XTC's Andy Partridge - How I Write Songs [Part 1]
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- čas přidán 31. 07. 2024
- Legendary songwriter Andy Partridge discusses his songwriting process for a number of classic XTC songs.
CHAPTERS:
0:00 Introduction
2:12 Jason and the Argonauts
16:18 It's Nearly Africa
27:52 Mermaid Smiled
34:30 Love on a Farm Boy's Wages
43:24 Melt the Guns
54:26 That's Really Super Supergirl
1:01:14 Yacht Dance - Hudba
![Andy Partridge - XTC's Secret Chords Revealed [Part 4]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/0IvYTsXpRNA/mqdefault.jpg)
![Andy Partridge - XTC's Secret Chords Revealed [Part 4]](/img/tr.png)
![XTC The Big Express - The Alternate Guitar Tunings [Part 3]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/v4pvzJQQJ40/mqdefault.jpg)
He's on the shortest possible list of songwriting gods. And this is the best interview of its kind I've seen with him.
👍 Andy is definitely on that list!
Who else is on your list of best songwriters. I've had a very short list for years but I'd be interested in hearing yours.
@@scillyautomatic I'd certainly say Paddy MacAloon should make such a list as well
@@georgesonm1774 Awesome. I'll have to look him up. I'm not familiar with him.
@@scillyautomatic Paddy McAloon is a founding member of Prefab Sprout. Maybe you've heard some of their music before? If not, I can recommend the song "When Love Breaks Down" as a starting point, that was one of their bigger hits.
I think Andy is up there with McCartney and Costello as top tier pop singer/songwriters.
Better I'd say. 😉😎
Without a doubt, better than costello
Ray Davies
Andys lack of pretention when talking about songwriting combined with blindingly obvious creative talent makes him for me one of the most important pop artists of modern times. An absolute gem, this interview. Thanks.
Andy Partridge is on Mt, Rushmore of the greatest songwriter/musicians in rock history. XTC is clearly the most underappreciated band in music history
Not by anybody who knows or cares about music
Bot. @@panchopete1537
agree
Man, I almost started to tear up when Andy started singing and playing. Thanks for this.
Don't worry - I did 😂
👍
Same here…
I most certainly did. Took my breath away.
I tear up too! Not sure why. Because the music is so original, poetic, beautiful? Because I feel like I am in the presence of genius? Because I have feared these songs slipping into oblivion? Because now I know there are other XTC lovers out there...?!
I miss XTC, and Andy is an absolute genius. Thanks for the interview, Chanan.
👍
Yes, I miss XTC too!
One of the best bands from the u.k
@@GedTheRed Or anywhere.
All the XTC guys are alive - time to make another album - please!
🎯Can you imagine?!
that's the dream!
No more Apple Venus... but yes to everything else!!!
Barry Andrews on keyboards, please.
@@lemokolyon and then they will SHREAKBACK into History!
I rediscovered XTC during lockdown. I liked them as a kid but stopped listening after English Settlement when the media started paying less attention, and heavy metal caught my ear. I dipped back in every now and then, but during lockdown I found myself listening to them every day, then buying up all the albums I didn't already have (which was most!) as well as updating my vinyl collection. They mesmerize me with their hooks, their energy, and very unique approach to making music. Andy is one of the all-time greatest songwriters IMO. Colin Moulding too. For a Gen X like me, they're my Lennon/McCartney.
I discovered them during lockdown, after hearing Sgt. Rock for the first time! I couldn't quite believe how good they were, over so many albums and over such a timeframe. They're one of the best British bands of all time, yet I'd literally never heard of them (late 80's baby, a "millennial" if you will 😂), and I'm really into music. It's really quite incredible that they're not still being played regularly on the radio
Knuckle Down...
"Once you've got the stage setting, the script just falls out", brilliant songwriting insight from a master artist, wish i could've heard that 30 years ago.
Yes, that is such a helpful way look at songwriting!
@@diggythreethere was loads of trial and error to figure that the songs basic direction and chorus is most important.
For me, this is why the internet was invented! Thank you, Mr Partridge, for the decades of entertainment!
Since XTC wasn't a "big" band (especially in the US), I had to divine all I knew about them from the album covers and an occasional article in a music magazine. To hear Andy describe and demonstrate his creative process is like manna from heaven.
From the first time I heard English Settlement in my college dorm in 1982 to now, I've always been entranced by their songs and musicianship.
Such a treat indeed! I discovered them here in Canada, in 1980 (?) by accident really, when a friend gave me her castoff LPs, "Drums and Wires" amongst them. Love at first listen! Never super popular with anyone else I know, even my UK friends. I don't understand why.
Fantastic interview! I got to see XTC with the Police in Austin Texas back in 81. They absolutely blew me away, huge fan ever since. Their body of work is so great.
I met Andy at a record signing for Nonsuch, he was very friendly and I mentioned I saw him with the Police in Austin, he said “I remember that gig it was my Birthday” now I can finally learn the parts to Love on a farm boys wages😅
How great it is to see Andy Partridge in your videos. He looks well too. Thanks so much for managing to persuade him to do these. He’s up there with Lennon and McCartney as far as I’m concerned. Andy, if you’re reading this, nice to see you’re doing well and thanks for the tunes!! Been part of my life since a mate gave me a tape of Skylarking when I was 16 in 1987!
Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you
Great interview- Skylarking & Oranges and Lemons are two of my favorite albums of all time. Legendary songwriting, production, and risk-taking.
Wonderful to see Andy so respectfully treated . I love this man and his happiness is important to all XTC fans. Interviewer is a gent.
I’m pinching myself! I must be dreaming, the most beautiful dream, that Andy Partridge is talking about songwriting for over an hour! I’m just getting started watching, but I’m ecstatic! Genius+++!
I so miss this band.
Brilliant conversation. Andy is up there with Bowie and The Beatles. So generous and self deprecating. A genius.
Bowie yes ! XTC musically were better than the Beatles.
A true genius. One of my all time musical heroes. Exquisitely beautiful and poignant to see him singing, playing, and reminiscing now. Wonderful. Thanks for doing this.
I've been playing guitar for 50 years. Andy's creative chording and structure make it seem like a completely different instrument. Wow, just WOW.
My younger cousin and I used to sit an d listen to XTC albums for the bulk of our youth, inspiring us to grow in love for music. He has since passed and as soon as Andy hit the first chord, everything came back. Thank you Chanan for a much needed trip into the mind of Andy Partridge and for allowing him to be himself - the legend, the genius, the comedian, a mentor.
So cool to hear Andy sing again. How nice would it be to have one more album from XTC??!!
First off, this is wonderful. Any chance to hear/see Andy Partridge discuss XTC's music with guitar in hand is a treat. The fact that you recognize XTC's ability to construct catchy, pop songs with elements of dissonance and complex harmonies (usually avoided in pop music), and then explain said ability is very much appreciated. That said, I hope in the future you delve into Colin Moulding's bass parts, which I believe to be every bit as musically inventive and challenging (yet catchy and complimentary) as Andy's choice of harmony and melody. Someone of your stature and insight could go a long way in filling the gap I believe exists when most people discuss XTC's music and focus almost entirely on Andy's contributions. Again, I love Andy's talent and abilty to be such an insightful and entertaining interviewee. I'd just like to hear what someone with *your* talent has to say about Colin's bass parts. Cheers!
With a back catalogue of some of the most beautiful music ever recorded.....which is held so high in peoples minds and hearts we cannot thank you enough Andy...but we love u man !!!! even when you are humming and playing the guitar i am emotional as are many others i am sure....because its you doing it.....and we love you talking about it....frankly and honestly and not being stuck up discussing it......its all BEAUTIFUL......to be burdened with such a special gift and being able to record it as your outlet for us to appreciate we can never thank you enough.....ever.....but i hope u get back some of the love we have for you...finally...Easter Theatre.....a jewel in your well deserved crown
Happy 70. Birthday Andy Partridge🎉 he is the J.S. Bach of Pop Music🤩
This is manna from heaven for me. Andy’s songwriting, chords and chord structuring is like nobody else’s and to hear him explaining everything is mind blowing. Everything is so original and different . Thanks Andy for years and years of great pleasure listening to all your music.
XTC music is and always will be amazing❗ One of those bands that you could buy albums from, without hearing them in advance, and they never failed to impress 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 Andy is a genius, as indeed are the other members of the band 👌🏻 Me thinks it's high time for the boys to do a new XTC album, as the quality, songs, and musicianship is all still there ❤️🌟
Wow! Andy Partridge!! What a treat - and what a fascinating interview. I could listen to his ruminations for hours! If you read these comments at all Andy - thanks for all of the fabulous music you’ve given us over the years (with thanks also to ABBA for the comment) - it’s good to see that XTC and your work is still held in high regards, and is an influence on newer artists (check out Jacob Collier’s new single for instance!).
This is wondrous! Thank you for this casually in-depth dive into the greatness of Andy Partridge's songwriting. One of the true musical geniuses of our time, and a fascinating lyricist, and a grade-A interview as well.
THANK YOU FOR THIS CONTENT
👍
XTC like 10CC was amongst the smartest, hippest pop bands ever. Just so deep and wide and rich.
👍
Deceptive Bends / Black Sea, be prepared for ecstasy. I do not think of XTC without thinking of 10cc. They were the next extension of a thing.
“Mermaid Smiled” is a lovely addition to “Skylarking.” Sometimes it’s obvious why a certain track was cut from a record when you hear an expanded edition but it fits so beautifully with the rest. I’m glad it’s in there now. And it’s also unimaginable for “Big Day” or “Dying” to not be on there as well so I’m glad they were retained.
I weep thru his/their music- it has given me proof of life- rapture of happiness - drives my ambition- golden envy- a buldging wallet filled with angel's pay
Wonderful. how I feel too, no-one else gets me there.
XTC is one of our favorite bands!!! One of those few bands that can cover so much ground stylistically and from a writing perspective.
👍
Thank-you so much Chanan. Your knowledge of harmony and counterpoint, combined with Andy's wonderful songs is a real joy for me. (and very inspiring as well) Here's to surprise!
👍
Great musician, great guitar player. Thank you XTC. Love from France.
What a joy to listen to, Andy is a musical genius!
Harley Benton should be loving this !
Andy captured the undulation of the sea waves perfectly,too.
Thank you
👍
This interview is FANTASTIC ❤
A uniquely talented writer. Amazing.
He's the GOAT. We will not be debating this.
Brilliant. He’s such a generous interviewee. Always prepared to explain how it was all done.
Un documento visivo e sonoro di alto livello per una band che ha regalato meravigliosi brani di musica moderna senza mai ammiccare al mainstream. Massimo rispetto per Andy Partdridge e per i suoi colleghi. Difficile pensare che riusciranno a regalarci altre perle sonore, mai dire mai!
Ein neues XTC Album, ich würde total ausflippen / durchdrehen. Aber ob das nochmal passiert. Geben wir die Hoffnung nie auf….
Saw XTC in Barbarellas in Birmingham with Barry Andrew’s on keyboards. Statue of Liberty! What a song, so original at the time 👍
I'm only half way through this, but I'm already feeling like it should be a long-running series. I know there's already been a great book (Complicated Game) with AP deconstructing some of his songs, but seeing/hearing him here, guitar in hand, and vocal cords in larynx, is just fantastic. Absolute kudos to Chanan for the respectfully non-interruptive style of interviewing too. There are some guests that should be allowed to just talk/play, and AP is one of them. Brilliant stuff.
One of my heroes in music, Andy the king!
Yacht Dance. Fabulous.
Andy is such a kind good hearted person in interviews. Lovely.
One of our very best ladies and gents.
As a recent convert to the genius of XTC, this interview is welcome. I remember ' making plans for nigel ' as a kid, but did not listen to anything else by them.
I am working through the albums, and it's been a real treat. Andy, Colin, and Dave are national treasures.
Andy Partridge is an absolute delight to watch and makes me appreciate his creativity even more.
Great to see Andy looking so well and sounding good!
👍
Andy is, by far, the man. So much great music with interesting timings, melodies, themes, lyrics - trying hard to think of anyone he can be compared to but I am just at a loss.
I really enjoyed this. I loved that movie also. I would love to see Malta. I know Sinbad, a tv version was filmed there. XTC is a wonderful band God bless them and blessings to all from North Carolina, U.S.A.
"Life begins at the hop!" thank you Mr. Partridge for the great songs and your cutting edge innovation.
That was a Colin Moulding song.
I love Lennon, McCartney, Difford, Tilbrook, Ray Davies, and the likes of Elvis Costello, David Bowie, Roddy Frame and a host of other British songwriters. But for me Andy is the finest these isles has produced. Finally word is getting out about this genius and his fabulous band XTC.
Andy Partridge is such a part of XTC gold. Every song is so carefully written and note perfect. Andy brings you in to the story like a welcomeing hug. Great interview with fine gentlemen and talented genius. Thank You.
He's up there with the best....Smart lyrics, wonderfully creative melodies and a unique sense of originality.
What a thoughtful and well-prepared and produced interview / thank you! And: an interviewer who allows his subject the space to speak - will miracles never cease? GREAT interview, I hope you do many many more.
What a great interview! Thanks a lot Chanan for all the XTC fans around the world. And you seem to be enjoying, you are so lucky to have spent some time with Andy :)
Genius songwriter. Period. Thank you for this very gentle interview!
Superb, I can't get enough of this level of detail about the craft. Beautiful.
👍
When I first heard Colin's 'Nigel' on the radio, I was hooked. I later found 'Drums and Wires' in my friends collection and pulled it out to play. He sez "I haven't heard that yet, someone gave it to me." After one listen XTC became our new fave band. It was XTC and DEVO into the nineties. XTC were my fave band through 'Nonesuch'. XTC were so great not only for Andy's songs, but for Colin's songs and for Colin and Dave's playing contribution, and especially the drum syncopation style of Terry Chambers who seemed to have affected the band rhythmically so strongly it continued to inspire them through their whole career path.
Drums and Wires, probably the first album I bought, around 1980, I believe I was 12. Still sounds amazing!
English Settlement is one of the Best Album ever written. Great Interviews!
Hear hear....Been saying it since 1982 .
Fabulous album!
This is so great. English Settlement is such an excellent album and the soundtrack to my early teen years. That and Drums and Wires. So good! Also I'm an American-you were right to harangue us in Melt the Guns, Andy. When I listened as in the 80s I had not idea how much worse our gun culture would get. Obviously we haven't 'gathered our senses.'
English Settelment, is they're best......
Drums & Wires, is my fave full of great quirky songs.Snipping Snipping ✂️ Greetings from Norwich Uk. 👍
That man is a genius, no doubt about it!
God I just realized how much And'ys playing is in my core DNA. I wish I could say the same about his songwritting
Been a huge fan of XTC and Andrew for...ever...yes I call him Andrew. Awesome interview. He's so honest and candid...I love the wonder and amazement I see in your face when he shares another secret to one of his compositions...this is a real treat
Loved every second, Andy! Thanks for all the amazing music that all us fellow composers have cherished and studied for so long. I know being a musician was hard, as it was very hard for me all the years I did it, but I am beginning to realize now in old age that those struggles were worth it....for the music. Im sure you agree. I want to say on behalf of my composer friends and I , we very much appreciate your contributions to the world of fine sound which has been a real pleasure to enjoy in a rough and unharmonious and gritty world. Peace and Love, and of course, God Bless, Andy. Your big long long time fan, Wyatt in the USA
He is in my list of the 5 greatest song writers ever
Genius. He should be lauded among the greats by many more.
Absolute genius.
I'm in awe about how Andy remembers these songs that are thrown at him.
Well, it's reasonable to suppose he was primed before the interview, but he's still very impressive.
I’ve seen a few of these with Andy and he always seems so nice, self deprecating and knowledgeable. He’s really down to earth.
Great relaxed chat with one of the best ever consistently inventive songwriters who creates on so many levels .. great insight to see how he works his magic .. Hats Off !!!
You can tell Partridge enjoys being interviewed by a sympathetic master musician. What a fine fellow Hanspal is.
Brilliant - Happy birthday Andy
Priceless 🧡
My God, Andy Partridge is a genius songwriter. No other way to say it. Fantastic interview!
This interview is marvelous.
Andy P is the soundtrack of my youth, filled with terrible fun and deep beauty.
He's up there with the Beatles, Bowie, David Byrne, Elvis Costello -
A genius!
Invaluable stuff. Thank you.
As subtle as Andy’s chord choices, the algorithm brought me here; which is welcome serendipity. The rapport, key in so many ways: with the music and its structure, the techniques and theory, the memory of then and before then, the artist and interviewer, and connecting the humour with a moment and sharing it. This is rapt.
Seeing Andy is such a pleasure and also a lesson of humility !!!! Thank you so much !!!!!
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Thanks for this great interview, Andy is absolutely one of my favorite songwriters and musical storytellers. His compositions are very much like cinematic novels as opposed to just songs. Every song has a unique identity both lyrically and instrumentally and along with the rest of the members of XTC he’s produced some of the most creative masterpieces of modern music. Also I love your interview style, giving Andy the space to explain things clearly!
Brilliant bloke
The brilliance of the melodies and lyrics is what drew me to XTC. The first time I heard them was as a teenager on a cassette of Skylarking. "Another Satellite" was one of my favorites but I really loved them all. Then Oranges and Lemons came out with Mayor of Simpleton. Then I went back and listened to their older stuff. Definitely one of the best songwriters ever. I'm a sucker for clever lyrics. Thanks for the video!
This made my Sunday morning. No better weekend than a morning with Andy.
Thank you Chanan.
🎸🎸🎸
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There are a couple of bands that I go back to that still hold up and get me excited about music. XTC is one that continues to thrill me. And with XTC it is both the music and the lyrics that continue to inspire me. Thanks for this interview!
What an excellent interview!
Great interview with a musical genius..thank you . Andy , Sting and Paul Weller how lucky were we to live in their era.
This is an amazing interview! Thank you!
I absolutely loved this. Thank you for such a fascinating conversation.
Thanks for this great interview! Much appreciated.
The most brilliant and yet underestimated band this country has ever produced.
Thanks for the great interview. Made my day... and much, much more! Thanks!
Love me some Andy Partridge and the whole XTC experience. Its just GOOD!
Absolutely wonderful interview! Thanks so much!
1:06:15 I am going to remember this description forever, since I'm a keyboardist. 🤣🎹
Hi Chanan. Thank you SO much for this embarrassment of riches from The Godfather of power pop. Your ability to get the best out of Andy’s unique genius is wonderful. He’s been such an enormous influence to my writing and getting such a fascinating peek into his process and insight is invaluable. Andy seemed to be in especially good spirits for this interview. Good on you for bringing this out of him. So very grateful to you!
This was a lot of fun to watch. Thanks!