XTC

XTC – British New Pop Wavers Released Single ‘DEAR GOD’ Today 40 Years Ago

Posted on by JL

Top singles from the past

16 August 2026

British new pop wave band XTC (1972–2006) driven by frontman/songwriter
Andy Partridge released stand-alone single DEAR GOD on 16 August 1986,
today 40 years ago.


Single artwork

Written by Partridge, the song lyrics grapple with the existence of God
and the problem of evil. Partridge was inspired by a series of books with
the same title, which Partridge viewed as exploitative of children.

It wasn’t a commercial success, but still
is one of their best songs to date.

“Dear God, sorry to disturb you but
I feel that I should be heard loud and clear
We all need a big reduction in amount of tears
And all the people that you made in your image
See them fighting in the street
‘Cause they can’t make opinions meet about God
I can’t believe in You”

XTC Story
Discography

AMAZING ALBUM ARTWORK – 5 x XTC

Posted on by JL

British alt-pop-rock outfit XTC was formed in 1972, named Star Park (until 1974),
than became the Helium Kidz for a year, followed by the band’s famous name XTC.

They fabricated a total of 14 longplayers, including 2 under the moniker of The Dukes of Stratosphear before calling it a day in 2006. TUTV picked these 5 amazing album covers.

GO2
1978

DRUMS AND WIRES
1979

25 O’CLOCK
Released as The Dukes of Stratosphear
on April Fools’ Day in 1985

PSONIC PSUNSPOT
Also released as The Dukes of Stratosphear
1987

ORANGES AND LEMONS
1989

Bio – Discography

British New-Pop-Wave Heroes XTC Released ‘ENGLISH SETTLEMENT’ Album 40 Years Ago Today

Posted on by JL

Back in time

12 February 2022

Band: XTC
Who: New pop wave 4-piece from Swindon (UK)
directed by charismatic frontman/songwriter
Andy Partridge (now 68 years old).

Active: 1972-2006
Albums: 14

Anniversary LP: ENGLISH SETTLEMENT – fifth album
Released: 2 February 1982 – 40 years ago today

AllMusic/Chris Woodstra said: “Despite several terrific tracks, English Settlement
seems more a transitional album than anything else, although the textural sound
of the album is quite remarkable, indicating the direction they would take in their
post-touring incarnation.” Full review here. Score: 4/5.

Singles: Senses Working Overtime / Ball And Chain

– SENSES WORKING OVERTIME –

– BALL AND CHAIN –

Full album on Spotify…

.

XTC: All Albums

Fourth Perfect Pop Rock Album ‘BLACK SEA’ By XTC Released 40 Years Ago

Posted on by JL

11 September 2020

Band: XTC (Swindon, England)
Active: 1976-2005
Album: BLACK SEA – their 4th LP
Released: 12 September 1980 – 40 years ago

AllMusic/Chris Woodstra:: “XTC continue on with the big drum sound of Drums and Wires, adding more polish and an even heavier-hitting approach for Black Sea — their arrangements are fuller and they rock harder than ever before. Where Drums and Wires implied social commentary, Black Sea more directly addresses sociopolitical concerns, handling them not strictly in a theoretical sense, but rather showing a human response to the circumstances… ‘Black Sea’ is their most consistent album to date — and although XTC always operated on the fringes, the album is their most commercial-sounding, fitting in perfectly with the new wave of the late ’70s/early ’80s.” Full review here. Score: 4,5/5.

“We’re horribly mundane, aggressively mundane individuals. We’re
the ninjas of the mundane, you might say.” – Andy Partridge

TUTV! says: “Perfect pop rock record!”

Singles: Generals And Majors / Towers Of London /
Sgt. Rock (Is going To Help Me / Respectable Street

– GENERALS AND MAJORS –


– TOWERS OF LONDON –

– SGT. ROCK (IS GOING TO HELP ME) –

– RESPECTABLE STREET –
(live version)

Full album…

XTC: Facebook

‘Senses Working Overtime’ By XTC – Released In 1982

Posted on by JL

Top singles from the past…

16 March 2020

Band: XTC (Swindon, Wiltshire, England1)
Active: 1972-2006
Single: Senses Working Time
B-side: Blame The Weather and
Tissue Tigers (The Arguers)
Note: Songwriter Andy Partridge
based the song on Manfred Mann‘s
song 5-4-3-2-1
Released: January 1982
Album: English Settlement
The band’s fifth LP – a double one – #5 in the UK
Score: The single reached #10 in the UK

Here we go…

XTC: Biography

XTC Released Excellent Third Album ‘DRUMS AND WIRES’ 40 Years Ago…

Posted on by JL

17 Augustus 2019

40 years ago, on 17 August 1979, British quartet XTC released their third, breakthrough, album DRUMS AND WIRES. It was labelled by many critics as a great new wave LP as it was issued in that musical era. To Turn Up the Volume‘s ears it sounds more like a tremendously creative guitar pop record remarkable for its inventive, clever and masterly songwriting. The LP contained one of their rare, but well-deserved, hit singles with ‘Making Plans For Nigel‘ not written by frontman Andy Partridge, like many of the other songs, but solely
by bassist Colin Moulding (also co-writer with Patridge on a couple of other tracks). The album peaked at #17 in the UK.

Here’s that splendid single…

Album in full…

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XTC: Biography – All Albums


The single’s sleeve