Absolutely stunning and beautifully done: lyrically, musically. Agree or not... this is top-notch song-writing. Thanks for the reaction. XTC's entire body of work is STUNNING. Well worth checking out. "This World Over," "Senses Working Overtime," "Respectable Street," "Snowman," "Then She Appeared," "Love On A Farmboy's Wages," "Harvest Festival"... etc... they have a TON of great songs... Cheers!
I agree with you John about this song writing, especially the music. The mildly sinister main notes between the strumming. The uneasy, discordant, yet still beautiful violins. That's the very sound of doubt. The rage of being unable to process these issues in a way that doesn't lead to despair. "can't believe....won't believe" Reject if you wish....you're still in the desert, with no answers.
....and the Devil too. Resonates with me as an atheist. Can't count the number if times I have had to explain that you can't believe in the Devil if you don't believe in God.
It sounds amazing, despite the fact that it was out of phase for the master production. The reissue sounds so much better than the original because they put it in phase. Check it out!
I’m curious how you never knew about this song. I suppose you had the original version of Skylarking without it, but it’s on every compilation of theirs. And it’s possibly their most famous song.
Just found your channel and love that you're one of the few people to react to XTC, who are my 2nd favorite band of all time (after The Beatles). Andy Partridge is an outspoken atheist and wrote this song with that frame of mind. The song wasn't even on the original album release, but a DJ in the U.S. listened to it as a B-side of the single and liked it and started playing it, and it got a lot of buzz, which led to the music video and inclusion on the album in future releases. The strings on it remind me so much of 'Eleanor Rigby' and it's just a perfectly constructed pop song. And I loved your reaction to the chord progression. Andy has said multiple times that he doesn't really know chords and just mucks about on a guitar until he finds notes that he likes when he plays them together. Some of their stuff is damn near impossible to figure out. Hope you listen to more of their stuff. I highly recommend 'That Wave' (one of my favorite guitar solos in that one by their amazing guitarist, Dave Gregory), "Mayor of Simpleton', 'Complicated Game', 'Respectable Street' ... they have so many great songs and their sound really evolved over the years from their early post-punk days. Their last 2 albums - 'Apple Venus' and 'Wasp Star: Apple Venus vol. 2' aren't even on Spotify as they aren't part of their Virgin Records catalog. Some great stuff their, too. 'River of Orchids' in a must hear, especially with headphones on.
This song when it came out was amazing.... so new and creative.... it does have some crazy acoustic. It's a song that makes you think. Thanks for the video bro cheers!
Andy Partridge wrote this in response to a book of the same title, a collection of children's letters to God. He had just become an atheist, and conceived of the idea of a child writing a letter to God expressing everything that he was feeling.
Andy Partridge is one of the most clever lyricists ever. And they are a great band. Here’s just a few songs to try: 1000 Umbrellas Scarecrow People Wake Up The Mayor Of Simpleton Living Through Another Cuba Human Alchemy You And The Clouds Would Still Be Beautiful I could go on, and on, and on...
The use of language here is so simple and effective. Can't believe becomes don't believe, and finally won't believe. Doubt becomes resolve. He enumerates the reasons, but ultimately, not believing, like believing, is a choice you have to be willing to make. He states this perfectly in just a few words.
I think it's brilliant song and video myself. I don't believe it is an anti faith song but a more refusal of the Godless concept of God that man and his political religions have created and pushed onto the world to control, to dived and to conquer.
@@rubywilkinson919 and then the fact although he’s saying he doesn’t believe in god he’s also trying to strike up a conversation with God by asking all these questions, maybe because deep down he knows God is there after all ?
Great reaction with a lot of interesting insightful ideas. I would suggest a few other XTC songs: Complicated Game, Scissor Man, Life begins at the hop, Rocket from a bottle, Making Plans for Nigel, Statue of Liberty. Keep reacting man, there's a lot of great post-punk stuff I think you'd like.
Thank You for mentioning Scissor Man, that tune is AMAZING! I'd also recommend Respectable Street, Yacht Dance, Jason and the Argonauts, No Thugs in Our House
I liked this one a lot. I didn't see it as controversial, I saw it as more of an expression of disillusion and frustration rather than necessarily being a statement of opinion against anything. Possibly even someone who is experiencing a momentary crisis of faith, with the way he addresses God directly. Also just a really fun song. The way they made it sound cheerful in contrast to the lyrics was pretty cool. Reminded me of something, but of *course* I can't remember what that is - always when I want to remember something! Having a covers week sounds like a great idea. Disturbed's version of The Sound of Silence is a really good cover, if you haven't heard it yet. Always a very popular reaction, and in my opinion does the original justice and then some. I don't know of that many other covers I listen to regularly or that have their own interpretation of a song so I don't think I have many other suggestions than that. Maybe a few, but I can't remember accurately how good any of them are!
Yeah, perhaps controversial is the wrong word. I do this a lot! Lol. As for the covers, I’ve heard the disturbed version. Great, great song. The one recommendation I have for a cover that you should listen to is Postmodern Jukebox’s version of Creep. Imagine it’s the 1920’s and you’re in a jazz club. It may not be your type of thing but Hayley Reinheart the singer is incredible. Try it!
@@ThomasJ_Music I thought you would probably know it already. You have impeccable timing by the way, I can listen to that now while I have my coffee. You'd be surprised what I'll listen to given the chance to discover it. I'll let you know what I thought of it, but we seem to have pretty similar taste in music, so I trust that if you say it's good, it's probably good. Thank you! ❤️
@@ThomasJ_Music As for wrong words, well it only depends how we look at it. The song could be taken either way I think! Seems he left that part up to us to decide!
They also do a jazz version of Toxicity, which is great! you can get stuck down a bit of a rabbit hole with them though if you find it's your kind of thing
I could list a million songs from XTC. They are a tremendously talented and interesting band! Here are a few...Yacht Dance, Senses Working Overtime, Burning With Optimisms Flames, Summers Cauldron, Sacrificial Bonfire, Wrapped In Grey, Then She Appeared, Easter Theater.
It’s a great song which pretty much made their career in the US. It’s from my favourite XTC album: Skylarking. They are a really interesting group. Here’s a selection of my favourite XTC songs: Making Plans for Nigel. Senses Working Overtime, The Meeting Place, Respectable Street, Love on a Farmboy’s Wages, Towers of London, Wrapped in Grey, Rook, Season’s Cycle, This World Over, Life Begins at the Hop, Dear Madame Barnum, Earn Enough for Us, Runaways, Hunan Alchemy. Well worth checking out the band The Dukes of Stratosphear which is them performing 1960s style psychedelic songs-eg 25 O’Clock, Mole from the Ministry.
I always loved the progression to Dying as well, Sacrificial Bonfire (in three), and the man who sailed around his soul (in 7/8!), all from this record.
The more you listen to Andy partridge the more he will realize he is actually an astounding singer. The things he writes are actually quite quite difficult for anyone to see. Because they are so got wrenching.
I spent much of my life with such questions as this song asks. When I found my answers it changed everything. I hope the seekers find what they are looking for. Overall, the melody was simple, and the lyrics unchallenging but catchy. As for your request for covers Tommy, I think you should strongly consider Billie Eilish's cover of Michael Jackson's "Bad" for Like a Version Australia's Triple J . It will give you a Billie fix and introduce you to what she and Finneas can do with other folks music. I suggest you listen to the original by Michael first if you are not familiar with it just to compare and contrast. Maybe that would be good for all the covers you are going to do? Just thinkin.
Magne Modi thanks! I was thinking of Bad actually, but one or two others have been suggested, so will weigh it up. As for listening to the original, yes absolutely a must I would say. Although surely with a song like Bad, you have to have been living under the sea to have not heard the original! 😂
This is quite the opposite of a "pedal tone." A pedal tone (bass) stays on the same note (usually the I) while the chords revolve around it. Here, the chords stay the same while the bass "walks" around.
Sarah McLachlan does a great version of this. It's slower and it sounds much more sad and angry. There's no video but here's the audio. ruclips.net/video/CpNBE37dLKM/видео.html
In the book of Job, God allows the Satan to cause every calamity possible to happen to Job and his family. Job's wife says to him essentially "Why do you hold on to your integrity? Curse God...and die." This is the song Job would have written had he followed his wife's advice.
As for "Dear God", the subject matter is the only aspect of the tune that draws my attention. The vocals, lyrics and music did not excite my interest. Not bad, but not exceptional. Billie Eilish did a cover of a Bob Dickinson tune for BBC 1 Piano Sessions. The song is "The End of the World" and she and Finneas perform a lovely, live cover with only piano accompaniment. It's Billie singing about Armageddon. It just has to be good right? That is my suggestion anyway.
Paul Helberg this is what makes music so great, that every single one of us takes something different away from it! Glad to have you here Paul! As for the cover, thanks for the suggestion! I’d forgotten about this. I was going to do Billie’s version of Bad, but now I’ve got something to consider 🤔🤔
Andy Partridge: the smartest, most talented punk.
Not a punk.
He's not a punk though?
Absolutely stunning and beautifully done: lyrically, musically. Agree or not... this is top-notch song-writing.
Thanks for the reaction. XTC's entire body of work is STUNNING. Well worth checking out.
"This World Over," "Senses Working Overtime," "Respectable Street," "Snowman," "Then She Appeared," "Love On A Farmboy's Wages," "Harvest Festival"... etc... they have a TON of great songs... Cheers!
I agree with you John about this song writing, especially the music. The mildly sinister main notes between the strumming. The uneasy, discordant, yet still beautiful violins. That's the very sound of doubt. The rage of being unable to process these issues in a way that doesn't lead to despair. "can't believe....won't believe" Reject if you wish....you're still in the desert, with no answers.
Favourite lyric "Did you make mankind before we made you?". Nice reaction.
AFTER we made you.
....and the Devil too.
Resonates with me as an atheist. Can't count the number if times I have had to explain that you can't believe in the Devil if you don't believe in God.
Even better question, Did you make man kind after we made you? Answer, No.
After we made you …
Skylarking is one of the most perfect albums ever produced. Nearly completely perfect in every way.
It sounds amazing, despite the fact that it was out of phase for the master production. The reissue sounds so much better than the original because they put it in phase. Check it out!
I have listened to XTC for 30 years and didn't find this song until a couple years ago. Made me love them even more.
I’m curious how you never knew about this song. I suppose you had the original version of Skylarking without it, but it’s on every compilation of theirs. And it’s possibly their most famous song.
@@adamp2029 I didn't have the album. And it came out when I lived in a conservative part of the country, where it wouldn't have gotten any air play.
Just found your channel and love that you're one of the few people to react to XTC, who are my 2nd favorite band of all time (after The Beatles). Andy Partridge is an outspoken atheist and wrote this song with that frame of mind. The song wasn't even on the original album release, but a DJ in the U.S. listened to it as a B-side of the single and liked it and started playing it, and it got a lot of buzz, which led to the music video and inclusion on the album in future releases. The strings on it remind me so much of 'Eleanor Rigby' and it's just a perfectly constructed pop song. And I loved your reaction to the chord progression. Andy has said multiple times that he doesn't really know chords and just mucks about on a guitar until he finds notes that he likes when he plays them together. Some of their stuff is damn near impossible to figure out. Hope you listen to more of their stuff. I highly recommend 'That Wave' (one of my favorite guitar solos in that one by their amazing guitarist, Dave Gregory), "Mayor of Simpleton', 'Complicated Game', 'Respectable Street' ... they have so many great songs and their sound really evolved over the years from their early post-punk days. Their last 2 albums - 'Apple Venus' and 'Wasp Star: Apple Venus vol. 2' aren't even on Spotify as they aren't part of their Virgin Records catalog. Some great stuff their, too. 'River of Orchids' in a must hear, especially with headphones on.
look up "Dukes of Stratosphear" :)
@@SpittingMage - Yeah, love the Dukes, too.
This song when it came out was amazing.... so new and creative.... it does have some crazy acoustic. It's a song that makes you think. Thanks for the video bro cheers!
Skylarking and Oranges & Lemons are two great albums and have held up well over the years. I still periodically go back for a listen.
Andy Partridge wrote this in response to a book of the same title, a collection of children's letters to God. He had just become an atheist, and conceived of the idea of a child writing a letter to God expressing everything that he was feeling.
Andy Partridge is one of the most clever lyricists ever. And they are a great band. Here’s just a few songs to try:
1000 Umbrellas
Scarecrow People
Wake Up
The Mayor Of Simpleton
Living Through Another Cuba
Human Alchemy
You And The Clouds Would Still Be Beautiful
I could go on, and on, and on...
The use of language here is so simple and effective. Can't believe becomes don't believe, and finally won't believe. Doubt becomes resolve. He enumerates the reasons, but ultimately, not believing, like believing, is a choice you have to be willing to make. He states this perfectly in just a few words.
@@jamesoblivion agreed. Andy Partridge is an amazingly good lyricist.
I think it's brilliant song and video myself. I don't believe it is an anti faith song but a more refusal of the Godless concept of God that man and his political religions have created and pushed onto the world to control, to dived and to conquer.
The song is basically him saying he can’t believe in god because of all the bad things that happen in the world
@@rubywilkinson919 and then the fact although he’s saying he doesn’t believe in god he’s also trying to strike up a conversation with God by asking all these questions, maybe because deep down he knows God is there after all ?
Incredible song, by one of Swindon's most thoughtful bands. Video was pretty good too.
Great lyrics perfect delivery exactly as it should be. Perfect song.
The chord structure and progressions are sheer brilliance. One of the more challenging songs to play correctly on guitar.
Great reaction with a lot of interesting insightful ideas. I would suggest a few other XTC songs: Complicated Game, Scissor Man, Life begins at the hop, Rocket from a bottle, Making Plans for Nigel, Statue of Liberty. Keep reacting man, there's a lot of great post-punk stuff I think you'd like.
Thank You for mentioning Scissor Man, that tune is AMAZING! I'd also recommend Respectable Street, Yacht Dance, Jason and the Argonauts, No Thugs in Our House
Geocentric Shawn thank you for mentioning “Yacht Dance “!
Thanks for drawing my attention to that chord progression.
I liked this one a lot. I didn't see it as controversial, I saw it as more of an expression of disillusion and frustration rather than necessarily being a statement of opinion against anything. Possibly even someone who is experiencing a momentary crisis of faith, with the way he addresses God directly.
Also just a really fun song.
The way they made it sound cheerful in contrast to the lyrics was pretty cool. Reminded me of something, but of *course* I can't remember what that is - always when I want to remember something!
Having a covers week sounds like a great idea. Disturbed's version of The Sound of Silence is a really good cover, if you haven't heard it yet. Always a very popular reaction, and in my opinion does the original justice and then some.
I don't know of that many other covers I listen to regularly or that have their own interpretation of a song so I don't think I have many other suggestions than that. Maybe a few, but I can't remember accurately how good any of them are!
Yeah, perhaps controversial is the wrong word. I do this a lot! Lol.
As for the covers, I’ve heard the disturbed version. Great, great song.
The one recommendation I have for a cover that you should listen to is Postmodern Jukebox’s version of Creep. Imagine it’s the 1920’s and you’re in a jazz club. It may not be your type of thing but Hayley Reinheart the singer is incredible. Try it!
@@ThomasJ_Music I thought you would probably know it already.
You have impeccable timing by the way, I can listen to that now while I have my coffee. You'd be surprised what I'll listen to given the chance to discover it. I'll let you know what I thought of it, but we seem to have pretty similar taste in music, so I trust that if you say it's good, it's probably good. Thank you! ❤️
@@ThomasJ_Music As for wrong words, well it only depends how we look at it. The song could be taken either way I think! Seems he left that part up to us to decide!
good! glad you had a listen!
They also do a jazz version of Toxicity, which is great! you can get stuck down a bit of a rabbit hole with them though if you find it's your kind of thing
One of the finest pop bands ever!
I have listened to this for the first time today...I cannot belief that I have missed this classic for 58 years .
Umm, you haven't, it's only been out for 35 years!
I've never heard any one slight Andy Partridge's singing before! :DD
One of the millions ,across this ant heap and merely a man from oranges and lemons are masterpieces
I could list a million songs from XTC. They are a tremendously talented and interesting band! Here are a few...Yacht Dance, Senses Working Overtime, Burning With Optimisms Flames, Summers Cauldron, Sacrificial Bonfire, Wrapped In Grey, Then She Appeared, Easter Theater.
It’s a great song which pretty much made their career in the US. It’s from my favourite XTC album: Skylarking. They are a really interesting group. Here’s a selection of my favourite XTC songs: Making Plans for Nigel. Senses Working Overtime, The Meeting Place, Respectable Street, Love on a Farmboy’s Wages, Towers of London, Wrapped in Grey, Rook, Season’s Cycle, This World Over, Life Begins at the Hop, Dear Madame Barnum, Earn Enough for Us, Runaways, Hunan Alchemy. Well worth checking out the band The Dukes of Stratosphear which is them performing 1960s style psychedelic songs-eg 25 O’Clock, Mole from the Ministry.
Note: in the video, the only people left clinging to g-d are the elderly folks. The young family is destroyed
I may be the Mayor of Simpleton, but I love this song.
Chord progression are also beautifully torned with Scarecrow people, pink thing and that wave and a lot of others!
I always loved the progression to Dying as well, Sacrificial Bonfire (in three), and the man who sailed around his soul (in 7/8!), all from this record.
Try Merely A Man by XTC ITS GREAT!
This song is a masterpiece
It was actually a friend’s 8 year old daughter who sang the opening verse of this song. They used a boy in the video and he lip-synced.
The more you listen to Andy partridge the more he will realize he is actually an astounding singer. The things he writes are actually quite quite difficult for anyone to see. Because they are so got wrenching.
Now it's time to listen to the Preacher P Rendition!
Great song.
...they are brilliant
One of the most socially aware bands of the 70s 80s UK Britain
I spent much of my life with such questions as this song asks. When I found my answers it changed everything. I hope the seekers find what they are looking for. Overall, the melody was simple, and the lyrics unchallenging but catchy. As for your request for covers Tommy, I think you should strongly consider Billie Eilish's cover of Michael Jackson's "Bad" for Like a Version Australia's Triple J . It will give you a Billie fix and introduce you to what she and Finneas can do with other folks music. I suggest you listen to the original by Michael first if you are not familiar with it just to compare and contrast. Maybe that would be good for all the covers you are going to do? Just thinkin.
Magne Modi thanks! I was thinking of Bad actually, but one or two others have been suggested, so will weigh it up. As for listening to the original, yes absolutely a must I would say. Although surely with a song like Bad, you have to have been living under the sea to have not heard the original! 😂
@@ThomasJ_Music I believe that even submariners have heard Michael's hits. Ha
His singing is brilliant. Listen to some more XTC.
Andy Partridge is one of the best British songwriters ever. In the vein of Ray Davies, Paul Weller and Paddy McAloon.
Four of my favourite songwriters!! Black Francis and there's the full five a side squad.
Like your reactions but, please, kindly raise the volume output as one can barely hear anything.
Another XTC song some day?
Respectable Street or Complicated Game.
At last!
The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead
I'm sure one of the comments over the last few years has suggested The ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead.
Yeah you’re right and it’s been too long since I did this reaction, so let’s go. I’ll get to it this week
This is quite the opposite of a "pedal tone." A pedal tone (bass) stays on the same note (usually the I) while the chords revolve around it. Here, the chords stay the same while the bass "walks" around.
Why do the oldest people stay on the tree?
Sarah McLachlan does a great version of this. It's slower and it sounds much more sad and angry.
There's no video but here's the audio.
ruclips.net/video/CpNBE37dLKM/видео.html
Andy Partridge is INCREDIBLE ! 🤨
I love this song! Cool Beans! 😍🐰 #ENRFYZRBunny
Digital Man by Rush covered by YYNot
Satisfaction covered by Devo
Man I can't beleive a Brit hasn't listened to XTC ,
Listen to Melt the guns from Xtc
In the book of Job, God allows the Satan to cause every calamity possible to happen to Job and his family. Job's wife says to him essentially "Why do you hold on to your integrity? Curse God...and die." This is the song Job would have written had he followed his wife's advice.
Funny timing, Sarah McLachlan covers this song.
The kid's voice is actually a girl, dubbed in. Excellent song, still. A+
checkin in ,i hope that kid does believe GOD is real
Tricky covered it as well.
Xtc just exposed God and all religions in just 3:58 seconds if we look closely into the lyrics
... and did it in the form of a prayer to God.
It would be nice to hear the song too, you know... to understand what you're reacting to.
Go and listen to the song then and don’t watch a reaction video
Read the last part of my previous statement very slowly.
They got death threats about this song…
MAYOR OF SIMPLETON is a good XTC track
Moulding's bass line...❤️❤️❤️❤️
The child singing at the beginning was recorded by a girl. I wonder why they used a boy for the video?
I believe the girl singing is Jasmine Veillette, the 8-year-old daughter of a friend of Todd Rundgren's.
@@richdelgado3405 .....and the boy in the video is Lee Moulding - son of bass player colin.
this kid is the andy partrige son's
But the voice belongs to a girl.
Actually it’s the voice of the producers daughter.
The boy is actually Lee Moulding, son of the bass player Colin Moulding.
Church of Women - River of Orchids - The wheel and the maypole - all XTC
I actually think Andy is a great singer. Not syrupy like a lot of the shite out there
As for "Dear God", the subject matter is the only aspect of the tune that draws my attention. The vocals, lyrics and music did not excite my interest. Not bad, but not exceptional. Billie Eilish did a cover of a Bob Dickinson tune for BBC 1 Piano Sessions. The song is "The End of the World" and she and Finneas perform a lovely, live cover with only piano accompaniment. It's Billie singing about Armageddon. It just has to be good right? That is my suggestion anyway.
Paul Helberg this is what makes music so great, that every single one of us takes something different away from it! Glad to have you here Paul!
As for the cover, thanks for the suggestion! I’d forgotten about this. I was going to do Billie’s version of Bad, but now I’ve got something to consider 🤔🤔
BLASPHEMY!!!!!
SONG TRUTH.....LAZY RELIGIONS PEOPLE WHO ARE INGORNANT ROBOTS!!!!
Andy Partridge is an EXCELLENT singer.