Category Archives: Let’s Listen

Love on a Farmboy's Wages

Let's listen to XTC!

XTC - Love on a Farmboy's Wages

You're welcome.

I've always been XTC-curious. But except for a brief time in 1989 when I had their big Oranges And Lemons ("Mayor Of Simpleton", "King For A Day"), I've never owned a album. I've collected a few hits here and there over the years, but no real coverage. But, I last weekend gave in and bought a 'singles' collection (Fossil Fuel - 31 songs!). It's great, actually. The early stuff sounds like Elvis Costello, and a lot of the early 80's songs are in the same area as Robyn Hitchcock and The Egyptians - punchy and melodic post-punk-pop with very clever lyrics. They are underrated, in the US anyway.

But it's this tune, even though I already knew it, which has glued itself to my ears. That guitar picking is awesome. Their drummer quit over this song.

Here's Fairport Convention's cover:

Fairport Convention - Love on a Farmboy's Wages

Not as good, IMO.