People may disagree with me on this but the 3 most criminally underrated songwriters of the past 40 years are Andy Partridge of XTC, Neil Finn of Crowded House and Paddy McAloon of Prefab Sprout, completely overlooked in their own time but in hindsight we begin to see the scale of their musical genius.
Don't forget the picked guitar riff (with the open string drone, musos) and so many hooks in a song which has a diminished chord in it. A diminished! That's jazz! In a pop song!
The bassline on this song is amazing. I was surprised to find out the bassline was written/arranged by Andy, who thought it sounded like the peal of collegiate bells. It's a brilliant description because that's exactly what it does resemble! A band of musical geniuses - and I think this song with its clever lyrics and both catchy and skilled musicianship really displays them at one of their best moments.
My cousin (born in 79) passed away, and this song brings me so close to him… He didn’t know the words so he’d sing the backup like “PLEASE BA DEE BA DEE TO THE MAYOR OF SIMPLETON” so loud and confidently. This song was super important to him.
Hilarious 😂 !! We all know someone similar, totally relatable! Thank you for sharing and including your cousins lyrical take. Also condolences for your loss. ✌️& 💙
XTC are incredible songwriters, melodic masters who, besides their core, cult like fan base of hardcore indie music listeners also managed to have a good handful of radio hits over the years. It's kind of insane in a way that they're not a hugely known multi platinum band.
@@davidzelonis5893 That's how I feel about Black Sea. It's one of those perfect albums from start to finish. Nonsvch has highs and lows for me. I tend to prefer the weirder songs like Rook. Overall though I don't think they ever made a poor album. I'm in a minority thinking that Mummer is criminally under appreciated.
Musical brilliance and class made them to top of all charts Their songs sound like something uve already heard 100 times, even tho u werent even born at the time
Inspired by Sam Cook's "What a Wonderful World" (Now, I don’t claim to be an A student / But I’m trying to be / For maybe by being an A student, baby / I can win your love for me), but much deeper and cleverer.
TBH, Andy wrote the bassline but Colin played it for the album. Andy said Colin did a good job. EDIT: Apparently that's only partially true? (Read below.)
Colin's background vocals make the entire song IMHO. Love this and this and everything XTC was a huge part of my College career at the time of its release.
@@101Volts AP came up with the 16 note repetitive motif,Colin then came up with the rest of the bassline-this is according to Colin himself on the TC&I facebook group just today.
not in a million years lmao XTC are critical darlings and were very famous in the UK in the 80s. the most underrated band of the 80s would be someone like Game Theory who barely have a following.
@@thebasedgodmax1163 Famous in the UK, appreciated in the US, but underrated none-the-less. Ask any regular old joe about XTC they will probably not know.
Having raised my daughter on the Beatles, I have been slipping XTC tunes to her ipod. How sweet it is then when she comes to me and says "who is this band playing Greenman (Apple Venus), Dad? They're brilliant!"
This is very telling of how good this song is: 1989 - was in college - heard it and loved it - played it all the time. Early 90's - faded from my consciousness. Mid 90's - back to playing it all the time and loving it. Late 90's - it faded again. Early 00's - playing the mp3 often. mid 00's - fades. Today - here I am again listening. This song always returns. Something about the bass line or flow or arrangement always pulls me back. It's timeless. Thanks XTC.
Every good thing comes to an end. I came of age in the 60's and never thought there would be another band like the Beatles, and then I discovered XTC. One of my favorite songs.
What an overlooked band! What genious! What a bass line! A song that actually has thought out lyrics! XTC in my book is up there with the best of the best! They deserved much more recognition than they ever recieved! They will always have mine!
This is one of those bands from the eighties that should have been more widely recognized than they were at least in the USA. Skylarking is one of the finest albums of the late 1980's, and you can hear Todd Rundgrend's influence throughout it.
@@applescruff1969 He had major panic attacks, and required medication which his wife disposed of fearing addiction. Sent him into a crisis. So he had a reason.
Music often speaks for the heart and soul in folks. There are places in us that we can't speak of...but music can bridge the gap between what we are able, and not able to express. I am fortunate that the piano has allowed me to express what my heart and spirit contains. Also, crying is an appropriate response for all mankind in our varied and complex emotions. Yes, it's strange my brotha!
I heard it in a bank a few months ago! (I am in the United States). I was shocked! I actually asked the person working there if they were playing satellite radio. She said it was a cd with a mix of songs.
This song was getting a lot of play on Boston’s alternative station when I started seeing my new guy, senior year of college. We’re married 30 years in October!
Hadn't heard this in 20 years or more, and what a joy it is to rediscover a great piece of music like this hasn't aged a day in all that time! What a great song - thanks for posting. Cheers from Montreal.
The way the bassline, melody, and harmonies all intertwine and compliment each other is really nice. Clever, thoughtful songwriting. Counterpoint is rare in music anymore, and this bassline is just plain beautiful! Colin and Partridge are artists. We need much more of this in todays music. I wish songwriters of today would take a clue from pieces like this, instead of the over-produced/processed vocoder-based 'dead-without-autopitch' sewage thats trying to pass for 'music' today
Oh, man! I had forgotten about this song. I only heard it a couple of times back in the day. I was just watching videos for the band Jellyfish for the millionth time and someone mentioned this song in the comments. I came here to be reminded and wasn't disappointed.
A favorite memory: I was in a club with my sister, who had been visiting from out of town, trudging through some of the blah music of its day, when THIS video came up on the TV monitors and dance floor speakers. We hit the floor, ecstatic! To this day, I can't hear this song and sit still.
XTC is probably one of the most underrated bands ever! I love XTC and of course their alter ego The Dukes of Stratosphere, they were the best at crafting smart and meaningful pop music.
This band is one of the most underrated and unappreciated bands ever I love XTC Andy partridge is just fantastic with his lyrics and presentation dear god will always my favorite song
man , to be alive in time where the muic was great. no cellphones, dvds, PS2s, iPODs, internet, flo rida, amrican idol and EMO. long live the 80s. life was simple and idyllic.
Great tune!! What an underrated group, not nearly exposed enough to music fans here in the U.S. I stumbled upon this song tonight for the first time; it is used in the closing credits for a wonderful sleeper comedy film from 2003 called "Welcome to Mooseport". Movie starred Ray Romano, Gene Hackman, Maura Tierney and a supporting cast of excellent comedic talent. Brilliant song in a terrific though unheralded movie.
grew up hearing my parents play all sorts of xtc. listening to them close to 20 years later still always brings back the happiness i felt listening to them as a kid
I've often thought that if I were asked to name the most clever pop song of all time that this would be the song. You simply can't say enough about this band !
Thx, Andy Partridge, and thx, XTC, for your wonderful music. I remember growing up with them in the 80s and thinking, "here are the next Beatles." Didn't happen, but I personally believe, musically, they're similar, both in talent and innovation. Too bad. Now I have Rhianna, Taylor Swift, and, of course, Justin Bieber. Wow. How... telling.
Bill Theripper all over but the bloodbath most albums are listenable all the way through even Mummer. XTCs catalog is ridiculously good, they got better with every album. Oranges and Lemons is their best album though, not one song on it is worth skipping over.
This. This band. Brilliant, masterful, efficient, gorgeously melodic, astounding lyrically...a band I NEVER “skip”, pass, pause, or tire of...thank the good powers that be I was alive The same time as XTC
XTC are so under-rated !! brilliant songs from Mr Partridge and co, i love listening to their stuff ! one day they will get the recognision they deserve !!
Ahhhh what a delightful group. Love the typewriter gal using, like mine I love to use,it works even if electric goes off in a storm. Also the remote toy car, just like my sweeties, he crossed over Jan 27, 2007. I can still see the delight as he took that little car + would run it in our quadrant of town Sq.+ see how close he could run it to the cars in the traffic circle. Such a kid at heart. I miss him so + this brings such fond memories my way. LOVE XTC. :-) Thanks Dear UK Man for share.
Themayors of clever, crafty pop-rock! I've loved these guys from "Respectable Street" to the present. Thanx for some of the most wonderful music of my life, gentlemen!
Keep in mind that this is one of the few bass lines written by Andy and not Colin. Andy's usual mantra was to play song X and let Colin come up with whatever fit, but on this particular song, Andy said, "This is the bass line" (in so many words) and that's what you hear. In other words, Andy fully realized this tune without much outside influence.
A great blast form the past. My friend used to play this on bass guitar mimicking Colin Moulding's parts perfectly. Also, just love the chiming appregiated (?) guitar lick.
i heard this song for the first time back in 1987. it just popped into my head now that i'm 43 yrs old. thank you youtube for this fast track to memory lane!
No one seems to mention Colin Moulding's bass playing which is top notch. It's nice that America embraced them at the time. They were making their best records at the time too.
I think 25% of these comments are about how good the bass playing is. It's very hard not to notice how busy it is like Duran Durans "Rio". The USA has a population of 335 million to England's 56 yet their bands dominate the charts at times. Britain must have one hell of a music program in it's schools as they still export good music. I'm talking about the second British invasion in the early 80s. I just realized within the next 10 years that most of the first British invasion will be leaving this Earth. Beatles, stones, who, queen, kinks, led Zeppelin, Elton etc. Genius after genius. The USA has Brian Wilson and . . . .
I'm a HUGE fan of XTC ("Oranges and Lemons" is one of my favourite records of all times) but this video comes to me as a total surprise. I've never seen it in Italy. Thanks for posting.
Never been near a university, Never took a paper or a learned degree, And some of your friends think that's stupid of me, But it's nothing that I care about. Well I don't know how to tell the weight of the sun, And of mathematics well I want none, And I may be the Mayor of Simpleton, But I know one thing, And that's I love you. When their logic grows cold and all thinking gets done, You'll be warm in the arms of the Mayor of Simpleton. I can't have been there when brains were handed round (please be upstanding for the Mayor of Simpleton), Or get past the cover of your books profound, (please be upstanding for the Mayor of Simpleton), And some of your friends thinks it's really unsound, That you're ever seen talking to me. Well I don't know how to write a big hit song, And all crossword puzzles well I just shun, And I may be the Mayor of Simpleton, But I know one thing, And that's I love you. I'm not proud of the fact that I never learned much, Just feel I should say, what you get is all real, I can't put on an act, It takes brains to do that anyway. (And anyway) And I can't unravel riddles, problems and puns, How the home computer has me on the run, And I may be the Mayor of Simpleton, But I know one thing, And that's I love you (I love you). If depth of feeling is a currency, (please be upstanding for the Mayor of Simpleton), Then I'm the man who grew the money tree, (no Chain of Office and no hope of getting one). Some of your friends are too brainy to see, That they're paupers and that's how they'll stay. Well I don't know how many pounds make up a ton, Of all the Nobel prizes that I've never won, And I may be the Mayor of Simpleton, But I know one thing, And that's I love you. When all logic grows cold and all thinking gets done, You'll be warm in the arms of the Mayor of Simpleton. You'll be warm in the arms of the Mayor of Simpleton. You'll be warm in the arms of the Mayor. (Please be upstanding for the Mayor of Simpleton.)
Reminds me of Forrest Gump. The book was out when this song was released, but the movie wasn't. IDK if Andy took any inspiration from the book, maybe he didn't.
I remember back around 92. I was newly Maried. My Brother, Brother in Law, and 2 of thier friends had me pick them up from Jail on DUI. They piled in the back seat, and were singing this song all the way (still drunk) home. My wife and I were tired, and pissed off back then. They have both passed on at a very young age. We cry when we hear this song now, but I play it over and over.
+Crimson Kng Young Andy would sympathize. (I just finished reading "Complicated Game" and he mentions a few times how he had a Valium prescription for many years)
Crimson Kng I found it to be a very enlightening read and I definitely recommend it; if you're an XTC fan and don't have a problem with reading interviews, it's a definite winner!
Crimson Kng....My mom used to watch all those bad medical shows that were on in the 60's and 70's. One of them, I think it was Emergency, the ER MDs were always giving orders for "10mg diazepam IV STAT" I was thinking it must be some kind of wonder drug for everyone, no matter what was wrong with you. I became a nurse and the only times I ever saw Valium given ASAP was 2 times. One was a young jail employee who could not pass his annual physical because his BP would go sky high just thinking he wouldn't pass. The Dr. gave him 5mg tab and his BP was just fine. The other time was a guy who showed up at the ER of the Army Hospital I was stationed at. He had mistaken a vacuum cleaner attachment for a sex toy. He did get 10mg but not before damn near everyone working that night had a chance to pop in and see how things were going in the ER. LOL That little sucker was really wedged in there. One of the Drs told the poor guy "we may have to amputate". Honestly, try not to laugh at the situation. We had to get him almost comatose to free willy. I was glad I wasn't a guy that night because I'm pretty sure I would have had sympathy pains. Cheers
People may disagree with me on this but the 3 most criminally underrated songwriters of the past 40 years are Andy Partridge of XTC, Neil Finn of Crowded House and Paddy McAloon of Prefab Sprout, completely overlooked in their own time but in hindsight we begin to see the scale of their musical genius.
Right on the money, my friend!
Spot on. Paddy McAloon has one of the best voices of the 80s in my humble opinion
Tommy Keene was another underrated songwriter.
Shortcake07 Thank you. Paddy MacAloon was/is a genius
They were all pretty successful - so not sure they were overlooked at all. Finn especially was very big around the world
It honestly joys me when I read the comments on these songs and I know I'm not alone as someone who recognises XTC's pure brilliance.
Hey, still here in 2024?
Fantastic bassline, check. Incredible harmonies, check. Quintessentially British, check.
Simply brilliant on every level.
Coined as "the thinking Englishmans pop band' Quite apt I thought
So Right
Don't forget the picked guitar riff (with the open string drone, musos) and so many hooks in a song which has a diminished chord in it. A diminished! That's jazz! In a pop song!
@@glammer I play it as a E7, which is three-quarters of G#dim (G#-F-B-D [F is the oddball: b9]). Brilliant blokes!
As a Yank I love this and I could never see any American band sounding like bands like XTC or Wire. What an awesome tune.
The bassline on this song is amazing. I was surprised to find out the bassline was written/arranged by Andy, who thought it sounded like the peal of collegiate bells. It's a brilliant description because that's exactly what it does resemble! A band of musical geniuses - and I think this song with its clever lyrics and both catchy and skilled musicianship really displays them at one of their best moments.
Yes! He’s not only an extremely intelligent lyricist!
Couldn't agree more. Great arrangement, flawlessly execution.
I have to disagee with you fellas---Andy wrote the riff (20%) Colin filled in the rest.(80%) Surprising how things get lost in the mists of time.
A classic song of Englaish self deprecation, when really he's a smart bloke
My cousin (born in 79) passed away, and this song brings me so close to him… He didn’t know the words so he’d sing the backup like “PLEASE BA DEE BA DEE TO THE MAYOR OF SIMPLETON” so loud and confidently. This song was super important to him.
Hilarious 😂 !!
We all know someone similar, totally relatable! Thank you for sharing and including your cousins lyrical take. Also condolences for your loss. ✌️& 💙
XTC are incredible songwriters, melodic masters who, besides their core, cult like fan base of hardcore indie music listeners also managed to have a good handful of radio hits over the years. It's kind of insane in a way that they're not a hugely known multi platinum band.
nonsuch is pure genius one of those albums where every song is great
@@davidzelonis5893 That's how I feel about Black Sea. It's one of those perfect albums from start to finish. Nonsvch has highs and lows for me. I tend to prefer the weirder songs like Rook. Overall though I don't think they ever made a poor album. I'm in a minority thinking that Mummer is criminally under appreciated.
Musical brilliance and class made them to top of all charts
Their songs sound like something uve already heard 100 times, even tho u werent even born at the time
A pop band should not have a song this intelligent about being dumb, and a bassline as incredible as Colin's.
Inspired by Sam Cook's "What a Wonderful World" (Now, I don’t claim to be an A student / But I’m trying to be / For maybe by being an A student, baby / I can win your love for me), but much deeper and cleverer.
Well put.
TBH, Andy wrote the bassline but Colin played it for the album. Andy said Colin did a good job. EDIT: Apparently that's only partially true? (Read below.)
Colin's background vocals make the entire song IMHO. Love this and this and everything XTC was a huge part of my College career at the time of its release.
@@101Volts AP came up with the 16 note repetitive motif,Colin then came up with the rest of the bassline-this is according to Colin himself on the TC&I facebook group just today.
The absolute most underrated band of the 80's.
not in a million years lmao XTC are critical darlings and were very famous in the UK in the 80s. the most underrated band of the 80s would be someone like Game Theory who barely have a following.
@@thebasedgodmax1163 Famous in the UK, appreciated in the US, but underrated none-the-less. Ask any regular old joe about XTC they will probably not know.
@@ooo_Kim_Chi_ooo I don't disagree they're underrated by the average person, but my point is I wouldn't call them the MOST underrated of the 80s.
Not really, they were then and still, just another boring british pop band
@mollkatless
Geeezus really hahaa
Dems near fightin words
You and Lil kim here got the wrong frenz...just saying.. hahaa
"and I can't unravel riddles, problems and puns, and the home computer has me on the run".. Great line. Love this song!!
Clever lads, clever words, finely crafted tune. What more could you ask from a timeless classic?
Having raised my daughter on the Beatles, I have been slipping XTC tunes to her ipod. How sweet it is then when she comes to me and says "who is this band playing Greenman (Apple Venus), Dad? They're brilliant!"
This is very telling of how good this song is: 1989 - was in college - heard it and loved it - played it all the time. Early 90's - faded from my consciousness. Mid 90's - back to playing it all the time and loving it. Late 90's - it faded again. Early 00's - playing the mp3 often. mid 00's - fades. Today - here I am again listening. This song always returns. Something about the bass line or flow or arrangement always pulls me back. It's timeless. Thanks XTC.
XTC were so amazing. Absolutely love these lyrics. Just near perfect, this.
Every good thing comes to an end. I came of age in the 60's and never thought there would be another band like the Beatles, and then I discovered XTC. One of my favorite songs.
The beatles are innovators
Pound for pound, the best pure pop band from '78 to '90...no one could touch 'em!
Too true. Superb.
+KENDZIification If I agreed with you--and I might--would you consider the possibility that from 1990-1996 the Rembrandts took the title?
I suppose that it's possible. Too many one hit wonders here in the states.
They made three albums after 1990, all just as good.
One of the best pop songs ever, by one of the best pop bands ever.
What an overlooked band! What genious! What a bass line! A song that actually has thought out lyrics! XTC in my book is up there with the best of the best! They deserved much more recognition than they ever recieved! They will always have mine!
This is one of those bands from the eighties that should have been more widely recognized than they were at least in the USA. Skylarking is one of the finest albums of the late 1980's, and you can hear Todd Rundgrend's influence throughout it.
i remember listing to summers cauldron 1990 yonkers ny on a hot summer day
They sort of did that to themselves. Andy Partridge refused to do touring once the band got a solid following.
@@applescruff1969 He had major panic attacks, and required medication which his wife disposed of fearing addiction. Sent him into a crisis. So he had a reason.
Great record; but it had a very difficult birth. Rungren and the band argued quite a bit i understand,...
I actually think this album and Nonsuch were their creative pinnacle. I unashamedly love the pop side of this band.
詩も音も美しい❗️✨センス光る素晴らしき神曲
20歳の頃、初めて一人で飛行機に乗った時に偶然出会った曲でした。
曲紹介も英語で、何とか聴き取れたXTCだけ書けました。
二度と出会えない曲だと思ってたのに再開できてよかった泣
@@あさちゃん-i1x
頼むからお前の意味不明なコメントで名曲を穢さないでくれ
チラシの裏にでも書いてろよ（笑）
English Settlement still remains in my top five albums of all time and I bought it in 1982. XTC totally underrated.
people who don't get them are DEADSHITS LET'S NOT MINCE WORDS
In my humble opinion this may be the most perfect pop song ever written and produced
XTC 今聞いてもやっぱり良いですね。当時メチャクチャはまりました。
Discovering more and more songs of XTC's work. Always liked them, but the appreciation is deepening quick atm - brilliant!
This song always makes me cry for some strange reason.
Yeah, that’s weird
memories of a more innocent time?
Music often speaks for the heart and soul in folks. There are places in us that we can't speak of...but music can bridge the gap between what we are able, and not able to express. I am fortunate that the piano has allowed me to express what my heart and spirit contains. Also, crying is an appropriate response for all mankind in our varied and complex emotions. Yes, it's strange my brotha!
I Am on your side, Laurence. A lot of songs do that to me. Can you imagine a world without music?
Kind of makes me teary eyed too.
This song plays at my job all the time and it’s always the highlight of my day :)
cans of swine do you work in an elevator? Gas station bathroom?
some on at your work has taste
I heard it in a bank a few months ago! (I am in the United States). I was shocked! I actually asked the person working there if they were playing satellite radio. She said it was a cd with a mix of songs.
LOVE The Avengers vibe! Tara's haircut and Emma's catsuit!
Please be sure to catch "This is Pop?" which is currently airing on Showtime. Excellent documentary on XTC.
Remember first time I saw.this on tv on late 80s-loved it-great melody harmonies. still enjoy listening to it in 2021
I wasn’t alive in the 80s but I grew up with a lot of this music, like my father before me. I’m 24 now.
for some unknown reason, this song reminds me of VERONICA by ELVIS COSTELLO.
Love this song and group! Great late 70s-early 80s punk-new wave
I can totally relate
...In the wedding CAKE!!!
Have you ever made plans for Nigel?
You’re right. It does have that “Veronica” vibe. Good call. The commentator who referenced The Gin Blossoms song is spot on too.
Absolutely! Thank you for solving that!!!
This song was getting a lot of play on Boston’s alternative station when I started seeing my new guy, senior year of college. We’re married 30 years in October!
Hadn't heard this in 20 years or more, and what a joy it is to rediscover a great piece of music like this hasn't aged a day in all that time! What a great song - thanks for posting. Cheers from Montreal.
The way the bassline, melody, and harmonies all intertwine and compliment each other is really nice. Clever, thoughtful songwriting.
Counterpoint is rare in music anymore, and this bassline is just plain beautiful!
Colin and Partridge are artists.
We need much more of this in todays music.
I wish songwriters of today would take a clue from pieces like this, instead of the over-produced/processed vocoder-based 'dead-without-autopitch' sewage thats trying to pass for 'music' today
Oh, man! I had forgotten about this song. I only heard it a couple of times back in the day. I was just watching videos for the band Jellyfish for the millionth time and someone mentioned this song in the comments. I came here to be reminded and wasn't disappointed.
I love Jellyfish! We were lucky to see them live.
@@sherrymcguire3638 Yes, very lucky! Sometimes I think it's amazing that I had the opportunity to see them twice in the short time the band existed.
A favorite memory: I was in a club with my sister, who had been visiting from out of town, trudging through some of the blah music of its day, when THIS video came up on the TV monitors and dance floor speakers. We hit the floor, ecstatic! To this day, I can't hear this song and sit still.
Lovely cheerful song. Lovely XTC where would we be without them
XTC feels like the bridge between alternative of the 80s and alternative of the 90s.
This song feels like the 60s though
I don’t feel that way, I think that they were copied. It was easy because they shed the limelight.
No 70s to 80s
Reminding me of one of The Clash's more pop influenced songs. Or Queen?
Lorelei, that's about as accurate a statement as I've ever read. These guys sound perfect in either decade. Well said!!!!
I agree! Couldn't have grown up without these lovesongs.all of them. Skylarking hello!
XTC is probably one of the most underrated bands ever! I love XTC and of course their alter ego The Dukes of Stratosphere, they were the best at crafting smart and meaningful pop music.
This is one of the best XTC songs
***** No deal. Take out the papers and the trash! Hahahahahaha!
THE best!! good video too.
Heard this a grocery store two days in Florida and just stated dancing. Everyone that I was nuts. How much I miss my days in Manhattan Beach, CA.
Of course everyone thought you were nuts... you were being outwardly happy in public. What were you thinking?!
A brilliant lyric
Brilliant band. These guys are fun, quirky, and unique songwriters. Why they didn't they get more attention I'll never know.
hi14year
I listen to XTC 30 years and never been disappointed. Wonderful band. Thanks for the video.
One of the best love songs i've ever heard.
This band is one of the most underrated and unappreciated bands ever I love XTC Andy partridge is just fantastic with his lyrics and presentation dear god will always my favorite song
Plase RUclips, do not take this video down...10 years, this is already part of internet's history.
I always enjoy listening to this song. Great tune!! thanks for sharing.
man , to be alive in time where the muic was great. no cellphones, dvds, PS2s, iPODs, internet, flo rida, amrican idol and EMO.
long live the 80s. life was simple and idyllic.
Great tune!! What an underrated group, not nearly exposed enough to music fans here in the U.S. I stumbled upon this song tonight for the first time; it is used in the closing credits for a wonderful sleeper comedy film from 2003 called "Welcome to Mooseport". Movie starred Ray Romano, Gene Hackman, Maura Tierney and a supporting cast of excellent comedic talent. Brilliant song in a terrific though unheralded movie.
INCREDIBLE Vocal Harmonies!!!..... no autotune here!
grew up hearing my parents play all sorts of xtc. listening to them close to 20 years later still always brings back the happiness i felt listening to them as a kid
This, King for a day, Mermaid Smile, River of Orchids and Easter theater are my favourite XTC songs.
I love the big sweeping songs too, Greenman and Summer's Cauldron. Love on a Farmboy's Wages and Another Satellite are up there too.
人生50年 音楽 れき 35年の中で 頂点に立つ曲です ありがとうxtc ミスターアンディ
I've often thought that if I were asked to name the most clever pop song of all time that this would be the song. You simply can't say enough about this band !
Wendy Wonderful...says it all.
What a great song, such a great group.
What a great band. One of the best ever.
I remember the first time I heard this-my intro to the band circa ‘89. Obsessed now.
xtc.........., real pop music. brilliant.
This is one of the most beautiful love songs ever written.
My favourite XTC song, fabulous x
Thx, Andy Partridge, and thx, XTC, for your wonderful music. I remember growing up with them in the 80s and thinking, "here are the next Beatles." Didn't happen, but I personally believe, musically, they're similar, both in talent and innovation. Too bad. Now I have Rhianna, Taylor Swift, and, of course, Justin Bieber. Wow. How... telling.
Andy Partridge is one of the greatest lyricists ever, and this is his greatest work.
Andy and crew are genius. Never got the recognition they deserved. They were "light years" more talented than the shit that got recognition...
So many lyrical favorites I have, I can't even begin to cite them. But this is a gem, no question.
Dirk Yarborough Yes sir. It's simply brilliant! I still play the shit out of their music.
XTC is one of my favorite bands
Bill Theripper all over but the bloodbath most albums are listenable all the way through even Mummer. XTCs catalog is ridiculously good, they got better with every album. Oranges and Lemons is their best album though, not one song on it is worth skipping over.
Such an uplifting song.You can't help but be happy listening to it.Superb.
...and the home computer has me on the run...lol
This and Rundgren's "I saw the Light" are two of the most perfect pop songs ever written.
This. This band. Brilliant, masterful, efficient, gorgeously melodic, astounding lyrically...a band I NEVER “skip”, pass, pause, or tire of...thank the good powers that be I was alive The same time as XTC
Andy Partridge is a genius!
Partridge was great, but I liked Colin Moulding's songs better.
..and a hell of a bassist!
One of the best bassists in rock. And let's face it, one of the most under-appreciated as well.
It's certainly a far cry from "Travels in Nihilon"
XTC are so under-rated !! brilliant songs from Mr Partridge and co, i love listening to their stuff ! one day they will get the recognision they deserve !!
Great chord progressions in this. Superb songwriting.
I didn’t know until quite recently that a song as good as this could exist. I’m happy it can & does.
The brilliance of this band is how they sound so melodic while using unconventional chords and progressions.
The bass line on this song is absolutely perfect.
One of the greatest songs from the early 80s.
Latest 80s.
@@jtenaz yeah, it released 89, so legitimately the latest 80s.
Ahhhh what a delightful group. Love the typewriter gal using, like mine I love to use,it works even if electric goes off in a storm. Also the remote toy car, just like my sweeties, he crossed over Jan 27, 2007. I can still see the delight as he took that little car + would run it in our quadrant of town Sq.+ see how close he could run it to the cars in the traffic circle. Such a kid at heart. I miss him so + this brings such fond memories my way. LOVE XTC. :-) Thanks Dear UK Man for share.
Love this song! Reminds me of early Posies... yep, I know XTC was around way longer...
very early Posies... "Failure"album, which coincidentally was released in 1989 just as "Oranges & Lemons".
Probably the most underrated group in the world !! I love them ! Sorely missed !!
XTC one of the most underrated bands to exist.
Themayors of clever, crafty pop-rock! I've loved these guys from "Respectable Street" to the present. Thanx for some of the most wonderful music of my life, gentlemen!
Incredible bass line. Gives me goosebumps each time.
+Rye Cristoria - It's Colin Moulding.
mannoman I know!! :)
Keep in mind that this is one of the few bass lines written by Andy and not Colin. Andy's usual mantra was to play song X and let Colin come up with whatever fit, but on this particular song, Andy said, "This is the bass line" (in so many words) and that's what you hear. In other words, Andy fully realized this tune without much outside influence.
for my side the greatest band over 80/90's ....ever !
I love the riff on "The Avengers." I just can't believe I missed out on XTC.
I'm so glad I clicked on their videos
LOVE FROM FRANCE !!!
What a song ! What a sound !!!
Great pop song from a great band.
Outstanding band. This is one of the best crafted songs I have ever heard and the bass line rocks.
A great blast form the past. My friend used to play this on bass guitar mimicking Colin Moulding's parts perfectly. Also, just love the chiming appregiated (?) guitar lick.
Wow, look at you with your guitar knowledge. Nicely done!
i heard this song for the first time back in 1987. it just popped into my head now that i'm 43 yrs old. thank you youtube for this fast track to memory lane!
No one seems to mention Colin Moulding's bass playing which is top notch. It's nice that America embraced them at the time. They were making their best records at the time too.
william crowe it's always mentioned....
I think 25% of these comments are about how good the bass playing is. It's very hard not to notice how busy it is like Duran Durans "Rio". The USA has a population of 335 million to England's 56 yet their bands dominate the charts at times. Britain must have one hell of a music program in it's schools as they still export good music. I'm talking about the second British invasion in the early 80s. I just realized within the next 10 years that most of the first British invasion will be leaving this Earth. Beatles, stones, who, queen, kinks, led Zeppelin, Elton etc. Genius after genius. The USA has Brian Wilson and . . . .
I'm a HUGE fan of XTC ("Oranges and Lemons" is one of my favourite records of all times) but this video comes to me as a total surprise. I've never seen it in Italy. Thanks for posting.
LOVE THIS ONE!!! LISTENING IN 2019
Listening to this song in 2020 just before Valentine's Day. I may be very simple because I am now only realizing this is a love song!
Never been near a university,
Never took a paper or a learned degree,
And some of your friends think that's stupid of me,
But it's nothing that I care about.
Well I don't know how to tell the weight of the sun,
And of mathematics well I want none,
And I may be the Mayor of Simpleton,
But I know one thing,
And that's I love you.
When their logic grows cold and all thinking gets done,
You'll be warm in the arms of the Mayor of Simpleton.
I can't have been there when brains were handed round
(please be upstanding for the Mayor of Simpleton),
Or get past the cover of your books profound,
(please be upstanding for the Mayor of Simpleton),
And some of your friends thinks it's really unsound,
That you're ever seen talking to me.
Well I don't know how to write a big hit song,
And all crossword puzzles well I just shun,
And I may be the Mayor of Simpleton,
But I know one thing,
And that's I love you.
I'm not proud of the fact that I never learned much,
Just feel I should say,
what you get is all real,
I can't put on an act,
It takes brains to do that anyway. (And anyway)
And I can't unravel riddles, problems and puns,
How the home computer has me on the run,
And I may be the Mayor of Simpleton,
But I know one thing,
And that's I love you (I love you).
If depth of feeling is a currency,
(please be upstanding for the Mayor of Simpleton),
Then I'm the man who grew the money tree,
(no Chain of Office and no hope of getting one).
Some of your friends are too brainy to see,
That they're paupers and that's how they'll stay.
Well I don't know how many pounds make up a ton,
Of all the Nobel prizes that I've never won,
And I may be the Mayor of Simpleton,
But I know one thing,
And that's I love you.
When all logic grows cold and all thinking gets done,
You'll be warm in the arms of the Mayor of Simpleton.
You'll be warm in the arms of the Mayor of Simpleton.
You'll be warm in the arms of the Mayor.
(Please be upstanding for the Mayor of Simpleton.)
Reminds me of Forrest Gump. The book was out when this song was released, but the movie wasn't. IDK if Andy took any inspiration from the book, maybe he didn't.
A fantastic song from a fantastic album. Was listening to it today in the car. Fab!
So brilliant and so underrated.
Because they never toured
Great band, great song, great lyrics! HAPPY!
I bought this cassette for $3.88 "cut out" cassettes, remember those?
I got cut out CD's mid 90's- I did get sum (10-20) cassettes back in '77, from Columbia House. Gotta be 40 years since I bought a cassette...
I remember back around 92. I was newly Maried. My Brother, Brother in Law, and 2 of thier friends had me pick them up from Jail on DUI. They piled in the back seat, and were singing this song all the way (still drunk) home. My wife and I were tired, and pissed off back then. They have both passed on at a very young age. We cry when we hear this song now, but I play it over and over.
Here because Rick Beato!
Me too!!!!!
Me too bro
Yip!
Same here
Me too. When Rick recommends something you listen.
The original "simp" if there ever was one! Great tune. 😊
If this song doesn't make you tap your foot, you're taking too much Valium.
+Crimson Kng Young Andy would sympathize. (I just finished reading "Complicated Game" and he mentions a few times how he had a Valium prescription for many years)
Very interesting ... in hindsight, kind of an ironic comment, huh? Ooops, sorry, Andy. The book got mixed reviews. Do you recommend?
Crimson Kng I found it to be a very enlightening read and I definitely recommend it; if you're an XTC fan and don't have a problem with reading interviews, it's a definite winner!
Crimson Kng....My mom used to watch all those bad medical shows that were on in the 60's and 70's. One of them, I think it was Emergency, the ER MDs were always giving orders for "10mg diazepam IV STAT" I was thinking it must be some kind of wonder drug for everyone, no matter what was wrong with you.
I became a nurse and the only times I ever saw Valium given ASAP was 2 times. One was a young jail employee who could not pass his annual physical because his BP would go sky high just thinking he wouldn't pass. The Dr. gave him 5mg tab and his BP was just fine.
The other time was a guy who showed up at the ER of the Army Hospital I was stationed at. He had mistaken a vacuum cleaner attachment for a sex toy. He did get 10mg but not before damn near everyone working that night had a chance to pop in and see how things were going in the ER. LOL That little sucker was really wedged in there. One of the Drs told the poor guy "we may have to amputate". Honestly, try not to laugh at the situation. We had to get him almost comatose to free willy. I was glad I wasn't a guy that night because I'm pretty sure I would have had sympathy pains. Cheers
Crimson Kng lmao yesss
a band in Houston, Trish and Darin played this in their shows a lot--loved dancing to it-sure miss those days
Bands like BLoc Party and Franz Ferdinand wouldn't even exist without these guys :-)
thanks for posting one of my favorites group's intelegent impactual lyrics with upbeat sound .