Therrrrre's that RU-vid Word again. It hit the top 40 in several countries, and was the first XTC song to even chart in the U.S. Please, explain your definition of "underrated"
I just watched your latest straight line challenge video yesterday! Been getting into Andy Partridge's solo stuff lately, check out his 'Fuzzy Warbles' compilations if you haven't. About 75 tracks from his archives. The guy is a genius of song-writing.
Many people say this band or that band was underrated. Very true with XTC though. Intelligent, consistent pop isn't easy. And trying to compete within the tremendous number of Brit New Wave bands at the time was equally challenging. I'd love if you listened to our anti war tune, recorded many years ago. Think you'll like it. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-IP31choIuRg.html
Absolutely! It's like nobody remembers them. They were one of my favorite when I was in high school distinct the 80s. I had so many songs I loved from them. Still to this day I love their music, just as much today decades later
Yep, "War Pigs" is the other song I keep thinking of in these trying times. Genrals and Majors defintiely keeps me in a more hopeful mood despite the lyrics.
People keep saying that XTC were under rated. They were always highly rated by people and fans who knew what they were doing. They just weren’t hugely popular like some other bands. There’s a word to describe people who appreciate rare genius- Cognoscenti
Oh wow! Is that Richard Branson having fun? SUCH a brilliant tune, I'll never get tired of it. This, Sgt. Rock and especially Towers of London help make 1980 such a wonderful year.
Yeah, Branson was head the record label XTC was signed to (Virgin). The story goes that when they were looking for a posh place to film the video (and how much it would cost), Branson said "just do it at my house". So a bit stingy and also a bit cool at the same time. Fun was had.
I overlooked these guys for years and years. I liked a few of their songs - but never really dug into their vast library. Finally realized how brilliant they are/were. As a military guy, this song really hits home for me. Officers are often full of it, and they want wars.
These guys were understated in their use of sarcasm to get across a common viewpoint using a rousing upbeat rhythm.They weren't preachy just direct.I miss them greatly.Especially Now.
This is bittersweet. XTC deserve an infinite amount more recognition and accolades. I'm so glad my high school years were filled with an XTC soundtrack.
Saw the same double bill of them opening for The Police in Minneapolis on Nov. 19, 1980. They were touring behind "Black Sea". Amazing how small the crowd was. Since it was an open floor with no seating as you could get right up close to the stage if you wanted.
As Branson’s space flight was delayed today due to weather, I felt the need to watch this video as soon as I heard the news. It’s a great fu**ing song anyway
@@80s-wizard34 THAT’s why they allowed him to be in the video. He actually did just fine. I actually got to see them in NYC before they stopped doing live shows. One of the best concerts ever and I saw plenty of great ones back in the day
Tip of the iceberg, my friend. And if you think all their songs sound like this you're in for a pleasant surprise.. Get out your thinking caps and dictionaries, these guys are geniuses. If you think you don't like one of their songs, go back to it and listen a couple more times. You won't be disappointed.
They do have a rather large discography. No two of their albums sound quite alike (except their Alter-Ego releases as "The Dukes of Stratosphear," but those were made to be much like 1960s Psychedelic-type music.) This song's from their 4th album, "Black Sea," from 1980. It was a bit of a darker-sounding album than their 3rd or 5th albums, but their 7th album is sort of like this album's sister.
XTC. are just hugely original in lyrics and tunes. This song refers me to all the people seeking drama and wanting to run the show the whole bloody time.
I remember buying this album on vinyl at the time and the sound quality was shockingly good - the hi hats sitting right on top of the mix in this song was something I had never heard like that before. Undoubtedly their best album song and sound wise.
I love this song so. It’s so full of energy. Whenever I need a kick in the ass to start house chores, I put this on, followed by Oingo Boingo’s Wild Sex (In the Working Class).
It was the summer of 1989, on my way to San Fransico and this song came on the radio, I had no idea what the title or artist was. The song stuck with me for almost 30 plus years and hoping one day it would come back on the radio. I like "Senses working overtime" and I had no idea XTC sang this song! I can now have some closure...
Spend most of my listening time between 1975 to 1990s. Recently added XTC, Squeeze, Crowded House, Madness, Buzzcocks, Split Endz, and Mr Costello. Lots more but that is where I am starting again. Turned 18 in 1980. What a blessing to hear that music as it came out waiting for the next vinyl and pursuing record stores.
I heard this song recently and forgot all about it, and of XTC for that matter. A great classic tune. It's amazing what's buried away in your memory that you think you've forgotten but really haven't.
XTC is an incredibly underrated band. Definitely one of the best British bands ever. I remember when this song came out in 1980. I was 16 and in tenth grade. It was like being injected with cocaine when I first heard this (not that I'd know what that's like but you get the point: Some people like drugs, I like music). Anyway, I don't know why it's never said because it's not like it's any secret or anything, but Britain has produced the best bands in history, especially from this time period.
@@dampergoldenrod4156 I seemed to remember school having just started but wasn't quite sure so looked it up just to be sure (it's been 43 years after all). Yep... I was right. It was released Sept. 12, 1980. I guess Early Onset Alzheimer's Disease hasn't gotten to me just yet! ;-)
Get this buddy! Maybe you can relate. When this song came out and we heard it, or saw it on a RARE TV music video show, long before MTV, it really gave the feeling of nostalgia and depression because frankly we never knew when we would ever see that heartfelt music video again. It could months or years. It's not like we had RU-vid or a way of getting such a video and this was even just before VCR s came out and we either had LP records or cassette tapes! I bought the original Black Sea album with a green colored paper bag style cover sleeve and it was amazing as now it would be a rare collector's item. The lyrics were on the inside as I'd listen and read the words. Towers of London at the end has such a beautifully sad sounding ending, almost like saying goodbye to a longtime friend. These songs are real signposts in our lives!
@@Kag_Yag LOL, as much as rap was corrosive to music in general, I don't think it's as bad an influence on greater society as Rupert Murdoch and Bill Ayres etc.
Andy Partridge is the Band's other singer/songwriter and the Band's spiritual leader. Colin Moulding's contributions are gratefully appreciated by Andy and people like myself.
Generals and Majors ah ah They're never too far From battlefields so glorious Out in a world of their own They'll never come down Till once again victorious, whoa Generals and Majors always Seem so unhappy 'less they got a war Generals and Majors ah ah Like never before are tired of being action less Calling Generals and Majors Generals and Majors everywhere Calling Generals and Majors Your World War III is drawing near Generals and Majors ah ah They're never too far Away from men who made the grade Out in a world of their own They'll never come down Until the battle's lost or made, whoa Generals and Majors always Seem so unhappy 'less they got a war Generals and Majors ah ah Like never before, are tired of being in the shade Calling Generals and Majors Generals and Majors everywhere Calling Generals and Majors, hey Your World War III is drawing near, World War III Generals and Majors ah ah They're never too far From battlefields so glorious Out in a world of their own They'll never come down Till once again victorious, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa Generals and Majors Generals and Majors Generals and Majors Generals and Majors
....Annnnnnd, here we are, 43 years(!) later.... with World War Three drawing near...Hmmm...guess Ronnie and Maggie were correct after all; which, of course, means that all you leftist idiots of 43 years ago were...hmm, what's the word I'm looking to find to describe....Ah yes! "WRONG". That's it. A great Cold War Classic nonetheless, as is "It's A Mistake" by Men At Work. We, those of us who were correct then and are correct now, continue to wait without expectation of ever receiving an apology from you for being so...well, WRONG. Cheerio!
@@stuartkynoch7289 It's all on Branson's Estate. There's also a short documentary of XTC, "At the Manor," recording music at the same location, even though it wasn't in the actual studio session for recording Towers of London; they just re-shot things for TV.
Great video! This was the opening hit played on Retro Charts Radio this morning. RCR is playing every UK Top 40 Hit (1952-1999) on elimination random from 8am to 11pm every day.
as stafano says i cant underdstand why low counts were still here to support them i remember IT BITES being a great band but no support i baught their album for the track around the world. XTC are so versatile they didnt have chart number 1 cos they didnt sell out. Thats why to me the are one of the best bands ever
