on the east coast of England, including Aldeburgh in Suffolk.

After the music video was filmed, watchmaker Swatch paid for a second take which included extras dressed in Swatch clothing. The company hoped that Swatch would become so associated with the song that when the music video aired, people thought of Swatch even though the product was not present. "It becomes a Swatch video," said Nancy Kadner, director of advertising for the Swiss-based company.

Critical reception

Upon its reissue in 1986, Tamsin Fontes of the Mid Sussex Times noted that, although the song "lack the punch" of "Imagination", it should "do equally well" and "possess a good, catchy melody and infectiously singalong lyrics".

Charts

Cover versions

In 1986, Murray Head released his version of the song as a single through Virgin. The single was unintentionally released around the same time as the 1986 reissue of Some's version. Head told the Sunday Mirror in April 1986: "By the time we discovered Belouis Some was releasing his version it was too late. You don't set out to have a chart battle because inevitably both sides lose. There's nothing I can do about the clash. It's justifiably his song." Head's version did not enter the UK Singles Chart.

References

1. Smith, Robin (6 July 1985). "News". Record Mirror. p. 6.
2. "Belouis Some | Artist". Official Charts. Retrieved 2013-06-18.
3. Wigg, David (11 April 1986). "What's in a name? Success if you are called Belouis". Daily Express. p. 23. Retrieved 11 October 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
4. Hollie, Pamela G. (2020-07-14). "Advertising; Swatch's Total Look Campaign". The New York Times.
5. Fontes, Tamsin (11 April 1986). "Sounds Around: Singles". Mid Sussex Times. p. 6. Retrieved 1 May 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
6. Brian Currin. "South African Rock Lists Website - SA Charts 1965 - 1989 Acts (S)". Rock.co.za. Retrieved 2017-02-03.
7. ^ "BELOUIS SOME | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 2018-01-17.
8. ^ "Belouis Some". Billboard. Retrieved 2018-01-17.
9. "The Irish Charts - All there is to know". The Irish Charts. Retrieved 2017-02-03.
10. "Murray Head - Some People (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2013-07-16.
11. "Murray heads for Some bad luck". Sunday Mirror. 13 April 1986. p. 17.
12. "MURRAY HEAD | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 28 January 2021.

• 1984 songs
• 1985 singles
• 1986 singles
• Belouis Some songs
• Murray Head songs
• Parlophone singles
• Songs written by Belouis Some
• Virgin Records singles
• Music videos directed by Storm Thorgerson