XTC - All of A Sudden

[twostikks1]

YES! I LOVE that you got the intro from the Look Look release. I wish that would be released on DVD, along with the BBC "Play At Home" special and all their other videos. What the hell are they just sitting on them for??

[TheCapricornStrand]

The most Innovative bands ever

[BillMinworth]

@TheCapricornStrand I agree and I went to see the horse many years ago

[DaDa2Phlux]

Sublime ;-)

[SleepyTymeT]

Life's like a jigsaw. You get the straight bits, but there's plenty missing in the middle!

[ramacure]

no entiendo como una gran banda como XTC fue tan menospreciada

[allegracloud]

This is one of my favourite songs. So hard to narrow. But yes, this is one of my favourites.

[videocanone]

Great tune from a great album, one of the best bands and albums of the 80's ! ... Andy P. is still busy. Oranges and Lemons and Black Sea are also great albums by them.

[allegracloud]

Stunning.

[pimtelman]

Shared first place together with the Beatles.

[SequinBrain]

Polarizing without being antagonistic, well, I guess the others were wrong, we actually CAN have conversations of this type...hmm...

[fuckamericanidiot]

hard to believe 4 years earlier this band did heatwave, both amazing songs but completely different

[fuckamericanidiot]

@fuckamericanidiot or even i'm bugged!

[macxtc]

My Boy's... The refinement of English Psudo-Rock which the Beatles were the Vanguard of... Under-rated and Under-Appreciated...

[psychosulk]

whoever edited the bit before the video... eesh.

[fuckamericanidiot]

@psychosulk yezh! they faded poor andy out

[kresnels]

Such a great song, and a band that is a testament to craft and intelligence in service of pop music.

[NotSoCurrentStuff]

They're singing about everything i'm scared of

"All of the sudden, We find the sun's gone cold"

"All of the sudden, We find we're more than old"

"All of the sudden, We find that we've lost love"

Scary

[charlie7891000]

what an amazing song. andy and colin are two of the most talented musicians/songwriters to ever grace the planet.

[calcruiser29]

i lubba ♥

[flooberbloob]

If Partridge, Moulding and Gregory would get together, bury all hatchets, and give us ONE more song, I would die a happy man.....

(cues up English Settlement on the turntable)

[greggarypeccary1]

gives me chills (the good kind)

[fuckamericanidiot]

@greggarypeccary1 it climaxes and peaks right at the last line of the chorus, i love that

[nesqualhoeny]

david hmmmmmm

[therealsoulproduct]

OK, so now I have officially made this song my #1 favorite XTC song.

[malangmann]

I always liked ths band since the 70´s. Can somebody please tell me what a tosser is, Since I am one I have a right to know. I am not english you know.

[therealsoulproduct]

@malangmann Well it's not a nice word, I'll say that much. Ain't like it's a term of endearment.

[psychobollox]

@malangmann

tosser = wanker

[Lyktwz]

I love this band... (simply that)

[grayngreen]

I like to floss !!

[Ordsall66]

Xtc are a great but their fans are a right bunch of psuedo intellectual tossers

[pongtubepete]

Oi, Ordsall66,

I'm an XTC fan!

Who are you calling a suduko inter-gallactic flosser?

[flooberbloob]

ordsall66 exactly how many XTC fans do you know and exactly how many of those are "pseudo-intellectual tossers"?

your comments would seem to indicate that you are the tosser. But that's neither here nor there. Oh wait! It's wayyy over there...

[Ordsall66]

17.8

[JonoWeekes]

Nice answer XD

[MitchGambino]

He looks like Bob Odenkirk in this video.

[nancyl2]

This tune you can feel every bit of emotion these genius beings are voicing with their talent. One of the best, I have ever heard. Each tune expertly ochestrated. The bass (looks like some really heavy-gadged strings ? ) OMG the sound just plucks each bass note in your <3 I listen over + over because just the preamble sets you up for the delight that you are about to wirness. XTC Should have been part of America instead of the stuff we have blasted at us. Thanks to the dear that shared this.;)

[flooberbloob]

beyond brilliant...he is up there with Costello, Finn, Sexsmith, Sumner, Weller and all the other celebrated singer songwriters of the 70's/80's.. criminally overlooked for kudos and recognition..

[Nacho66]

The simple reason XTC wasn't more commercially succesful was because their music is/was too complex for most USA listeners. I, myself, am a USA listener tho...

[Darrylizer1]

They're very English also and in that regard remind me a lot of the Kinks, another undersung and great band. I think the main reason they didn't become as popular in the states is they stopped touring just when they were beginning to break through. I saw them in 80 (maybe 79?) and again in 81 during the Black Sea tour and the crowds were much bigger in 81. They were at the time my and my friends favorite band and we had front row tickets for their next appearance which sadly didn't happen.

[fundy76]

me too, XTC isn't always my dinner music but this song and even video are so amazing

[Yorkmackem]

What a simply fantastic song. Reflective of Andy Partridge's state of mind at the time, maybe....

[sabbeyk]

@Yorkmackem this one and Snowman gives some idea of why he split with his wife...

[Bredsdorff]

excellent, both desperate and beautiful...

[therealsoulproduct]

I still think XTC is one of the most underrated bands of all time.

[softdays]

Being underrated is a blessing.

[berherbi]

@therealsoulproduct

ohh , I am the biggest Beatle fan in the world. actually I am a professor. but your statement is really a tricky one.. I think xtc are global no.2 of of all times. is that ok with with , are you happy with that?

THX BERH

[therealsoulproduct]

@berherbi Yeah, whatever, man.

[Lyktwz]

@therealsoulproduct Me too

[chicvibe1]

one of my faves (although i love most of their catalogue) - andy partridge & xtc are brilliant.

[Jacobrester]

I will stand by what I said......they tried to hard to be different.......the talent was their to be really special.....I don't think they achieved it......just my opinion

[awnplmigo]

I'm a huge XTC fan. I respect your opinion, but I'd like to say that a lot of their post-punk contemporaries were always trying to be special and making unlistenable out-there music, and what makes XTC "special" is, in my opinion, they were way less pretentious, and were talented and daring enough to write so many melody-oriented songs, like this one.

[Jacobrester]

"Oranges and Lemons" is a fantastic album

[Jacobrester]

I do like XTC.......but I really think they could have been much better.....many of their songs just dont cut it......i always felt like they were trying too hard to be different

[p717]

Some folks don't have to try hard to be different. For real artists, it's more about getting bored with the same thing over and over again (i.e. mainstream pop) and less about how the work appeals to the masses.

[Beelzubub13]

Much more sophisticated than most videos of that time.

[cosmicwarrior287]

what a terrific album english settlement is!

[SpreadingLoveAround]

Love, sugarbaby, that's what it's all about!

PS: the dukes of stratospheare rule!

[therealsoulproduct]

Great tune from a great album!

[32INCHSTRIPER]

I think if XTC kept touring they wouldn't have had the brilliant songs of Nonsuch, Apple Venus and Wasp Stars..They would have rushed songs...

[PeterMayer]

Ive been through Swindon by train on the way to Box.

[GARYMOORElover]

swindon band woohooo

[bobwhobobwhobobwho]

Their taking time to process middle age now that adolescence is dead and buried in spite of the delays. I never thought old folks could be grooving on power pop. So why the heck am I stuck with that old weirdo in the mirror. I think we're making the Swindon boys feel like talent on a senior citizens' cruise....or like the Broadsky Quartet at Royal Albert Hall. Even Bach was a longhair hippy back in caveman days. It was like the Grateful Dead before it shriveled up into Lawrence Welk.

[xxxChrist]

Darrylizer, I accidentally checked the wrong button and gave you a thumbs-down when in fact I wanted to wholeheartedly agree with your assessment of XTC. I love the Beatles but there's something extra with XTC..... I mourn for the days when XTC were churning out their masterpieces, each album was a real event. Sigh........

[Darrylizer1]

Greatest English pop band of all time. Sorry Beatles.

[MehefinHeulog]

pretty much agree

and this song certainly one of their best

[SalsaShark542]

So true. They've never gotten the credit and recognition that they deserve. They should have been huge, and they should still be making records to this day.

[Waluigiman]

Collin's leaving is the main reason that XTC aren't going anymore, Andy wouldn't XTC without Moulding though he's still doing stuff here and there in his basement and stuff. Also with Andy's stagefright they weren't advertised much and didn't reach that wide audience as they would have if they toured. I do love them though and am sure they've found a nice niche somewhere.

[PeterMayer]

Oh cmon. Let's not go there please. These guys are great. Lets leave it at that.

[GloucesterAdam]

@Darrylizer1 Not quite The Beatles, but brilliant non the less!

[Anglovox]

The lyrics are TRULY some of the most sincerely heart-breaking ever written...Brilliant! They completely encompass my feelings while experiencing separation and divorce, while remaining steadfastly in love the person that divorcing you. LOVE the song...HATE the way it makes me feel...SO sad. It's TOO right on the money...

[MOJOPIN1960]

i love xtc - living in Swindon as i do i've met Andy Colin and Dave.  Still see them around. Nice people. GREAT MUSIC!!!

[y2kae]

Please convince them to do more music :)

[jonh901271]

And please tell them their music still means alot to many XTC fans.

[tamalli]

Wow... you have me thinking. Best to you.

[TheSecondStain]

XTC growing up musically and philosophically too. I think we've all felt moments like this. A great song, and it's not nearly one of their best. Some more popular bands would be proud to write something this good.

[135wt]

all the postings about atheism... questioning is a normal behavior. sometimes it is good to ask a question in doubt and feel something to be gained from it. Many of XTCs songs are about loss of a relationship or doubt of social relavancy. Don't we all feel that way at some point? I'm not one to know A. Partridge's feeling about religion and the world, but I don't think it is different.

[Vpmatt]

All XTC fans need to see this documentary of the band from 1983 I just discovered on this site - do a search for "XTC Documentary (Play at Home) 1983" by user cowsill2x2 - it's brilliant!

[asdffd]

Will definitely check it out. I remember getting the English Settlement album (on vinyl) and listening to it for hours on end. I miss those days- when music meaned so much to me and I could tune everything else out. I need to get a turntable and go back to those days- LOL!

[martinevans123]

life's like a jigsaw

you get the staight bits

but there's something missing in the middle

immature? hates God? religion?

who knows

for me this is human condition

superb song

.....in all your hurry....

[ePhilosopher]

it is manna from heaven tis badge remember the time we drove in my car , aand use it again use it today, oh today's date is January 1, 2008. Great timeless song chomping at the bit.

[oogie11]

the lack of recognition that xtc get is CRIMINAL....XTC are so underrated it is shocking.....loving the song all of a sudden by the way, sounds damn fine on my walkman it does...yeah, walkman, i cannot be bothered to get a mp3 yet ooh la la ;)

[TubularJim183]

People underestimate the influence of XTC upon the music industry - at least the intelligent sector.

Jim.

[pclifters]

Honestly, pier23ca... Anyway, great vid. Thanks for posting.

[peepingpom]

The Uffington White Horse is my favourite work of art and English Settlement is my favourite album. Thanks for posting.

[pier23ca]

Boo Hoo. Poor Andy. Never learned to be mature because he hates God. Too bad.

Like most atheists, he is self-absorbed, outward oriented and weak.

The greatness of this band died when Barry Andrews left.

[23Daves]

You ARE Barry Andrews, aren't you? It's all becoming very clear.

[hoosrnight]

Actually the weak ones are the ones who need the crutch of religion. By the way, I'm sure Andy doesnt hate god because there is no got to hate.

[pier23ca]

Religion arises from ritual and stories used to inculcate doctrine.

The Church of Academia inculcates into its members, the Religion of Science.

[Darrylizer1]

Science isn't a religion. Science, including the computer you typed on not to mention the electricity that allows it to run, is about understanding how the world works. It's about observable and predictable phenomena and not about blind faith in some sky god you've been taught to believe in because people don't know what happens when they die. If you believe fine. But I'm afraid I like facts when it comes to an understanding of the world, not fiction.

[CaptainBeeFart]

pier23ca:

"Boo Hoo. Poor Andy. Never learned to be mature because he hates God. Too bad."

No, I think he hates religion b/c he never learned to be mature.

"Like most atheists, he is self-absorbed, outward oriented and weak."

Yep. Absolutely. Ridiculously good musician, though.

"The greatness of this band died when Barry Andrews left."

Well, NOW you've just jumped the shark!

[zok00]

It's been said that essentially "GOD" IS "LOVE". This great song deals with "LOVE". To me this would characterize him as being in fact quite strong for making something so beautiful which speaks to it. Ironically, with your pointed personal criticism you seem immature.

[Darrylizer1]

If god created everything, then god created hate as well. So couldn't you just as easily argue that god is hate as god is love? I don't think there's any evidence that god is anything more than indifference, except for the old testament where he was kicking ass and taking names. But back then people didn't even know they lived on a planet.

[Waluigiman]

Actually it'd be more that the devil created hate. Twas his fault that man had sin.

[jrc3ky]

And what responsibility does the creator of the "devil" have? What resposibilities do the people who actualy carry out hate have? any? or is all the worlds ills caused by just a single devil, outside of the power of the creator? c'mon.

[Waluigiman]

If you read the bible you would know that the devil was originally an angel who betrayed god and was sentenced to live his life on earth. It was the devil that convinced adam and eve to eat the fruit to bring sin into this world and its our fault the world is how it is. How can we blame God for war and all that when our leaders are the ones striving for it?

[TheJackSnowShow]

God didn't create man and therefore didn't create war. To believe in ideas without any supporting facts or theories that can be tested is ridiculous. I'm "Draconic" as it is called today. Tribalism is the war of religion and resources. Civilization is an attempt to control religion and resources; before it is said that they don't control either, think hard on duties and trade regulations: In god we trust. Draconicisim is acceptance. To the point, how can god be betrayed if he is infallible?

[lareeseknife]

what a sad pathetically metaphysically driven life of nothing you live.

[T0mat0S0up]

yeah how can we blame something that is not real.

[boo66]

@pier23ca

Atheists don't hate god, they just don't believe in it. You can't hate something you don't believe exists!

[phantasm1004]

@pier23ca .....It's obvious you are insanely jealous and angry with your own underachievement and/or pathetic existence that you have nothing good or nice to say about, and even hate anyone who has made something of himself. If you're an example of "maturity" because you LOVE God, I would say POOR YOU! There are plenty of people out there who believe in God yet are still self-absorbed, outward-oriented, and weak. God would NEVER approve of your comment.

[ePhilosopher]

guy fawkes day to you, whatever that black powder writing means.

[poswe]

most prolific pop band,tell me they hold a candle to anyone,beatles perhaps. bravo to my favourite band.

[beaverliqour]

Colin Moulding such a great Bass player ..melodic and strong sound

[SociallyConspicuos]

Andy Partridge should make a comeback...miss those tunes and that voice

[blatspanner]

love xtc,and really like this song,but i always disliked the middle eight.nitpicking wanker or what?

[bobwhobobwhobobwho]

Penultimate Power Pop Players. Most underacted band of the 80's. I had tickets to the Hollywood Palladium in 81 or so....B-52's opened....and then the B-52's closed. That "missed" performance was the death nail to radio rotation and the mainstream pop machine. Perhaps the promoter's handicap made benefactors of our ears. They pushed so hard at becoming a "virtual" pop sensation, with the hottest studio wizardry and a proliferation of groove.

[shogun4213]

one of my FAVORITE songs from my favorite band.

[squidbedoe]

AWESOME! This is what's great about YouTube. I've never seen a video from Settlement other than Senses Working Overtime. Thanks for posting this!

[jeffpettit]

the drums sound so huge..

beautiful.

is he using mallets?

[PigletVanGogh]

@jeffpettit

The huge drum sound is a trademark of XTC's producer at the time, Steve Lillywhite. He's also produced U2, the Furs, Thompson Twins, Siouxsie and the Banshee, Echo and the Bunnymen, and so many others which I can't recall right now. I love his sound.

[Sarricel]

XTC are just fantastic and deserved so much more recognition than they got. Lovely to hear this tune again as it was one of my faves!

[martinevans123]

I guess one of the best pop songs ever written, and a performance to match.

[monkeytrousers]

Beautiful song - fretless bass, great riff too!

[arribabundesband]

funny thing about XTC : they were on the eve of a so called brilliant carreer in france and started touring the country. one of the main dates was the olympia in paris. the concert had just started when andy partridge stopped singing and almost collapsed. afterwards, it was known that his stomach did cope with the "blanquette de veau" he had for lunch ! that brought about the end of their so called brilliant carreer in france

[bigarv65]

Thanks for posting this. The melodies, the lyrics, pure genius.

[gergsar]

one of the very best bands EVER... and not just the early albums, all of it.

[docusboy]

interesting fact no.1! xtc were discovered by my dad after he booked them to play at the club he was running in swindon in the mid to late 70's. he got them their deal with virgin and actually collapsed at the signing through exhaustion! brilliant band and possibly the most underrated songwriters of the last 30 years. and no, i'm not biased!

[nicerage]

that's incredible. your dad owns.

[oogie11]

and i used to think that xtc were from essex ha ha, how strange that they're not...west country lads ooh la la, lovely :)

[oogie11]

ah, dave gregory ha ha,he has such a lovely smile ha ha...and he's got longer hair too ooh la la, pretty ;)

[oogie11]

;) ah, XTC, a band of such brilliance, ah, i can't put into words how brilliant they are

[croistior]

that was shit...i was hoping it was going to be about the drug....dammit lol

[bishop42962]

*sniff*I miss the 80's. Great song, great album.

Is there a Jason and the Argonauts vid?

[depechevery]

just love xtc!!!

[martinevans123]

Strange now to hear the guys all sounding like David Brent! Fame at last for Swindon? but still makes you glad to be British.

[martinevans123]

great band, great song

[NegPhil]

I forgot how good this song makes me feel.

[dasubuibi]

bestest pop band ever !!

[xtstevie]

For anyone who dosen't already know, the shadow drummer is Ian Gregory (Dave's brother) Terry was still in the band but he was still in australia, Fab song.

[coultharde]

EIEI Owen, no less

[TheDistorted]

Although this is quite a sparse video in terms of imagery (with most of the focus being on the band), this video does say all it needs to say in what it does offer, so: Good video to compliment the song, IMO.

[ePhilosopher]

the pathogenacy

[ePhilosopher]

what is it? ROLL357b1 : I didnt just imagine it from no where SynapticCar : of course You did not! jorge_funglove : stop even justifying it ROLL357b1 : lmao jorge_funglove : we all now the history man jorge_funglove : pffftttt

[95thFoot]

I like the house keys falling into the mousetrap at the end. OWNED!

[ePhilosopher]

absent less than three

[WileyCoyote69]

FINALLY modern technology compensates for me having not grown up in the U.K.! Yay, YouTube! XTC for all!

[allrudegirl]

oh my god!!! i love love love this song & never guessed there was a video. thanks so much for posting xtc vids - been trying to find them for 20 years!

[almadora]

thank you 23daves...the lush and lovely almadora sends you kisses.

[ePhilosopher]

all of a sudden it's 2006 it makes sense

[almadora]

the genius of andy partridge cannot be overstated. If ANYONE has "senses working overtime, please post it, and I will love you forever...!!!

[almadora]

the genius of andy partridge cannot be overstated. If ANYONE has "senses working overtime," please post it and i will love you forever...!

[yvesaltana]

This is intelligent music. I simply LOVE XTC.

xxYves