People Help the People

"People Help The People" is the third single from Birdy's self titled debut album, released when the British singer was just 15. All 11 tracks are cover versions; this one written and first released by Cherry Ghost, the performing name for Simon Aldred, who also wrote the song. He wrote it in December 2005 as a Christmas song in the tradition of John Lennon's "Give Peace A Chance," but it became something more universal. In the UK, the Cherry Ghost original went to #27 in 2007; Birdy's cover reached #33 in 2011 but was a much bigger hit in several other European countries, including Switzerland, where it reached #2.

"I was tremendously flattered by Birdy's cover," Simon Aldred of Cherry Ghost told Songfacts in 2023. "I thought it was beautiful and we have since written together and become good friends. Her cover was instrumental in starting me on a path for writing songs for other artists, which is now my main profession." Aldred's CV as a songwriter includes "For What It's Worth" by Liam Gallagher and "Not Your Muse" by Celeste.

Birdy's cover received attention in Australia in 2012 when it was used in a trailer for a Neighbours storyline.