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    Paul Young - Love Of The Common People - UK 7'' Cover - Front
    1983 Paul Young Singles

    Paul Young – Love Of The Common People (Remix)

    4 Views1 Min Read

    The Eighties Archive

    Song Number 0102
    Paul Young’s 1983 rendition of “Love Of The Common People” stands as a masterclass in how to transform a traditional folk-country protest song into a glossy, emotionally resonant pop masterpiece. Originally written by John Hurley and Ronnie Wilkins in 1970 and recorded by artists like Waylon Jennings and the Everly Brothers, the song always possessed a poignant lyrical core. However, it was Young’s version, released on his debut solo album No Parlez, that catapulted the track into the international consciousness, reaching the top ten in the United Kingdom and topping the charts across Europe.
    At its heart, the song is a stark exploration of poverty, unemployment, and familial resilience. The lyrics paint a vivid, depressing picture of a family struggling to get by in a harsh economic landscape. Images of a hole in a child’s shoe, a coat padded with newspapers to keep out the freezing cold, and a free school lunch token highlight the daily indignities of institutional neglect. Yet, against this grim backdrop of material scarcity, the song posits a powerful counter-force: the unconditional love, solidarity, and shared struggle of ordinary folk. This love acts as both a shield against adversity and a form of wealth that cannot be taxed or taken away.
    What made Young’s version so revolutionary was the striking contrast between the heavy, melancholic subject matter and the vibrant, innovative production orchestrated by Laurie Latham. Instead of a somber acoustic arrangement, the track is built upon a lively, reggae-infused bassline played by Pino Palladino, whose fretless bass work gives the song an fluid, instantly recognizable groove. The inclusion of bright, chiming synthesizers and a sharp, metronomic drum machine ground the track firmly in the New Wave era. Adding a layer of transcendent warmth is the backing vocals from the trio Fabulous Wealthy Tarts, whose soulful harmonies elevate the chorus into something resembling a secular gospel hymn.
    Young’s vocal delivery is the crucial element that ties these disparate components together. Armed with a gritty, blue-eyed soul delivery, he sings not with pity, but with a deep, empathetic urgency. He leans into the narrative elements of the verses, making the listener feel the biting chill of the winter air and the desperation of a parent trying to preserve their child’s dignity. When the song transitions into the triumphant chorus, Young’s voice soars, transforming a lament about poverty into a celebratory anthem of human resilience.
    Decades after its release, “Love Of The Common People” remains a towering achievement in British pop history. It proved that commercial pop music did not have to be vapid or superficial; it could actively engage with social realism and economic hardship while remaining danceable and widely accessible. By infusing a gritty American folk tale with British soul, reggae rhythms, and electronic pop sensibilities, Paul Young created an enduring tribute to the strength of the working class, proving that community and love are the ultimate survival tools.
    The song peaked at No. 02 in the UK charts on 3rd December 1983.
    Paul Young - Love Of The Common People - Eighties Archive - Promo Image
    Paul Young - Love Of The Common People - UK 7'' Cover - Front
    Paul Young - Love Of The Common People - UK 7'' Cover (Front)
    Paul Young - Love Of The Common People - UK 7'' Cover - Back
    Paul Young - Love Of The Common People - UK 7'' Cover (Back)
    A-Side Love Of The Common People (Remix) (3:42)
    (John Hurley, Ronnie Wilkins)
    Produced By Laurie Latham
    B-Side Behind Your Smile (Live) (5:04)
    (Paul Young, Ian Kewley)
    Produced By Laurie Latham
    UK Top 40 Chart Run [11 Weeks] – 19th November 1983 – 28th January 1984
    17
    05
    02
    02
    02
    04
    04
    03
    05
    14
    28

    Officially Released Versions

    Love Of The Common People (Remix) (Single Version) (3:42)
    Love Of The Common People (Remix) (Extended Club Mix) (5:33)
    Love Of The Common People (Remix) (Instrumental) (3:18)
    Love Of The Common People (Original 1982 Single Mix) (3:41)

    See ALL releases of ‘Love Of The Common People’ on Discogs.

    Lyrics

    Living on free food tickets
    Water in the milk from a hole in the roof
    Where the rain came through
    What can you do? Mmm
    Tears from your little sister
    Crying because she doesn’t have a dress without a patch
    For the party to go
    But you know she’ll get by

    ‘Cause she’s living in the love of the common people
    Smiles from the heart of a family man
    (Ah, ah, yeah)
    Daddy’s gonna buy you a dream to cling to
    Mama’s gonna love you just as much as she can
    (So cold)
    And she can

    It’s a good thing you don’t have bus fare
    (It’s a good thing, ouch)
    It would fall through the hole in your pocket
    And you’d lose it in the snow on the ground
    (Ow, ah, ah, yeah)
    You gotta walk into town to find a job
    (What’s it now?)
    Trying to keep your hands warm
    (It’s so cold)
    When the hole in your shoe let the snow come through
    And chill you to the bone
    (Brrr, cha)
    Somehow you’d better go home where it’s warm

    Where you can live in a love of the common people
    Smile from the heart of a family man
    (Ah, ah, yeah)
    Daddy’s gonna buy you a dream to cling to
    Mama’s gonna love you just as much as she can
    (So cold)
    And she can

    Living on a dream ain’t easy
    But the closer the knit, the tighter the fit
    (The closer the knit)
    And the chills stay away
    (Ow, ah, ah, yeah)
    Just to take ’em in stride for family pride
    You know that faith is your foundation
    (Ooh, now, ooh, now, ooh, now)
    With a whole lotta love and a warm conversation
    But don’t forget to pray
    (Forget to pray)
    Just making it strong where you belong

    And we’re living in the love of the common people
    Smiles from the heart of a family man
    (What’s it now?)
    Daddy’s gonna buy you a dream to cling to
    Mama’s gonna love you just as much as she can
    (You’re so cold)
    And she can
    Yes, we’re living in the love of the common people
    Smile’s from the heart of a family man
    (Ah, ah, yeah)
    Daddy’s gonna buy you a dream to cling to
    Mama’s gonna love you just as much as she can
    (You’re so cold)

    Living in the love of the common people
    Smile’s from the heart of a family man
    (What’s it now?)
    Daddy’s gonna buy you a dream to cling to
    Mama’s gonna love you just as much as she can
    (You’re so cold)

    Living in the love of the common people
    Smile’s really hard on a family man
    (Ah, ah, yeah)
    Daddy’s gonna buy you a dream to cling to
    Mama’s gonna love you just as much as she can
    And she can

    Written By John Hurley, Ronnie Wilkins

    Paul Young - Love Of The Common People - Promo Advert

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    Paul Young
    Love Of The Common People
    Paul Young - Love Of The Common People - UK 7'' Cover - Front
    Paul Young - Love Of The Common People - VIT Album

    Date Released

    7th November 1983

    Highest Chart Position

    No. 02

    Genre

    Electronic, Pop, Synth-Pop, Blue-Eyed Soul

    Date Of UK Top 40 Entry

    13th November 1983

    Record Label

    CBS RECORDS

    Catalogue Number

    A 3585

    Other Songs In Archive

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