"We Are the People" is a song by Australian electronic music duo Empire of the Sun, released as the second single from their debut studio album, Walking on a Dream (2008). It was released in Australia on 20 September 2008 and debuted at number 85 on the ARIA Singles Chart before peaking at number 24 on 12 January 2009. It was also a European hit, peaking at number one in Germany in December 2010.
Music video The music video for the song, directed by Josh Logue, was inspired by the Mexican festival Day of the Dead (Día de Muertos). It was shot in Mexico, with locations including the Las Pozas surrealist sculpture gardens at Xilitla in San Luis Potosí, as well as Monterrey and García in Nuevo León.
The video was nominated for Best Video at the ARIA Music Awards of 2009.
Track listings Australian CD "We Are the People" – 4:34 "We Are the People" (Shazam remix) – 5:44 "We Are the People" (Sam La More remix)" – 7:32 "Walking on a Dream" (Neon Neon mix) – 3:50 "Walking on a Dream" (Danger racing remix) – 4:37
UK iTunes EP 1 "We Are the People" – 4:32 "We Are the People" (Burns remix) – 6:52 "We Are the People" (The Golden Filter remix – UK edit) – 6:57 "We Are the People" (We Are the Cagedbaby mix – UK edit) – 6:56 "We Are the People" (Crazy P remix – UK edit) – 6:49
UK iTunes EP 2 "We Are the People" – 4:32 "We Are the People" (Wawa remix; UK edit) – 6:55 "We Are the People" (The Shapeshifters vocal remix; UK edit) – 6:47 "We Are the People" (Sam La More remix; UK edit) – 6:47 "We Are the People" (Shazam remix) – 5:44 "We Are the People" (Style of Eye remix; UK edit) – 6:58
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (2009–2012) Peakposition Europe (European Hot 100 Singles) 15 Luxembourg Digital (Billboard) 1 Russia Airplay (TopHit) 108 Ukraine Airplay (TopHit) 101
Chart (2024–2026) Peakposition Greece International (IFPI) 15 Latvia Streaming (LaIPA) 3 Lithuania (AGATA) 9 Netherlands (Single Tip) 14 Poland (Polish Streaming Top 100) 97 Portugal (AFP) 135 Romania Airplay (TopHit) 91 Ukraine Airplay (TopHit) 172
Monthly charts + Chart (2026) Peakposition Romania Airplay (TopHit) 99 Year-end charts Chart (2009) Position Australia (ARIA) 98 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) 78 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia) 80 Italy (FIMI) 90 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) 99 UK Singles (OCC) 119
Chart (2010) Position Germany (Media Control GfK) 16
Chart (2011) Position Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) 23 Germany (Media Control GfK) 33
Chart (2025) Position Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) 179 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) 75 US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard) 31
Certifications
Release history Country Date Label Format Australia 20 September 2008 Digital single 20 February 2009 Digital EP 20 February 2009 CD single 1 May 2009 Digital remix EP Germany 8 May 2009 EMI Digital EP United Kingdom 24 May 2009 Virgin 31 May 2009 1 June 2009 7" single Germany 26 November 2010 EMI CD single
Usage in media The song has been used in media productions such as advertisements for the Special Broadcasting Service, Vizio televisions, and Idents for Channel V. From October 2010, the song was used in Vodafone TV commercials in Germany, upon which it reentered the charts and reached number 1. The song was also used in the 2011 films The Roommate and Hall Pass, as well as in episode 11 of season 6 of Entourage.
References