Sam Fender's 'People Watching': A nostalgic masterpiece

Sam Fender performing at Co-Op Live arena. CREDIT: Niamh Fairhurst

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We’ve all been there and done it, whether it’s a subconscious thing or you’re just playing a game “on the way back home”. Maybe it's the stranger on the subway, the nurse on the bus, or the bossman from the corner shop. At some point, everybody has created a scenario for someone else’s life, distracting themselves from the uncertainty in their own reality. Sam Fender’s new single ‘People Watching’ encapsulates this perfectly, which is why it resonates so greatly with the masses. The song is dedicated to Annie Orwin, a mother-like figure to Sam, who sadly passed away last November. 

Marking the start of a new era, the Geordie has returned with another masterpiece. ‘People Watching’ is the lead title track of his upcoming album, set to be released on February 21st. The song's release reaffirms his capability to craft music that offers an introspective and universal appeal. Sam’s creative urge has only evolved since the release of his award-winning studio album, Seventeen Going Under.  

With help from his bandmates, Joe Atkinson and Dean Thompson, the song was produced partly in London. It was finished in LA alongside Adam Granduciel, frontman of the War On Drugs. Known for his ability to create a cinematic experience by layering bold instrumentals with emotive melodies, Granduciel’s influence is undeniably evident. Despite having worked on the song away from home, its reflective nature has a strong sense of regional perception—something Fender's work is admired for. We see this in the likes of “The Borders”, “Dead Boys” and “Leave Fast”.

The opening “I people watch on my way back home”, sets the tone for the entire song and album. He’s mentally and emotionally involving himself in other people’s realities as a coping mechanism, "envious of the glimmer of hope” because he’s run out of hope. Fender has always had the gift of mouth-piecing truth experiences though this track highlights emotional maturity since his previous work. Whilst maintaining his political edge and relatability, which initially made me fall in love with his music, Sam’s vulnerability and self-awareness have taken to another level.  

In the first verse the lines, “I used to feel so invincible. I used to feel there was a world worth dreamin' of”, really stand out to me. As somebody who is creeping up to adulthood, I have never resonated with something more. When we’re young we feel we can take on the world- nothing really seems that bad. But as we grow older, we are left no other choice but to face certain unalienable truths. In this case, he's referring to loss. 

In the second verse, Sam addresses the failures of the NHS crisis. “The place was fallin’ to bits. Understaffed and overruled by callous hands”. Sam wears his heart on his sleeve, recalling the nights he spent with Annie. My favourite lines come at the end of this verse “But it wasn't hard when you love someone”.  

The powerful chorus captures the feeling of nostalgia perfectly. Returning home he has a love/hate relationship with the “crippled island”. “Everybody on the treadmill, runnin”, refers to the pressures of trying to live up to social expectations rather than face their emotions.  

In the bridge, there's a shift, as Fender attempts to channel sadness into hope. His loss has left a permanent mark, yet there's an inevitable sense of acceptance in the juxtaposition between the instrumental and the lyrics. 

‘People Watching’ is for anyone who has ever experienced grief, loss, loneliness or longing for understanding. If the remainder of the album is anything like this track, it’s guaranteed to be a masterpiece.