People Are Good

Depeche Mode's song "People Are Good" serves as a mantra of optimism in the face of human imperfection. The lyrics, repeated like a soothing incantation, reflect an internal struggle to maintain faith in humanity. The narrator tells themselves that people are inherently good, using this belief as a shield against the disillusionment that can come from witnessing negative actions. The repetition of the phrase "Keep telling myself that people are good" suggests a need for reassurance, as if the speaker is trying to convince themselves of this truth in a world that often presents evidence to the contrary.

The song also touches on the idea that when people do wrong, it's not out of malice but rather a result of their own internal struggles. The lines "And when they do bad things, They're just hurting inside" imply that harmful actions are a reflection of personal pain rather than inherent badness. This perspective encourages empathy and understanding, even in the face of wrongdoing. The repeated pleas for heavenly help underscore the difficulty of holding onto this belief, suggesting a search for external support in maintaining this positive outlook.

Ultimately, the song conveys a message of hope and resilience. The assurance that "Everything will be alright in time" and the repeated affirmations that people are good serve as a comforting reminder that despite the challenges and complexities of human behavior, there is a core of goodness that can prevail. This message is particularly resonant in the context of Depeche Mode's broader discography, which often explores themes of human emotion, morality, and the search for meaning.