Good People
Encyclopedia
"Good People" is a protest song
written and performed by Jack Johnson
. It is the fourth track on the album In Between Dreams
and was released as a single in June 2005
. Though the song has a positive and relaxing sound it is critical of contemporary television
, especially with regard to frequent violence
, and its effect on society
. The song is similar to the song "Cookie Jar" from Johnson's previous album On and On, which also draws attention to the issue, but with a more explicit protest and melancholic sound.
The song did poorly compared to the other singles from Johnson's In Between Dreams album, although it did peak at #29 on the Modern Rock Tracks
chart in the US
. It also became a minor hit in the UK, peaking at #50 on the UK Singles Chart
and appearing on Now That's What I Call Music! 61, the sixty-first volume of the British hits compilation series. It peaked at #25 in New Zealand
and at #92 in the Netherlands
.
Protest song
A protest song is a song which is associated with a movement for social change and hence part of the broader category of topical songs . It may be folk, classical, or commercial in genre...
written and performed by Jack Johnson
Jack Johnson (musician)
Jack Johnson was born May 18, 1975 is an American folk rock singer-songwriter, surfer and musician known for his work in the soft rock and acoustic genres. In 2001, he achieved commercial success after the release of his debut album, Brushfire Fairytales. He has since released four more albums, a...
. It is the fourth track on the album In Between Dreams
In Between Dreams
-Personnel:*Jack Johnson - vocals, acoustic guitar*Zach Gill - piano, accordion, melodica*Adam Topol - drums*Merlo Podlewski - bass*Mario Caldato, Jr...
and was released as a single in June 2005
2005 in music
-Events:*During the year 2005, 12 rock music albums scored number 1 in the USA. This was the first time even ten albums have scored number 1 since 1996.-January:...
. Though the song has a positive and relaxing sound it is critical of contemporary television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
, especially with regard to frequent violence
Violence
Violence is the use of physical force to apply a state to others contrary to their wishes. violence, while often a stand-alone issue, is often the culmination of other kinds of conflict, e.g...
, and its effect on society
Society
A society, or a human society, is a group of people related to each other through persistent relations, or a large social grouping sharing the same geographical or virtual territory, subject to the same political authority and dominant cultural expectations...
. The song is similar to the song "Cookie Jar" from Johnson's previous album On and On, which also draws attention to the issue, but with a more explicit protest and melancholic sound.
Charts
| Chart | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Netherlands Mega Single Top 100 Mega Single Top 100 The Single Top 100 is a Dutch chart, based on official physical single sales and legal downloads and composed by MegaCharts. It is one of the three official charts, the other two being the Dutch Top 40 and the Mega Top 50. The difference is that these charts also include airplay data.The list is... |
92 |
| New Zealand RIANZ Singles Chart Recording Industry Association of New Zealand The Recording Industry Association of New Zealand is a non-profit trade association of record producers, distributors and recording artists who sell music in New Zealand... |
25 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
50 |
| U.S. Billboard Modern Rock Tracks Modern Rock Tracks Alternative Songs is a music chart in the United States that has appeared in Billboard magazine since September 10, 1988. It lists the 40 most-played songs on modern rock radio stations, most of which are alternative rock songs... |
29 |
The song did poorly compared to the other singles from Johnson's In Between Dreams album, although it did peak at #29 on the Modern Rock Tracks
Modern Rock Tracks
Alternative Songs is a music chart in the United States that has appeared in Billboard magazine since September 10, 1988. It lists the 40 most-played songs on modern rock radio stations, most of which are alternative rock songs...
chart in the US
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It also became a minor hit in the UK, peaking at #50 on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
and appearing on Now That's What I Call Music! 61, the sixty-first volume of the British hits compilation series. It peaked at #25 in New Zealand
Recording Industry Association of New Zealand
The Recording Industry Association of New Zealand is a non-profit trade association of record producers, distributors and recording artists who sell music in New Zealand...
and at #92 in the Netherlands
Mega Single Top 100
The Single Top 100 is a Dutch chart, based on official physical single sales and legal downloads and composed by MegaCharts. It is one of the three official charts, the other two being the Dutch Top 40 and the Mega Top 50. The difference is that these charts also include airplay data.The list is...
.