The "Hop" is the high school dance. It was at the church because it had a space big enough for the dance and the kids are "too young for the bars." Cola on tap, local band, it's the height of high schoolers becoming adults, life begins at the hop. Pure nostalgia. Excellent song, A+, great guitar solo.
The hop is a dance for teens who can't go to nightclubs, same as At The Hop by Danny and the Juniors. Churches in the UK often have a hall that they rent out for people to hold parties, clubs, meetings and so on.
I don't think anyone's making fun of anything. Colin Moulding wrote this, and I'm pretty sure it's just reveling in the nostalgia of youth... things that seemed Really Important before we got too old to care about it anymore.
At the time, XTC were trying to shake off their image as a punk act. Punk was never supposed to reveal their secret influences (such as the New York Dolls, etc.). It was this album ("Drums And Wires") that tried to cement their reputation as art rock or new wave. It helped that they replaced the keyboardist who departed because his compositions weren't being taken seriously, but it was sad for him to go.
Colin (singer, songwriter, guitarist) has this annoying habit of writing songs where the acoustic guitar sounds like an electric guitar, and vice versa. On the other hand, this is usually confined to the demos and it all gets sorted out in the studio.
a hop was a dance hosted by a DJ for teenagers sometimes at a church hall but usually a school
The "Hop" is the high school dance. It was at the church because it had a space big enough for the dance and the kids are "too young for the bars." Cola on tap, local band, it's the height of high schoolers becoming adults, life begins at the hop. Pure nostalgia. Excellent song, A+, great guitar solo.
Ah, XTC... one of the greats.
XTC is one of the greatest bands ever. This era is my fav. If you want to explore you have a bunch to get through
The hop is a dance for teens who can't go to nightclubs, same as At The Hop by Danny and the Juniors.
Churches in the UK often have a hall that they rent out for people to hold parties, clubs, meetings and so on.
...where they might have a "Harvest Festival"
XTC - Harvest Festival - ua-cam.com/video/l0mAHRFujJY/v-deo.html
Love Brad trying to make sense out of XTC. Just enjoy the music 😃
Please do " Love on a Farmboys Wages"! I can't find a reaction anywhere for that song!?
where kids get together
I could never figure this song out. New Wavers making fun of 1950s doo-wop culture ("the hop" was shorthand for a dance)? Thanks for posting!
I don't think anyone's making fun of anything. Colin Moulding wrote this, and I'm pretty sure it's just reveling in the nostalgia of youth... things that seemed Really Important before we got too old to care about it anymore.
At the time, XTC were trying to shake off their image as a punk act. Punk was never supposed to reveal their secret influences (such as the New York Dolls, etc.). It was this album ("Drums And Wires") that tried to cement their reputation as art rock or new wave. It helped that they replaced the keyboardist who departed because his compositions weren't being taken seriously, but it was sad for him to go.
Gee so complicated
Listen to XTC’s song, “Dear God”, and you’ll know that “Life Begins at the Hop” is not about life beginning at *church* :D
They made that song reaction.
@jtenaz Huh. And he still imagines that XTC might have something nice to say about *church*? That seems like a bit of denial. Shrug.
Maybe he should react to "Jumping in Gomorrah" next. That'll set him straight ;-)
take your shoes off and its a sock hop
Colin (singer, songwriter, guitarist) has this annoying habit of writing songs where the acoustic guitar sounds like an electric guitar, and vice versa. On the other hand, this is usually confined to the demos and it all gets sorted out in the studio.
ahem.............these ladies are somewhat older than high school grads
Man you pick a lot of the off wall stuff, Nothing Like when you and your wife would do this gig
XTC make you want to come back for more. Great taste by Brad.