You know that feeling when a song starts and you're instantly transported back to a specific summer? For a lot of us, that's "We Are the People." It’s been well over fifteen years since Luke Steele and Nick Littlemore, the eccentric duo behind Empire of the Sun, dropped Walking on a Dream. Yet, the Empire of the Sun We Are the People lyrics continue to haunt playlists, festivals, and late-night drives.
It’s a weird track. Honestly. It’s glorious, neon-soaked, and vaguely prophetic. But if you actually sit down and read the words without the distraction of that driving bassline and those shimmering synths, you realize it’s much more than just a "vibey" electronic song. It’s a poem about disconnection, the fleeting nature of youth, and a desperate search for something real in a world that feels increasingly fake.
People always ask: what are they actually singing about? Is it about a cult? A break-up? The end of the world?
The Surrealism Behind the Empire of the Sun We Are the People Lyrics
The song opens with a line that sets the entire tone: "I can't do the things that you probably want me to." It’s an immediate admission of failure or, perhaps, a refusal to conform. Luke Steele’s vocals have this airy, almost detached quality that makes the lyrics feel like they’re being transmitted from another planet.
When you look at the Empire of the Sun We Are the People lyrics, you notice they don't follow a standard narrative. They’re impressionistic. Steele and Littlemore were heavily influenced by the idea of creating a "spiritual" experience through pop music. They weren't just writing hits; they were building a mythos. The "people" in the title isn't just a crowd—it’s a collective consciousness.
"Walking on a dream / How can I explain?"
That’s from the title track, sure, but "We Are the People" carries that same DNA. It asks how we can possibly communicate the depth of our internal experiences to someone else. The lyrics mention "coming together" and "the kids are back," which sounds like a celebration, but there’s a distinct undercurrent of melancholy. It's the sound of a party that’s about to end, and everyone knows it.
Why the "Dry Land" Metaphor Matters
One of the most striking parts of the song is the bridge: "I'm sorry to the people who are looking for the dry land."
Think about that for a second.
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In a literal sense, looking for dry land implies you're drowning or lost at sea. In the context of the Empire of the Sun We Are the People lyrics, "dry land" represents stability. It’s the shore. It’s the "normal" life that the narrator has either abandoned or can’t provide for the people following him.
The duo has spoken in past interviews about the chaos of the recording process. They were traveling, experimenting, and trying to capture a sense of "the ancient" meeting "the future." When Steele apologizes to those looking for dry land, he’s basically saying, "If you're looking for safety and predictability, you're looking in the wrong place."
Breaking Down the Key Verses
Let's look at the structure. It's not symmetrical. It's erratic.
- The Verse of Disillusionment: "Screaming at the window / Watch me die another day." This isn't happy-go-lucky synth-pop. This is existential dread wrapped in a glittery package.
- The Chorus of Unity: "We are the people that rule the world / A force running in every boy and girl." This is the "hook," the part that makes everyone jump at Coachella. But in 2026, looking back at these lyrics, it feels less like a boast of power and more like a reminder of human potential.
- The Bridge of Regret: The repetition of "I'm sorry" suggests a burden of leadership.
The genius of the Empire of the Sun We Are the People lyrics lies in this duality. It’s simultaneously arrogant and humble. It’s the anthem of a generation that felt like they could do anything, while simultaneously feeling like they were drifting without a map.
The Visual Connection
You can't talk about the lyrics without the music video. Directed by Josh Logue and filmed in Mexico, specifically around the surrealist gardens of Las Pozas and the desert of Real de Catorce, the visuals gave the words a physical home.
The "people" are depicted in elaborate, tribal, futuristic costumes. When Steele sings about "rejoicing," we see vibrant colors and ancient landscapes. This visual context suggests that the lyrics are about a return to something primal. It’s a rejection of the digital, even though the music is inherently electronic. It’s a paradox. A beautiful one.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Meaning
A lot of listeners think this is a political song. They hear "We are the people that rule the world" and assume it's some sort of protest anthem or a statement on democracy.
Kinda, but not really.
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If you dive into the history of the band, Nick Littlemore and Luke Steele were much more interested in the metaphysical than the political. The "rule" they are talking about isn't legislative. It's the internal sovereignty of the individual. It's about the power of imagination.
Another common misconception is that it’s a drug song. While the "high-energy" nature of the track certainly fits a certain club culture, the Empire of the Sun We Are the People lyrics are actually quite sober in their reflection on human connection. It’s more about the "high" of being alive and the "low" of realizing how fragile that life is.
"Better than the rest / What a swingin' mess."
That line is key. It’s an admission that even when we think we're at our best, it’s still a mess. It’s messy to be human.
The Production Impact on the Lyrics
Music nerds will tell you that the way a line is produced changes what it means. In "We Are the People," the heavy use of reverb on the vocals makes the lyrics feel distant.
When Luke Steele sings "Can you hear me?" in the latter half of the song, it feels like he’s calling out from across a canyon. This reinforces the theme of the Empire of the Sun We Are the People lyrics—the struggle to be heard and understood.
The track was produced alongside Donnie Sloan and Peter Mayes. They used a blend of vintage synths and modern digital processing. This "old meets new" sound perfectly mirrors the lyrical themes of ancient spirits living in a modern world.
Why It Still Ranks and Trends
Why are you searching for these lyrics in 2026?
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Maybe it’s nostalgia. Maybe you just heard it in a movie or a TikTok trend. But I think it’s because the song feels "big." In an era of minimalist, bedroom-pop lyrics that are often very literal, Empire of the Sun offers something operatic.
They weren't afraid to be pretentious. They weren't afraid to use big, sweeping metaphors.
- The song captures the "Indie Sleaze" era perfectly.
- It bridges the gap between alternative rock and dance music.
- The lyrics are vague enough to be applied to almost any life transition.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Creators
If you're a songwriter looking at the Empire of the Sun We Are the People lyrics for inspiration, or just a fan trying to get more out of the track, here is what you can take away from it.
Embrace Ambiguity
Don't feel the need to explain everything. The reason people still talk about this song is because it doesn't give you all the answers. It leaves space for the listener to insert their own life into the "dry land" or the "swingin' mess."
Contrast Tone and Content
One of the most effective things this song does is pair upbeat, major-key music with somewhat somber lyrics. If you're creating something, try matching a dark message with a bright medium. It creates a tension that keeps the audience engaged.
Focus on the Collective "We"
Songs that use "I" are intimate. Songs that use "We" are anthemic. The choice of "We Are the People" instead of "I Am the Person" is what turned this from a diary entry into a global hit.
Listen Beyond the Chorus
Next time the song comes on, ignore the "Rule the world" hook. Listen to the verses. Listen to the way Steele's voice cracks slightly on the high notes. There is a lot of vulnerability there that usually gets drowned out by the festival-sized production.
To truly understand the Empire of the Sun We Are the People lyrics, you have to stop trying to solve them like a math problem. They are a mood. They are the sound of 2008 looking at the future with both excitement and a little bit of fear.
The next logical step is to go back and listen to the Walking on a Dream album in its entirety. Notice how "We Are the People" acts as the emotional anchor for the more experimental tracks around it. If you're feeling adventurous, look up the live acoustic versions of the song; stripped of the synths, the lyrics take on a much more folk-like, storytelling quality that highlights just how well-written they actually are.