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This article is about the Conan Gray song. For the pastime the song is named after, see People-watching. For the Canadian animated web series, see PeopleWatching.
"People Watching"
Cover art for the single release
Single by Conan Gray
from the album Superache
ReleasedJuly 15, 2021 (2021-07-15)
GenreIndie pop
Length2:38
LabelRepublic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Dan Nigro
Conan Gray singles chronology
"Astronomy"
(2021) 		"People Watching"
(2021) 		"Telepath"
(2021)
Music video
Official music video on YouTube
Official lyric video on YouTube

"People Watching" is a song by American singer-songwriter Conan Gray. It was released by Republic Records on July 15, 2021 as a single from Gray's second studio album Superache. The single was written by Gray, Julia Michaels, and Dan Nigro, the latter of whom also produced the song. Inspired by Gray's personal experiences during college, "People Watching" is an indie pop song that is about the similarly named activity of people-watching. The song received positive reviews from critics and was certified gold in Australia as well as placing on charts in New Zealand and Singapore. A music video featuring Gray working in a café was released on the day after the single.

Background and release

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In 2017, Gray posted a tweet on Twitter stating "i love people watching so much".[1] He later released his debut album, Kid Krow, in 2020 on which he also collaborated with Dan Nigro.[2] The following year he released two singles: "Overdrive" and "Astronomy".[3] Gray began teasing a third single,[4] later revealed to be "People Watching", which was released on July 15, 2021.[5] The song was featured as the second track on Gray's second studio album Superache in 2022.[6] "Astronomy" was also released on the album while "Overdrive", and Gray's following single, "Telepath", were featured as bonus tracks on Superache's Japanese CD release.[7]

Composition and lyrics

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"People Watching"
A brief sample of the chorus from "People Watching" which highlights the jealousy experienced by Gray while he is people-watching but longing for a romantic relationship that he has seen others experience.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

"People Watching" is an indie pop up-tempo ballad that explores the activity of people-watching.[8][9] For the song, Gray collaborated with Julia Michaels and his producer Dan Nigro; the three share a writing credit on the single.[10] Gray said he obtained the idea for the lyrics from eavesdropping on couples and wanting to share true romantic feelings with someone.[11] He also explained that he had never dated anyone prior to writing the song,[12] which is representative through lyrics in the chorus which states, "but I wanna feel all that love and emotion; be that attached to the person I'm holding; someday, I'll be falling without caution; but for now, I'm only people watching."[13] The overall concept of the song expands on Gray's view of romantic relationships which he previously explored in songs such as "Crush Culture" from his 2018 extended play, Sunset Season.[14] "People Watching" opens with a steady guitar and builds towards the end of the second verse.[15] The bridge features increasing bass, piano, and drums over the lyrics "Cut people out like tags on my clothing" followed by Gray describing life as being monotone.[16][17]

Critical reception

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Robin Murray with Clash said the song "balances a longing for love with an awareness of loneliness" and notes Gray's ability to write from the perspective of an outsider.[18] Ones to Watch writer Maxamillion Polo mentions the "emotional depth" that Gray harnesses in the track by highlighting the significance behind the lyrics.[19] Uproxx's Caitlin White describes the single as "vulnerable" mentioning how the song is told from a position where the subject is safe from relationship turmoil but at the same time, lacks intimacy.[20]

Charts

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Chart (2021) Peak
position
Singapore (RIAS)[21] 25
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[22] 22

Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[23] Gold 35,000‡
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[24] Gold 20,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Credits and personnel

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Adapted from Tidal.[25]

  • Conan Gray – composer, lyricist, associated performer, background vocalist, vocals
  • Dan Nigro – producer, composer, lyricist, associated performer, background vocalist, bass, drum programming, percussion, piano, synthesizer
  • Julia Michaels – composer, lyricist, associated performer, background vocalist
  • Ryan Linvill – associated performer
  • Sterling Laws – associated performer, drums
  • Randy Merrill – mastering engineer, studio personnel
  • Serban Ghenea – mixer, studio personnel

Music video

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A music video for the song, directed by Joe Mischo, was released on the day after the track.[26] In the video, Gray is featured working in a café and jealously observes various couples drinking coffee and eating pastries.[27] In the process of people-watching, he falls behind in performing his job duties causing a croissant to catch fire and allowing a coffee mug to fall to the ground and break; as the other employees deal with mishap, the café fills with smoke while Gray appears unfazed and continues to people-watch.[28][29] Gray attributed the concept of the video to his time in college when he would regularly people-watch in a similar café on campus.[27] He also stated he would joke about being terrible at working in a café with his best friend Ashley who appeared in the video.[30][31]

Live performances and other uses

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Gray performed "People Watching" along with "Disaster" and "Memories" from Superache and "Heather" from Kid Krow on The Today Show as part of their "Citi Concert Series."[32] It was also performed on the Superache Tour.[33] "People Watching" was featured along with "Crush Culture" in the Heartstopper season two episode, "Sorry."[34]

References

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  1. ^ Gray, Conan [@conangray] (April 25, 2017). "i love people watching so much" (Tweet). Archived from the original on April 17, 2024. Retrieved April 15, 2024 – via Twitter.
  2. ^ Corner, Lewis (July 15, 2021). "Conan Gray releases new single People Watching for "all my fellow lonely people"". Gay Times. Archived from the original on November 30, 2021. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  3. ^ Newton, Felicity (July 15, 2021). "Conan Gray had Dropped his New Single 'People Watching'". Dork. Archived from the original on June 3, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  4. ^ Gray, Conan [@conangray] (June 13, 2021). "life feels so monotone" (Tweet). Archived from the original on August 2, 2022. Retrieved April 16, 2024 – via Twitter.
  5. ^ "Conan Gray Releases New Single "People Watching"". Arambulo Live. July 15, 2021. Archived from the original on November 30, 2023. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  6. ^ Hicks, Shaeley (August 10, 2022). "Superache: A Review of Conan Gray's Newest Album". Unpublished Zine. Archived from the original on April 16, 2024. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  7. ^ "スーパーエイク". Amazon (in Japanese). June 24, 2022. Archived from the original on April 16, 2024. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
  8. ^ Hernandez-Simeonidis, Sofie (August 12, 2021). "Conan Gray, 'People Watching'". NPR Music. Archived from the original on May 17, 2022. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  9. ^ Coleman, Diana (July 19, 2021). "Conan Gray Goes "People Watching"". Music Daily. Archived from the original on June 7, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  10. ^ Koh, Vanessa (July 16, 2021). "Conan Gray Releases Relatable New Single "People Watching"". Pop Nerd Lounge. Archived from the original on July 16, 2021. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  11. ^ Graves, Shahlin (July 15, 2021). "Conan Gray releases new song 'People Watching'". Coup De Main Magazine. Archived from the original on December 7, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  12. ^ "Conan Gray Releases New Track 'People Watching'". DIY. July 15, 2021. Archived from the original on December 10, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  13. ^ Gordon, Jeremy (June 28, 2022). "Conan Gray, a Budding Pop Singer Who Feels It All". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 17, 2024. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  14. ^ Ehrlich, Helen (November 16, 2018). "Review: A Track By Track Analysis Of Conan Gray's Debut EP "Sunset Season"". Affinity Magazine. Archived from the original on December 7, 2023. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  15. ^ Ehrlich, Helen (September 12, 2021). "Conan Gray Releases Hit "People Watching"". Affinity Magazine. Archived from the original on September 22, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  16. ^ Joshi, Mitali (July 12, 2022). "Conan Gray "People Watching" Song Review". WKNC-FM. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  17. ^ Sani, Fatima (August 12, 2021). "'People Watching' Proves Longing Can Exist Without Loneliness". Study Breaks Magazine. Archived from the original on April 16, 2024. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  18. ^ Murray, Robin (July 15, 2021). "Conan Gray Shares Bittersweet Jewel 'People Watching'". Clash. Archived from the original on October 3, 2022. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  19. ^ Polo, Maxamillion (July 16, 2021). "Conan Gray's "People Watching" Sees Him Turning His Deeply Personal Songwriting Outward". Ones to Watch. Archived from the original on November 29, 2022. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  20. ^ White, Caitlin (July 14, 2021). "Conan Gray Is 'People Watching' In His Vulnerable New Single". Uproxx. Archived from the original on May 29, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  21. ^ "RIAS Top Charts Week 29 (16 - 22 Jul 2021)". RIAS. Archived from the original on July 29, 2021. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  22. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. July 26, 2021. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  23. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2023 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  24. ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Conan Gray – People Watching" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  25. ^ "Credits/People Watching/Conan Gray - TIDAL". tidal. Archived from the original on April 16, 2024. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  26. ^ Paul, Larisha (July 16, 2021). "Conan Gray Shares Yearning Visual For Latest Single 'People Watching'". UDiscover Music. Archived from the original on September 21, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  27. ^ a b Robinson, Ellie (July 17, 2021). "Conan Gray almost burns down a café in the new video for 'People Watching'". NME. Archived from the original on April 6, 2024. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  28. ^ "Conan Gray's Releases Music for New Single "People Watching"". VMan. July 19, 2021. Archived from the original on April 16, 2024. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  29. ^ Mischo, Joe (director) (July 15, 2021). People Watching - Music Video by Conan Gray - Apple Music (Music video). UMG Recordings. Archived from the original on March 30, 2023. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
  30. ^ Graves, Shahlin (July 19, 2021). "Conan Gray - 'People Watching' music video". Coup De Main Magazine. Archived from the original on September 21, 2023. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
  31. ^ Gray, Conan [@conangray] (July 16, 2021). "ash n cone reunited for the "people watching" music video :,) out now. hope u enjoy <3". Archived from the original on April 17, 2024. Retrieved April 15, 2024 – via Instagram.
  32. ^ Hines, Ree (June 24, 2022). "Watch Conan Gray hit the plaza with stellar performances — and a bold outfit". The Today Show. Archived from the original on October 29, 2023. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
  33. ^ Lawler, Lucky (October 3, 2022). "Concert Review: Conan Gray Aestheticizes Pain, Pleasure and Pining on his "Superache" Tour". The Lantern. Archived from the original on January 23, 2024. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  34. ^ Craig, David (August 3, 2023). "Heartstopper season 2 soundtrack: Every song in Netflix drama". Radio Times. Archived from the original on August 7, 2023. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
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