@@RandyHall324 Rick Beato does a great job of deconstructing the song, if you've not seen it you should check out his video on it! Andy gave him the master tapes to use for the video!
Something that just hit me on this listen is that the repetition of "you must be happy" could double as a command, like "you *must* be happy." I'd recommend "That's Really Super, Supergirl" for a more dynamic XTC track. Can almost guarantee you'll love the guitar sounds on that one, as well.
WOW - someone reacting to XTC - how cool, one of my favorite bands of early 80s - clever lyrics, crazy guitar riffs, excellent production. The music video for this song brings out even more of the awesomeness of this song, so check that out. Other recommendations by them: Life Begins At the Hop, Helicopter, Respectable Street; thx Justin!
Very nice! Love this song, love XTC!! Their album Skylarking is one of my faves. All great songs on that album. Check out "The Man Who Sailed Around His Soul" very jazzy tune on the Skylarking album. Thanks for the listen, JP!
Then she appeared. Hugely underappreciated song by a hugely underappreciated band. Great point about the interest in and of off kilter, unexpected music.
Love XTC... they are the epitome of Art Pop to me. I would suggest "Senses Working Overtime" "Generals and Majors" or Summer's Cauldron/Grass". Their whole discography is good. The English Settlement album is great too.
Good choice, whoever suggested this. Intelligent bands are always welcome and I always liked the drumming on this. An unconventional hit with an irresistible groove. The British New Wave was perhaps a much more diverse scene than many people realise, producing a number of diverse, articulate and enduring bands. For further exploration I would suggest: The Jam, Down in a Tube Station at Midnight; The Stranglers, Peaches; Ian Dury and the Blockheads, Sweet Gene Vincent; Siouxsie and the Banshees, Night Shift; Tubeway Army, Down in the Park.
It's scarcely believable - but the original drummer, (Terry Chambers) has formed a band "EXTC" and will be playing in Swindon - his home town - on Tuesday the 10th March. He also played last year with Colin Moulding in a series of gigs also in Swindon. I'm looking forward to Terry's enthusiastic drumming!
From this period, ‘No Language In Our Lungs’ is an exquisite song, with perfect interlocking guitars. ‘Nigel’ is a Colin Moulding song, and he’s a fine writer, but the genius in the band is Andy Partridge.
Also my favorite song, off of their 'Black Sea' Album. 1979 - 'XTC' was Brian Eno's favorite Band,...and mine. In 1979, I was a Hair's length away from seeing them open for 'The Police'.
As one of the many who suggested XTC to you, thank you for finally getting to it!!! Any of their mentioned songs are fantastic however Dear God is my recommendation for more from them...
@Azzo coccolino, true. That is a pretty intense tune. They featured it on Halt and Catch Fire (a very good TV series about the birth of the digital world) - I almost fell off my sofa.
After listening to progressive rock, it’s almost impossible for a short pop song to deliver all the riches. But that’s what this band excelled at- really quirky and well crafted pop songs. When you listen to an album you get the breadth and depth of any great band. They just work in a different medium. One of the greatest bands and proof that there was life after punk rock!
One of the. greatest bands EVER. I love this! Thanks for doing it. Definitely do Senses Working Overtime, No Language in Our Lungs, Wrapped In Grey, Summer's Cauldron, Dear God, Burning With Optimism's Flames, Love on a Farmboy's Wages... So many great songs. If you want them to do more, you'll be happy!
Living through another Cuba or Helicopter. And thank you allowing the entire song, prior to you breakdown. I liked this critique and will follow this page.
I don't know too much XTC music. This one is not among my favourites. But I like some of the very unique sounding songs from their double lp "English Settlement" especially from LP 2: "Melt the guns", "Leisure" and "It's nearly Africa". These songs show that Andy Partridge probably walked some steps beside himself. But that was what made him a musician whose music had a special touch.
Stuff like this from their earlier days is great and super-creative pop-punk, but their later work is on a whole other level of pop genius. Albums like Oranges and Lemons, Nonsuch, Skylarking, and Apple Venus/Wasp Star are the more that you're looking for. Some of my favorites: My Bird Performs, Scarecrow People, Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead, Church of Women, Summer's Cauldron, King for a Day, Across this Antheap, Pink Thing, Then She Appeared, The Smartest Monkeys, Dear Madam Barnum, Greenman, We're all Light, You And The Clouds Will Still Be Beautiful, and many, many more.
Nice rundown. In addition to the many songs mentioned, I'd recommend "Garden of Earthly Delights" and "Earn Enough for Us," the latter being from the Todd Rundgren-produced Skylarking LP. It was a difficult collaboration that yielded an all-time classic album. It was that record, along with Kate Bush's Hounds of Love, that knocked my 15-year-old ass off the Van Halen path.
More songs from XTC, that I feel are more “complete:” Generals and Majors Senses Working Overtime Jason and the Argonauts All Of A Sudden (It’s Too Late) Summer’s Cauldron > Grass That’s Really Super, Supergirl Ballet For A Rainy Day > 1000 Umbrellas The Mayor of Simpleton Poor Skeleton Steps Out Scarecrow People
First song I ever heard from them as senior in high school in 1979. This album is chock full of quirky new wave pop rock songs that incorporate a lot jerky and choppy rhythms . Songs like Helicopter and Scissor Man to name a few. Not for everyone and a bit of a challenging listen in the context of the time. I know a lot of people prefer Skylarking but my favorite album is English Settlement. It maintains the quirkiness but the song writing is more mature. I’d recommend “No Thugs in Our House “ from that album. And I hope Morphine is still on your short list.
Always good the hear some XTC, my favorite song by them is though "Runaways" from their album "English Settlement, you might want to check that track out.
This was their third highest overall chart placing in the UK (their highest yet at the time of release) reaching number 17. It was only subsequently topped by Sgt Rock (Is Going To Help Me) which got to 16 and Senses Working Overtime which just made the Top Ten (at no. 10). Their highest charting album was English Settlement (including SWO) which got to number 5.
XTC's Making plans for Nigel entered the UK Top 40 on the 22nd September 1979. The track peaked at no.17. The top 10 for this week in 1979: 1 - The Police - Message in a bottle 2 -Blondie - Dreaming 3 - The Buggles - Video killed the radio star 4 - Status Quo - Whatever you want 5 - Gary Numan - Cars 6 - Michael Jackson - Don't stop til' you get enough 7 - Bellamy Brothers - If I said you had a beautiful body... 8 - Rainbow - Since you've been gone 9 - Dollar - Love's got a hold on me 10 - Kate Bush - Kate Bush on stage EP Selected climbers and new entries this week were: Sad Cafe - Everyday hurts Madness - The Prince Donna Summer - Dim all the lights Dr Hook - When you're in love with a beautiful woman XTC - Making plans for Nigel Electric Light Orchestra - Don't bring me down. XTC didn't chart too often and in (I think) 1986 they released a record that proved to be incredibly controversial and even attracted threats against radio stations in the US for playing the track. The XTC track was 'Dear God' . 😊
If you take into consideration that in 1978? No one ever heard this kind of drums and fusion of punk? The use of multi tracks for the drums is astonishing. It holds water today. It’s timeless. . Some people use this as a reference song for hifi gear. Check out The Specials. Gangster.
Generals and Majors and Senses Working Overtime were probably their other biggest hits. Good band I always thought they didn’t quite reach their potential
One thing you will find with XTC is that they have a huge variety of songs and styles. If you like one album, a later album might not be your same style. They are one of my favorite bands, but I like the albums for different reasons. You will hear enormous growth through the years. My personal favorite song is "That Wave" because it has an excellent guitar solo.
XTC is a TRULY GREAT band. One of the most underrated bands of all-time. (Other bands KNOW about them, though) Their history went from a punky / quirky / new wave kind of band through a beautiful journey to songs that rival the Beatles in their perfect pop (thoughtful lyrics + amazing music = perfection). They've covered basically every topic under the sun. There's a million songs to check out... but I'd whole-heartedly recommend the following: Senses Working Overtime Dear God Wrapped In Grey Mayor Of Simpleton Love on A Farmboy's Wages Jason & The Argonauts Then She Appeared This World Over Harvest Festival Their alter-ego band, The Dukes Of Stratosphear is a revelation, as well... There's NEVER been a better album of 60's "spot the influence" with their amazing original songs. (Their 25 O'clock EP is a brilliant mind trip). Lots to explore... and if you take the journey, you'll see why they're such a revered band. Cheers!
Loving your takes on these XTC songs. The earlier songs sound quite different to the later ones and the style changes with each album. "Nigel" possibly sounds more of a musical statement than a pop song and has a slower tempo, which maybe why it doesn't jump out and grab you. It contrasts against the much poppier "Statue Of Liberty" from the year before, which you may like more.
After the song was released In 1979 the 1980s saw Thatcher's Britain destroy the working class - especially the coal miners and the steel workers. In 1983, Thatcher appointed NIGEL Lawson as Chancellor of the Exchequer to help implement her cruel policies. Therefore, the Nigel of the XTC song took on a whole new meaning to those whose dreams Thatcher crushed. Love the channel. Came across you because of my love for Kate Bush and reaction videos. (Please do a review of the Ninth Wave). In friendship, Smudge - A British Quaker.
XTC was evolving into a better band with each album. Purchase English Settlement. It's a double album masterpiece. It's their White Album. Jason and the Argonauts....Melt The Guns...No Thugs In Our House...amazing!!!!
Church of women, easter theatre, wheel and the maypole, we're all light, that's really super, supergirl, senses working over time. sgt rock, the loving.
The whole "English Settlement" record was great. --- Talking about Nigel, "Nigel" was a kind of slang term for an unsophisticated working-class person. The song is an indictement of the way the class system in the UK control(led) what options most people have/had. A condescending moneyed class knows what's best for "Nigel".
Murder by numbers by the Police is a brilliant example of how the opening drum pattern anounces on thing, but when the rest of the band comes in you get a musical suprise.
Love this band, so very very smart. A little bit of trivia; Dave Gregory, who provided part of the great XTC guitar sound has been playing for Big Big Train since 2009, and his smart guitar work must be why I like this incarnation of the band so much.
Have you heard "Games people play" by Alan Parsons project? Or "Sirus" + "Eye in the sky" (same song) by the same band? If not your in for a treat (we hope lol)! Alan Parsons Project doesn't get the recognition it deserves in our opinion..
You're on the right track. This is their earliest big hit and they were a band that grew and progressed a lot. So I would recommend taking their stuff in order (like a would make the same recommendation with the Beatles or Radiohead). So next I would do Generals and Majors (from 1980's Black Sea). Then on to my favorite album of theirs English Settlement. I would do Senses Working Overtime, then Runaways, and Ball and Chain. If you like those, I would recommend listening to the whole album offline because it's incredible. Then Love on a Farmboy's Wages from Mummer and maybe Wonderland, too. Then Wake up from Big Express. Then their big album, Skylarking: go for Earn Enough for Us, and then possibly their best song, Dear God. Next Mayor of SImpleton and King for a Day from Oranges and Lemons. Finally The Ballad of Peter Pumkinhead from Nonsuch. Thanks! Peace from SF
It's hard to know what XTC songs to recommend because all of their material is so different, quirky and stylistically all over the place. The single that will have the most immediate impact will be "Dear God"... no question. It will grab you. It is infamous. The album "Skylarking" has so many great cuts but really needs to be listened to in it's entirety because it is a "song cycle".... one song sets up the next and they create an over-all theme. Someone else mentioned "Summer's Cauldron/Grass" ... 2 songs medlied together that open the album. They are great. "Skylarking" is probably their most accessible album for a newbie... but start with the single "Dear God". Trust me.
XTC- THE WHEEL AND THE MAYPOLE, it's their swan song. As Nigel shows that creativity early in their career, Maypole is the pinnacle of all they are. In highschool I wore out multiple cassettes of that album.
Respectable Street, No Language in our Lungs, No Thugs in our House, Easter Theater are all excellent songs. If you ask 10 XTC fans their favorite song you will get 10 different answers that's how great this band is.
I could suggest so much XTC. But I'd hope you do an album, So those I would request is "Black Sea, English Settlement, and Skylarking. Ok. this song is my favorite off of Drums and Wires. Sarcasm is a big party of XTC lyrics. Another duo songwriting team, plus a talented multi-instrumentalist and a great drummer (at least for this and the next 2 albums.
One of the most criminally underrated and literate bands in history. Try "Ball and Chain" "Jason and the Argonauts" "Senses Working Overtime", "Respectable Street", "Mayor of Simpleton" "Generals and Majors" "King for a day" and that's just of the top of my head.
Maybe the only band I can think of that released championship-level albums in four different decades (70s, 80s, 90s, 00s). There have been other bands with that kind of longevity (Yes, King Crimson, Rolling Stones, Beach Boys, etc) but almost without exception they have a relatively brief time period where most people agree the really good stuff is, and everything outside of that is "buyer beware". For XTC, I think with the exception of their rushed second LP, Go2, every album they ever did could make an argument on the right day for being their best. That makes for a tough discography to get a sense of by just listening to a track or two, but I'll echo the suggestion of "The Mayor of Simpleton" from some of the other commenters, as just a quintessential pure pop song.
Compared to others "reaction channels ",with the quality of analysis you do,(which I don’t completely agree sometimes,but that I respect),you should have much more subscribers by now.Maybe by ending the Middle album with "Echoes ".will help :).No seriously I enjoy the vast variety of music that you play.Because of you,I have discovered some "agréable surprises."Thank you kindly for your work.
earn enough for us, the disappointed, then she appeared, senses working overtime, generals and majors, mayor of simpleton, wheel and the maypole, helicopter, etc
Apologies, Justin, I'm making myself a nuisance here. It's just that this era is very dear to me. I was in my mid-teens, very excitable and impressionable. Around this time, a band called Wire pretty much invented postpunk and altpop. Well, not all of it but a hefty chunk nonetheless. The third Wire album, 154, came out the same year as XTC's Drums & Wires. There's a song on 154 called Map Ref. 41° N 93° W. It's full of melodies, hooks, intriguing sounds and geography. Just saying. It's out there if you want it - this is the beauty of the internet.
Harri Palomäki I really love their album A Bell is a Cup. Maybe because I came to love it on cassette it’s hard for me to separate out songs. They all just work together.
@@falcongal63, that *is* a strong long-player. Follow The Locust is probably my favourite on it. The funny thing about Wire is that for a supposedly esoteric artrock band they've put out a legion of blindingly catchy pop tunes, such as Outdoor Miner, Kidney Bingos, Eardrum Buzz and One Of Us. It's almost like they're saying, "See how easy this is? We could do this all day if we wanted to."
XTC's album English Settlement is one of the more brilliant albums of the 80s. While Partridge was the composer, XTC really was a true three piece. While there are some 80s music cliche things, it also bucked those cliches as well. They were able to blend a Beattles pop sensibility in with punk accents. From a different album, is Majors and Generals. A fave of mine. From this album, Senses Overdrive, and No Thugs in our House From their alter ego the Dukes of the Stratosphere, the title cut 25 O'Clock is awesome. The album is a tribute to 60s psychedelic music.
I loved this song when it came out. Coincidentally I had a friend called Nigel and his parents were always in his business. He was Gay, which his parents didn’t know. He really wanted to leave home.i lost touch when I had to leave and hearing this brings back memories.i hope he made it out Ok.
Definitely know the song, the band not so much. I had forgotten this song, so it was pleasant surprise hearing it again. The song's got a new wave feel to it, sounds early 80's. Overall, the song was enjoyable for me.
That song was covered by Primus. A band you definitively should try out… Maybe even this song to see what can be made of it. Finally I relistened to Primus's version. Even if it's more powerful (IMHO) it's not the best way to start to discover Primus. Their most accessible song may be Over the Falls.
If you listen to their album's, you'll get more. Much more. They'r quirky and clever in the way they play and the things they say. Their album 'Black Sea' is a good start. Tracks such as 'Paper & Iron(notes & coins)', or 'Living Through Another Cuba' are fine examples 👍
Not their most imaginative song but the 1st I ever heard by them. One of my top bands, they're one of those post-punk bands that went on to craft some brilliant pop albums in the '80s. My personal favorite is "Mummer" from 1983 which has a bit of darkness to a couple of the songs, not a bad song in the lot. The opening track 'Beating of Hearts' has to be heard. "Skylarking" from 1986 is probably their most accessible which has 'Dear God' on it, bit of a hit (play it 1st). Then came their tribute to '60s psychedelia "Psonic Psunspot" as The Dukes of Stratosphear. So many great and clever songs by them, try: Life Begins at the Hop, Senses Working Overtime, Grass, Mayor of Simpleton
Omg hell yeah 3,4 methylendyoxymethamphetamine I mean xtc... What a random suggestion especially this song out of all of theirs. If you get a chance u can suggest some gems, any Polyphia song, Chon is always good, oh me oh my by Streetlight Manifesto is delicious, a rite of passage by Bayside is golden, and give the song The kiss of life by The Dear Hunter a shot (honestly any song by TDH is good so you can't go wrong) much love 🤙💚
A couple of song not mentioned before are All of a Sudden and Your Dictionary- truly biting commentary about loss of love and perception of that person afterwards. Great breakup and divorce material. Autobiographical material from Andy Partridge's own divorce experience.
One of England’s smartest ever pop bands.
Absolutely ++++
one of the most underrated British bands and one of the most original.
The Mayor Of Simpleton'
Generals and Majors'
Senses Working Overtime'
Dear Madam Barnum
In my humble opinion, a better pop song than The Mayor of Simpleton just doesn't exist. It's also got one of the greatest bass lines you'll ever hear!
These are some of their more mainstream/accessible songs. They never make my "favorites" lists.
@@RandyHall324 Rick Beato does a great job of deconstructing the song, if you've not seen it you should check out his video on it! Andy gave him the master tapes to use for the video!
@@GlennTillema Thanks! Love his stuff - I'll check it out!
Something that just hit me on this listen is that the repetition of "you must be happy" could double as a command, like "you *must* be happy."
I'd recommend "That's Really Super, Supergirl" for a more dynamic XTC track. Can almost guarantee you'll love the guitar sounds on that one, as well.
WOW - someone reacting to XTC - how cool, one of my favorite bands of early 80s - clever lyrics, crazy guitar riffs, excellent production. The music video for this song brings out even more of the awesomeness of this song, so check that out. Other recommendations by them: Life Begins At the Hop, Helicopter, Respectable Street; thx Justin!
I dont think people really understand how dark this song really is
Exactly it’s sooo deep. Whatever has happened in the last three years is an example. Lizard people ruling this world . MK ultra
Very nice! Love this song, love XTC!! Their album Skylarking is one of my faves. All great songs on that album. Check out "The Man Who Sailed Around His Soul" very jazzy tune on the Skylarking album. Thanks for the listen, JP!
Then she appeared.
Hugely underappreciated song by a hugely underappreciated band.
Great point about the interest in and of off kilter, unexpected music.
Love XTC... they are the epitome of Art Pop to me. I would suggest "Senses Working Overtime" "Generals and Majors" or Summer's Cauldron/Grass". Their whole discography is good. The English Settlement album is great too.
XTC Dear God is another must and Peter Pumpkinhead. Enjoyed hearing this again.
Good choice, whoever suggested this. Intelligent bands are always welcome and I always liked the drumming on this. An unconventional hit with an irresistible groove. The British New Wave was perhaps a much more diverse scene than many people realise, producing a number of diverse, articulate and enduring bands. For further exploration I would suggest: The Jam, Down in a Tube Station at Midnight; The Stranglers, Peaches; Ian Dury and the Blockheads, Sweet Gene Vincent; Siouxsie and the Banshees, Night Shift; Tubeway Army, Down in the Park.
It's scarcely believable - but the original drummer, (Terry Chambers) has formed a band "EXTC" and will be playing in Swindon - his home town - on Tuesday the 10th March. He also played last year with Colin Moulding in a series of gigs also in Swindon. I'm looking forward to Terry's enthusiastic drumming!
From this period, ‘No Language In Our Lungs’ is an exquisite song, with perfect interlocking guitars. ‘Nigel’ is a Colin Moulding song, and he’s a fine writer, but the genius in the band is Andy Partridge.
Also my favorite song, off of their 'Black Sea' Album. 1979 - 'XTC' was Brian Eno's favorite Band,...and mine. In 1979, I was a Hair's length away from seeing them open for 'The Police'.
@fisongb, a spot-on early XTC pick. The ending is, indeed, exquisite.
Brilliant.
As one of the many who suggested XTC to you, thank you for finally getting to it!!! Any of their mentioned songs are fantastic however Dear God is my recommendation for more from them...
"Complicated game", from the same album...you'd be amazed :)
@Azzo coccolino, true. That is a pretty intense tune. They featured it on Halt and Catch Fire (a very good TV series about the birth of the digital world) - I almost fell off my sofa.
There’s a couple really freaky vids of that song on RUclips
ruclips.net/video/UONkXACSWBQ/видео.html
Oh yes!
After listening to progressive rock, it’s almost impossible for a short pop song to deliver all the riches. But that’s what this band excelled at- really quirky and well crafted pop songs. When you listen to an album you get the breadth and depth of any great band. They just work in a different medium. One of the greatest bands and proof that there was life after punk rock!
After Yes and Genesis, XTC is my favorite band ever!!!!!!
Right there with you on that but trow in King Crimson too.
Agree. And the Beatles.
One of the. greatest bands EVER. I love this! Thanks for doing it. Definitely do Senses Working Overtime, No Language in Our Lungs, Wrapped In Grey, Summer's Cauldron, Dear God, Burning With Optimism's Flames, Love on a Farmboy's Wages... So many great songs. If you want them to do more, you'll be happy!
Ty Sarah!
For me, its Respectable Street, Life begins at the Hop, Human Alchemy, General and Majors, Mayor of Simpleton.
Catchy song I’ve always liked. Don’t really know anything else by this band but I am making plans to listen to more🖖🐾
Living through another Cuba or Helicopter. And thank you allowing the entire song, prior to you breakdown. I liked this critique and will follow this page.
Other songs from XTC: Senses Working Overtime, Dear God.
Love both of those songs.
Dear God is so overrated. Every song on Skylarking is better than Dear God
Early work ? Everybody jumps in much later .statue of liberty ,this is pop ,excellent
@@andyjames6300 Buzzcity Talking, Battery Brides..
@@goldenboy140 You are certainly a minority or perhaps the subject rubbed you the wrong way?
Love on a farm boys wages, XTC.
We used to sing this to our Geography teacher (his name was Nigel). God we were obnoxious!!
Lol!
I don't know too much XTC music. This one is not among my favourites. But I like some of the very unique sounding songs from their double lp "English Settlement" especially from LP 2: "Melt the guns", "Leisure" and "It's nearly Africa". These songs show that Andy Partridge probably walked some steps beside himself. But that was what made him a musician whose music had a special touch.
Stuff like this from their earlier days is great and super-creative pop-punk, but their later work is on a whole other level of pop genius. Albums like Oranges and Lemons, Nonsuch, Skylarking, and Apple Venus/Wasp Star are the more that you're looking for.
Some of my favorites: My Bird Performs, Scarecrow People, Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead, Church of Women, Summer's Cauldron, King for a Day, Across this Antheap, Pink Thing, Then She Appeared, The Smartest Monkeys, Dear Madam Barnum, Greenman, We're all Light, You And The Clouds Will Still Be Beautiful, and many, many more.
"Senses Working Overtime" is also a great track. More interesting I'd say.
I agree
Nice rundown.
In addition to the many songs mentioned, I'd recommend "Garden of Earthly Delights" and "Earn Enough for Us," the latter being from the Todd Rundgren-produced Skylarking LP. It was a difficult collaboration that yielded an all-time classic album. It was that record, along with Kate Bush's Hounds of Love, that knocked my 15-year-old ass off the Van Halen path.
Ty Britton!
More songs from XTC, that I feel are more “complete:”
Generals and Majors
Senses Working Overtime
Jason and the Argonauts
All Of A Sudden (It’s Too Late)
Summer’s Cauldron > Grass
That’s Really Super, Supergirl
Ballet For A Rainy Day > 1000 Umbrellas
The Mayor of Simpleton
Poor Skeleton Steps Out
Scarecrow People
The entire Black Sea album I think!
XTC! Love them. Skylar king is a " perfect" album. Every song is awesome. Such great memories of being young. Thanks.
First song I ever heard from them as senior in high school in 1979. This album is chock full of quirky new wave pop rock songs that incorporate a lot jerky and choppy rhythms . Songs like Helicopter and Scissor Man to name a few. Not for everyone and a bit of a challenging listen in the context of the time.
I know a lot of people prefer Skylarking but my favorite album is English Settlement. It maintains the quirkiness but the song writing is more mature. I’d recommend “No Thugs in Our House “ from that album.
And I hope Morphine is still on your short list.
Morphine has been recorded :)
That lot of jerky, choppy rythyms was from their punk background and I would argue this was the epitome of post-punk bands of the time.
Always good the hear some XTC, my favorite song by them is though "Runaways" from their album "English Settlement, you might want to check that track out.
Senses Working Overtime.... that's so good too
Oh man, one of my favorite bands. So many people didn't get it. I heard this era and style called "Punk-Wave" once, I like it.
Big XTC fan here...May I recommend "Summer's Cauldron/Grass" From Skylarking.
I was thinking along this same line.
No. Skylarking is a lovely album but he should continue with Drums and Wires.
Best version of Summer’s Cauldron is on Andy Partridge’s Fuzzy Warbles. Full length. Crazy guitar.
This was their third highest overall chart placing in the UK (their highest yet at the time of release) reaching number 17. It was only subsequently topped by Sgt Rock (Is Going To Help Me) which got to 16 and Senses Working Overtime which just made the Top Ten (at no. 10). Their highest charting album was English Settlement (including SWO) which got to number 5.
I love, “Love on a farm boys wages”
XTC's Making plans for Nigel entered the UK Top 40 on the 22nd September 1979. The track peaked at no.17.
The top 10 for this week in 1979:
1 - The Police - Message in a bottle
2 -Blondie - Dreaming
3 - The Buggles - Video killed the radio star
4 - Status Quo - Whatever you want
5 - Gary Numan - Cars
6 - Michael Jackson - Don't stop til' you get enough
7 - Bellamy Brothers - If I said you had a beautiful body...
8 - Rainbow - Since you've been gone
9 - Dollar - Love's got a hold on me
10 - Kate Bush - Kate Bush on stage EP
Selected climbers and new entries this week were:
Sad Cafe - Everyday hurts
Madness - The Prince
Donna Summer - Dim all the lights
Dr Hook - When you're in love with a beautiful woman
XTC - Making plans for Nigel
Electric Light Orchestra - Don't bring me down.
XTC didn't chart too often and in (I think) 1986 they released a record that proved to be incredibly controversial and even attracted threats against radio stations in the US for playing the track.
The XTC track was 'Dear God' . 😊
@@HippoYnYGlaw that Rainbow track and those vocal were something else. Think I was 12 years old at the time and just starting secondary school.
Day In Day Out from the same album! one of my faves
No Thugs in Our House
If you take into consideration that in 1978?
No one ever heard this kind of drums and fusion of punk? The use of multi tracks for the drums is astonishing. It holds water today. It’s timeless. . Some people use this as a reference song for hifi gear.
Check out The Specials. Gangster.
Hi Justin . Remember the song I recommended called 25' O'clock by The Dukes of Stratosphear ?....Same band , different name.
Brainiac's Daughter
@@brucer2152 Vanishing Girl , Your my Drug.
I finally dug into this song a year or so ago. What took me so long? I love it and find it in my head occasionally still.
Generals and Majors and Senses Working Overtime were probably their other biggest hits. Good band I always thought they didn’t quite reach their potential
I think they did, personally. They just preferred to stay under the radar. Critical acclaim is worth more than financial gain to some...
@@jasonritchie8475 you could be right 👍
Ok, personally these are the songs of XTC that I love:
The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead
The Disappointed
Then She Appeared
Poor Skeleton steps out
My Top Song from 1980's Black Sea album by XTC ---- "No Language In Our Lungs" - very Beatles-esque, and still sounds great today.
One thing you will find with XTC is that they have a huge variety of songs and styles. If you like one album, a later album might not be your same style. They are one of my favorite bands, but I like the albums for different reasons. You will hear enormous growth through the years. My personal favorite song is "That Wave" because it has an excellent guitar solo.
Other favorites include Roads Girdle the Globe, Burning with Optimism's Flames, Then She Appeared, and Seagulls Screaming Kiss Her, Kiss Her.
Thank you warm, appreciate that!
Burning With Optimism’s Flames
XTC, one group I don't know very well, only their best tunes, this one is very catchy and cool, very well arranged. Love it.
Hi Justin ! I love this band since 1978 !! You must hear the last song : Complicated Game !
Love the fact you're going down this road...
XTC is a TRULY GREAT band. One of the most underrated bands of all-time. (Other bands KNOW about them, though)
Their history went from a punky / quirky / new wave kind of band through a beautiful journey to songs that rival the Beatles in their perfect pop (thoughtful lyrics + amazing music = perfection). They've covered basically every topic under the sun.
There's a million songs to check out... but I'd whole-heartedly recommend the following:
Senses Working Overtime
Dear God
Wrapped In Grey
Mayor Of Simpleton
Love on A Farmboy's Wages
Jason & The Argonauts
Then She Appeared
This World Over
Harvest Festival
Their alter-ego band, The Dukes Of Stratosphear is a revelation, as well... There's NEVER been a better album of 60's "spot the influence" with their amazing original songs. (Their 25 O'clock EP is a brilliant mind trip).
Lots to explore... and if you take the journey, you'll see why they're such a revered band. Cheers!
Loving your takes on these XTC songs. The earlier songs sound quite different to the later ones and the style changes with each album. "Nigel" possibly sounds more of a musical statement than a pop song and has a slower tempo, which maybe why it doesn't jump out and grab you. It contrasts against the much poppier "Statue Of Liberty" from the year before, which you may like more.
One of my favorite songs of theirs is A Complicated Game. The way it builds up to the final crescendo is perfection.
After the song was released In 1979 the 1980s saw Thatcher's Britain destroy the working class - especially the coal miners and the steel workers. In 1983, Thatcher appointed NIGEL Lawson as Chancellor of the Exchequer to help implement her cruel policies. Therefore, the Nigel of the XTC song took on a whole new meaning to those whose dreams Thatcher crushed. Love the channel. Came across you because of my love for Kate Bush and reaction videos. (Please do a review of the Ninth Wave). In friendship, Smudge - A British Quaker.
Thanks Smudgy!
@@JustJP You're welcome JP. Keep the great vids coming.
Love your channel man. Thin Lizzy "suicide" studio cut. Great track.
Thanks you!
XTC are a band worth exploring as other comments already say. Late 70's through the 80's and beyond they were really creative.
XTC so far ahead of their time
English Roundabout
It's Nearly Africa
Season Cycle
Summer's Cauldron
Ballet for a Rainy Day
River of Orchids
Easter Theatre
XTC was evolving into a better band with each album. Purchase English Settlement. It's a double album masterpiece. It's their White Album. Jason and the Argonauts....Melt The Guns...No Thugs In Our House...amazing!!!!
Church of women, easter theatre, wheel and the maypole, we're all light, that's really super, supergirl, senses working over time. sgt rock, the loving.
The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead is another well-crafted song by XTC. Great lyrics, too.
this is probably my favorite XTC song , I think.Dear God is their biggest song
The whole "English Settlement" record was great. --- Talking about Nigel, "Nigel" was a kind of slang term for an unsophisticated working-class person. The song is an indictement of the way the class system in the UK control(led) what options most people have/had. A condescending moneyed class knows what's best for "Nigel".
Murder by numbers by the Police is a brilliant example of how the opening drum pattern anounces on thing, but when the rest of the band comes in you get a musical suprise.
8:52 Agree 100% on this. One of my favorite examples of the "out of sync/into sync" intros is Countdown from Rush on their Signals album.
Ty David :)
A classic, Swindon's finest
Love this band, so very very smart. A little bit of trivia; Dave Gregory, who provided part of the great XTC guitar sound has been playing for Big Big Train since 2009, and his smart guitar work must be why I like this incarnation of the band so much.
Earn Enough For Us
The Mayor Of Simpleton
Dear God
King For A Day
Generals And Majors
The Ballad Of Peter Pumpkinhead...to name a few!
Have you heard "Games people play" by Alan Parsons project? Or "Sirus" + "Eye in the sky" (same song) by the same band? If not your in for a treat (we hope lol)! Alan Parsons Project doesn't get the recognition it deserves in our opinion..
Hmm, I don't believe so
You're on the right track. This is their earliest big hit and they were a band that grew and progressed a lot. So I would recommend taking their stuff in order (like a would make the same recommendation with the Beatles or Radiohead). So next I would do Generals and Majors (from 1980's Black Sea). Then on to my favorite album of theirs English Settlement. I would do Senses Working Overtime, then Runaways, and Ball and Chain. If you like those, I would recommend listening to the whole album offline because it's incredible. Then Love on a Farmboy's Wages from Mummer and maybe Wonderland, too. Then Wake up from Big Express. Then their big album, Skylarking: go for Earn Enough for Us, and then possibly their best song, Dear God. Next Mayor of SImpleton and King for a Day from Oranges and Lemons. Finally The Ballad of Peter Pumkinhead from Nonsuch.
Thanks!
Peace from SF
Mayor of Simpleton.
It's hard to know what XTC songs to recommend because all of their material is so different, quirky and stylistically all over the place. The single that will have the most immediate impact will be "Dear God"... no question. It will grab you. It is infamous. The album "Skylarking" has so many great cuts but really needs to be listened to in it's entirety because it is a "song cycle".... one song sets up the next and they create an over-all theme. Someone else mentioned "Summer's Cauldron/Grass" ... 2 songs medlied together that open the album. They are great. "Skylarking" is probably their most accessible album for a newbie... but start with the single "Dear God". Trust me.
XTC- THE WHEEL AND THE MAYPOLE, it's their swan song. As Nigel shows that creativity early in their career, Maypole is the pinnacle of all they are. In highschool I wore out multiple cassettes of that album.
Respectable Street, No Language in our Lungs, No Thugs in our House, Easter Theater are all excellent songs. If you ask 10 XTC fans their favorite song you will get 10 different answers that's how great this band is.
Huge XTC fan. Hung out with a bunch others in Swindon back in ‘05! But Nigel has never been a favorite of mine.
I could suggest so much XTC. But I'd hope you do an album, So those I would request is "Black Sea, English Settlement, and Skylarking. Ok. this song is my favorite off of Drums and Wires. Sarcasm is a big party of XTC lyrics. Another duo songwriting team, plus a talented multi-instrumentalist and a great drummer (at least for this and the next 2 albums.
The percussion establishes the rhythm heard in a properly functioning factory.
"Senses Working Overtime" would probably the best song to get more from them. If I understand what you mean by "more".
Great guitar bit toward the end
Life Begins at the Hop, Scissor Man, Love at First Sight, Another Satellite, Jason and the Argonauts...I can do this all day.
Great stuff!! UK Post Punk/New Wave or whatever it's called. haha. Have you heard Senses Working Overtime by these? Top tune!
"Dear God" is a track that is controversial but thought provocative. The musical interlude is very psychedelic Beatle-ish.
One of the most criminally underrated and literate bands in history. Try "Ball and Chain" "Jason and the Argonauts" "Senses Working Overtime", "Respectable Street", "Mayor of Simpleton" "Generals and Majors" "King for a day" and that's just of the top of my head.
This album was my first intro to XTC as it came out. I’ve been a huge fan ever since. Terry Chambers at his steady best.
Maybe the only band I can think of that released championship-level albums in four different decades (70s, 80s, 90s, 00s). There have been other bands with that kind of longevity (Yes, King Crimson, Rolling Stones, Beach Boys, etc) but almost without exception they have a relatively brief time period where most people agree the really good stuff is, and everything outside of that is "buyer beware".
For XTC, I think with the exception of their rushed second LP, Go2, every album they ever did could make an argument on the right day for being their best. That makes for a tough discography to get a sense of by just listening to a track or two, but I'll echo the suggestion of "The Mayor of Simpleton" from some of the other commenters, as just a quintessential pure pop song.
Compared to others "reaction channels ",with the quality of analysis you do,(which I don’t completely agree sometimes,but that I respect),you should have much more subscribers by now.Maybe by ending the Middle album with "Echoes ".will help :).No seriously I enjoy the vast variety of music that you play.Because of you,I have discovered some "agréable surprises."Thank you kindly for your work.
Thank you so much Elaine :)
XTC's song 'Melt the Guns', from the album English Settlement' is an incredibly catchy song....
earn enough for us, the disappointed, then she appeared, senses working overtime, generals and majors, mayor of simpleton, wheel and the maypole, helicopter, etc
Apologies, Justin, I'm making myself a nuisance here. It's just that this era is very dear to me. I was in my mid-teens, very excitable and impressionable.
Around this time, a band called Wire pretty much invented postpunk and altpop. Well, not all of it but a hefty chunk nonetheless.
The third Wire album, 154, came out the same year as XTC's Drums & Wires. There's a song on 154 called Map Ref. 41° N 93° W. It's full of melodies, hooks, intriguing sounds and geography. Just saying. It's out there if you want it - this is the beauty of the internet.
Harri Palomäki Wire still putting out new music and touring.
@@Kevvinm Indeed they are. And still sounding fresh as a daisy.
Never a nuisance! :)
Harri Palomäki I really love their album A Bell is a Cup. Maybe because I came to love it on cassette it’s hard for me to separate out songs. They all just work together.
@@falcongal63, that *is* a strong long-player. Follow The Locust is probably my favourite on it.
The funny thing about Wire is that for a supposedly esoteric artrock band they've put out a legion of blindingly catchy pop tunes, such as Outdoor Miner, Kidney Bingos, Eardrum Buzz and One Of Us. It's almost like they're saying, "See how easy this is? We could do this all day if we wanted to."
XTC's album English Settlement is one of the more brilliant albums of the 80s. While Partridge was the composer, XTC really was a true three piece. While there are some 80s music cliche things, it also bucked those cliches as well. They were able to blend a Beattles pop sensibility in with punk accents.
From a different album, is Majors and Generals. A fave of mine.
From this album, Senses Overdrive, and No Thugs in our House
From their alter ego the Dukes of the Stratosphere, the title cut 25 O'Clock is awesome. The album is a tribute to 60s psychedelic music.
This is a bit mainstream .. they do a great cover of "All Along the Watchtower" ;)
I loved this song when it came out. Coincidentally I had a friend called Nigel and his parents were always in his business. He was Gay, which his parents didn’t know. He really wanted to leave home.i lost touch when I had to leave and hearing this brings back memories.i hope he made it out Ok.
Dear God. Quite powerful
Definitely know the song, the band not so much. I had forgotten this song, so it was pleasant surprise hearing it again. The song's got a new wave feel to it, sounds early 80's. Overall, the song was enjoyable for me.
That song was covered by Primus. A band you definitively should try out… Maybe even this song to see what can be made of it.
Finally I relistened to Primus's version. Even if it's more powerful (IMHO) it's not the best way to start to discover Primus. Their most accessible song may be Over the Falls.
If you listen to their album's, you'll get more. Much more. They'r quirky and clever in the way they play and the things they say. Their album 'Black Sea' is a good start. Tracks such as 'Paper & Iron(notes & coins)', or 'Living Through Another Cuba' are fine examples 👍
The greatest Pop band after the Beatles there will never be another band like them anymore.. Drums and Wires is a master work
I second that!
I had the pleasure of seeing XTC at a nightclub that I worked in back in the day. Please check out their "Peter Pumpkinhead"
Not their most imaginative song but the 1st I ever heard by them. One of my top bands, they're one of those post-punk bands that went on to craft some brilliant pop albums in the '80s. My personal favorite is "Mummer" from 1983 which has a bit of darkness to a couple of the songs, not a bad song in the lot. The opening track 'Beating of Hearts' has to be heard.
"Skylarking" from 1986 is probably their most accessible which has 'Dear God' on it, bit of a hit (play it 1st). Then came their tribute to '60s psychedelia "Psonic Psunspot" as The Dukes of Stratosphear.
So many great and clever songs by them, try: Life Begins at the Hop, Senses Working Overtime, Grass, Mayor of Simpleton
Omg hell yeah 3,4 methylendyoxymethamphetamine I mean xtc... What a random suggestion especially this song out of all of theirs. If you get a chance u can suggest some gems, any Polyphia song, Chon is always good, oh me oh my by Streetlight Manifesto is delicious, a rite of passage by Bayside is golden, and give the song The kiss of life by The Dear Hunter a shot (honestly any song by TDH is good so you can't go wrong) much love 🤙💚
A couple of song not mentioned before are All of a Sudden and Your Dictionary- truly biting commentary about loss of love and perception of that person afterwards. Great breakup and divorce material. Autobiographical material from Andy Partridge's own divorce experience.