Listened to this track a thousand times and still shiver every time I hear it. Just how the hell does a musician become this talented and still not get the attention they deserve? It defies belief! It's nothing less than heartbreaking. I love XTC - I'd put Ball and Chain as my contender for one of the best tracks ever written - but this is even better. Such a great song, passed unnoticed, left for the very few. Enjoy it!
It's almost criminal, isn't it? Your post is so accurate. Andy and the boys have literally hundreds of songs with themes that touch us personally or expand our view. Well-written, well-crafted, no shortcuts at all on quality or production values...each one a gem.
Necroing this post for future listeners: XTC never toured after 1982, which meant they had limited exposure compared to touring bands of the day, and no touring revenue (they later went into debt because of this and poor management). They deserved better.
Four eyed fool you led round everywhere. Still resonates with me. Brilliant song off one of their best albums. And after skylarking that is saying a lot.
Andy had to be persuaded to include this song on the album. Obviously felt it was too personal but the other lads thought it was far too good to be left out.
This song was inspired by Andy Partridge's divorce but it could easily be directed at anyone with whom your relationship with has become bitter. A great song however you hear it.
Now your laughter has a hollow ring But the hollow ring has no finger in So let's close the book and let the day begin And our marriage be undone or And at the very least you can stand up naked and grin. Andy Partridge: kind of the coda.
genius retribution song, only joe jackson's 'on your radio' was better. i regularly say Andy is better than the beatles, he is, but he did build off of them, so this is no slight against JPG&R, but a legacy tribute. seriously poetic genius- 3rd or 4th sigma
Music to me is like food. Chart music is really for young people who prefer junk food such as KFC or McDonald's. XTC music is for people who prefer decent food and opera music is for people who prefer the finest of fine dining. Unfortunately, most people who prefer junk food wouldn't appreciate decent food when given to them which is why XTC is not appreciated as should be.
Listened to this track a thousand times and still shiver every time I hear it. Just how the hell does a musician become this talented and still not get the attention they deserve? It defies belief! It's nothing less than heartbreaking. I love XTC - I'd put Ball and Chain as my contender for one of the best tracks ever written - but this is even better. Such a great song, passed unnoticed, left for the very few. Enjoy it!
It's almost criminal, isn't it?
Your post is so accurate. Andy and the boys have literally hundreds of songs with themes that touch us personally or expand our view. Well-written, well-crafted, no shortcuts at all on quality or production values...each one a gem.
Necroing this post for future listeners: XTC never toured after 1982, which meant they had limited exposure compared to touring bands of the day, and no touring revenue (they later went into debt because of this and poor management). They deserved better.
Adore Ball & Chain myself.
Such an unbelievably biting and well crafted song. One of my all time favorites by any band.
This is scaling heights of songcraft that few are able to reach. His masterpiece (among a few others) IMHO.
Apple Venus Volume One. A brilliant, brilliant album.
Four eyed fool you led round everywhere. Still resonates with me. Brilliant song off one of their best albums. And after skylarking that is saying a lot.
I love all their records, but Apple Venus was the peak of Andy's songwriting IMO. A very fine piece of work!
Andy had to be persuaded to include this song on the album. Obviously felt it was too personal but the other lads thought it was far too good to be left out.
Thank God they convinced him to include this song. It's just absolutely stellar.
Andy Partridge wearing his emotions on his sleeve.
This song was inspired by Andy Partridge's divorce but it could easily be directed at anyone with whom your relationship with has become bitter.
A great song however you hear it.
I'm stunned by the quality of the lyrics.
P-e-r-f-e-c-t-i-o-n
Is how I spell xtc music in dictionary
flawless song
Wwwxcnkbip u wwwxcnjiu
Ww xxxcmbblho well
X
Jgwwwxcm looking at your house on Sunday
This is G-e-n-i-us.
What a perfect song?
I can't believe I'm just now hearing this.
Amazing!
The best divorce song ever written (I know there aren't many but so what).
Brilliant song. We have all known people who have treated us with absolute disrespect and this song captures this perfectly.
What a tag at the end! A song in itself. Talk about a cherry on top! Whew
this , altho one of xtc's latest songs, was also one of their best.
So good.
great song writing. if only i'd thought of it.....
моя любимая песня всех времен
Brilliant!💚
The coda is the antidote.
Only XTC. 👍🏻 BIG.
This shit goes so damn hrd
Danny Kelly’s Trans Europe Express brought me here.
Now your laughter has a hollow ring
But the hollow ring has no finger in
So let's close the book and let the day begin
And our marriage be undone
or
And at the very least you can stand up naked and grin.
Andy Partridge: kind of the coda.
Nonsuch is still their best, says I. This is also from a great album.
Certainly an XTC great! -Jest
Ual·la!!!!
What album is this from?
Very Beatle-esque.
Lennon-McCartney sound definitely.
>than Beatles!
This dictionary they're singing about seems to have some problems keeping parts of speech straight.
genius retribution song, only joe jackson's 'on your radio' was better. i regularly say Andy is better than the beatles, he is, but he did build off of them, so this is no slight against JPG&R, but a legacy tribute. seriously poetic genius- 3rd or 4th sigma
Andy carries the Beatles torch proudly like no other artist or band after them.
Music to me is like food. Chart music is really for young people who prefer junk food such as KFC or McDonald's. XTC music is for people who prefer decent food and opera music is for people who prefer the finest of fine dining. Unfortunately, most people who prefer junk food wouldn't appreciate decent food when given to them which is why XTC is not appreciated as should be.
Quiet. You could Just enjoy the excellent work without the snobbery
Wow...I think the author of this song didn't think like this.
you weren't there in '78 Joey first U.S. album
One of my fave ever bands. I can listen to this song - but I can't stand it. It's the only xtc song I skip