...and yet another track that explains why XTC/ Andy Partridge are my favourite band. It started in 1982 for me when I first heard 'Senses working overtime'. I think Colin Moulding contributed some brilliant songs too, 'Cynical days' being one of them.
the kind of song you hear the last 1/2 of on a college radio somewhere last century and dont catch the artist, so look for for years...before Google who's gonna know the song with "Prince of orange climb the ladder..."....a similar thing happened when i heard just part of "Oronoco Flow" [Sail away sail away...] same decade :)
this song has rocked my world. dissonance is the "key" i always thought andy was singing and weeping for himself. i think andy is the prince of orange. this song is orange if you can see it. a very tough color to write.
Hmm, not sure if the PoO is a metaphor song, which is a common MO for Andy's songwriting, or a reference to real people/events. Here's some info for the real references...
The Prince of Orange is an actual title of nobility for the Principality of Orange, which is now in southern France. William-Alexander of the Netherlands, who is heir to the Dutch throne, obtained the title in 1980.
In 1673, Louis XIV of France (aka the Sun King = "Sun God" = since kings ruled by divine right?) annexed...
...all territory of the principality to the royal domain as part of the war actions against William III of Orange (Prince of Orange), who later became King William III of England and King William II of Scotland.
(There's France and England having *another* go at each other...)
Perhaps the "Prince" that Andy refers to is the historic William III? Who knows? :-) At any rate, it's a wonderful song. Hope this helps?
@VerdureVision It's a fantastic song Prince of Orange, one of my favourites from the Fuzzy Warbles collection. As for the songs meaning? I dunno, although I do believe it probably isn't about William of Orange. Andy himself has said of the songs meaning "What did I end up with? Well, in hindsight, it was high summer, I think I'm singing about the sun, its benefits (e.g., crop growing), and the court of Louis XIV, which I was reading about at the time, all smashed together"
Prince of Orange -along with It's Snowing Angels, Candymine, Some Lovely (My Brown Guitar)- was originally released by HELLO (US Hello HEL-411), a small US Recording label.. the whole set (12 CD EP per year) was only available by mail after subscription..
very nice tune, but me neither have no idea of what it's all about VictorConMalvaviscos, sorry..
why am i the only one who thinks it sounds like the exit music to Beavis & Butthead?
jhkyle815 3 weeks ago
I stumbled upon this song about 3 months ago and was instantly in love with it! Now I am on an Andy Partridge/XTC bender...
yoladango420 3 months ago
I was there and would have loved this from the start. Why did I not hear this?
vivalaleta 4 months ago
luv it
nesqualhoeny 5 months ago
...and yet another track that explains why XTC/ Andy Partridge are my favourite band. It started in 1982 for me when I first heard 'Senses working overtime'. I think Colin Moulding contributed some brilliant songs too, 'Cynical days' being one of them.
paulbuttrill 8 months ago
the kind of song you hear the last 1/2 of on a college radio somewhere last century and dont catch the artist, so look for for years...before Google who's gonna know the song with "Prince of orange climb the ladder..."....a similar thing happened when i heard just part of "Oronoco Flow" [Sail away sail away...] same decade :)
okeyeye 1 year ago 3
This is a perfect song!
fbrzlmscl 1 year ago
Woah!
maxwall7755 1 year ago
this song has rocked my world. dissonance is the "key" i always thought andy was singing and weeping for himself. i think andy is the prince of orange. this song is orange if you can see it. a very tough color to write.
calcruiser29 1 year ago
hes talking about a certain position in freemasonary
dakamp1 1 year ago
Is this Andy on the piano?
Topographer 1 year ago
@Topographer - Yes...he said he thought it was somewhat Barry Andrews-ish.
xnonsuchx 1 year ago
really great
panterarosaSTAFF 2 years ago
Hmm, not sure if the PoO is a metaphor song, which is a common MO for Andy's songwriting, or a reference to real people/events. Here's some info for the real references...
The Prince of Orange is an actual title of nobility for the Principality of Orange, which is now in southern France. William-Alexander of the Netherlands, who is heir to the Dutch throne, obtained the title in 1980.
In 1673, Louis XIV of France (aka the Sun King = "Sun God" = since kings ruled by divine right?) annexed...
VerdureVision 2 years ago
(continued)
...all territory of the principality to the royal domain as part of the war actions against William III of Orange (Prince of Orange), who later became King William III of England and King William II of Scotland.
(There's France and England having *another* go at each other...)
Perhaps the "Prince" that Andy refers to is the historic William III? Who knows? :-) At any rate, it's a wonderful song. Hope this helps?
VerdureVision 2 years ago
@VerdureVision It's a fantastic song Prince of Orange, one of my favourites from the Fuzzy Warbles collection. As for the songs meaning? I dunno, although I do believe it probably isn't about William of Orange. Andy himself has said of the songs meaning "What did I end up with? Well, in hindsight, it was high summer, I think I'm singing about the sun, its benefits (e.g., crop growing), and the court of Louis XIV, which I was reading about at the time, all smashed together"
StillOnFire 2 years ago
Comment removed
grimothyreaper 2 years ago
Great great great great song!!!!
32INCHSTRIPER 3 years ago 5
what kind of music is this considered to be?
zephyranandaj 3 years ago
alternative rock?
Octobre1986 2 years ago
More fuzzies, please! with extra Warbles.
baremetal 3 years ago
This is so damn cool... XTC meets Gentle Giant? I love it.
baremetal 3 years ago
Prince of Orange -along with It's Snowing Angels, Candymine, Some Lovely (My Brown Guitar)- was originally released by HELLO (US Hello HEL-411), a small US Recording label.. the whole set (12 CD EP per year) was only available by mail after subscription..
very nice tune, but me neither have no idea of what it's all about VictorConMalvaviscos, sorry..
bungalowbill969 3 years ago
enough psychedelia to sink the Bismarck! Lads!!!
Louiseskybunker 3 years ago 3
@Louiseskybunker Everyone knows the Bismarck is unsinkable!
77hodag 1 year ago