You remember the first time you heard that opening synth line? It felt like sunrise. Empire of the Sun didn't just drop a track; they basically bottled a specific kind of Australian psychedelic optimism and threw it at the world. But when you actually look at the We Are the People lyrics, there is a weird, beautiful tension between the upbeat production and the somewhat cryptic, almost yearning poetry of Luke Steele and Nick Littlemore.
It’s been over fifteen years since Walking on a Dream debuted. Still, people are Googling these lyrics every single day. Why? Because they don't make sense in a literal way, yet they make perfect sense in an emotional one.
The Story Behind the Neon Dream
Luke Steele once mentioned in an interview that the song was born out of a desire to create something "ancient" yet futuristic. It’s a tall order. Most pop songs are about a breakup or a night at the club. This one? It’s about the "great relief" and the idea of a collective human spirit.
Honestly, the "people" in the song aren't just a crowd. They represent a tribe. When Steele sings about "thinking of a new life," he isn't talking about moving to a new city or getting a promotion. He’s talking about a spiritual shift. The lyrics are deeply rooted in the duo's interest in imagery that feels both tribal and high-fashion. It’s why they wore those elaborate headdresses. It wasn't just a gimmick. It was a visual extension of the lyricism.
The song was actually recorded in various locations, including Perth and London. That geographical distance might explain the wandering, nomadic feel of the verses. There’s a sense of searching.
Breaking Down the Verse: "We can grow a little closer"
The first verse starts with a question. "We can grow a little closer / Only if you want to." It’s an invitation, not a demand. This is where the song grabs you. It feels intimate. Then it pivots. Suddenly, we are talking about "the great relief" and "how to be a man."
What does that even mean?
In the context of Empire of the Sun’s discography, Steele often writes about the weight of expectations. Being a "man" or being a "person" in a world that feels increasingly digital and disconnected is heavy. The "relief" is the music itself. It’s the act of coming together.
We Are the People Lyrics: A Deep Dive into the Chorus
The chorus is the hook that caught the world.
"We are the people that rule the world / A force running in every boy and girl."
On paper, it sounds like a power anthem. Like something you’d hear at a political rally or a stadium sports event. But listen to Steele’s delivery. There’s a slight tremor in his voice. It’s not an arrogant claim to power. It’s an observation of biological and spiritual energy. It’s about the raw potential of youth and the shared human experience.
Interestingly, the song gained a second life in 2021 and 2022. It became a staple for "main character energy" videos on social media. The lyrics "all the colors of the rainbow" and "living in a dream" fit perfectly with the escapism people were craving.
The production by Littlemore and Peter Mayes is lush. It’s easy to get lost in the layers of acoustic guitars and shimmering synths, but if you strip it back, the lyrics hold a lot of melancholy. "I'm thinking of a new life / And I'm hoping you're the one who's on my mind." That’s a lonely sentiment wrapped in a party vibe.
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The Cultural Impact of the Words
It wasn't just a hit in Australia. It went massive in the UK and Germany. It even ended up in a Vizio commercial in the States, which is how a lot of people first discovered those soaring vocals.
But let's talk about the 2024-2025 resurgence. With the 15th-anniversary editions of their debut album, many fans realized that the We Are the People lyrics had aged surprisingly well. While other 2008-2009 synth-pop hits feel dated or "cheesy," this track feels timeless.
Why?
Because it avoids specific slang. It doesn't reference technology. It talks about "the wild" and "the sun" and "the people." These are elemental themes.
Common Misheard Lyrics and Interpretations
Let's clear some things up.
- "All the colors of the world" vs. "All the colors of the rainbow": It’s rainbow. It’s a nod to the psychedelic influences that shaped the band.
- The "Great Relief": Some fans thought this was a religious reference. While the band uses religious-style imagery (the costumes, the "shrine" vibes), the lyrics are more pantheistic. It’s about nature and the planet.
- The Boy/Girl line: People sometimes think it's a song about childhood. It’s actually about the inner child that stays with us as we age.
Why the Lyrics Still Matter in 2026
We live in a fragmented time. Everything is a niche. Everything is a subculture.
When you sing "We are the people," it’s one of the few moments in pop culture that feels truly universal. It’s a rare song that works at a 3:00 AM rave and a 10:00 AM coffee shop run. The lyrics provide a sense of belonging that is hard to manufacture.
I spoke to a local DJ recently who still spins this at every wedding. He told me, "It doesn't matter if the crowd is 20 or 60. When that chorus hits, everyone feels like they’re part of something." That is the power of a well-written lyric. It’s not about being clever; it’s about being resonant.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Musicians
If you're a songwriter looking to capture this magic, or just a fan who wants to dive deeper into the Empire of the Sun lore, here is how you can apply the "We Are the People" philosophy:
- Embrace Ambiguity: Don't be afraid to write lyrics that feel like a dream. If every line is a literal fact, the song has no room to breathe.
- Contrast is King: Pair "sad" or "yearning" lyrics with uplifting music. This creates "the bittersweet," which is the strongest emotion in music.
- Study the Visuals: To truly understand the We Are the People lyrics, watch the music video filmed in Mexico during the Wirikuta festival. The imagery of the desert and the traditional costumes explains the "ancient" feel of the words better than any essay could.
- Listen to the Stem Tracks: If you can find the isolated vocals, listen to Luke Steele's phrasing. He breaks words in unusual places, which adds to the otherworldly feel of the lyrics.
The song is a reminder that we are all interconnected, whether we like it or not. It’s a call to wake up and recognize the "force running in every boy and girl." Next time it comes on the radio, don't just hum along. Really listen to the longing in that first verse. It’s a masterpiece of modern pop poetry.
To fully appreciate the legacy, check out the band's latest interviews regarding their 2024 album Ask That God. You’ll see that the themes of spirituality and human connection haven’t changed; they’ve just evolved. The "people" are still here, and they're still ruling the world, one song at a time.