PEOPLE WATCHING
by SAM FENDER

People Watching, released 15 November 2024 is the lead single and title track from Sam Fender's third album People Watching, due in February 2025.

Speaking about the single, Fender explained that it was written about his close friend and mentor Annie Orwin, who for 17 years starred in Byker Grove - a coming of age drama centring on a Newcastle youth centre which ran from 1989-2006. 

"People Watching is about somebody that was like a surrogate mother to me and passed away last November. I was by her side at the end, slept on a chair next to her. It’s about what was going through my head, to and from that place and home."

Adding: "It’s kind of ironic because she was the one that gave me the confidence to go on stage, and used to be like ‘why haven’t you mentioned my name in your acceptance speech’. But now an entire song (and album) connects to her. I hope she’s looking down saying ‘about time kid’.”

People Watching entered the Official Singles Chart at Number 4 on 22 November 2024, earning Sam Fender his highest chart debut to date.