Our series of dream setlists continues today with an XTC dream setlist from longtime Stuck in the ’80s contributor Jim “Dr. Dim” Fitzsimons:
XTC bandleader Andy Partridge, having quit cold turkey a valium habit that had begun when he was 12, began finding it more and more difficult to take the stage to play live. On March 18, 1982, during a show in Paris, in the middle of performing “Respectable Street”; Andy stopped singing, stopped playing, removed his guitar, and walked off the stage.
XTC would never tour again.
However, Andy, Colin Moulding, Dave Gregory, and Terry Chambers still had music in them. XTC would continue as a studio only band. (Chambers would soon lose interest in never touring and decided quit while recording the band’s first post touring release Mummer in late 1982.) XTC would go on to produce some of their greatest music until their ultimate dissolution in 2005.
I discovered XTC in 1984, so, of course, I never got to see them play.
Being able to create this Dream Setlist helps make up for that and it allows me to include songs the band never played before an audience. It also allows me to add a warm up act. Oh, I am stinker, ain’t I?
Well, hold on! The warm up act is The Dukes Of Stratosphear. The Dukes are the ‘60s psychedelia-loving alter egos of XTC! See what I did there?
And now the lights have gone down, the curtain parts, four oddly clad musicians begin to play…
The Dukes of Stratosphear’s Set:
Vanishing Girl: An excellent riff kicks off this Hollies-esque tune about a man pining a woman who just comes and goes without warning. This is from their album “Psonic Psunspot” (1987).
Bike Ride To The Moon: Coming from their debut EP “25 O’Clock” (1985), what could be more psychedelic than riding a bicycle to the moon? Watch out for pointy satellites!
What In The World?: From “25 O’Clock” comes a look into the future to see how so much will change. Great bass throughout the track.
The Mole From The Ministry: This song is a bit of whimsy that could fit comfortably beside The Beatles’ “Penny Lane” and “Strawberry Fields Forever”. Another “25 O’Clock” track.
Brainiac’s Daughter: Andy Partridge (and his Dukes alter ego Sir John Johns) is a fan of comic books. Cool. But, he appears to be a DC kid, not a Marvel kid. Well? Nobody’s perfect. From “Psonic Psunspot.”
My Love Explodes: This song just has to be the closer. It’s from their debut EP. And it’s so big, brash, and bold! It’s sure to bring the house to its feet!
Oh, my! The crowd is blown away! This is going to be a hard act to follow.
The audience settles into a quiet murmur that explodes into joyous anticipation as the curtain parts again. Four less oddly clad, but somehow familiar, musicians are in their places.
It’s XTC!
XTC Dream Setlist Main Set
This Is Pop!: I’m going with some of their early edgier and quirkier songs to start the set. This song unabashedly tells you exactly what it is. It’s from their first album “White Music” (1977).
Are You Receiving Me?: I don’t have anything from their second album “Go-2” (1978) in this set. I didn’t feel any of the songs on the album really fit on this setlist. However, this song was released as a single at about the same time as “Go-2” and it fits just fine.
Statue Of Liberty: Another track from their first album. Apparently, Mr. Partridge wants to look up the Statue of Liberty’s dress?! Naughty boy!
Respectable Street: This track off “Black Sea” (1980) is the first XTC song I have ever heard. This song is also the first of their ’80s releases in this set.
Life Begins At The Hop: It was on their album “Drum and Wires” (1979) that Colin Moulding really began to emerge as a great songwriter. This album was the first without original member Barry Andrews and the first with guitarist Dave Gregory.
English Roundabout: Let’s follow the first song by Colin on this list with another. This comes from “English Settlement” (1982).
The Disappointed: Here is the first of the songs on this list that were never played in concert. It’s from “Nonsuch” (1992). It’s the Beach Boys song Brian Wilson never wrote.
King For A Day: Another Moulding track with a great bass line. It comes from “Oranges & Lemons” (1989).
Love On A Farmboy’s Wages: This “Mummer” (1983) track starts an acoustic set. It’s such a lovely tune with great guitar work.
Grass: This was the single released off of 1986’s “Skylarking.” A pleasant track about a couple of young lovers fooling around on grass. Lawn? Or cannabis? I dunno. In my vision of the concert, this song and a couple of he next few has a string quartet joining the band.
I’d Like That: From “Apple Venus Volume 1” (1999), their penultimate album, another pleasant track for this acoustic set.
Standing In For Joe: A jaunty little tune by Colin from their last album “Wasp Star: Apple Venus Volume 2” (2000). It’s a clap your hands and snap your fingers song.
Dear God: The one song that really got them noticed in the States was originally a B-side of the single “Grass”. Andy didn’t think he got the lyrics right. I think he’s wrong.
Limelight: To jolt everyone out of the acoustic and strings mode, I picked this quirky non album track that found itself included on the “Drums and Wires” CD release as an extra.
You’re The Wish You Are I Had: I’ve always loved Andy’s wordplay and this song, the only contribution from “The Big Express” (1984), has plenty.
Generals & Majors: OK, here we go. The build to the big finish begins with this “Black Sea” track by Colin.
Tower Of London: From “Black Sea” again, this is a great bit of Andy’s Beatle-esque swingin’ British pop.
Mayor Of Simpleton: More great Partridge wordplay that I maintain is a great song that should have been a number 1 hit everywhere! From “Oranges & Lemons,” I love the guitars on this song! The bass is great, too.
Making Plans For Nigel: I believe this was the first big hit in the UK for XTC. It’s another track by Colin from “Drums and Wires.”
Earn Enough For Us: This is my favorite song from the brilliant “Skylarking” album. It has such fantastic 12-string electric guitar playing by Dave Gregory. It’s a song about a working class guy with a wife and a baby on the way just trying to make ends meet. Boy, I can relate!
Senses Working Overtime: I love this song! As kids from some generation after ours say, it’s a banger! It has to end the main set. It’s another song from “English Settlement.”
XTC Dream Setlist Encores
Melt The Guns: From “English Settlement” comes this message that doesn’t go over big in Texas, but maybe it’s something we should consider.
The Wheel And The Maypole: Finally, from “Wasp Star,” a song to remind us everything ends.