This Week's Forgotten Gem of the '80s - XTC's "Love on a Farmboy's Wages"
Friday November 23, 2007
Though a good friend of mine has for years been a devotee of the eclectic British post-punk band XTC, I've always been a bit slow to come around to the band's unique charms. I guess I just thought the group's strange blend of English folk, arty pop, and jittery post-punk wasn't for me. I can't say my puzzlement has now completely disappeared, but I did have a significant epiphany recently when I encountered the consistently interesting "Love on a Farmboy's Wages" while taking a marathon alphabetical tour through the contents of my iPod.Much has been made of frontman Andy Partridge's 1983 "breakdown," after which he declared the band would go on only as a non-touring studio band, so I won't say much about that here. I will say, however, that Partridge emerged with an emblematic composition in this hook-laden but also consistently surprising pop song that both embraces and newly presents rather old-fashioned pastoral concerns. It's the kind of song that, for me at least, requires patient and attentive repeat listens in order to tap into the myriad of activity both musical and lyrical. When it comes to music, I think I'll probably be "coming around" to previously unappreciated delights for the rest of my life. With revelations like these, I'm perfectly OK with that.
Album Cover Image Courtesy of Caroline
Comments
Great song, but my favs are Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead, and Senses working overtime…Keep up the great work! Love your writing!
Not only is ‘Love On A Farmboy’s Wages’ a true XTC classic, little mention tends to be made of what seems to me an very Celtic feel to the lyrics – very ‘of the land’ and VERY British. Listening to the lyrics speaking of crops, lambs, the sun, the moon….it lends a whole new feel to the song. Have a listen and let me know if I’m out ‘o me mind.