XTC - Green Man

swindon's favorite sons show they still have what it takes to create inspired and unique pop, 13 albums down the line

[@stefanavic6630]

If Tom Bombadil was a pro wrestler this would be his walkout song.

[@emanonfox1709]

late to the part but this is so accurate!

[@jasmadams]

You win the game of life.

[@wanderingwood8316]

10/10 comment

[@eugeneking3288]

Awesome and clever insight...!

[@lipshamorrissey4636]

🤣🤣🤣

[@bashkillszombies]

Once you hear this you will never ever get it out of your mind. Every time you see the Greenman you'll hear XTC.

[@tinfoilhatter]

what's the greenman, by the way? what's he even talkin' about?? has no one asked andy--where *is andy, by the way!

[@tinfoilhatter]

IS THAT TRUE? NO WAY, MAN! I USED TO LIVE BY A YELLOW FLASHING LIGHT....MAN, I MISS THOSE DAYS...IT WAS 1999 AND I WOULD HEAR THIS SONG EVERYDAY....I HAD THE COOLEST GARDEN, DANG, I WANNA GO BACK IN TIME!

[@sleeride]

@Wilbur Wafer yes....x

[@janeausten2908]

100%

[@WaterShowsProd]

tinfoilhatter The Greenman is an British mythological forest spirit that revels in joy and song. Puck from A Midsummer Night’s Dream is an incarnation of The Greenman.

[@simonknott224]

One of the BEST groups ever ! So underrated it`s a crime. I have loved this band since 1977. Yes, I am getting old . But age brings wisdom, so up yours . HA HA !!

[@nateeaton7729]

I was born 29 years since you started loving this band and I do too

[@Toddobvious]

I really think people are starting to catch on ☺️

[@bobbyk6585]

I sure hope the members of XTC realize how amazing they are despite the limited notoriety and financial success of their decades of art.

[@KYUSSgreenmachine]

There was a girl on reddit a few years ago (I've tried searching for the thread can't find it) who described a beautiful experience of her synesthesia seeing music and she said this song was the epitome of that experience..I was familiar with XTC but had never heard this song and listening to it just blew me away--it brings tears to my eyes still every single time

[@billium99]

This is particularly poignant after recently learning that Partridge has fairly intense synesthesia that informs his choices during the writing process.

[@scotorser601]

The bass guitar just listen to it

[@secallen]

He is such a soulful musician

[@scotorser601]

Every time the bass guitar gets me. The timing of it

[@erichuge]

Colin’s playing on all the xtc stuff is amazing.

[@oliverbeard7912]

Some great pop songs and intricate arrangements.A band that is unjustifiably forgotten too often in my view.

[@JonsCopyright]

Just found this band and didn’t realize I grew up listening to this song with my dad. Crazy

[@avsusky]

This song is at my core because of my dad

[@guilegale8942]

This is my exact experience- the apple venus albums were our road trip music and he LOVED trips.

[@slashracingproductions5593]

@@guilegale8942 same here! This band and Luna were my dads go to!

[@jasonbrandt5504]

andy so good at creating an environment with his songs. greenman, jason and argonauts, travels in nihilon, yacht dance, on and on. the entirety of english settlement is essentially part love letter to England and travelogue and of course political pulpit. this song continues the tradition. and lets not forget about colin bass line. genius.

[@davidsullivan3948]

You nailed it, Jason. Well done, and thank you.

[@cuchupacu]

this is one of my favorites- too much lush, rhythmic, poetic beauty to itemize- but there’s something about yacht dance, which sounds so simple but is just as wonderful. glad to see others appreciate it as much!

[@jen3800]

Well put, sir!

[@bigbadbillb]

Everything XTC has put out is brilliant, but "English Settlement" in particular is a masterpiece, hands down.

[@ericbrandon447]

Pop

[@tarheel8494]

imo, this is more of a life experience than a song. an amazing one at that.

[@royfacer585]

At the very least this song is a work of art and so beautifully crafted that it makes you remember just what talented guys Mr partridge and Mr Moulding are. Wonder if they will ever work together again for the good of us all and save the world with music

[@melomane2010]

Best pop album since Abbey Road. This is a great song on an album brimming over with great songs.

[@johnmonohan3806]

I heard this song on Cincinnati public radio 25 years ago. I just today found out that it was XTC when reading the forward to a John Connolly novel

[@patrickstocks3576]

Please to bend down for the one called the Greenman He wants to make you his bride Please to bend down for the one called the Greenman Forever to him you’re tied And you know for a million years he has been your lover He’ll be a million more And you know for a million years he has been your lover Down through the skin to the core Heed the Greenman Heed the Greenman Please to dance round for the one called the Greenman He wants to make you his child Please to dance round for the one called the Greenman Dressed in the fruits of the wild And you know for a million years he has been your father He’ll be a million more And you know for a million years he has been your father Run to his arms at the door Lay your head, lay your head, lay your head, lay your head on the Greenman Lay your head, lay your head with mine Lay your head, lay your head, lay your head, lay your head on the Greenman Build a bed out of oak and pine See the Greenman blow his kiss from high church wall And unknowing church will amplify his call

[@yasminx16]

This is music for people who love music.

[@karenm1634]

This song is usually played at one of the local Beltaine festivals every year in my area and they usually do it during a parade for the queen of the May and her Lord. It always picks me up, so needless to say I played it quite a bit during the pandemic lock down.

[@DeeMolition]

We use it for Beltane too!

[@timparker33]

I have a small free admission Renaissance Festival that is Pagan intensive and I’m working on a no-synth cover of this glorious song.

[@DeeMolition]

We always play this at our Beltaine rituals!

[@WarrenCromartie2]

Very few bands have created so many songs of consistently superb quality.

[@billium99]

Amen. Absolute masters of formal composition and boundless creativity.

[@jcBurton2094]

Now I know what's wrong with Sgt. Pepper. It hasn't got this song

[@BeatlesBowieKrimson]

hmmmmm .... that's an interesting comment.

[@tinfoilhatter]

i always referred to them as the modern beatles, since it was like 1990, they need to get back together and do it again! they can do great stuff individually or separately like the beatles, but that magic when they worked together is undeniable!

[@stefanavic6630]

Love this.

[@quinndys]

Lmao that's true

[@krollpeter]

It is better than anything on Sgt. Pepper. But we shall not forget, this was 30 years later.

[@davidsterenchock1899]

My old Renaissance Faire band played this song and it went over very well. I always liked to throw a little Paganism into the mix.

[@debralarue2596]

Perfect. The Beatles could never be XTC. They wrote great melodies but never wrote lyrics like Andy.

[@samashton6112]

Agreed. The Beatles will always be one of the most impressive and most important bands of all time, but I think XTC builds upon them, and others, and is better overall

[@spillledcarryout]

Exactly. There is a certain kind of tenderness that XTC found later and that is where they became great.

[@dianestokes]

I needed this song today. It is so evocative of all that is good about England. A love song to her. It is good see the light in all the dark. I wanted this played at my wedding but it is too long.

[@adamkornreich2732]

The string arrangement that creeps in from 5:11 onward is haunting. My favorite moment on the album. It evokes the experience of awe.

[@svalchemy]

It's akin to encountering the Green Man, then.

[@toddbulky]

Totally agreed. There's a track called "Rose of Cimarron" by Poco which does a very similar thing at the end. Completely beautiful 😊

[@ashleyaldred6702]

This song pops into my mind every few months. A memory and feeling so strong, I go down a rabbit hole trying to remember and find it. Somehow I always forget the specifics. Always end up at this video. Thank you for proving my ” green man song” is real.

[@quirri]

This is exactly what the effect of LSD "sounds" like when you are in a positive mood.

[@Lazzie_the_Psilocybe_Deity]

quirri Can attest ❤️

[@guymanteau446]

Sounds like you have an interest in LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTION PARTNERSHIP; appropriate fact-based regulation that is rationally instituted for safety measures and then the contemporary historical record, scholarly articles via Google, presentations on Ted Talks and parallels to be reviewed within Cultural Anthropology such as the practices of ancient Hindu priests, information about the ancient Greek Mystery Schools and contemporary scientific studies made regarding Shamanic practices in Central and South America. Knowledge is Power Sounds like "knowledge" has no direct connection to and is not a Statement Made about my exception and long tested self-control or my sobriety. Cheers!

[@joeyocom5087]

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

[@guymanteau446]

@@joeyocom5087 SURPRISE!! There will only be Left. Get studying

[@simonknott224]

Love this song.... supernatural !!!!

[@kittimcconnell2633]

completely natural tho

[@erichuge]

This record is fantastic and Greenman is perfect.

[@themilkofgrind5663]

“This be a song from me boyhood”

[@sandiscott4640]

Absolutely love this song! XTC was a truly amazing band , so very thankful 🙏 happy 69th birthday to andy! 🥳

[@spillledcarryout]

Dammit Andy and Colin, you guys get right f*ck back plz!!

[@Silveryback]

Wow. This song is more an experience. Every time it pops into my head, and when I play it it always reminds me of where I was the last time I've heard it. I'm glad it's still up on KZbin.

[@krollpeter]

Why is this not in the world songbook of pop-music?

[@robbo2357]

that bass

[@tinfoilhatter]

that cello too! i always wanted to get my hands on one!

[@thewordofgord]

another brilliant piece of sophisticated pop. unlike others who can confidently place them in rock's pantheon, i cannot be as precise. up there with the best for sure though.

[@soup125]

I’ve tried finding this song for years omg

[@robbabcock_]

This entire album is genius!👏

[@kristinmariealter9572]

love.

[@scottwaldon7420]

What an amazing song; thanks XTC.

[@tinfoilhatter]

yeah, fanks, mates!

[@Mrkaraibfly]

i like that!!!!

[@brucebernardini4107]

Fantastic album!!

[@chrisandersen5635]

We used to play this years ago, seemingly. Always a nice response. They thought we wrote it. We tried to educate, but ya know. Great band!!!

[@lmackenzie89]

The 'Strong Songs' podcast brought me here

[@lelabotoxique]

Amazing. Truly undeniably amazing.

[@anthonywhite2229]

thumbs up. very very up.

[@jettparcher2234]

I'M INCAPABLE OF SPEAKING

[@MLeonardTyson]

Dudes...Wow.

[@terryhughes7349]

this is really a great song

[@WarrenCromartie2]

The vinyl album is currently worth over £130. It's currently out of press. Damn shame. Great album.

[@hobestobe]

the crap controlled corporate radio never plays this, real orchestra instead of some shit synthesizer and no auto tune means it's pretty much blacklisted. but it's a great Mediterranean infused pharaoh sounding tune that oughta be put on the next lion king

[@cydwatts]

Granted, the state I live in is a little different, but I've actually heard this on the radio here. It's an amazing song, but that's true of much of their work.

[@jasoncavitt2043]

I don't know what state you're in, but you'd never hear this here.

[@Littleguy123]

right on brother!

[@rundoetx]

A rue sonic masterpiece.

[@ervinasturias1857]

Great song. ..

[@mikelmontoya2362]

💚💚💚!!

[@lmackenzie89]

Big daddy Green Man

[@Riggsveda]

Blessed Imbolc, everyone.

[@fractuss]

XTC: no bad albums.

[@joeyocom5087]

this is almost 3-D

[@joeyocom5087]

This is like Pagans meet the middle east

[@surrealbox]

I ❤️Planet Ploop . Triple Triangle .

[@KevinLawrence-mq7pi]

The word genius gets bandied around all too lazily but Andy Patridge? No doubt. The production on this is amazing.

[@fractuss]

No band ever wrote better bridges.

[@franzgrimley5114]

Touch of the Cloe Encounters there.

[@mikeuk4130]

What is this mix? Where are the beautiful, fresh, natural sounds recorded by Haydn Bendall and Nick Davis in the olden days? Treasure your vinyl copy of this great album.

[@ginaduarte3001]

Genius.

[@quinndys]

2:44 the best part

[@tinfoilhatter]

it just sounds wrong to call them 'pop', they'd've liked to be a bit more successful, -i think they had bad management, and worked like slaves, for some record-company! i don't even remember which company....or companies...especially the first seven or so albums! they're all unique and solid frickin' gold! even they never knew how great they were- well, maybe they did, i hope they do now anyway!

[@tinfoilhatter]

heck, turns out, they're far greater than i thought, and i had already thought they were the greatest: does that make sense? haha

[@tinfoilhatter]

ah, whatever: but we shan't let that stop us, right-right? onwards, and upwards, n-words'n'others~

[@stephenbennett1643]

Virgin records absolutley rinsed XTC in the 80s . Thats why they went on strike for 7yrs, after " Nonsuch " And thats why i hate Richard Branson .

[@johncody6404]

I wonder if Dave Gregory does any vocals on this track. Some of the 'on the green man' refrains sound very breathy, similar to Dave's speaking voice.

[@johnmitchell452]

It was just Andy and Colin by this time if I remember right. And then, after Apple Venus 2, there were none.

[@vanishing_girl]

@@johnmitchell452 they still released two singles in 2005, but they were effectively solo singles and they didn't participate in each other's single

[@jettparcher2234]

These melodies do not belong on this earth, this comes from places unknown to the human condition

[@homerco213]

I feel cheated by American radio.

[@spillledcarryout]

And the RRHF friend!

[@astara8349]

Any of you actually know him. What happened when u turn him down as a lover and he offers u the world but you say no and he eats your body

[@quinndys]

Wtf

[@deSloleye]

First summer, then autumn, then winter, and you won't be ready. Cut off his head, when it's time he'll cut off yours. You *must* bend down for the Green Man.

[@MLeonardTyson]

#Production #Technique

[@ouroboros78]

Shrek Brought Me Here

[@joeyocom5087]

Only if politicians and Leaders of Nations were Musicians. Easter Egg Rexx Thomas............

[@annielee7506]

This song is so funny I love it

[@sleeride]

the Celtic myths..

[@davidmann8253]

Aint it the twooth.

[@MLeonardTyson]

What analogs$ used 2 do...try arranging a Genius nowadays...

[@joeyocom5087]

Now Dance Like Pagans !!!!!!!

[@Siphalis]

i wanntt a green man please i need a fucking green ,an