People, I've Been Sad

People, I've Been Sad was released to digital retailers on 5 February 2020, and to American adult alternative radio on 17 February, as the first single from La vita nuova. It was written by Christine and the Queens and produced with Ash Workman. The lyrics are in both English and French. It was performed on the Together at Home pre-show and on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

Kory Grow of Rolling Stone compared it to Girlfriend, and Stacy Anderson of Pitchfork called it genuine and striking. Time and Paste named it best song of 2020, NPR and Pitchfork put it second, and the Guardian and Rolling Stone third. In September 2024 Pitchfork ranked it number 64 on its list of the 100 best songs of the 2020s so far.