Look, as much as I think Andy P was a good as they get, Colin was up there too.The guy wrote the best selling singles. I wish they could just say sorry to each other or just say I love you to each other, 'cos you were just the most amazing band and the combo of A&C worked beyond all belief.
@charliebowen I know they're from fucking swindon!!!!read the whole fucking post,,I was refering to Greenday,,,in response to some idiot who posted a comment about how greenday could do a great version of this song..greenday SUCK...FUCKKKKK.!!!!..
@Greenday6681 yeah, not bad,, if you like a 2nd rate U.S band trying to sound like a 1st rate U.K band (The Clash) and the singer trying to sound like a cross between joe strummer and jello biaffra.Greenday are not in the same league as XTC!!
@whoarethebrainpigs They are British.... douch bag....be informed before you review from your couch. Do they sound like they are imitating the Clash to you?...if so your even more goofy than your comments seem.
@k2ombs you're the one who needs to do some research ya fucking twat ,,,I was replying to the fuckbag ("greenday 6681) who suggested Greenday's song "king for a day " was better ,,and how great a band they were (of course we all know they suck ) not about XTC whom I am well are British,,
grapesmc......he probably prefered it that way, since he was the one with acute anxiety/stage fright about performing live. also, to others......I'm not so sure they ever have broken up. You never know when they'll head back into the studio and crank out another gem.
@grapesmc I've heard some wonderful things from Andy, as far as letting colin take centre stage Andy probably wasn't bothered anyway, like in Making plans for nigel, he wrote that two note guitar part because he coudln't be arsed writing because it was colins song haha
@grapesmc It probably had more to do with Partridge's debilitating stage fright than him being magnanimous. He was very reluctant to do any public appearances to support Oranges and Lemons, but Colin and Dave really wanted it. I'm sure Andy was glad to give Colin the mic on TV. Anyway, "King for a Day" was the second single and the current one when this appearance was made, so it made sense to do Colin's song.
I think it had more to do with Partridge being a bit more at ease if it wasn't one of his songs they were performing in front of that live audience. But he did look like he was having fun. Man, they were so good live back in the Terry Chambers days...
So if you want to play Letterman, you have to have that slimebag Paul Shaffer and his band play along with you?? 2 basses -- I like Will Lee, but come on.....
I happened to catch this live as well, was completely shocked.Great song, 2nd best on the album after Mayor of Simpleton, although Across This Antheap could givet this a run for second place. My all time favorite band behind the Beatles.SO eclectic. Should have got their due when they were still relevant. And Colin Moulding is one AWESOME bassist as well!!!!!!
It was so unusual to see Andy Partridge up there. He suffers immobilizing stage fright. It is the reason they do not tour. He stopped touring because of it. I remember that Letterman and wanting to see it, because I wanted to see Andy up there.
these guys were great-you don't see bands today hoping along with the music in a positive fun way as these guys exhibit from 1:29 -- 1:36 disapointed they are no longer around. yeah the piano is out of tune.
@Lovethemseventies The boys didn't get that much exposure stateside either except to promote Oranges & Lemons. Skylarking turned out to be a surprise hit here by virtue of the Dear God single, so Geffen Records threw a lot of promotion on this follow up. Nothing after that, though.
I remember this like it was yesterday. I was so happy these guys were playing live again. I saw them in 1980 and early 81 before Andy had his breakdown.
Great clip!! Watching it makes me sad that Colin Moulding has reportedly turned his back on music...he (& they) were so great. But maybe he figures that they've had their say, & there are other things in life than striving to continue making genuinely intelligent music in the current cultural climate...XTC can certainly rest on their laurels...forever, as far as I'm concerned!
Agree with everything you said. Sad that the band was doom to fail (Andy's panic attacks, Colin's losing his love for his music.) I hope that someday they may come back but if they never do, I have Youtube and my records to listen to.
Actually, there's a rumored solo album by Colin in the works...if this were true, wouldn't it be great if he toured behind it w/ Dave Gregory as musical director and sang a bunch of his signature tunes: "Making Plans for Nigel", "Life Begins at the Hop", "Ball and Chain", "English Roundabout", "Grass", "Cynical Days", and this one. Ah, bliss...
Andy seems to actually be having lots of fun rather than vomiting and looking like he'd rather be at Guantanamo.
I wonder what else they played while they "stuck around". I guess we'll never know. I need to dig up all my old VHS of their appearances/interviews. I had a pretty high end VCR back then and used archival quality tapes. Wish me luck.
Holy cow what a find! Love all of XTC's stuff. Great to see this live So English & so many guitars. Would have loved to see them live. If I'm ever bored ... I throw on XTC and I'm set. Thanks for posting this.
I wish more than anything that XTC had remained together as a band. Colin, Dave, Andy and the various drummers/keyboard players in the band have provided me with more pleasure over the years than any other musicians I can think of. If you guys ever decide to do a reunion tour I would stand in line for an eternity to get tickets.
Pretty sure we have Radiohead to blame for Coldplay, Travis(ty), Keane, and a whole host of other bands churning out plinky-plonky, Nigel Godrich infused catatonic brit-pop trash.
He is so great. I could never reach that level. But it made me think, it happens to all of us. It's at 2:25-26. It makes me love you more Paul. You are a player. But you must admit, XTC are awesome. Tim Simpson
Andy Partridge looks like Benny Hill! LMAO! What a joke I have respect for XTC because I respect others opinions but they are not my cup of tea! JMO...
i always enjoyed when Letterman didn't have the bigger budget that the earlier timeslot has provided. because then the house band would play with the musical guest. i always thought the total sound was better.
Are you KIDDING ME??????? Coldplay's music will NEVER, EVER become so artful and transcendent as XTC's. You really are comparing oranges to lemons. You can't even put them in the same category.
"It's Ok just let everybody KNOW that XTC paved the way for Coldplay. Lyrics are cutting edge ,solid live shows committed to the Music "--so how does one misunderstand this? I don't think that many KNOW (or think) that XTC "paved the way" for Coldplay, meaning if it weren't for XTC, Coldplay wouldn't exist. Unless you meant something else unwritten, I can only go by what is here. And still Coldplay is a joke, especially compared to XTC, well said Turntapzap.
Wait, should andy not have stage freight by this time? Granted it's hardly a stage, colin's the one in the foreground and it's not to a large crowd but still, am i the only one wondering why Andy's performing?
At the time I recall thinking of course they avoided Mayor of Simpleton in favor of King for a Day. Andy's safely in the background throughout the show allowing Colin to play leader. All part of his therapy to gradually get back to normal. I was studying his behavior. I remember watching the Simpleton video and thinking he looked like he was trying too hard to appear happy and well adjusted.
Paul Shaeffer made a few awful flubs. This is from late June (30th), 1989. For me 1989 was the year of Oranges & Lemons. It should have been the year XTC became huge in the US.
Yes, Paul was the leader of "The World's Most Dangerous Band", as the Letterman House Band was called. When they made the move to CBS, NBC declared that the name was part of NBC's "intellectual property" and would not let Shaffer and the band take it with them.
The era of the smart bands. XTC, Costello, Talking Heads, Police, English Beat, Jam, Clash.Andy & Colin are obvious graduates of Lennon / McCartney school, but I feel XTC is the greatest Beatlesque group ever.
The studio version of this song is pure magic. This live seems ok. Great song, one of my favorite albums too. One of the few bands of my childhood I still go back to :-)
I think they deleted my comment but as I said I was looking for Green Day not this and thats so cool that you like both bands, but I've been searching for ages for Green Day's King for a Day!
I actually found it two hours after finding this one! LOL! xDDD
I went to an in-store the day before (6/29/89) this (6/30/89) at Record World (remember that store?) in Roosevelt Field, Garden City, NY. I was just 13 years old. Feels like yesterday. The only thing that's out of place here is Paul's couple of bum notes.
I don't understand how Partridge had a fear of playing with his great energy and playing here. Great stuff- I've always had a special spot for this song.
Pity Andy let his breakdown in '82 knock him off the stage. As can be plainly seen here, it would've been a kick to see them performing the latter-day stuff live. Thank goodness for YouTube.
First time I've heard this song, great band - look how together they were. Like many bands, some small tragedies in their lives & it makes us fans more wistful. Totally underrated, shame we get such rubbish stuff these days.
thanks avespdx for posting this one. This is truly a treasure-to see them perform live. I remember seeing this when it first came out. They were just a great band.
From wikipedia... While XTC have not announced a formal break-up, in 2006 band member Andy Partridge announced that the only other remaining member of XTC, Colin Moulding, was no longer interested in writing, performing or recording music. Partridge has stated that he will not issue new recordings under the XTC banner without Moulding's participation; accordingly, he now speaks of XTC "in the past tense".
Great clip! Never seen it before. To answer one poster's query: Yeah, it was de rigeur for Paul's band (The Late Night Band, as they were called at this point - it didn't become the Late Show Band until Dave's move to CBS in 1992) to sit in with all guest bands. The exceptions are very rare and the only one from around this time that comes immediately to mind (to have reign to play sans Paul) is Tom Waits.
This was at a time when Letterman was like jon stewart..cutting edge. Colin wrote most of their (hits), but this band is easily more tragic than even Squeeze. They along with Squeeze were heirs to the Beatles legacy and they pissed it all away..
By failing to earn a single cent from Virgin Records and compounding the problem by failing to tour after '82. I was floored when they did this performance. No one ever thought they'd see Andy on stage ever again.
Ok. I'm old.
mikez93 1 week ago
xtc always manage to put the perfect middle eight into their songs! good stuff!
willfoxell 2 weeks ago
We are all lucky to have this band in our lifetime. To heck with the bickering.
puntagordy 3 weeks ago 2
Look, as much as I think Andy P was a good as they get, Colin was up there too.The guy wrote the best selling singles. I wish they could just say sorry to each other or just say I love you to each other, 'cos you were just the most amazing band and the combo of A&C worked beyond all belief.
phnuff 1 month ago
xtc are great and from swindon england mate
charliebowen 2 months ago
@charliebowen I know they're from fucking swindon!!!!read the whole fucking post,,I was refering to Greenday,,,in response to some idiot who posted a comment about how greenday could do a great version of this song..greenday SUCK...FUCKKKKK.!!!!..
whoarethebrainpigs 1 month ago
you've got to be the top dawwwwg!
u000drl 2 months ago in playlist Favorite videos
Happy music!
jazzbass981 4 months ago
@Greenday6681 yeah, not bad,, if you like a 2nd rate U.S band trying to sound like a 1st rate U.K band (The Clash) and the singer trying to sound like a cross between joe strummer and jello biaffra.Greenday are not in the same league as XTC!!
whoarethebrainpigs 4 months ago 2
@whoarethebrainpigs They are British.... douch bag....be informed before you review from your couch. Do they sound like they are imitating the Clash to you?...if so your even more goofy than your comments seem.
k2ombs 2 months ago
@k2ombs you're the one who needs to do some research ya fucking twat ,,,I was replying to the fuckbag ("greenday 6681) who suggested Greenday's song "king for a day " was better ,,and how great a band they were (of course we all know they suck ) not about XTC whom I am well are British,,
whoarethebrainpigs 2 months ago
colin didnt jump to a finger click
charlesremschel7 4 months ago
Did Paul & the World's Most Dangerous Band guitarist miss the "everyone wear white pants" memo?
isolationlogo 6 months ago
grapesmc......he probably prefered it that way, since he was the one with acute anxiety/stage fright about performing live. also, to others......I'm not so sure they ever have broken up. You never know when they'll head back into the studio and crank out another gem.
this was a KILLER live performance.
jimvanders 7 months ago
What a class act Partridge is, letting Colin take center stage.
grapesmc 8 months ago 2
@grapesmc I've heard some wonderful things from Andy, as far as letting colin take centre stage Andy probably wasn't bothered anyway, like in Making plans for nigel, he wrote that two note guitar part because he coudln't be arsed writing because it was colins song haha
what a man :D
JJAAHH 3 months ago
@grapesmc It probably had more to do with Partridge's debilitating stage fright than him being magnanimous. He was very reluctant to do any public appearances to support Oranges and Lemons, but Colin and Dave really wanted it. I'm sure Andy was glad to give Colin the mic on TV. Anyway, "King for a Day" was the second single and the current one when this appearance was made, so it made sense to do Colin's song.
geneymachiney 2 months ago
@grapesmc
I think it had more to do with Partridge being a bit more at ease if it wasn't one of his songs they were performing in front of that live audience. But he did look like he was having fun. Man, they were so good live back in the Terry Chambers days...
KikoSavesTheDay 1 month ago
AHHHHHHHHHH I just Love them.....
funeguy2 8 months ago
It would be all sorts of awesome to have XTC as Letterman's house band! Amazing clip, thx.
augusts1 9 months ago 2
thsi iis horrible except i like that dude's tele and those keyboard parts
intothetopcorrupt 10 months ago
So if you want to play Letterman, you have to have that slimebag Paul Shaffer and his band play along with you?? 2 basses -- I like Will Lee, but come on.....
artdrtr2 10 months ago
@artdrtr2 what crawled up your backside about Shaffer?
mongoardath1 10 months ago
Love that Dave is holding up an LP record instead of a cd!
jeffrojune1970 10 months ago
Great band indeed.
Has everyone forgotten the highly original drumming of Terry Chambers though?
STILLAVRIL1 10 months ago
@STILLAVRIL1 No, except that he's clearly not drumming on this clip.
jumpinjojo 8 months ago
This is cool but it sounds a bit fast. Wish they would have slowed it down a little.
ar4216 11 months ago
amazing that they did this when you know which one is the andy....lol
mdknutson 11 months ago
amazing that they did this
mdknutson 11 months ago
The sweetest 80's haircuts on the combined bass players here. Freakin' awesome!!!!!
nosmr2 11 months ago 3
I like XTC as much as anybody but let's acknowledge that that's a mullet.
urbaniak 11 months ago 3
@urbaniak
HaHa!
ar4216 11 months ago
I happened to catch this live as well, was completely shocked.Great song, 2nd best on the album after Mayor of Simpleton, although Across This Antheap could givet this a run for second place. My all time favorite band behind the Beatles.SO eclectic. Should have got their due when they were still relevant. And Colin Moulding is one AWESOME bassist as well!!!!!!
newdistbear 11 months ago
PRICELESS !
(thanks 4 posting!!!)
SjjSic2 11 months ago
What a great song- Colin's best
SPIRALCARP 1 year ago
it's math rock, it's brit pop, and it predates both. Great.
sweavo 1 year ago
Under the stairs, Chris Elliot was jamming out to this.
BluePedal 1 year ago
wow this was really good
rockypc24 1 year ago
My favorite thing about this video is how excited david letterman is to see them and how he tries to keep them there for as long as is possible
nick1137 1 year ago
This is a good song, but not my favorite XTC song. Best part? The punchy climb into the bridge. Well rendered here.
SleepyTymeT 1 year ago
Hi there! "It's Only Me"
Have a great weekend... :) charly
thagreatmrpumpkin 1 year ago
Two bass players!
maravell 1 year ago
This is the era when late night t v was worth watching.
tedm1975 1 year ago
It was so unusual to see Andy Partridge up there. He suffers immobilizing stage fright. It is the reason they do not tour. He stopped touring because of it. I remember that Letterman and wanting to see it, because I wanted to see Andy up there.
GoldtopSam 1 year ago
@GoldtopSam As Colin was singing, it meant that he was the centre of attention rather than Andy, so he could relax a have bit of fun :o)
antster1983 1 year ago
The great XTC. I hope they get hopping and release a DVD including this. Virgin records won't budge though.
yyzllp 1 year ago
cos è stà robbaccia?????
MrBillieTom 1 year ago
Colin.....what did you say?
ZJProz 1 year ago
What a rare treat! I always thought it a shame they ceased playing playing live.
blacksunfish 1 year ago
didn't they also play letterman on their "acoustic" tour, where they were just showing up at radio stations?
monkeygrudge 1 year ago
XTC KFAD!!!!
monkeytrousers 1 year ago
these guys were great-you don't see bands today hoping along with the music in a positive fun way as these guys exhibit from 1:29 -- 1:36 disapointed they are no longer around. yeah the piano is out of tune.
u000drl 1 year ago
Emozionanti come solo i Beatles sapevano trasmettere....
Raffinati come gli Steele Dan
Bravi come solo loro sanno essere
Alberto da Torino
cesitorino 1 year ago
It's great that they got to play live on Letterman, such a shame they didn't get more exposure here in UK. Andy and Colin wrote some amazing songs.
Lovethemseventies 1 year ago
@Lovethemseventies The boys didn't get that much exposure stateside either except to promote Oranges & Lemons. Skylarking turned out to be a surprise hit here by virtue of the Dear God single, so Geffen Records threw a lot of promotion on this follow up. Nothing after that, though.
mnaran 1 year ago
Colin sang that very well. Pity about his backing and the out of tune keyboards but still it's one of his very best.
Pure XTC
stellaviolens 1 year ago
Excellent...
obdami 1 year ago
I thought Andy Patridge sang this song? Not Colin Moulding.
ricbowenjr 1 year ago
In general, you will find that Colin sings the songs that he writes, probably just one or two per album.
SuperMonkeyCube 1 year ago
i could play this a hundred times in a row and never tire of it. just wonderful.
jsjohn2 1 year ago
man, colin is a natural up there.....I would have taken him to be a bit more reserved. He did a great job.
supersport22 2 years ago
Colin Moulding = Austin Powers
bfnputz 2 years ago
If you want to see the origin of Austin Powers, do a youtube search on "Cliff Richard Congratulations"
jdohe 2 years ago
why be inventive when you can be deliberately vague and non-specific
shine350 2 years ago
Both Will Lee ( Fender ) and Colin Moulding ( Wal ) on Basses.
ruffian1868 2 years ago 3
no no Will Lee on Bass
Patrickphx11 2 years ago
I remember this like it was yesterday. I was so happy these guys were playing live again. I saw them in 1980 and early 81 before Andy had his breakdown.
Darrylizer1 2 years ago
Is that Dave Gregory in the red shirt?
thisrainykitten 2 years ago
Andy Partridge in top hat, Colin Moulding on bass, and yes, Dave Gregory in red shirt.
pica6888 2 years ago
One of my favorite 80's bands. What a find to see them on Letterman.
pica6888 2 years ago
Great clip!! Watching it makes me sad that Colin Moulding has reportedly turned his back on music...he (& they) were so great. But maybe he figures that they've had their say, & there are other things in life than striving to continue making genuinely intelligent music in the current cultural climate...XTC can certainly rest on their laurels...forever, as far as I'm concerned!
The21stcenturypaul 2 years ago 17
Colin has put music on hiatus indefinately. Google Todd Rundgren's interview with Colin, I lost the link, it is a great interview.
thisrainykitten 2 years ago
@The21stcenturypaul
Agree with everything you said. Sad that the band was doom to fail (Andy's panic attacks, Colin's losing his love for his music.) I hope that someday they may come back but if they never do, I have Youtube and my records to listen to.
yentaleh 2 years ago
Ditto
magmanaz 11 months ago
@The21stcenturypaul he did not turn his back on anything but concerts...he could not bring himself to sing in front of anyone.
mdknutson 10 months ago
@The21stcenturypaul
Actually, there's a rumored solo album by Colin in the works...if this were true, wouldn't it be great if he toured behind it w/ Dave Gregory as musical director and sang a bunch of his signature tunes: "Making Plans for Nigel", "Life Begins at the Hop", "Ball and Chain", "English Roundabout", "Grass", "Cynical Days", and this one. Ah, bliss...
KikoSavesTheDay 1 month ago
Andy seems to actually be having lots of fun rather than vomiting and looking like he'd rather be at Guantanamo.
I wonder what else they played while they "stuck around". I guess we'll never know. I need to dig up all my old VHS of their appearances/interviews. I had a pretty high end VCR back then and used archival quality tapes. Wish me luck.
gotilk 2 years ago
2:23 Paul actually flubs a synth part. That's rare for him! Cool vid though. Thanks!
barnacle77 2 years ago
Holy cow what a find! Love all of XTC's stuff. Great to see this live So English & so many guitars. Would have loved to see them live. If I'm ever bored ... I throw on XTC and I'm set. Thanks for posting this.
CaserRacer427 2 years ago
i meant to sy 2:24
bigworld3001 2 years ago
Comment removed
bigworld3001 2 years ago
man i love this album.
NadScratcher 2 years ago
I wish more than anything that XTC had remained together as a band. Colin, Dave, Andy and the various drummers/keyboard players in the band have provided me with more pleasure over the years than any other musicians I can think of. If you guys ever decide to do a reunion tour I would stand in line for an eternity to get tickets.
m1k3g0rd 2 years ago 13
@m1k3g0rd me to love that mindset thats way to far and between
charlesremschel7 4 months ago
So cool to see them live!!!!!!
jcoleman200743 2 years ago
Paul Scheffer fits in good with the keybords...he's like the metronome for any band.
wxyzca2000 2 years ago
xtc at letterman - what a legendary clip. although this song soehow "doesn´t sound that good as it in fact is", to me!
MoveOverCasanova 2 years ago
Well, at least everyone agrees *someone* needs to take the blame for Coldplay.
stripeyhole 2 years ago
lmao!
I do like coldplay so i guess i should take offence but i just cant :L
typhoidxastroxzombie 2 years ago
Those sound like the lyrics
ezekieloak 2 years ago
Pretty sure we have Radiohead to blame for Coldplay, Travis(ty), Keane, and a whole host of other bands churning out plinky-plonky, Nigel Godrich infused catatonic brit-pop trash.
P0cketfull0fsunshine 2 years ago
"Hang around if you like."
How I wish they'd hang around today.
v1m 2 years ago
Saw the band once upon the time at DELANEY'S in Surrey ...
wxyzca2000 2 years ago
I think paul shaffer steals the performance
sippyjuice 2 years ago
Check Paul Schaffer eating shit lunch for lunch.
He is so great. I could never reach that level. But it made me think, it happens to all of us. It's at 2:25-26. It makes me love you more Paul. You are a player. But you must admit, XTC are awesome. Tim Simpson
iTimothy75 2 years ago
Getting on Letterman was a good gig.
wxyzca2000 2 years ago
so cool, thank you! the one and only Colin Moulding! Not many lead vocals for him, and how amny of them were televised?
wordofgord
thewordofgord 2 years ago
Andy Partridge looks like Benny Hill! LMAO! What a joke I have respect for XTC because I respect others opinions but they are not my cup of tea! JMO...
popnutty 2 years ago
I remember waiting to see this. It was a little anti climactic. Not what I expected. However, i did grow to love that album.
oldphoque 2 years ago
i always enjoyed when Letterman didn't have the bigger budget that the earlier timeslot has provided. because then the house band would play with the musical guest. i always thought the total sound was better.
mongoardath 2 years ago
By the way, for an old VHS recording this is really high quality.
anytunes 2 years ago
i forgot how good this band was ....shame on me guess im getting old !!! peace
SALLTNUTZ 2 years ago
It's Ok just let everybody KNOW that XTC paved the way for Coldplay. Lyrics are cutting edge ,solid live shows committed to the Music
ND7652 2 years ago
Are you KIDDING ME??????? Coldplay's music will NEVER, EVER become so artful and transcendent as XTC's. You really are comparing oranges to lemons. You can't even put them in the same category.
thisrainykitten 2 years ago
I think you missed my point I said that XTC paved the way for Coldplay
ND7652 2 years ago
Coldplay is a joke.
turntapzap 2 years ago
"It's Ok just let everybody KNOW that XTC paved the way for Coldplay. Lyrics are cutting edge ,solid live shows committed to the Music "--so how does one misunderstand this? I don't think that many KNOW (or think) that XTC "paved the way" for Coldplay, meaning if it weren't for XTC, Coldplay wouldn't exist. Unless you meant something else unwritten, I can only go by what is here. And still Coldplay is a joke, especially compared to XTC, well said Turntapzap.
thisrainykitten 2 years ago
I think you'll find that Travis paved the way for Coldplay... :-)
tigerlight430 2 years ago 2
Three guitarists and two bass players, now that's the way to play this song live.
andyinoregon 2 years ago
Wait, should andy not have stage freight by this time? Granted it's hardly a stage, colin's the one in the foreground and it's not to a large crowd but still, am i the only one wondering why Andy's performing?
TalkLikeCavemanUK 3 years ago
first public appearance in 7 years at the time. everyone's got to get out of the house once in a while.
Trebornworb 3 years ago
At the time I recall thinking of course they avoided Mayor of Simpleton in favor of King for a Day. Andy's safely in the background throughout the show allowing Colin to play leader. All part of his therapy to gradually get back to normal. I was studying his behavior. I remember watching the Simpleton video and thinking he looked like he was trying too hard to appear happy and well adjusted.
anytunes 2 years ago
Paul Shaeffer made a few awful flubs. This is from late June (30th), 1989. For me 1989 was the year of Oranges & Lemons. It should have been the year XTC became huge in the US.
monkeytrousers 3 years ago
Nice hat Andy!
vazco64 3 years ago
is PAUL SHAFFER PLAYING WITH THEMM????
TerribleFLY 3 years ago
Yes, Paul was the leader of "The World's Most Dangerous Band", as the Letterman House Band was called. When they made the move to CBS, NBC declared that the name was part of NBC's "intellectual property" and would not let Shaffer and the band take it with them.
tgear77 2 years ago
No thugs is better live.
wxyzca2000 3 years ago
I wish they were still around and playing live.
junglegeorge45 3 years ago
Time flies....
peacemonger67 3 years ago
just great!
fladivr 3 years ago
The era of the smart bands. XTC, Costello, Talking Heads, Police, English Beat, Jam, Clash.Andy & Colin are obvious graduates of Lennon / McCartney school, but I feel XTC is the greatest Beatlesque group ever.
DC
dougcash1 3 years ago 28
Well said.
Joestrat1 3 years ago
3rd'd. And I know a few people who'd 4th 5th and 6th 7th 8th that.
TerribleFLY 3 years ago
@dougcash1 Agreed
charlie7891000 1 year ago
@dougcash1
Don't forget Joe Jackson!
ibazookajoe 1 year ago
@dougcash1 don't forget Squeeze
mongoardath1 1 year ago
The studio version of this song is pure magic. This live seems ok. Great song, one of my favorite albums too. One of the few bands of my childhood I still go back to :-)
Jeffbaynard 3 years ago 2
I was watching when this first aired and was thrilled beyond words to see them perform again. Oranges & Lemons is still one of my favorite albums.
Thanks for hanging on to your videos. I never thought I'd see this again.
rudetuesday 3 years ago 9
@rudetuesday O & L, Best album ever!!!
puntagordy 1 year ago
Just love this XTC do not have the same respect as the clash or the jam but they are up there with them enjoy !!!!
SteveWilks68 3 years ago
Tight as hell. Too bad they didn't perform live.
KimCyunHi 3 years ago
this is rare
wisesatyr72 3 years ago 3
This comment has received too many negative votes show
try to search on King For A Day-Green Day? GD rocks, XTC really sucks!
MeowMeowKissen 3 years ago
Thanks for the music tip mr.notasteinmusicwhothinksthatgreendayexcellXTCdespitethefactthatXTCwereprobablyoneofthebandsthatinspiredgreenday.
Rotateitbaby 3 years ago 2
Green Day are a pile of shiyt mate lol XTC is where its at
HighSeasons 3 years ago 4
ahh you're 14, enough said.
Rotateitbaby 3 years ago
Boy . . .
I'd think you might wish to hide your ignorance, rather than display it so openly.
To compare Green Day and XTC is as silly as your statement.
SurroundaSound 3 years ago
thanks, but im a girl, ._., I just sy what I think >_O
MeowMeowKissen 3 years ago
you're seriously dumb. big time.
holygalaga 3 years ago
Greenday is garbage are you kidding me.
BoostedPanda 3 years ago 3
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eh, i like their old stuff. their fans are mostly douchebags who like them because they look good these days, kinda ruined my fun.
most american music is lame, music from Europe is far superior. Naturally, Europe has a long history of having talented musicians and composers.
DerPoltergeist13 3 years ago
Same shit happened to me! I was looking for Green Day's King for a day! xDDDD
DarkKnightDreams 3 years ago
What a coincidence. Green Day and XTC are tied as my favorite bands of all time.
SalsaShark542 3 years ago
I think they deleted my comment but as I said I was looking for Green Day not this and thats so cool that you like both bands, but I've been searching for ages for Green Day's King for a Day!
I actually found it two hours after finding this one! LOL! xDDD
DarkKnightDreams 3 years ago
GREAT video. XTC is one of my favorite bands of all time and I'd never seen them perform before.
madmusashi 3 years ago
best 80's band i've ever heard in my life, depeche mode a close second...
dkindt69 3 years ago
One of the GREATEST, unknown bands of the 80's. Too bad for stage-fright. They truly were one of the greatest bands of the 80's!
Paulbleeker 3 years ago 3
unknown?
SEYMORDICK 3 years ago
Yes. They didn't get a lot of airplay and many people have no idea who they are. Maybe I should have used the word "Obscure" instead of "Unknown.
Paulbleeker 3 years ago
I went to an in-store the day before (6/29/89) this (6/30/89) at Record World (remember that store?) in Roosevelt Field, Garden City, NY. I was just 13 years old. Feels like yesterday. The only thing that's out of place here is Paul's couple of bum notes.
monkeytrousers 3 years ago
Shame on Paul S. for making a mistake!
revolver04 3 years ago
Lol, at 2:23. Amazing that he could make a mistake, I mean how long has he been playing? It sounds like he put his elbow on the keys!
scurvy0123 3 years ago
Mistakes are mistakes, they always happen no matter how long you've been playing. I think it adds to the character of live performances.
Rotateitbaby 3 years ago 4
I don't understand how Partridge had a fear of playing with his great energy and playing here. Great stuff- I've always had a special spot for this song.
wblee33 3 years ago 4
Thanks for taking the time to post this. "Oranges and Lemons" is my favorite XTC album, and it's great to hear a live version of this song.
goldengirl9 3 years ago 4
Pity Andy let his breakdown in '82 knock him off the stage. As can be plainly seen here, it would've been a kick to see them performing the latter-day stuff live. Thank goodness for YouTube.
reid77 3 years ago 3
I wonder what Dave Gregory is been up to ?
julosx 3 years ago 3
Been scoring some BBC shows last I heard
xnonsuchx 3 years ago
If music were pro wrestling, XTC would be doing constant Snuka dives off the tops of steel cages, smushing everyone in earshot!
brendantylor 3 years ago 5
Ouch at 02.23, but a great song. A great band.
SONOR4 3 years ago
First time I've heard this song, great band - look how together they were. Like many bands, some small tragedies in their lives & it makes us fans more wistful. Totally underrated, shame we get such rubbish stuff these days.
kneesavgone 3 years ago 2
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Wow. bracingly uncool.
jackjude 4 years ago
and you like the Chameleons? Honestly, do you like sausage? I think you might have tendencies. Jackoff
pfp217 3 years ago
yeah, I'm confused...there's nothing wrong with being uncool. hip to be square, yeah? cheers for the weird little dig.
jackjude 3 years ago
thanks avespdx for posting this one. This is truly a treasure-to see them perform live. I remember seeing this when it first came out. They were just a great band.
adglen41112 4 years ago
Excellent ,this brought back some memories ...
What happened to them ??
PatsyS3 4 years ago
From wikipedia... While XTC have not announced a formal break-up, in 2006 band member Andy Partridge announced that the only other remaining member of XTC, Colin Moulding, was no longer interested in writing, performing or recording music. Partridge has stated that he will not issue new recordings under the XTC banner without Moulding's participation; accordingly, he now speaks of XTC "in the past tense".
hockeybagged 3 years ago
the last of the vinyl records,,,,,,, but my ambition is getting stronger!
gabetvc15 4 years ago
ah...king for a day, my favourite...
xtcandthenational 4 years ago
Somebody needs to get all the live stuff and videos together on a DVD. I could not find anything on Amazon.
mato52 4 years ago
It's quite funny how Colin Moulding says "...so you gotta get it RIGHT!" moments after Paul Shaeffer muffs the keyboard line.
smautomat 4 years ago 3
Haha, you're right. Funny.
zacharron 4 years ago
Great clip! Never seen it before. To answer one poster's query: Yeah, it was de rigeur for Paul's band (The Late Night Band, as they were called at this point - it didn't become the Late Show Band until Dave's move to CBS in 1992) to sit in with all guest bands. The exceptions are very rare and the only one from around this time that comes immediately to mind (to have reign to play sans Paul) is Tom Waits.
grantobean 4 years ago
AWESOME
vicvar 4 years ago
yer man,wasting time for Nigal! CLASSIC!
zapupatar 4 years ago
er - i think that will be "Making plans for Nigel"
patrickblunt 4 years ago
Yeah, they are underrated, wasting time for nigel, pumpkin head, kind for a day....all great
Flighn 4 years ago
This was at a time when Letterman was like jon stewart..cutting edge. Colin wrote most of their (hits), but this band is easily more tragic than even Squeeze. They along with Squeeze were heirs to the Beatles legacy and they pissed it all away..
joesenter 4 years ago
how did they piss it all away?
stargate669 4 years ago
By failing to earn a single cent from Virgin Records and compounding the problem by failing to tour after '82. I was floored when they did this performance. No one ever thought they'd see Andy on stage ever again.
joesenter 4 years ago