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@xtclisteningparty.bsky.social Sep 30, 2026, 8:16 PM

THE LOVING - I heard a rumour that Richard Curtis wanted to use this track for the end of Love Actually, but XTC said no after discovering he wanted too many changes made to the song. Not sure if it's legit or not. Anyway, this was the final single but sadly didn't chart. #XTCmusic

Front cover of The Loving single by XTC. Shows a figure in military/police get-up with baton and a shield with a big red heart on it.

@toptags.bsky.social Sep 30, 2026, 8:16 PM

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@xtclisteningparty.bsky.social Sep 30, 2026, 8:12 PM

HERE COMES PRESIDENT KILL AGAIN - "When I walk the dog, I get ideas, and the pace I walk determines the tempo of the song. This one's like people chanting a nursery rhyme." - Andy Partridge, Oranges & Lemons inner notes. #XTCmusic

Black and white photographs of the three band XTC band members, from the Oranges and Lemons CD booklet.

@alisoneales.com Sep 30, 2026, 8:11 PM

I love King for a Day #XTCmusic

@colinmathstutor.bsky.social Sep 30, 2026, 8:10 PM

When EXTC cover it, I'm pretty sure it's slower. Nigh impossible to do what Colin does #XTCMusic

@xtclisteningparty.bsky.social Sep 30, 2026, 8:10 PM

XTC made appearances on US telly during the Oranges and Lemons era, including performing King For A Day here, being introduced by Weird Al Yankovic. #XTCmusic

@xtclisteningparty.bsky.social Sep 30, 2026, 8:09 PM

KING FOR A DAY - "[The single] was quite well-received in America... it still gets played quite a lot in the States. In comparison to some of my other stuff, it seems more favourable, perhaps, to Americans than to English, really." - Colin Moulding speaking to Todd Bernhardt, 2009. #XTCmusic

Front cover of XTC's King For A Day single. A medieval-like illustration.

@colinmathstutor.bsky.social Sep 30, 2026, 8:07 PM

If depth of feeling is a currency then I'm the man who grew the money tree. #XTCMusic

@alisoneales.com Sep 30, 2026, 8:07 PM

I thought of trying to cover The Mayor of Simpleton, but I don't think I can credibly sing the line 'never been near a university' #XTCmusic

@benbaker.bsky.social Sep 30, 2026, 8:06 PM

Looked up the airplay for the week this came out and Radio 1 were playing it loads so its strange the public just couldnt be arsed. #XTCmusic

@xtclisteningparty.bsky.social Sep 30, 2026, 8:06 PM

And here's the promo video for it. #mayorofsimpleton #XTCmusic

@xtclisteningparty.bsky.social Sep 30, 2026, 8:05 PM

MAYOR OF SIMPLETON - An absolute banger of a song! Fans in the US thought so too as the single reached no. 1 in the US Alt. Rock Charts! (the band had another no. 1 in that chart three years later). #XTCmusic

Front cover of the XTC Mayor of Simpleton single. Has a medieval-type image but with bullet-holes over it.

Newspaper clipping, Mid Sussex Times, 20 Jan 1989. "Swindon boys are back. XTC have the first single from their forthcoming double album released by Virgin Records this week. Mayor of Simpleton was recorded with producer Paul Fox in Los Angeles last autumn, and conveys with a single pop metaphor how you don't need to be a clever cogs to go all gooey over someone. The first single from the band in over a year-and-a-half, is backed by One Of The Millions, with their homage to Captain Beefheart's Ella Guru as extra track on the twelve inch. Mayor of Simpleton was written by Andy Partridge, while One Of The Millions is a Colin Moulding composition. XTC's last album, Skylarking, was their most successful ever, performing the neat trick of establishing them in America without them scarcely having to leave their native Swindon."

@alisoneales.com Sep 30, 2026, 8:01 PM

Garden of Earthly Delights feels kind of like Beating of Hearts to me, as an album opener #XTCmusic

@benbaker.bsky.social Sep 30, 2026, 8:01 PM

Which is your favourite: Rock, Bop or Pop? #XTCmusic

@xtclisteningparty.bsky.social Sep 30, 2026, 8:00 PM

🎶PLAY! 🎶
GARDEN OF EARTHLY DELIGHTS "Here I'm introducing children to the world: ‘This is your playpen. Enjoy the place. Come and be responsible and do great things in life... very optimistic and hopeful and a nice fanfare to open the album with." - Andy Partridge, from Chalkhills-org. #XTCmusic

Newspaper clipping, Chester Chronicle 10 Mar 1989. "XTC are back! Welcome back XTC, a band who manage to remain fresh-faced in a tired old pop scene creaking at the joints. After a spell collecting their musical thoughts, the band have come up with a gem of a double album, with catchy tunes and whimsical lyrics. Oranges and Lemons reveals the outfit at their brilliant best. Included is the recent single Mayor of Simpleton, which should have been a massive hit, together with other off-beat, quirky numbers that should give XTC the recognition they richly deserve. The album cover is a delightful pastiche of the 'Op Art' of the Sixties, and is a reflection of the fact that XTC's roots are firmly based in an era when musical exploration, lyrical eccentricity and the nerve to do something different were in vogue."