This week, we’re highlighting a Great Song from 1984 and 1985 that’s all about about Unity.

“People are People” by Depeche Mode is quite simply a call for people to put aside their differences and work together for a common cause.

Today, more than 40 years later, that seems difficult at best… but it’s still a worthy goal.

The song itself, from the album “Some Great Reward,” was a technical masterpiece of sorts–and yet, quite retro in its approach.

The group would bang on pots, pans, and kitchen utensils to create tape loops for use as rhythm tracks.

“People Are People” was a hit in 15 countries, but it took a while to catch on in the U.S, finally climbing to #13 on The Hot 100 in 1985.

And here’s some historial triva for you: the song was used as the theme for West German TV’s coverage of the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles– a not so subtle dig at the Soviet-led boycott of the games.

Then, In 2011, “People Are People” was added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s list of the “500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.”

“People Are People” by Depeche Mode: a plea for unity, and a Great Song of 1984 and1985.

For the stories behind more than 1,500 Great Songs of the ’70s and ’80s, visit my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/MichaelCuuuk/