River of People

On its release as a single, William Shaw of Smash Hits described "River of People" as "very enjoyable" and an "optimistic, soulful thing that swings along at a joyful pace".{{cite magazine|last=Shaw|first=William|date=14 January 1987|title=Singles|magazine=Smash Hits|page=50}} Kid Jensen, writing for Number One, noted the song's "loose arrangement which sounds effortlessly slick and is not too dissimilar to the Style Council's recent offering". He concluded, "It's the sort of white dance music I favour and which could even have some impact in the American market."{{cite magazine|last=Jensen|first=Kid|date=7 February 1987|title=Singles|magazine=Number One|page=27}}

Lesley O'Toole of Record Mirror felt the song was "less overtly aggressive" than "Candybar Express" and "less Hall & Oates" than "Dear John". She wrote, "'River of People' sees Grant drawing in his quiff (metaphorically speaking), toning down the squealing guitars a mite and unravelling his most conventional rocker to date. Forceful, fixating and damned wearing on the toes." She concluded that the song "should give them the shortest odds on a hit yet".{{cite magazine |last=O'Toole |first=Lesley |title=Singles |magazine=Record Mirror |date=10 January 1987 |page=11 |issn=0144-5804}} Jerry Smith of Music Week described "River of People" as a "bright and lively dance track". He added, "Its strong vocal and irresistible, bubbling beat within a crisp production should pick up plenty of exposure and follow 'Candybar Express' at least to the lower reaches of the charts."{{cite magazine|last=Smith|first=Jerry|date=17 January 1987|title=A&R: Singles|magazine=Music Week|page=13|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1987/Music-Week-1987-01-17.pdf|via=World Radio History|access-date=15 October 2021}} Music & Media picked the song as one of their "records of the week" during April 1987.{{cite magazine|date=25 April 1987|title=M&M Euro Tip Page|magazine=Music & Media|page=17|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/80s/1987/M&M-1987-04-05.pdf|via=World Radio History|access-date=15 October 2021}}

7-inch single{{cite AV media notes|title=River of People|others=Love and Money|year=1987|type=UK 7-inch single sleeve|publisher=Mercury Records|id=MONEY 3}}

1. "River of People" – 4:25
2. "Desire" – 4:40

12-inch single{{cite AV media notes|title=River of People|others=Love and Money|year=1987|type=UK 12-inch single sleeve|publisher=Mercury Records|id=MONEY 312}}

1. "River of People" (Extended Mix) – 7:03
2. "Candybar Express" (Shep Pettibone Mix) – 5:59
3. "Desire" – 4:40

Double 12-inch single{{cite AV media notes|title=River of People|others=Love and Money|year=1987|type=UK 12-inch single sleeve|publisher=Mercury Records|id=MONEY 313}}

1. "River of People" (Extended Mix) – 7:03
2. "Candybar Express" (Shep Pettibone Mix) – 5:59
3. "Desire" – 4:40
4. "River of People" (Acapella Version) – 5:

12-inch single (UK promo){{cite AV media notes|title=River of People|others=Love and Money|year=1987|type=UK 12-inch promotional single sleeve|publisher=Mercury Records|id=MADDOX 19}}

1. "River of People" (Extended Mix) – 7:03
2. "Candybar Express" (Shep Pettibone Mix) – 5:59

Credits are adapted from the UK 12-inch single sleeve notes and the All You Need Is... booklet.{{cite AV media notes|title=All You Need Is...|title-link=All You Need Is...|others=Love and Money|year=1986|type=UK album CD booklet|publisher=Mercury Records|id=830 021-2}}

Love and Money

• James Grant – lead vocals, lead guitar
• Paul McGeechan – keyboards
• Bobbie Paterson – bass
• Stuart Kerr – drums, backing vocals
• Ronnie Goodman – percussion

Production

• Tom Dowd – producer on "River of People"
• Dave Buscombe – mixing engineer on "River of People"
• Mark Berry – mixing on "River of People"
• Love and Money – producers on "Desire"
• Shep Pettibone – mixer on "Candybar Express"

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{{Love and Money (band)}}

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Category:1987 songs

Category:1987 singles

Category:Mercury Records singles

Category:Songs written by James Grant (musician)

Category:Song recordings produced by Tom Dowd