You really forget how good they were. I have Oranges & Lemons and Upsy Daisy Assortment. For some reason almost every track was titled incorrectly. I bought this years ago and it always annoyed me. Especically more now that's it digitized and I look at my Ipod screen to see what song is on. So I finally decided to title every track correctly. Although I am a fan I cannot rattle off many song titles and match them the song. So I downloaded the Shazam app and can't get the songs out of my head.
@MrSigninging I looked up Green Day King for a day just to see what you think is so relevant. I watched one of their live performnces. Not only was the song stupid but they had a bunch of guys strip down to their speedo g string underwear and shake their junk in the drummer's face! What a bunch of fags!!! Now I now that Gay for Green Day is not just an expresion! It really is a band for homosexuals is that why you like them so much cuntbag! That's cool why didn't you just tell me you were gay?
i found XTC in 1977 and have loved them ever since. The are quintessentially british in their style to the point where i for once feel proud to live here.If you could only have one bands work in your collection, these guys would be mine. The song writing, expression, subject matter and viruosity are all inspirational and a true example of song writing at its very best.................long live XTC.
@MrSigninging Exactly!!!! Green Day is about as relevant now as the Bee Gees are. That wasn't one of the 8 definitions for SHONK that I found are you sure you didn't make that up you little Weenis! What shcool is that old school, night school,trade school,school for fools, Clown college? My penis works flawlessly, if you were here right now I would have my girlfriend whack it up and I'd bust a nut and glaze your face! You'd look like a glazed donut when we were done LOL ;-O
@MrSigninging Green Day is over, get over it there past tense just like XTC your getting older and your music dosn't matter to this new generation of kids face it!!! Shonk! Shonk the boat don't Shonk the boat baby Shonk the boat don't shonk the boat over SHONK the boat! The things you like are HINKY! SHANK now that's a word that carries some weight! You throw the word SHANK around and people know you mean business! SHONK is about as relevant as Green Day.They sucked then and they suck now SHANK
@MrSigninging There are like at least 8 definitions for the word Shonk and no you didn't get one over on me! The things you are saying about Green Day is a matter of opinon! Alot of people like the Bee Gees more than like Green Day I'll wager! In IMHIO Green Day is largely responsible for Hip Hop popularity! Eminem and Snoop Dogg I'll guarantee you have more influence and following than te Green Days that does not make them good musicians! There is no musicianship in G Day that's why there gone!
@MrSigninging Green Day doesn't matter ! No one listens to them because music is an escape who wants to escape to reality? Music is to be enjoyed! Haven't you ever listened to a song beacuse you dug the way it sounded not because some one was trying to make a political statement. Or whine about the way things are going in their life! Who the hell wants to listen to that shit!It is my personal feeling that Green Day and the like are responsible for Hip Hop dominating pop culture! Shonk on that!!!
one hit wonders ??? are you recieving me,life begins at the hop,making plans for nigel,wait till the boat goes down,generals and majors,sgt rock,senses working overtime,ball and chain,love on a farm boys wages,dear god,the mayor of simpleton,king for a day,the ballad of peter pumpkin head .The list goes on where did they get one hit wonders these are great song writers and half the bands around today would give there right arm to pen half these great tunes.Oh well middle age rant over lol
i have to make a correction here. the bad taste is had by vh1 and their attempts to cram such bad taste down the throats of unsuspecting americans. they downgrade xtc and other such bands to 1hit wonder status because they want to control what we watch and listen to.
Wow. I rarely read more than this first page of "Comments" and I didn't have to on this one, because, one of the things that I hope I will find is suggestions that will lead me to other music makers that I might enjoy. Can you believe it, Squeeze, Beautiful South, Paul Heaton, The Housemartins and Midnight Oil all being praised on this one page! Thanks to all of you who post great feed back on you tube. Respect from Michigan,usa. Power to the Peaceful.
Awe man. I wish this was in HD. Any way to get this on dvd or bluray? BTW-This is the best quality version I have seen, but I want better! Such a classic! Thank you!
one of the most under rated bands ever-period. although they have a solid fanbase, andy partridge's stagefright undermined to a considerable extent their lack of touring and publicity to the wider public. 1 of my favourite bands. lyrically and musically vastly superior to say, for instance, coldplay, U2 and the rest of that nauseating crap !
This has always been one of my favorite bands. At 55 I had the pleasure of seeing them in the UK when I lived in London as well as the States. My kids love listening to their music. I get lost in this song as well as the King of Simpleton. You all don't know what you missed. TG for You Tube.
@obdami Have you heard Jellyfish? It was thru a Jellyfish link I heard of these guys! Try "Baby's Coming Back" by Jellyfish for a starter... Then you think Jellyfish and XTC belong up there close to The Beatles.
(cont from prev.) that anyone who complains about a lack of good music is only complaining about a lack of meaningful music that can be found through more traditional channels. To them I say "Look harder." and do so with an open mind. Things are different now, not necessarily better, or worse.
I hate it when I look at older music and see these comments about how "music is soulless nowadays" and "In my day, music was brilliant unlike modern crap" and "You kids get off my lawn". In your day old people thought your music was just noise and the music of THEIR day was the real stuff. All music is relevant and speaks to the generation that made it. Modern music isnt speaking your language and you arent meant to hear what it says but that doesnt make it insulting or less spiritual.
I wouldn't look at it that way, personally. When you look at a group like XTC, even in the era from which they hailed, they were a fairly distinct minority.. I feel like when folks say "music back in my day was better" they're simply ignoring all the crap there was in the 80's. And there was a *lot* of it.
conversely, the nature of modern media has made it more difficult for truly innovative artists to break through, so all what gets the most attention is designed (CONT.)
(cont from prev.) to appeal to the greatest number of possible consumers, and thus, tends to be a rather bland mishmash of as many profitable sonic (and often visual) elements as can be reasonably stuffed in and written in a financially expedient amount of time.For every XTC there were fifteen Billy Joels, five Asias.
I don't necessarily blame folks for not looking for good, modern music, despite it being not difficult at all to find. There are so many ways of finding new, good music (CONT)
@MrFightinghellfish I feel blessed to have been raised in a time with so much good music, no wonder kids today have such trouble growing up, where is their soul food ? When I was growing up in the 60's - 80's musical inspiration was everywhere. Some say the eyes are the windows of the soul, but I say its often the ears are the conduits to our spiritual nourishment ! My nieces, nephews, and in-laws kids like digging through my collection for choice items as so much music today is junk.
@videocanone - you are right. the music of today is frankly insulting. and people look at me like i'm some kind of asshole when i mention a band like this. its unfortunate but at least we got to" come of age" with this stuff.
... and apparently 14 listeners here are tone deaf .. how can anyone NOT like these guys ? the sounds they get from their instruments and vocal chords and their sense of syncopation and harmony are beyond reproach ... incredible... gee, I guess that's why one could call it "music to my ears". This is how music should sound.
I concur ... VH1 ... hash pipe 1 ... by those kind of estimations they probably think Steely Dan was a one hit wonder and their only hit was "Reeling In the Years".
XTC has made videos and gotten airplay with something off most of their albums, esp from English Settlement. In the old days all an album had to do was go Gold and it was considered a hit. Now I guess you have to go triple platinum, get stalked by a fan and get arrested for shoplifting and go into rehab before you have a 'hit'. LOL !
And for the record, everyone, the band's highest charting U.S. single was "Mayor of Simpleton". Do not rely on Vh1 when it comes to their bullshit "lists", lol.
According to VH1, their one American chart hit was "Dear God" ... they were ranked on the "Greatest One Hit Wonders" list. It seemed odd to see such prolific bands such as these guys and Midnight Oil (for "Beds Are Burning") up there. They both deserved to have much more success in this country. Alas, albums from both acts are extremely difficult to come by these days, while utter rubbish like Nickelback sells by the truckloads. My fellow Americans have awful taste in music.
@DinosaurJesus You said brother...so many great songs from these guys! Not just English Settlement but Big Wheel, Black Sea, Oranges and Lemons, Nonsuch and on and on...oh well...pearls for swine.
@DinosaurJesus You said it brother...so many great songs from these guys! Not just English Settlement but Big Wheel, Black Sea, Oranges and Lemons, Nonsuch and on and on...oh well...pearls for swine.
@377pa Most Americans hate them? I wish I could agree with you on that. They sell out arenas, and I can't go anywhere without hearing them on the radio. I have completely given up on FM - we used to have a station that boasted about not playing Nickelback, but they switched over to Top 40, and then Country in a span of under two years. The only rock station left thinks Nickelback is the greatest thing since sliced bread, and plays them about once an hour. I don't even bother with the radio now.
@charlie123abc360 They called "Dear God" their one hit wonder and referred to it as a rare song with an atheist message that received mainstream attention. They also showed a clip of Andy Partridge talking about a time that he took a few angry calls during an interview at some Bible Belt radio station, and impersonated it right down to the Southern accent of the caller. If I recall, they ranked somewhere in the 60s. I believe it was on the "80s One Hit Wonders" show hosted by Judah Friedlander.
@DinosaurJesus Englsh Settlement, Skylarling, and Oranges & Lemons are 3 of my favorite albums ever. Not all Yanks are morons. and tell Paul Heaton I miss Beautiful South.
@DinosaurJesus - why did they deserve more success? MO was commercial-ish, but kind of sucked. XTC had every opportunity to go mainstream but chose not to sell out. I like their music, and bless them for staying true to their sensibilities, but why is their not catching on seen as a failing by either the band or Americans?
@DinosaurJesus I couldn't agree more! XTC and Midnight Oil are two of the most underappreciated groups in rock history. Both of these groups should have had multiple, if not dozens, of hits in America. I don't get Nickelback at all. Their music sounds like the worst, most juvenile 70's hard rock.
@sestubbe The way I figure it Nickelback is kiddie "Pop Rock" So sure it sells - How many seven year old kids are likely to spend any time looking for different bands that don't land in their laps, Let alone try to like songs that don't appeal to them at first? I was once inexperienced in music too - I used to like songs such as "I'm A Hex Girl" Which was in a Scooby Doo movie.
@DinosaurJesus Was talking to a 20-something girl last night and she had never heard of them. Shame, shame. She's someone with very good taste in music too. Just not many chances for her to have heard them. They don't get played in the U.S.
@DinosaurJesus Yeah Interesting point! YEAHHH WTF I love these guys so cheesey but yeah man they had heaps of good songs so wtf fuck fuck don't make me list . Ay ay buddy buddy garden of earthy delights was cool album!( raised drink!)
@DinosaurJesus I concur wholeheartedly. It is quite a shame that bands as outstanding as XTC & Midnight Oil remain in the shadows. The real loss is to the hundreds of thousands of fans whom will probably never hear their music...
@DinosaurJesus i liked your comment and agree nearly completely... but comparing XTC to Midnight Oil... is the worst apples to orangutans comparison ever... XTC never wrote a bad song.... if u disagree please name the song... i am rabid about everything they ever did... even the sketches and demos... XTC is one of the best bands ever... true musicians' musicians...
@stumptacular Well, it goes without saying that they're both very different bands. What they have in common is being extremely underappreciated in this part of the world (United States), right down to getting slapped with the unfortunate "One Hit Wonder" label by VH1 and placed alongside a slew of far less relevant musical acts. They may not have gotten the recognition that they deserve, but their music will stand the test of time far longer than that of their shallow peers and contemporaries.
Love XTC, their sound reminds me of the Beatles sometimes, here's another band called Luce, nice track called "Buy a Dog" youtube.com/watch?v=2acYxdU-POw
de todas las canciones existentes para mi en esta vida... esta siempre sera mi favorita!!! desde que llegue a escuchar esta cancion por alla de finales de los 80's se convirtio en la unica y especial para mi, por la musica, la letra todo y por aquellos momentos.KING FOR A DAY! THE BEST!
They delivered a truly profound but oft-forgotten message (money and the things you may need to get it may not leave you happy) in a beautiful and harmonious, melodious way. Inspirational song. Thanks so much for posting! :)
They had a HUGE hit in the early 80's with the album English Settlement and 'Senses Working Overtime" and before that they had other hits with "Making Plans for Nigel", and later with "The Mayor of Simpleton". They were NOT no hit wonders. If you believe that you are on crack and don't have the braincells to do even a modicum of research on the web.
@videocanone Relax man, I'm pretty sure the poster who said "no hit wonder" was only speaking in terms of the U.S. XTC never broke the top 50 singles here.
One of the best- produced songs of the decade. Love the Beatlesque bridge that seems to reference "We Can Work It Out" with the line "no time to fuss 'n' fight."
why is it that groups like this are only one hit wonders? if they make a song this good how can they go wrong? they lyrics blew my mind and left my mouth agate.
@27pocket xtc were far from being a one hit wonder band. they have about twenty albums and have been putting out singles since the late 1970's. making plans for nigel was their first hit in australia in 1978. this was followed by senses working over time peter pumpkinhead dear god there were several others i cant think of right now
Hey kids, if you want to write great pop songs but don't know how, listen to these guys. You won't sell any records these days with great music, but at least you'll have the satisfaction that you've stolen from the best.
Does modern pop music suck? Yes it does. And you only have yourselves to blame.
Sorry, that's a bit mean, it's just that those are the 2 bands which epitomise all that was wrong with music in the 70s. I have said this since the 70s (because I'm old). Welcome to the fold, you're home now.
This song actually moves me to tears...it's just the song itself, and the great memories that I associate with it...a wonderful tune signifying a wonderful time in my life.
@BobbiV13 In their early days, XTC's music could have been considered punk/new wave. 'This Is Pop', for example, certainly has punk-ish connotations. After English Settlement, they went more 'middle of the road'.
In any form, XTC were and are brilliant, and Oranges And Lemons is definitely their finest hour as a band.
@BobbiV13 Actually I believe they were marketing as "new wave" band, which they weren't. Although they were at times edgy or quirky they had basically rock and pop sensibilities.
@nycdude999 Actually, very few acts circa 1977-80 exemplified New Wave music better than XTC. Remember that on the first 3-4 albums there was a different line-up, and different musical elements coming in such as electronic, ska and pop-punk. Later they would gravitate toward more guitar-oriented Folky or Jangly Pop, though the New Wave well was drying up by then so this was a common for a lot of acts.
@flyingfisbeefilms You might want to check out XTC's Pseudonym band, The Dukes Of Stratosphear. They made Psychadelic music under that name, A good song to start with would be Bike Ride To The Moon.
@sugarandspice4815 about justin or about King for A Day ? well, nothing wrong with Bieber..he is quite a major talent and so very young..about King for A Day being anthemic..well that's my way of saying that Andy and Colin are geniuses in their own right..
I was 18 when the this album came out in 1988 and man! the whole album was good to me my favorites was poor skellton,across this antheap ,and this song king for a day still jammin to me I was the only brother in my family that love music like this level42,duran,duran,the fixx,and the group (yes) with the song leave it the music today don't have nothing on theses groups back in the 80s&90s it was all good
Well KLWK1, I was at the Hollywood Paladium when he had a panic attack & the word was he would never play live again, some woman came out on stage & cancelled the show, it was surreal, we were all so upset. They didn't perform that night but from what I know it was the last scheduled performance they ever had, I still have the ticket stub. I had the worst sunburn of my life and I'll never forget it. I was totally bummed.
Spankin Elroy ~ Bite your tongue, I worked at Licorice Pizza in the 80s and am a HUGE XTC fan! I was even at the Hollywood Palladium (which was packed by the way) for what turned out to be their last ever scheduled appearance, damn it all, Andy had a panic attack and that was it...
There's another great XTC song worth checking out if you can find it - 'This World Over'. Made when the threat of a nuclear war seemed ever-present, it's both as serious and melodic as 'King for a Day' or 'Dear God'.
They just don't make them like this anymore. A true artistic group perfroming with minimal instrumentsand lighting. Always a favorite of mine. XTC a truly wonderful album Oranges & Lemons.
Channel surfing while up with my new born daughter I came across this on VH-1. Been a fan ever since. Amazingly, at 22 my daughter likes them too. Her favorite is "dear god". Good music! It survives and is passed down to the next generation to the next.
Oranges and Lemons was their finest in my opinion.
Parkinish 3 days ago
absolutely perfect
littnlion 2 weeks ago
2012 KING FOR A YEAR
kojakbangbang7 4 weeks ago
the 80's had its jems too... underrated and not well known but certainly a great sound with heady lyrics
forreal918 1 month ago
GREAT SONG GREAT SOUND!
bearron 1 month ago
The Pillbugs will make you happy too. Enjoy
adamic2k8 1 month ago
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shovel20 2 months ago
Genius bass line during the chorus.
sterlingtx75 2 months ago 2
@sterlingtx75 This IS some really good bass work. Underrated musicians.
theendlessenigma 3 weeks ago in playlist Favorite videos
You really forget how good they were. I have Oranges & Lemons and Upsy Daisy Assortment. For some reason almost every track was titled incorrectly. I bought this years ago and it always annoyed me. Especically more now that's it digitized and I look at my Ipod screen to see what song is on. So I finally decided to title every track correctly. Although I am a fan I cannot rattle off many song titles and match them the song. So I downloaded the Shazam app and can't get the songs out of my head.
sirka067 2 months ago
@MrSigninging I looked up Green Day King for a day just to see what you think is so relevant. I watched one of their live performnces. Not only was the song stupid but they had a bunch of guys strip down to their speedo g string underwear and shake their junk in the drummer's face! What a bunch of fags!!! Now I now that Gay for Green Day is not just an expresion! It really is a band for homosexuals is that why you like them so much cuntbag! That's cool why didn't you just tell me you were gay?
steveissosteve 2 months ago
THAT BASSLINE.... IM JIZZIN MY PANTS
Germandemza 2 months ago
@ tpv402193
You said it all for me. Thx.
Discovering stuff here I didn't even know, and surprise surprise, I STILL find them brilliant.
Vastly underrated. Maybe just under-exposed. Maybe it's better that way.
JavelBleach 2 months ago
Andy looks the best in those glasses and hat.
Parkinish 2 months ago
@MrSigninging Green day are shite, now fuck off you cuntbag.
Sinfulgaiden 2 months ago
Just brilliant.
Sinfulgaiden 2 months ago
i found XTC in 1977 and have loved them ever since. The are quintessentially british in their style to the point where i for once feel proud to live here.If you could only have one bands work in your collection, these guys would be mine. The song writing, expression, subject matter and viruosity are all inspirational and a true example of song writing at its very best.................long live XTC.
tpv402193 3 months ago
@MrSigninging Exactly!!!! Green Day is about as relevant now as the Bee Gees are. That wasn't one of the 8 definitions for SHONK that I found are you sure you didn't make that up you little Weenis! What shcool is that old school, night school,trade school,school for fools, Clown college? My penis works flawlessly, if you were here right now I would have my girlfriend whack it up and I'd bust a nut and glaze your face! You'd look like a glazed donut when we were done LOL ;-O
steveissosteve 3 months ago
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steveissosteve 2 months ago
@MrSigninging Green Day is over, get over it there past tense just like XTC your getting older and your music dosn't matter to this new generation of kids face it!!! Shonk! Shonk the boat don't Shonk the boat baby Shonk the boat don't shonk the boat over SHONK the boat! The things you like are HINKY! SHANK now that's a word that carries some weight! You throw the word SHANK around and people know you mean business! SHONK is about as relevant as Green Day.They sucked then and they suck now SHANK
steveissosteve 3 months ago
@MrSigninging There are like at least 8 definitions for the word Shonk and no you didn't get one over on me! The things you are saying about Green Day is a matter of opinon! Alot of people like the Bee Gees more than like Green Day I'll wager! In IMHIO Green Day is largely responsible for Hip Hop popularity! Eminem and Snoop Dogg I'll guarantee you have more influence and following than te Green Days that does not make them good musicians! There is no musicianship in G Day that's why there gone!
steveissosteve 3 months ago
@MrSigninging Green Day doesn't matter ! No one listens to them because music is an escape who wants to escape to reality? Music is to be enjoyed! Haven't you ever listened to a song beacuse you dug the way it sounded not because some one was trying to make a political statement. Or whine about the way things are going in their life! Who the hell wants to listen to that shit!It is my personal feeling that Green Day and the like are responsible for Hip Hop dominating pop culture! Shonk on that!!!
steveissosteve 3 months ago
@MrSigninging What kind of horseshit lyric is this "do you have the time yo listen to me whine". I don't have time to listen to you whine either!
steveissosteve 3 months ago
@MrSigninging you like Green Day That's one of the biggest insults I can think of!!
steveissosteve 3 months ago
@MrSigninging Some people think Green Day is shit! Some people say the expression Gay for Green Day, lol.
steveissosteve 3 months ago
This has that Tears For Fears sort of vibe going on.
steveissosteve 3 months ago
@steveissosteve 12/8 time signature, as in everybody wants to rule the world! xtc & tears for fears, both top bands......
brushuk 3 months ago
@brushuk It's not just the time signature it's their tone and the way this guy sings. This song would fit in perfectly fine in 1984 or 1985.
steveissosteve 3 months ago
It would be nice to see Andy and Colin get back and put out a new XTC recording after all these years. Likely to never happen.
Parkinish 3 months ago
yeah americans are lazy -but thats where we came in to spread the music and inform curious whats Dinosaurus Jesus
charlesremschel7 4 months ago
Kill all advertisers...I'm not kidding...you have destroyed humanity, are ruining youtube....and you deserve nothing less than death.
Colonel Kurtz
TheFringefilms 4 months ago
one hit wonders ??? are you recieving me,life begins at the hop,making plans for nigel,wait till the boat goes down,generals and majors,sgt rock,senses working overtime,ball and chain,love on a farm boys wages,dear god,the mayor of simpleton,king for a day,the ballad of peter pumpkin head .The list goes on where did they get one hit wonders these are great song writers and half the bands around today would give there right arm to pen half these great tunes.Oh well middle age rant over lol
dogmanis1 4 months ago
i dont care what people say but XTC is NOT a one-hit wonder.
nikkicole54321 5 months ago
check out Professor Chronic - xtc
a2bmusic 5 months ago
i have to make a correction here. the bad taste is had by vh1 and their attempts to cram such bad taste down the throats of unsuspecting americans. they downgrade xtc and other such bands to 1hit wonder status because they want to control what we watch and listen to.
chiefdancingostriche 5 months ago
el pop mas dulce y elegante en las guitarras!!!!!
luchoreyessau 5 months ago
a perfect song, a masterpiece by the great XTC!!!
wildswan66 6 months ago 3
Wow. I rarely read more than this first page of "Comments" and I didn't have to on this one, because, one of the things that I hope I will find is suggestions that will lead me to other music makers that I might enjoy. Can you believe it, Squeeze, Beautiful South, Paul Heaton, The Housemartins and Midnight Oil all being praised on this one page! Thanks to all of you who post great feed back on you tube. Respect from Michigan,usa. Power to the Peaceful.
donaldnewmanmedone 6 months ago 22
@donaldnewmanmedone Throw in some Nick Heyward and you have quite the playlist!
theendlessenigma 2 months ago 2
Awe man. I wish this was in HD. Any way to get this on dvd or bluray? BTW-This is the best quality version I have seen, but I want better! Such a classic! Thank you!
italianospeed 6 months ago
one of the most under rated bands ever-period. although they have a solid fanbase, andy partridge's stagefright undermined to a considerable extent their lack of touring and publicity to the wider public. 1 of my favourite bands. lyrically and musically vastly superior to say, for instance, coldplay, U2 and the rest of that nauseating crap !
MrAidybaby 6 months ago 13
@timothypane While thinking about Paul Heaton and The Beautiful South...I think The Housemartins should also be mentioned...great great hooks.
tdstone 6 months ago
This has always been one of my favorite bands. At 55 I had the pleasure of seeing them in the UK when I lived in London as well as the States. My kids love listening to their music. I get lost in this song as well as the King of Simpleton. You all don't know what you missed. TG for You Tube.
sith86a 6 months ago
ahhh
the opening to this song is simply orgasmic
such an awesome band
sc4l4r 6 months ago
One of the best brit-pop bands ever. Squeeze, XTC, Beautiful South.
timothypane 6 months ago 2
God..let me be high,,with your blessing...and listen to X T C
funeguy2 7 months ago
i had this song on my ipod today, walking with the rare british summer sunshine on my back...fucking great song
townsie74 7 months ago
Very similar rhythmic groove happening in Tears for Fears' "Everybody Wants to Rule the World". Must be why I dig both tunes ;)
JonP1961 7 months ago 2
@JonP1961 Same here! I'm a big Tears For Fears fan, and I love this song. XTC should've gotten more hits 'cause they're pretty phenomenal!
BanditHamlin11 6 months ago
This song has that happy ending sound to it. One of my favourites by XTC. Roll credits......
carriersignal 7 months ago
Boy,Do I AGREE with D-J...even Oasis like The Jam who we're grossly underplayed in the States....but,XTC a Gem...always.
mrmantra69 7 months ago
a masterpiece!!
wildswan66 7 months ago
I don't get it. Why didn't these guys become the second most loved band ever? (The first being The Beatles). God these are so damn good.
obdami 7 months ago
@obdami Have you heard Jellyfish? It was thru a Jellyfish link I heard of these guys! Try "Baby's Coming Back" by Jellyfish for a starter... Then you think Jellyfish and XTC belong up there close to The Beatles.
nightsongs7 7 months ago
@nightsongs7 Jellyfish were great, and in fact David Gregory's new band 'Tin Spirits' regularly cover 'The King Is Half Undressed' in their set.
GloucesterAdam 7 months ago
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Fantastic composition and performance.
bmarsh1 7 months ago
What a composition and great perfomance.
bmarsh1 7 months ago
(cont from prev.) that anyone who complains about a lack of good music is only complaining about a lack of meaningful music that can be found through more traditional channels. To them I say "Look harder." and do so with an open mind. Things are different now, not necessarily better, or worse.
greatmahoo 7 months ago 2
I hate it when I look at older music and see these comments about how "music is soulless nowadays" and "In my day, music was brilliant unlike modern crap" and "You kids get off my lawn". In your day old people thought your music was just noise and the music of THEIR day was the real stuff. All music is relevant and speaks to the generation that made it. Modern music isnt speaking your language and you arent meant to hear what it says but that doesnt make it insulting or less spiritual.
nightbloom 8 months ago
@nightbloom
I wouldn't look at it that way, personally. When you look at a group like XTC, even in the era from which they hailed, they were a fairly distinct minority.. I feel like when folks say "music back in my day was better" they're simply ignoring all the crap there was in the 80's. And there was a *lot* of it.
conversely, the nature of modern media has made it more difficult for truly innovative artists to break through, so all what gets the most attention is designed (CONT.)
greatmahoo 7 months ago 2
(cont from prev.) to appeal to the greatest number of possible consumers, and thus, tends to be a rather bland mishmash of as many profitable sonic (and often visual) elements as can be reasonably stuffed in and written in a financially expedient amount of time.For every XTC there were fifteen Billy Joels, five Asias.
I don't necessarily blame folks for not looking for good, modern music, despite it being not difficult at all to find. There are so many ways of finding new, good music (CONT)
greatmahoo 7 months ago 2
@MrFightinghellfish I feel blessed to have been raised in a time with so much good music, no wonder kids today have such trouble growing up, where is their soul food ? When I was growing up in the 60's - 80's musical inspiration was everywhere. Some say the eyes are the windows of the soul, but I say its often the ears are the conduits to our spiritual nourishment ! My nieces, nephews, and in-laws kids like digging through my collection for choice items as so much music today is junk.
videocanone 8 months ago
@videocanone - you are right. the music of today is frankly insulting. and people look at me like i'm some kind of asshole when i mention a band like this. its unfortunate but at least we got to" come of age" with this stuff.
MrFightinghellfish 8 months ago
... and apparently 14 listeners here are tone deaf .. how can anyone NOT like these guys ? the sounds they get from their instruments and vocal chords and their sense of syncopation and harmony are beyond reproach ... incredible... gee, I guess that's why one could call it "music to my ears". This is how music should sound.
videocanone 8 months ago
I concur ... VH1 ... hash pipe 1 ... by those kind of estimations they probably think Steely Dan was a one hit wonder and their only hit was "Reeling In the Years".
XTC has made videos and gotten airplay with something off most of their albums, esp from English Settlement. In the old days all an album had to do was go Gold and it was considered a hit. Now I guess you have to go triple platinum, get stalked by a fan and get arrested for shoplifting and go into rehab before you have a 'hit'. LOL !
videocanone 8 months ago
And for the record, everyone, the band's highest charting U.S. single was "Mayor of Simpleton". Do not rely on Vh1 when it comes to their bullshit "lists", lol.
xreddragonx 8 months ago
make me melt...one more time
funeguy2 8 months ago
so much fun
funeguy2 8 months ago
According to VH1, their one American chart hit was "Dear God" ... they were ranked on the "Greatest One Hit Wonders" list. It seemed odd to see such prolific bands such as these guys and Midnight Oil (for "Beds Are Burning") up there. They both deserved to have much more success in this country. Alas, albums from both acts are extremely difficult to come by these days, while utter rubbish like Nickelback sells by the truckloads. My fellow Americans have awful taste in music.
DinosaurJesus 8 months ago 48
@DinosaurJesus You said brother...so many great songs from these guys! Not just English Settlement but Big Wheel, Black Sea, Oranges and Lemons, Nonsuch and on and on...oh well...pearls for swine.
Turrieta 7 months ago
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@DinosaurJesus You said it brother...so many great songs from these guys! Not just English Settlement but Big Wheel, Black Sea, Oranges and Lemons, Nonsuch and on and on...oh well...pearls for swine.
Turrieta 7 months ago
@DinosaurJesus
Nickelback is from canada. And most Americans hate them
377pa 7 months ago
@377pa Most Americans hate them? I wish I could agree with you on that. They sell out arenas, and I can't go anywhere without hearing them on the radio. I have completely given up on FM - we used to have a station that boasted about not playing Nickelback, but they switched over to Top 40, and then Country in a span of under two years. The only rock station left thinks Nickelback is the greatest thing since sliced bread, and plays them about once an hour. I don't even bother with the radio now.
DinosaurJesus 7 months ago
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@DinosaurJesus
Nickelback is from Canada.... and most Americans hate them
377pa 7 months ago
@DinosaurJesus Just out of interest, which song did VH1 say was their "one-hit wonder"?
charlie123abc360 7 months ago
@charlie123abc360 They called "Dear God" their one hit wonder and referred to it as a rare song with an atheist message that received mainstream attention. They also showed a clip of Andy Partridge talking about a time that he took a few angry calls during an interview at some Bible Belt radio station, and impersonated it right down to the Southern accent of the caller. If I recall, they ranked somewhere in the 60s. I believe it was on the "80s One Hit Wonders" show hosted by Judah Friedlander.
DinosaurJesus 7 months ago
@DinosaurJesus Americans (and people in general) are morons.
KarlSteinmann 6 months ago
@DinosaurJesus Englsh Settlement, Skylarling, and Oranges & Lemons are 3 of my favorite albums ever. Not all Yanks are morons. and tell Paul Heaton I miss Beautiful South.
timothypane 6 months ago 2
@DinosaurJesus - why did they deserve more success? MO was commercial-ish, but kind of sucked. XTC had every opportunity to go mainstream but chose not to sell out. I like their music, and bless them for staying true to their sensibilities, but why is their not catching on seen as a failing by either the band or Americans?
pbl1 6 months ago
@DinosaurJesus I couldn't agree more! XTC and Midnight Oil are two of the most underappreciated groups in rock history. Both of these groups should have had multiple, if not dozens, of hits in America. I don't get Nickelback at all. Their music sounds like the worst, most juvenile 70's hard rock.
sestubbe 6 months ago
@sestubbe The way I figure it Nickelback is kiddie "Pop Rock" So sure it sells - How many seven year old kids are likely to spend any time looking for different bands that don't land in their laps, Let alone try to like songs that don't appeal to them at first? I was once inexperienced in music too - I used to like songs such as "I'm A Hex Girl" Which was in a Scooby Doo movie.
101Volts 6 months ago
@DinosaurJesus wtf, xtc, a one hit wonder??
SwissCheeseHeart22 5 months ago
@DinosaurJesus Was talking to a 20-something girl last night and she had never heard of them. Shame, shame. She's someone with very good taste in music too. Just not many chances for her to have heard them. They don't get played in the U.S.
MusicMissionary 4 months ago
@DinosaurJesus not only Americans...please allow my fellow Frenchmen to share the dishonor
Arronax50 4 months ago
@DinosaurJesus Yeah Interesting point! YEAHHH WTF I love these guys so cheesey but yeah man they had heaps of good songs so wtf fuck fuck don't make me list . Ay ay buddy buddy garden of earthy delights was cool album!( raised drink!)
shovel20 4 months ago
@DinosaurJesus I concur wholeheartedly. It is quite a shame that bands as outstanding as XTC & Midnight Oil remain in the shadows. The real loss is to the hundreds of thousands of fans whom will probably never hear their music...
zismoura 3 months ago
@DinosaurJesus i liked your comment and agree nearly completely... but comparing XTC to Midnight Oil... is the worst apples to orangutans comparison ever... XTC never wrote a bad song.... if u disagree please name the song... i am rabid about everything they ever did... even the sketches and demos... XTC is one of the best bands ever... true musicians' musicians...
stumptacular 3 months ago
@stumptacular Well, it goes without saying that they're both very different bands. What they have in common is being extremely underappreciated in this part of the world (United States), right down to getting slapped with the unfortunate "One Hit Wonder" label by VH1 and placed alongside a slew of far less relevant musical acts. They may not have gotten the recognition that they deserve, but their music will stand the test of time far longer than that of their shallow peers and contemporaries.
DinosaurJesus 3 months ago
Love XTC, their sound reminds me of the Beatles sometimes, here's another band called Luce, nice track called "Buy a Dog" youtube.com/watch?v=2acYxdU-POw
truthserum2000 8 months ago
de todas las canciones existentes para mi en esta vida... esta siempre sera mi favorita!!! desde que llegue a escuchar esta cancion por alla de finales de los 80's se convirtio en la unica y especial para mi, por la musica, la letra todo y por aquellos momentos.KING FOR A DAY! THE BEST!
BlueToox 9 months ago
They delivered a truly profound but oft-forgotten message (money and the things you may need to get it may not leave you happy) in a beautiful and harmonious, melodious way. Inspirational song. Thanks so much for posting! :)
1christophercc 9 months ago
no doubt this is possibly one of the best written songs during this period of the 80's
this band had tons of harmony and talent. They most definitly defined the decade of the bands, the eighties.
csny19691 9 months ago
"cause life don't mean much, if measured out with someone else's plight"
damanian3 9 months ago
Simply the finest band of all time. An album for every mood and more quality songs than any other band in history.
Leaddevo 9 months ago
They had a HUGE hit in the early 80's with the album English Settlement and 'Senses Working Overtime" and before that they had other hits with "Making Plans for Nigel", and later with "The Mayor of Simpleton". They were NOT no hit wonders. If you believe that you are on crack and don't have the braincells to do even a modicum of research on the web.
videocanone 9 months ago
@videocanone I suggest you look at DinosaurJesus's post.
sugarandspice4815 8 months ago in playlist Newdarkwave
@videocanone Relax man, I'm pretty sure the poster who said "no hit wonder" was only speaking in terms of the U.S. XTC never broke the top 50 singles here.
xreddragonx 8 months ago
@xreddragonx
When I was in college, this stuff got radio used to get plenty of radio play. "Melt The Guns" was THE tune that did it for me. Peace.
JonP1961 7 months ago
good song,good feeling.we can all give more good then we do.lets do it.
dethra 9 months ago
vi sta cancion en vh1 y me parecio genial jaja, increible lo vieja ke es!!
zonikemar 9 months ago
I hate how the better songs that people don't watch as much stream slower on youtube
intothetopcorrupt 9 months ago
me encanta esta canción!!!!
delicande 9 months ago
One of the best- produced songs of the decade. Love the Beatlesque bridge that seems to reference "We Can Work It Out" with the line "no time to fuss 'n' fight."
andyinoregon 10 months ago 2
I clicked on the link to the Green Day song on the side bar thinking it was an inferior cover of this song.....it was much, much worse...
MrK2890 10 months ago
@MrK2890 PFFFFFFFT Keep clicking then sucka the crap music is not here!!!
bruteforcetraining 10 months ago
why is it that groups like this are only one hit wonders? if they make a song this good how can they go wrong? they lyrics blew my mind and left my mouth agate.
27pocket 10 months ago
@27pocket xtc were far from being a one hit wonder band. they have about twenty albums and have been putting out singles since the late 1970's. making plans for nigel was their first hit in australia in 1978. this was followed by senses working over time peter pumpkinhead dear god there were several others i cant think of right now
hellozio 10 months ago
@27pocket
They are not one hit wonders.
SapphireM 9 months ago
@SapphireM
They are no hit wonders in the U.S. This is probably their biggest hit here. Great band but they didn't do much in the U.S.
I learned today the drummer went on to one of the great bands all time, King Crimson, another no hit band.
larkstoungeinaspic 9 months ago
@GodslaveRocks yes no time to fuss and fight LOL
bigpoppa2112 10 months ago
Hey kids, if you want to write great pop songs but don't know how, listen to these guys. You won't sell any records these days with great music, but at least you'll have the satisfaction that you've stolen from the best.
Does modern pop music suck? Yes it does. And you only have yourselves to blame.
melomane2010 10 months ago 2
Sorry, that's a bit mean, it's just that those are the 2 bands which epitomise all that was wrong with music in the 70s. I have said this since the 70s (because I'm old). Welcome to the fold, you're home now.
GrownUpSoThere 10 months ago
@GrownUpSoThere What's wrong with Pink Floyd and Genesis? No, seriously?
sugarandspice4815 8 months ago
If anyone's a Floyd or Genesis fan, then of course it blows their tiny bloody mind, ffs...
GrownUpSoThere 10 months ago
This song actually moves me to tears...it's just the song itself, and the great memories that I associate with it...a wonderful tune signifying a wonderful time in my life.
BettinaBalser 10 months ago 2
@BettinaBalser I can completely relate :-)
2012endofanerror 10 months ago
I miss XTC dearly. This current crop of 'indie' rockers could learn a thing or too about songwriting from these guys. Andy Partridge is my hero.
acrovader 11 months ago
The record company initially tried to market this classic British art rock combo as "punk".
How the hell can a group that sounded like Al Stewart, Supertramp and Alan Parsons Project ever be considered punk?
BobbiV13 11 months ago 2
@BobbiV13 In their early days, XTC's music could have been considered punk/new wave. 'This Is Pop', for example, certainly has punk-ish connotations. After English Settlement, they went more 'middle of the road'.
In any form, XTC were and are brilliant, and Oranges And Lemons is definitely their finest hour as a band.
GloucesterAdam 11 months ago
@BobbiV13 Actually I believe they were marketing as "new wave" band, which they weren't. Although they were at times edgy or quirky they had basically rock and pop sensibilities.
nycdude999 11 months ago
@nycdude999 a truly great british band, i agree not quite new wave, but you can see the madness in helicopter.
paris6308 10 months ago
@nycdude999 Actually, very few acts circa 1977-80 exemplified New Wave music better than XTC. Remember that on the first 3-4 albums there was a different line-up, and different musical elements coming in such as electronic, ska and pop-punk. Later they would gravitate toward more guitar-oriented Folky or Jangly Pop, though the New Wave well was drying up by then so this was a common for a lot of acts.
xreddragonx 10 months ago
As a huge early Genesis and Floyd fan this band blew my mindset!!!!!! XTC wow!
flyingfisbeefilms 11 months ago
@flyingfisbeefilms You might want to check out XTC's Pseudonym band, The Dukes Of Stratosphear. They made Psychadelic music under that name, A good song to start with would be Bike Ride To The Moon.
oldmusicrevisited 11 months ago
@oldmusicrevisited Thanks I will!
flyingfisbeefilms 11 months ago 2
@hailtothevictorz I agree
bigpoppa2112 1 year ago
Lovely.
TaylorSheneaP 1 year ago
I love the 12" dance mix of this song. Look for it!
Kreylix 1 year ago
This brings back good memories, I remeber this Great Band growing up. there will never be another XTC.
77mr 1 year ago 12
national anthem for communists and capitalists..and hippies
azl65 1 year ago
@azl65 What do you listen to moron, Britney Spears?
tgefilms 1 year ago
@tgefilms naaah..justin bieber..next time think b4 u call somebody a moron..bcos it reflects on u
azl65 1 year ago
@azl65 I hope to God you're joking...
sugarandspice4815 1 year ago
@sugarandspice4815 about justin or about King for A Day ? well, nothing wrong with Bieber..he is quite a major talent and so very young..about King for A Day being anthemic..well that's my way of saying that Andy and Colin are geniuses in their own right..
azl65 1 year ago
@azl65 How can you make a national anthem for communists & capitalists? They're mutually exclusive...
sugarandspice4815 1 year ago
@sugarandspice4815 ..well..modern day hippies then.. a lateral answer to a well phrased question..therein lies the paradox, i guess..
azl65 1 year ago
I was 18 when the this album came out in 1988 and man! the whole album was good to me my favorites was poor skellton,across this antheap ,and this song king for a day still jammin to me I was the only brother in my family that love music like this level42,duran,duran,the fixx,and the group (yes) with the song leave it the music today don't have nothing on theses groups back in the 80s&90s it was all good
MrJiveturkey88 1 year ago
@MrJiveturkey88 I remember when this came out too, I played it constantly! Whole album is STILL great.
Elkahatchee9 1 year ago
why was I unable to post on generals and Majors?
SapphireM 1 year ago
I am so addicted to this song!
MekaKaaan 1 year ago
This song lifts my spirits everytime I hear it. It has such a cheery melody that I need to hear when Im down and out.
Dc423holly 1 year ago 3
@Dc423holly same here, so calming
footinmouthindustrys 1 year ago
how could anyone hate this song? sheer genius
Marissa4268 1 year ago 3
Well KLWK1, I was at the Hollywood Paladium when he had a panic attack & the word was he would never play live again, some woman came out on stage & cancelled the show, it was surreal, we were all so upset. They didn't perform that night but from what I know it was the last scheduled performance they ever had, I still have the ticket stub. I had the worst sunburn of my life and I'll never forget it. I was totally bummed.
babychops2u 1 year ago
@babychops2u I was also standing in that line at the Paladium...SO disappointing!!
tikitortured 1 year ago
WOW 13 DISLIKES WTF!!!
bassmanjoe 1 year ago
Anyone else notice the lead singer has a HUGE overbite? Im just sayin!
Dc423holly 1 year ago
reminds me of "everybody wants to rule the world", by tears for fears
footinmouthindustrys 1 year ago 2
Spankin Elroy ~ Bite your tongue, I worked at Licorice Pizza in the 80s and am a HUGE XTC fan! I was even at the Hollywood Palladium (which was packed by the way) for what turned out to be their last ever scheduled appearance, damn it all, Andy had a panic attack and that was it...
babychops2u 1 year ago
@babychops2u Interesting, since XTC's final performance (and Andy's legendary panic attack) took place at Le Palais in Paris, 1982.
KLWK1 1 year ago
VERY VERY GOOD SONG!!! I LOVE IT :D
Andromeda592 1 year ago 2
There's another great XTC song worth checking out if you can find it - 'This World Over'. Made when the threat of a nuclear war seemed ever-present, it's both as serious and melodic as 'King for a Day' or 'Dear God'.
bigjohn9763 1 year ago
now that's real music..
FlipMan70 1 year ago
I think the production of the album is a bit too glossy, but partridge is a great songwriter
x9x8x7x61 1 year ago
@x9x8x7x61 This one is Colin's ... Both are amazing songwriters.
LarsVilaTrier 1 year ago
@x9x8x7x61 Colin Moulding wrote King For A Day.
RobbMcLennan 1 year ago 2
how many times does one live?
ePhilosopher9 1 year ago 2
great
settingsonssc 1 year ago
dear god im glad i found this ;-]
settingsonssc 1 year ago 2
They just don't make them like this anymore. A true artistic group perfroming with minimal instrumentsand lighting. Always a favorite of mine. XTC a truly wonderful album Oranges & Lemons.
geo386 1 year ago 17
listen to the chorus the bass line is awesome.
bigpoppa2112 1 year ago 12
@bigpoppa2112 watching Andy take a back seat is just weird.
hailtothevictorz 1 year ago
@bigpoppa2112 That line is pretty good, but I really like the line in the bridge, with the key change and everything.
GodslaveRocks 10 months ago
XTC is pure brilliance. English Settlement is probably the best album ever made.
milpool311 1 year ago
the bass on this rules
realbigdipper 1 year ago 2
xtc-oranges and lemons is one of their finest lp's, only English Settlement is better.
sporemax7950 1 year ago
@sporemax7950 black sea
yooanoozarrmay 1 year ago
buena musica,melodia y ritmo...viva los 80`s...
emilio29ify 1 year ago
These guys could write anything. Such variety, originality, craftsmanship and so prolific. This type of songwriting comes so infrequently. Genius.
probrojeffro 1 year ago 2
Channel surfing while up with my new born daughter I came across this on VH-1. Been a fan ever since. Amazingly, at 22 my daughter likes them too. Her favorite is "dear god". Good music! It survives and is passed down to the next generation to the next.
beaagent29p 1 year ago 2
@beaagent29p
Well said!
couscoustv 1 year ago
loved XTC they were simply great..... co creative and fun!
martmetamorph 1 year ago
xtc made a great soundtrack on my psychedelic moments of my life, since 1979, drums and wires
sgj8068372 1 year ago
i AM 15...i love them :D
Jinxedwithme 1 year ago
@Jinxedwithme
me to ;)
x9x8x7x61 1 year ago