the song has an upbeat tempo, with the drums playing beats on the eighth note. from 0:00–0:22, the song opens with an instrumental intro. the keyboard has the melody from 0:00-0:12, and the guitar and violin pick it up from 0:13–0:22. the vocals start at 0:23, and the first verse is from 0:23–0:51. the keyboard, bass, and drums provide accompaniment during the first verse. the pre-chorus is from 0:38–0:51, with the guitar joining the accompaniment. the first chorus is from 0:52–1:05. the violin joins in at this point, playing the melody along with the backing vocals. the lead vocals harmonize above the melody. the second verse is from 1:06–1:32, with the keyboard, guitar, bass, and drums providing accompaniment. the second chorus lasts from 1:33–1:47, leading into a guitar solo from 1:48–2:15. the intro from the beginning plays again from 2:16–2:30. the third verse lasts from 2:31–2:57, and the third chorus fades out from 2:58–3:38. "people of the south wind" takes a greater pop approach than other kansas songs to appeal to a larger audience. the single brought kansas modest success, as it peaked at twenty-three on the "billboard" hot 100.