XTC - Life Begins At The Hop

[@johnstairs]

Why on earth didn’t more people get XTC? Fantastic songs

[@Mark95876]

Because you need a higher musical intelligence than the average Radiohead fan to appreciate all of the clever stuff in their music. This is why XTC is a musician's band.

[@101Volts]

Didn't Andy once say that he thought they could have been as big as R.E.M. if they kept touring?

[@garden2571]

@@Mark95876 "musical intelligence" ... People just like different music no need to be so up yourself about it man

[@bsboneless1]

In my top 5 Best bands ever ! .

[@MaxandFredsmum]

Back in the day I bought all their albums and played them non stop. Still rate 'Making Plans For Nigel' as a top 10 all time song for me. Problem is we never got to see them live. Still listen to them.

[@stevechabalik6985]

If this song and video don't remind you of why it's good to be alive, you're dead.

[@davidbidgood3987]

Yes mate this song and video should be sent on space probes as a message to ETs. It would indicate humans can be extremely creative and have great fun.

[@greta3315]

I’m from USA and include XTC in my short list of favorite bands

[@davidjones8902]

Clearly a person of taste, Greta.

[@greta3315]

@@davidjones8902 Thank you very kindly good sir! Right back at you🤩

[@davidbowman4259]

@@greta3315 This David agrees with that David!

[@greta3315]

@@davidbowman4259 🔆💯

[@seabertotter4325]

All bands should take notice. Be like XTC and practice together a lot!

[@lv2keepfit493]

Weren't those the best years ever!!! So care free, great music, just a better world and time in our lives.

[@nixie66]

One of the best bands ever.

[@fossilmatic]

XTC and girls... it almost seems inconceivable.

[@nechesh]

Isn't the blonde in the video his ex-wife Marianne?

[@chuckabbate5924]

@@nechesh I think you are correct, damn i luv that redhead!

[@rogerpatton2242]

@@nechesh no.

[@edlawn5481]

The girls are even better than the ones in Squeeze's "Cool For Cats".

[@Tony-yd1vx]

It seems many girls no likey.

[@jeffthompson6431]

I love this song and video. It brings back great memories. I saw XTC and The Police play at a show together about 40 years ago and it was amazing.

[@cerseimack4854]

Jeff Thompson lucky duck!

[@treatmentbound]

I also saw that tour in Mpls., and remember NONE OF IT!

[@FoulMouthFishing666]

What a combo I bet that was

[@ncyankschpielmansuxxazz8165]

I saw XTC opening for the Cars in NYC in ‘80 or ‘81. Amazing. The Cars all came in stage to join in Living Through Another Cuba….it was epic!

[@MrTimeXTime]

So Did I along with Oingo Boingo

[@Themanwhocameback2]

First song I ever heard by XTC. I am an American and bought the 45, which came in a blank white paper sleeve in NYC. I loved the sound, and bought all their subsequent 45s at a Manhattan record store. i never saw this video until now in October 2023. A fact which may explain why I always deplored Billy Joel's self righteous screed against New Wave music, "It's Still Rock N Roll to Me" - it wasn't all about image- it was about the sound.

[@seanryan3020]

I first heard of XTC in 1986. Got into them in '89. Loved them ever since!

[@robertbrodeur4326]

I listened to Oranges and Lemons so many times I think it imprinted on my DNA.

[@BigDLiquor]

I went into Men's Warehouse today and heard this and I was like, I've never heard this fantastic tune on the radio. EVER!

[@theladdersoflife2244]

Those guitar solos just solidify the awesomeness of this classic jam.

[@gmar7836]

Just heard this on a radio station that plays 80s songs and have not heard it in about 35 years. What a flashback! And one of their better songs, 1979!!

[@jeffblack5024]

The Hop was a teenage disco at a church hall in Penhill, Swindon and I got into a fight outside of there on my 16th birthday. When I saw TC&I perform this in Swindon a couple of years ago, I was a bit teary eyed at my lost youth. Plus don't fight in platform shoes.

[@paulelliott3220]

Amazing song and love the guitar on this XTC in full effect

[@e.priest8937]

Agreed. Best lead ever

[@imdjc4]

A great example of simplicity and even more so, effectiveness. Easy air guitar.

[@anthonynicoli]

My senses are working overtime.

[@hedfuka8608]

I grew up with xtc playing on the radio getting ready to go to school...the music of that time was so fucking good... original.. catchy.. always exploring and poking fun.. music was the only sane thing in the world.

[@wirralnomad]

Music was fun, and for that reason I agree with Frank Zappa when he said Music is the Best.

[@Miauwen_]

colin molding😍

[@nancyg158]

I love his bushy eyebrows.

[@krey9879]

That was an incredible time for music (for me). I danced to that song so many times. I love a lot of XTC's songs, and it's hard to choose a favorite, but this Life Begins At The Hop right near the top.

[@rippi37]

I love XTC. Saw them several times in Sydney and they were unreal. One of the times the bass player 's fingers were bleeding from really playing his butt off. Poor guy. Really really really great band to see live , everyone was getting down (and up again, lol)....love 'em !!

[@julosx]

When on Earth was it ? They stopped touring in 1980 (they didn't even finished the tour that year).

[@rippi37]

@@julosx late 1979-early80 .....Sydney.....Stagedoor Tavern. 3 gigs....went to all 3

[@gamalon]

@@julosx They Stopped touring in March / early April 1982.

[@101Volts]

@@rippi37 The Stage Door Tavern Gig was July 22, 1979. They had 4 shows in Sydney around that time. I checked this gig list: www.optimismsflames.com/Gigs%20Text%20Only.htm

[@101Volts]

@@rippi37 Also, the Marconi Club Concert (July 20) was recorded. I downloaded it, and if you download it in FLAC, it's in great quality. theultimatebootlegexperience7.blogspot.com/2020/03/fm-broadcast-flac-xtc-marconi-club.html

[@andrewrosen6508]

BEST BAND EVER!

[@geoffreyjonathanwilson9932]

The band that time forgot! They were a great band that's a fact ☺️

[@CherryBlossomOhka]

Shame they had to break up

[@erichhonecker8548]

I recall buying this precious vinyl in the very early 80's. What a treasure!

[@garybridge-ku7bf]

One day they might get the credit they deserve, I love um' 😊.

[@the9-2-5outlawgamer]

This song is about four boys from Swinton who spent most of their time sheltered working on the farm going out and seeing the outside world.

[@nsilver61]

Too smart. Too witty. Too idiosyncratic. Totally fabulous!

[@Madkid73]

Pure brilliance. Love how it quickly cuts when Andy takes the car away and you see Colin gesture "Wanker"

[@wm5311]

Well spotted.

[@darrylwiggins4799]

Colin had a pop sense ability,Andy was more of a political and social commentator.And the blending of the two created some very good stuff.

[@foto21]

THeir production was always top notch. The most underrated band in music history, along with Killing Joke. The fact that 100x more Americans know about Oasis and a million times more know Ed Sheeran is a travesty.

[@jeffreyshuster4482]

They were arty and not exactly road warriors. I’m sure they are well fixed.

[@MaxandFredsmum]

Killing Joke.....yeah saw them live, they were good. I would also add Split Enz into the mix of underrated bands.

[@foto21]

@@slaytronic That's sad because they're forgotten in the USA now.

[@Malkmusianful]

hey, I like the Oasis AND the XTC

[@billmillersdick]

@@foto21 college radio and adult alternative stations are hip to XTC

[@nancyg158]

I love Colin's hair.😋

[@wkseamans]

My college dormmates didn't get it; but XTC 'Singles and B-sides' was one of my favorite albums during my college years.

[@chuckabbate5924]

I deep dived them in the 80s in college....so so good

[@andrewSUN17]

Sick song always memorable...another winning track by Colin!

[@mightyV444]

I still have sooo much of their music to discover, after having done a first proper deep-dive into their catalogue a couple of years ago, and *this* song I'd heard for the first time only a few days ago, too! And it's been my earworm ever since 😁 I wonder if the 4 ladies in the clip had been the guys' partners at that time!? 🙂

[@iconicshrubbery]

Infectious joy-been hopping for 40 years now

[@therightrabbit]

Best band ever... What can you do?

[@s.e.wagger3888]

brilliant band!!!!

[@tabeccaletford408]

A friend of mine got me into xtc in 1989,and I'm so glad he did. One of the best bands ever

[@hirepimike]

That voice is like a bell, nothing quite like it.

[@whouster]

First time I've seen this video, and looked like the lads had a fun time making it. Dave looks especially excited, and not surprising as he'd only just joined the band. Andy, Colin, Dave and Terry was the classic XTC line-up.

[@martinst8764]

THAT is perfect pop music! Everything about that track is just brilliant! Love the guitar solo and the fade out. It's awesome to think that the same guy (Colin) wrote Sacrificial Bonfire (another of my favourites). XTC were right up there on my Spotify 2022 top 100 list!

[@mrdomofan56]

Yesssss! We need more XTCVEVO!!

[@johnfredmurray]

I often wondered if XTC toured the states they would have been just a big as the Police. This band has always been a favorite of mine

[@davidlazenby5382]

I don't think so. I like XTC, but the police are on a different level. Every Police album was a classic. Lets be honest, XTC can be a little hit or miss. Don't get me wrong, I love great XTC songs. To me, this is not one of them.

[@lush89]

They opened for The Police on an arena tour in 1980-81

[@jeffblack5024]

They did tour the states and the mind-numbing boredom is why they gave up touring.

[@edwardharley9]

i went to a concert that was the Who ..opening for Herman's Hermits.. no lie !!!

[@delby66]

@@jeffblack5024 I'm afraid that wasn't the reason Jeff. Andy Partridge had a fear of flying so this was the main reason they stopped touring over here in the US and Canada. I was lucky enough to see them when they did come here. I saw them in Hamilton Ontario Canada. They were great. It's a shame they couldn't come back.

[@stuartwallington6107]

The greatest band that nobody's heard of...except for people who know great bands. My top three bands of all time: 1. X 2. T 3. C

[@gaskellr44]

My no 1 is Elastic.

[@scottleipski1015]

Need, a time machine, and a ticket to England please!

[@quinnharrison2007]

good band , so underrated

[@markschaumann3012]

Pop brilliance!!

[@troygaspard6732]

XTC having two great songwriters. Colin did win at writing most of their hits.

[@wirralnomad]

That in part has everything to do with the fact that Andy's song for the most part were too risqué for radio, and when they were fit for traditional they were just too long for commercial airplay. Colin's sings were great basic songs with a basic song structure usually in 4/4, Andy's were mostly very well structured complex songs with odd signatures and sometimes even more bizarre lyrics and subject matters like singing about a penis in Pink Thing. Two absolutely brilliant song writers indeed, but one of them was a genius, the other was successful with pop songs.

[@davidjones8902]

They should be spoken of with the same reverence as Lennon/McCartney or Difford and Tilbrook.

[@wirralnomad]

@@davidjones8902 They should be spoken of with more enthusiasm and recognition that that pair of idiots from Manchester, I can't believe how much the Cuntry has gone ape over them reuniting, and yeah, I did spell Cuntry like that on purpose.

[@aaarrrggghhhh]

Great to see a band having fun making a video, on a low budget and not being obsessed with image. The music spoke for them.

[@theairborneeagle.]

This is so feelgood! Love XTC!!!

[@voxac30-x5z]

XTC is great band‼︎ Forever‼︎ from Japan

[@lupodelupis3672]

The New Wave era of the XTC...always great stuff!

[@sonicrevic4928]

Amazing band

[@markottewell8897]

Believe it’s a place called the hop in Swindon where they used to go. Criminally underrated band ever.

[@lady.shawn1111]

this video - and xtc - always put me in a good mood. it cheers my soul to see their smiles and having fun 🥰

[@chuckschaible5410]

Amazing brilliant timeless underated extreme talent

[@sprtbearjeremydb2671]

Best Colin song ever!!!

[@henkdegroot5872]

Aanstekelijke fun-rock van een m.i. hoog gehalte. Al jaren oud maar nog altijd de moeite waard om met plezier naar te luisteren. Blijvend leuk!!!

[@xtstevie]

Brilliant laugh watching this fab ode to the 60s & Colin's first single & also Dave in the band, The video must have cost about a fiver but that's it's charm!

[@davidkamensky2780]

Great band. With all their music I can't think of a tune a don't like.

[@davidstobie2751]

This stuff is magical.

[@ronjohns8002]

best post 1977 punk new wave band XTC!!

[@pato8957]

Perfect!♡

[@robdevaney6518]

always underrated, always excellent

[@deancarter9210]

Beyond brilliant!

[@howardcohen4845]

What a great band 👏 👌 👍

[@twiguydk]

Older brother of a friend intro'd me to Black Sea (on the flip side of a cassette w/ Men at Work on the other)... Life never quite the same since.

[@wam44]

One of my all time favorite songs and bands....

[@STSCanada1984]

Fantastic song. But that video is such a great artifact of the New Wave and the late 70s. That was real style back then.

[@nancyg158]

He's enjoying his birthday at the hop. Happy birthday 🎉.

[@BACALL1965]

0:40 why was Colin calling Andy a wanker😆

[@sidevans1]

Love XTC as a whole. and obviously Partridge is a genius, but let's face it, Moulding probably edged him on pop sensibility. This is such a good song.

[@Jessey630]

This was the RnR dance clubs in NYC in the late 70's and early 80's

[@celotnin-h8u]

40 years ago...

[@davidrothman8173]

Shit

[@misternewoutlook5437]

"40 years ago" ain't what it used to be...

[@sirramshacklemakeshift2782]

Awesome Video!

[@watchalay74]

I was a DJ on our high school radio station and played this. My student supervisor chewed me out.

[@enricomuhs7499]

Why?

[@watchalay74]

@@enricomuhs7499 he wanted it to be a top 40 radio station

[@jonathanmurphy3141]

Colin, and Lads,...our perceptions of "the Hop" are visually different,...yet, I have followed as a fan for years (even drove through Swindon in 1990, and pilgrimaged at the White Horse, chalk hill.

[@jfi-y8o]

XTC Wow !!! 😊👍

[@petertrezise4545]

Love XTC 💕

[@pumasgoya]

I'm glad I never watched this video before tonight, it adds nothing to the song- one of favorites by the way.

[@pumasgoya]

Ok. Two years later I've changed my mind. I also thought Andy sang this.

[@stevendimmock4791]

OoooH. those rascally xtc boys!

[@stu63]

Second greatest rock group ever.

[@martymayo6298]

Just bought this on clear vinyl..... 2021

[@DylCat]

🗣TELL ME WHAT DO YOU SAY 🗣🔥

[@mauswaffles]

LIFE BEGINS AT THE HOP‼️🗣️🔥

[@Blackheathenly]

Hot Gossip!

[@dmauk5876]

This is the song that saved a wee boy's life . . .

[@DA-dw5zn]

I saw them on top of the pops doing this , I think they were first on , and it's such a catchy song I can't believe it didn't do better. Same with Respectable Street.

[@royabelrh]

Magic.

[@alankilroy04]

Tune.

[@johnehmer3608]

so 80's great

[@brianmulligan1224]

Total joy… now gonna go meccanik dancing

[@LYNCHLAWRECORDS]

Nice song and great video !!

[@prittywynzi663]

XTC I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO YOU

[@AnAdorableWombat1]

I wasn’t even born until the 90s and I want god to take me back!!!!

[@lucapasseroni6371]

wonderful

[@joeoconnor5400]

They were wary of saying who they were musically influenced by. They were fans of Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin as well as The Beatles. They did not want to have their Punk/,New wave credentials called into question. GREAT BAND

[@misternewoutlook5437]

Ahhh... the fun times of new wave. I was at a perfect age to soak it in. There's no way to convey that period for the under-50s people. These videos will have to do.

[@dougmedina4619]

Love the cheap props for the video!

[@seanpvs101moviesproduction3]

My Favorite Song in 1970’s Rock. 😍🥰

[@davidbowman4259]

One of the all-time great bands. Love them. Indispensable..

[@Acornhouseworkshop]

I wonder how many times the one in the black and white stripes popped out during filming.

[@bsboneless1]

Yup..the first boob comes out around the 55sec mark 😀

[@waterspout8]

We need the outtakes! :D

[@stevecarter8810]

@@waterspout8 dirty sod. Let me know if you find them.

[@PlanetoftheDeaf]

@@bsboneless1 Dave got the best view. No wonder he was having such a good time 😁