"The People Who Grinned Themselves to Death" is the second and final studio album by the British indie pop band, The Housemartins. It was released in 1987 under the Go! Discs label. The album contains a total of 14 tracks including popular songs like "Five Get Over Excited", "Me and the Farmer", and the title track itself.
The band was known for their blend of cappella and indie pop, often with a politically passionate edge. The album name incisively highlights the band's critical standpoint towards the British monarchy and upper classes. The album's lyrical depth is complemented by jangly guitar melodies and clear, pronounced riffs.
The album met with success in the UK, peaking at No. 9 on the UK Albums Chart. Despite the band's subsequent disbandment a year later, "The People Who Grinned Themselves to Death" remains a critical success, reflecting the politically charged yet melodious template of The Housemartins' style.
The band members Paul Heaton, Stan Cullimore, Norman Cook, and Dave Hemingway have since pursued their own music careers. Heaton and Hemingway formed the band 'The Beautiful South', while Cook achieved significant success as a solo artist under the alias 'Fatboy Slim'.
