XTC - Yacht Dance Live (Old Grey Whistle Test)

[Boylieboyle]

omg

[albertfish69]

this is one of the best xtc live clips in existence. fucking brilliant.

[bloykunker]

this song is so fucking addicting

[ska63]

XTC and than this song... The combination of sounds.Incredible. There wouldnot ever be a band like this one. I didnot ever find another song wich pleasured my ears like this one. Ye

Its just perfect.

[Boylieboyle]

@ska63 Yess.

[bloykunker]

XTC is from another planet right? This is lovely,weird and un-forgettable and I love it

[switz223]

They're guitar playing machines!!

[leengirl]

Dave Gregory is an amazing musician. And Andy Partridge...well, he's just pretty fucking fantastic.

[openmikescene]

This is perhaps the best XTC song. So strongly aligned with its theme (a shanty), and yet fully modern. Best of all, it bears no resemblance to any other song this man wrote.

[thatwave100]

Utterly beguiling. 

[TheKril]

f**kin' amazing.

[allegracloud]

XTC are like water or air to me in which I respond purely from the amygdala.

[cosmicrider287]

now i`m in xtc.

[BillMinworth]

Hi I'm andrew purcell aka andrewpurcellmusic. I have 127 tracks on line and all of them without exception get anywhere near close to this, You realise just how crap your efforts are in the presence of genius. I am not worthy, but I'll keep trying!

[pjmuck]

One of my all-time favorite XTC songs and a spot on perfect performance.

[Pallie25]

XTC are gods. Meanwhile,

My darling daughter always thought they were singing "In All Your Pants". Funny, no?

[Stube437]

@Pallie25 to another 5 yrs. old maybe

[totallyDramatic]

@Stube437 theres hardly any need for that, why is it when people make comments either on how good a song/video or have a bit of jest with others theres always some miserable bugger who wants to put someone down for no real reason at all other than to make them feel better in their own sad little world?

[Stube437]

@totallyDramatic i don't like classy songs like this being used for purile humour.

[MrGjs1988]

@Stube437 is a proud mother/father talking about what his/her little girl mistakenly thought the lyrics were wrong? and when its originally from the mouth of a small child id say it was just a cute little mix up opposed to purile humor. come on mr. stubey dubey im sure you were a little kiddy winky one upon a time!!!

[warmwarmerdisco]

this is fantastic

[amico78]

Season cycle brings me to XTC periodically....it's 20 years that i can't live without .....

still listenin' ((((((d-_-b))))))

[Dave45582]

Saw them at Birmingham Top Rank-hairs stood up on back of neck-amazing live-they'de never get past the first round of X-Factor now would they?

[SleepyTymeT]

One of my favorite XTC songs, not least because it is so dissimilar from the others. It lends the characteristic dissonance to a unique form never addressed in the other work, and yet it is clearly the best "sea shanty" ever crafted.

[roba111111]

There was no more exclusive Yacht Dance than XTC's!

[degree7]

Damn you Andy, why'd you have to get butterflies when we needed you the most?

[ballcockandfloat]

only a band sounding like this could come out of Britain,totally unique singing daft lyrics but very talented performers.

[probrojeffro]

When I listen to this, to XTC I have hope again in man, his potential, his genius, insight, joy, and originality. God bless you XTC.

[101Volts]

I read this is the only time they played this song live. Since they didn't play many shows in the English Settlement tour before Andy stopped touring altogether I can believe that.

[KennyJB1963]

Doesn't get much better than this XC were brilliant!

[ninelivecat]

XTC where good they where kind of Pink floyd 60'esque

[garymacmillan]

English Settlement is the best album of the 80s. Terry Chambers is a wonderful drummer...

[BlueRidgeParkway]

Underrated is an understatement! Andy Partridge is a genius, Dave Gregory- amazing guitarist & Colin Moulding played a fine bass and wrote some great songs too. SO many bands ripped off XTC's ideas, it's not even funny. They toured w/The Police early on, and Andy's writing completely blows STING out of the water. It's a shame the Police caught on & XTC struggled. That's b/c Andy stuck to his musical integrity while STING became a media whore. Long Live XTC!!!!

[101Volts]

@BlueRidgeParkway And that's the way it goes since nobody is born with experience listening to music. The best music is heard by few because the masses don't understand it. Sad but true and if one wants to be famous musically and make good music at the same time it won't work unless they make mass appealing mellow music and gradually get better, educating the listeners in the process while keeping their fame. But that has to be pretty hard to do, I haven't heard of it happening.

[ngholden]

@101Volts It's called Radiohead

[marcushelbling]

love it.

[justgeeks]

... and to think, English Settlement never made Rolling Stone's top 500 albums of all time ..... blasphemous!

[ahisse]

this is tyhe best fuccking cooloest video ever

[SpaceRitual]

Such great bass playing, I'd love to be able to write basslines like Colin Moulding. Such a great live band.

[stylophobia]

Saw em at the Brighton Top Rank April (?) 1980. So glad I did.

[colepitt1]

Utter genius, as always with XTC. Absolute brilliance, and it shines brighter and so much more so than so much more else.

[rob57uk]

Great upload radiator, though I don't think the sound does them justice. Still a wonderful artifact. I bought English Settlement as a limited edition cassette (oh yes, that's right, cassette) in January 82 and proceeded to wear it out on my Walkman. This was my favourite tune on the album. Fantastic musicality and such glorious exuberance. Happy days. Thanks

[exileken]

I have always really dug this song. A real pleasant surprise to find this here.

[switz222]

I love these guys and you can't change that.

[sharnycg]

I saw XTC on their Black Sea tour and had tickets to see them on this tour for English Settlement when the whole thing was cancelled. I was absolutely mad about them at the time and sooo disappointed.

[fiddlerfart]

Still, lucky you for seeing them live - when and where if I may ask...

[johnotoole99]

@sharnycg Same here. Saw them at the Capitol Theater in Passaic NJ and a week later at the Palladium in Manhattan. Also had tix for English Settlement tour. Then Andy's then wife threw out all of his Valium and that was the end of XTC live.

[psychobollox]

@johnotoole99

That was a stupid thing to do... no medical supervision for a gradual withdrawal... she guaranteed that he'd lose it soon after!

[therealsoulproduct]

XTC were so underrated.

[CONSIDERABLYMORE1]

@therealsoulproduct By who?

[therealsoulproduct]

@CONSIDERABLYMORE1 By just about most people. They don't seem to get the brilliance of this band.

[5tubes]

Brilliant musicians! What a phenomenal singer!!!

[carrotkeith]

Stunning , when these guys were on form they were untouchable .

Fabulous to find footage like this after all these years , thanks .

[fuckamericanidiot]

english settlement

[hera2511]

Absolutely amazing live version of this song. They are awesome musicians. Thank you for posting!

[hanseanblume]

damn...talk about "obscure footage"

[guitarman7asat]

They lost so much when Chambers quit.

[Plebheadbong]

but gained so much more.

[wannyyydilliamsss]

fucking marvelous, what a superb band. Partridge and Moulding are pure unsung geniuses

[usernam3]

Amazing that they perform this almost as perfectly as it is on the album... what a band.

[goodysun]

They had a penchant for doing that, right back to 'White music' and it sets them apart from most other bands, as well as the brilliance of the songs themselves. Giants!

[djm151071]

I think I'm right in saying that Andy tried to pull out of this OGWT appearance, due to his ever-increasing fear of performing and loathing for the industry treadmill. Watching this, it's strange to think he could have 'gone' at any moment, as he was to do on stage in Paris not long afterwards...with hindsight, you can at times detect a faraway look in his eyes and a tremor in his voice.

Still a great song though, by the greatest group ever.

[georgeglen]

Thank you.  Brilliant performance ... XTC at their peak !

[fords42]

Thanks a million for posting this!

[marco94ever]

fantastic, is my only word... great riff andy is the best ... all good

[thewordofgord]

wow! thank you, radiator, for this absolute gem! Andy looks like he just got out of college!

cheers, wordofgord

[matmoose]

bloody brilliant. love this track

[tgear77]

Sorry to sound like a rude American here, but what was the Old Grey Whistle Test? I know that Top of the Pops was basically the British equivalent of American Bandstand, but was the Old Grey W.T. a regular TV show? Was it all live performances? Multiple guests or one a show?

[drpowen]

Old Grey Whistle Test was for the more "serious" musicians - ie not based on what was in the charts. And all the music was performed live (unlike top of the pops which started to allow miming (lip syncing). I guess a good way of describing it was my Dad loved it when I preferred Top Of The Pops and then when I matured - I appreciated it more than chart based stuff....

[goodysun]

Don't know if anyones answered, but in case they haven't; The Whistle test ran for many years, from the early 70's and showcased a load of top artists, always in live format. It was an institution and is sorely missed by many of us. I suppose the nearest thing we have now is 'later' presented by Jules holland (ex squeeze keyboardist etc.)

[tgear77]

Thank you for the answer.

[andaloudog]

Wow - this version is tremendous. A better mix and it would be tempting to say this one is better than the original. Opinion...

[TempusTransit]

Andy is Soooooooo HOT!!!

[TempusTransit]

Where are all the girls shouting, "Andy is Soooooo HOT!!!" ? Well, I'll say it, anyway...

[katieeee94]

the greatest undiscovered band. Don't keep it a secret. Apostelise

[TightlyFittedPants86]

Good Video I Like The Song The Song

(:

Paigeee'<3

[siralexandergibson]

stupid but classic

[mondomino]

Delicious AND nutritious! They truly knock my socks off. Seriously my socks were knocked off - they landed in the corner, by the fridge...

[mistarax]

anyone seen no thugs in our house? my fave from this album

[kpb90]

Where can i buy or download or somehow get my hands on this song? I love this song! and i come on youtube just about everyday to listen to it. Is it on one of their cd's?

[mattypark]

It's on an XTC album called English Settlement from 1982.

[kevinandrewmoore]

easy to get on CD still! there were a couple of different versions, ones got one or two more tracks on.

Truly wonderful wonderful stuff.

[ianwr000]

English Settlement album.1982.Might need to hunt for it.A timeless classic.Good luck.

[AndyHN34]

i remember watching this on Whistle Test and being knocked out by Moulding's bass playing. I seem to remember they had XTC on just before King Crimson; Moulding and Tony Levin. Bass heaven!

[Strutterfan66]

That's a bloody good song. Now I'm gonna get my bass out..!

[Antelope6]

Excellent. Neil Finn was clearly listening to this when he wrote `Pineapple Head` for Crowded House.

[ubergossen]

I just bought English Settlement, and it is in the top five albums I have ever heard in my life. It's incredibly rare to find so many fantastic songs on one album, and think there's only been a few bands in history that have been able to do that.

[GWBsux]

ubergossen -- I agree. English Settlement has been in my top 10 albums for as long as I can remember. It is in amazing album!

[v1m]

How purely wonderful. We were denied a dazzling live performer.

[thedrunkenfool]

I absolutely love XTC, cannot explain the profound affect they have had on my life. Absolutely brilliant

[daddygx71]

by watching this vid dave matthews loves xtc as i do. dave does same moves as andy

[SidDuckworth]

apparently this is the only occasion they ever played Yacht Dance live (according to the chalkhills website).

[lennymullett]

this song is truly magical, a really incredible piece of writing and arranging. they simply dont make this caliber of music anymore.

xtc were the undiscovered beatles

[goodysun]

You're absolutely right mate.

[pnylincoln]

This is fantastic- brings back all the memories....

[goodysun]

This is probably my favourite XTC song.I honestly think it's got a kind of stand-out sublimity about it. A truly marvellous piece of music, done here in their usual live brilliance; fantastic.I'm an @narchist, but I'd vote for Andy Partridge!

[enossified]

I feel exactly the same... "I'm an @narchist, but I'd vote for Andy Partridge!" - I gotta get that as a bumper sticker...

[goodysun]

Are you an @narchist too, or did you just like the quote? Whatever the case, thanks for putting a big smile on my face: viva Partridge! (and his XTC deputies, lest we forget those stirling fellows)!

[ska63]

30 years ago i said that you could wake me up for listening any song of xtc!

This was my favourate song.I dreamed of it last night.

And probably it will be my favourate song for ever...

Wanda

[ogeskimo]

Just like Radiohead everybody in the band was a complete monster on their instrument. A drummer as great as Terry Chambers just bails on music ? A tragedy. XTC changed the way I think about music as a whole.

[frithar]

(sigh of relief) I thought I was the only one who thought of Radiohead and XTC in similar terms...

[tom12345674]

!!!!!!

those that do are a rare breed...

only 3 in the world apparently! :S

[frithar]

I think putting Thom and Andy in the same room would cause the universe to collapse in on itself, though (too much talent in one place disrupts many laws of physics....)

[Vpmatt]

All XTC fans need to see this documnetary 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!

[mebegebo]

Why didn't they rule the world?

[Vpmatt]

Because they unfortunately stopped touring in 1982 due to Andy's "issues". They would have been huge otherwise.

[toadelevator]

Poetry.

[gatasucia]

this is timeless......love it

[naganokumas]

English Settlement. My favourite album. I'd love to have the lot on video.

[BlueRidgeParkway]

1982--a Lexy, Sexy year & my FAV album from XTC. Such a shame SO many bands ripped-off XTC's sound and concepts. These poor lads should be bigger than The POLICE! De-dododo De-dadada? C'mon! All I want to say to you is XTC RAWKS! (RU listening, Kipper?)

[XTCoello]

GREAT SONG GREAT LP

[mockupscaledown]

I'd just like to point out that I've looked at about 50 XTC videos today, and the comments are always so civil and thoughtful, unlike most comments on Youtube. I think that says something about XTC fans.

[mrgrt1]

Thank you, Andy, Colin, Dave, and Terry for making life so much more beautiful with your music. The guitar work on this song is absolutely lovely, as is Andy's cool, swooping, playful voice.

(I want to plant kisses all over Andy's face in this video.)

[Stefaniexxxxxxxxxx]

One of the many wonderful songs from this great band, thank you. Some more, please!

[ePhilosopher]

How how how HOW how how How How, Socrates?

[kingdhansak]

This song is amazing. Performed so well live. Such an underrated band.

[neilfunn]

Great to see this. Took a punt and put it in the search, didn't think owt would come up. Classic song. Class band. Thanks for posting.

[gatasucia]

love this song...brings back memories of my youth

[rain73]

I've always loved XTC. I wish Andy and Colin would get together and make another record. I read that Andy recently asked Colin if he would, and he said no.

[northeastlinda]

too bad the commercial music biz kills this kind of beautiful talent - Bravo Andy!

[Markinvention]

Hard to believe that Mr Partridge was physically sick before this performance and almost ran out of the studio shortly before. Has there every been somebody who was more unaware of how good he really was as a live performer? Note the howler Colin makes after Andy sings the wrong words in the second verse!!

This man is the most unrecognised genius in popular music - possibly mainly due to his own doing?

This clip is brilliant.

[DrRobDammet]

This was also the first time Andy realized how much taller he was than the other three. How many more years must we wait for DVD of XTC performances, videos, etc? Love, Rob aka MrMoonlight

[peepingpom]

the first time i've ever seen this - thanks for posting

[xtstevie]

According to legend this is the first time Andy suffered from stage fright !! I must admit i can't see it in him myself.

[bezmalinov]

Partridge con un estilo particular, fusion de Jazz Pop Alternativo, son increibles todos los albumes sobre todo "Oranges & Lemons"...

[escarcha]

e su musica no es igual a todas sus canciones cada una tiene su sonido diferente me encanta este grupo son unicos!

[bigarv65]

What the hell happened? It just amazes me that some of the most complex, intelligent pop music ever written barely put a blip on the public awareness. Oneof may many many favorite songs from the boys. Thanks for the post!

[GWBsux]

One of the greatest bands ever!! I agree with DulcetTone -- the guitars on this song are absolutely amazing. Damn, I wish I would have seen them live...

[DulcetTone]

One of my favorite XTC songs. The guitars are brilliant, and though this video has some artifacts, it conveys enough to show that they're really nailing it!

[andreaprodan]

Refreshing to see this in the Brit Rock scene... love the skippin' anda dancin' Andy does there!

[bigarv65]

roflmao, skippin anda dancin indeed! I've never seen him smile so.

[almadora]

ohh, andy...one of my many husbands.

[jedishampoo]

LOL!! I had (maybe still have) the hugest crush on Andy back in the day... I'm sorry I never got to see them live.

[Topographer]

Great song from one of the greatest bands ever. Love Dave Gregory's guitar work here. Thanks for posting!

[mrgrt1]

You and me both!

(((sigh)))