Real People (song)
| "Real People" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Chic | ||||
| from the album Real People | ||||
| Released | 1980 | |||
| Recorded | 1980 | |||
| Genre | Disco, soul, rock | |||
| Length | 5:20 (album version) 3:45 (single version) | |||
| Label | Atlantic 3768 | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Bernard Edwards, Nile Rodgers | |||
| Producer(s) | Bernard Edwards, Nile Rodgers | |||
| Chic singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Billboard | (unrated)[1] |
"Real People" is a song from American band Chic's fourth album Real People. It was the second single from this album and like its predecessor, featured a solo lead vocal by Luci Martin.
Background[edit]
Exploring new directions in the post-Disco era, Chic continued incorporating harder rock elements into their sound as evident by Nile Rodgers' blaring guitar solos which kick-off and end the song. Audiences were caught off guard by the new Chic sound. Prompting some radio programmers to flip the single and play the more upbeat/dancable B-side "Chip Off The Old Block" instead of the A-side. This, combined with other factors, resulted in the single not making much impact on the charts.
Reception[edit]
Record World said it has "impeccable" taste, "stylish production," "topical lyrics," "a sweltering guitar solo" and "vocal perfection."[2]
Chart performance[edit]
"Real People" only peaked at number 51 on Billboard's "Hot Soul/Black Singles" chart and number 79 on Billboard's "Hot 100" chart.[3] It failed to chart in the UK, as the song "26" was released as a single, in lieu of "Real People".
Track listings[edit]
- Atlantic 3768, September 29, 1980
- A. "Real People" (7" Edit) - 3:45
- B. "Chip Off The Old Block" - 4:56
- Atlantic promo 12" DMD 247, 1980
- A. "Real People" - 5:20
- B. "Real People" (7" Edit) - 3:45
References[edit]
- ^ "Review: Chic – Real People" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 85, no. 41. 11 October 1980. p. 75. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 30 May 2020 – via American Radio History.
- ^ "Single Picks" (PDF). Record World. October 11, 1980. p. 10. Retrieved 2023-02-22.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 116.
 | This 1980s single–related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |