What can I say? This was the track that got me into XTC at the age of 15. My first live concert too. Fast forward to 2021 and not only am I 56 but I’m still listening to it. Do I get some kind of award? 🤣
Many great structures put up like the Towers of London, many good men lost their lives. The "cities" bulding them did not give a tinkers damn, about how many might lose their lives in doing this. A Great tribute to the fallen ones not just for those that lost their lives building These London Tower-structures, but many structures as grand as The Towers of London, all over the world. A very powerful song. +Thanks Dear Friend for Sharing this great XRC tune. Love and Peace!!! :-)
SO ironic that this video was cut when it was, in 1980, when the Docklands were still a slum-like fading industrial centre yet to be redeveloped into 'condo flats for the Arabs' as one cabbie predicted. The shots of the Albert Memorial are cool-- wonder what the public reaction was to seeing a video being filmed there! The music of this song is simply terrific. I expect I never appreciated it when the song was out then. Thanks, David, for another great posting.
Their best tune ever. You could see Virgin thought they had the Next Big Thing on their hands from the tone of the production of the sound on the album, and from the imagination shown in the video, in a pre-MTV era.
Genius. My favourite band bar none. Every album in a roughly 22-year career an absolute killer. When I have to hear all about the X-Factor shit EVERYWHERE - including the main news (!) - I just plug in my headphones spirit myself away to the land of XTC......
Agreed! The first time I heard that, I couldn't believe it, it's so brilliant, driving my parents nuts because I played it over and over (on Vinyl). Pure beauty!
Andy's genius - agreed. Colin's soulfulness, undoubtedly. They also had Terry Chambers for a brief while and he brought a raw, hard edged, gritty quality to the percussion that was just brilliant. Xtc has been my favourite band since Drums & Wires...my first and only band that continually mesmerizes and charms me. Follow @XTCFans for the real Andy. He's amazing. Cheers!
Xtc still carry the absolutely amazing blend of rich artistic musical tunes that are so brilliantly addictive even after all these years . True god's of musical talent and far better than so called super groups 😎
As someone who grew up in the '80s, without the presence of XTC on my college radio, I would be force to go all "I don't like Mondays" as the top 40 stations force fed the population Michael Jackson and Madonna ad nauseum. Thank the powers that be for England and all of the great British bands like XTC that liberated us from boredom and banality!!!!! God save the Queen! Partiridge and Mouldign rule!!!!
Also. After the fantastic gig at the 'Kings Head', they played at 'Friars Aylesbury' soon after. Barry Andrews had put himself right at the front of the stage with his keys (maybe to offset Andy's stagefright) and a punter, at the front of the crowd, went and poured his pint into Barry's boot while he was playing, the punter was obscured from vision by the keyboards. You had to be there for it. Andrews didn't miss a note but went radio rental and, well, the look on his face was priceless!
Love this band. Pitiful amount of views here. Quality music and views should be in the millions. Have most of their music from decades back. Still sound so fresh, even now.
I saw this lot at a pub called 'The Kings Head' at Aylesbury in the late 70's. One bloke pogoed so hard that his head went through the ceiling. I watched it happen! Happily, he was uninjured and you can see the repair work to this day. It was the best band they ever had there by a long stretch.
Towers of London When they had built you Did you watch over the men who fell Towers of London When they had built you Victoria's gem found in somebody's hell Pavements of gold leading to the underground Grenadier Guardsmen walking pretty ladies around Fog is the sweat of the never never navvies who pound, pound, pound, pound, pound Spikes in the rails to their very own heaven Towers of London When they had built you Did you watch over the men who fell Towers of London When they had built you Victoria's gem found in somebody's hell Bridges of muscles spanning so long and high Merchants from Stepney walking pretty ladies by Rain is the tears of the never never navvies who cry For the bridge that doesn't go In the direction of Dublin Towers of London When they had built you Did you watch… And I've seen it in a painting And I've seen it in engraving And I've seen it in their faces Clear as children's chalk lines on the paving
Saw them play live in San Diego back in the early 80's a couple of times. The first one alternating with THE POLICE and OINGO BOINGO and the other touring the ENGLISH SETTLEMENT album. One of my favorite bands of all time.
Wow. You saw XTC in San Diego?! The English Settlement tour date there was their last-ever gig! You are one lucky geezer. It was the only gig of the US tour in '82 they managed to do, right after Partridge's fateful Paris meltdown
I've always been a great XTC fan and yeah I think they're one of the most under-rated bands of all time, the albums English Settlement and Mummer are two of the greatest "English" albums of all time to me, kind of the novels of Thomas Hardy set to music. Brilliant! Apart from all their "popular" hits like Generals & Majors and "Making Plans for Nigel", no wonder they're setting up a plaque/monument to them in their hometown of Swindon.
So this is the second song I have ever heard from XTC (The first was Making Plans For Nigel).... And I have to agree with everyone else here, this band were ahead of their time! Very good song! I would never have discovered this band had Primus not covered one of their songs.
Altogether an uncommonly beautiful song. Previously, my favorite XTC song had been "The Wheel and the Maypole" off of Wasp Star (Apple Venus Volume 2), but "Towers of London" has usurped it. It's amazing not only how long the band was together (specifically Andy & Colin), but how their music constantly evolved, yet still retained an XTC quality. True music gems.
I absolutely love the bridge in this song and the lead into it! 2:35-2:51 And I've seen it in a painting and I've seen it in engraving, and I've seen it in their faces..... plus that little bit of lead guitar by Gregory during it, is genius, love it!
They were great. And like another poster said it's a blessing they didn't go down the overblown stadium route like U2. Superb stuff that, like The LA's and World Party, never get old...
I used to play tennis with their manager, Ian Reid. Some of their work is just joyous - Burning With Optimism's Flame for example - lyrically and musically sublime.
I saw XTC in 82 at painters mill in Maryland (on mushrooms no doubt). Jules Holland opened, then Joan Jet ( whom I’d never of before). The XTC concert started with Generals and Majors. It’s one of best concerts of my memories, still love them so many decades later.
XTC are THE greatest band the UK has ever produced. The only reason I am proud to be a Swindonian. I still see Andy, Colin around town from time to time. True story, I worked for a guy who married Andy Partridges ex and was the reason they separated. A friend at work made this guy a coffee with the only intention of spitting in it, which she did. I would have dumped in it, but I think he would have noticed. So Martin, if you ever read this, you know why the coffee tasted funny.
I was HUGE fan in high school and everyone thought I was weird. I still have crush on Andy! Black Sea is my favorite followed by English Settlement. :P
@LIVERPOOLSCOTTISH I love Blur too, but every time I listen to Park Life all I can hear is XTC :) Like others here I reckon XTC is one of the greatest British pop bands ever, wholly uner-rated but with a legion of fans still.
@sugarandspice4815 I really like your comment. The song'Towers of London' is pretty unique in my opinion because you can't tell the difference between the verse or chorus! By That, I mean, (as a songwriter myself), there are no 'up' bits or 'down' bits. The song's dynamics are remarkable and this has to be their finest moment. The composition is perfection! Have a read of the lyrics as well, google the song and have a look, they are remarkably beautiful. Doesn't even look like a 'pop tune'.
Cool, Dave was playing a ES-335 or such styled guitar (1:57) I wonder if he played it in the album? I have an ES-335 style guitar so I may be able to get a similar tone if he played it on Black Sea!
We're making plans for Nigel on Cheggers plays pop and Towers of London,remember them both well.Good rock band XTC.When new wave was emerging in the charts
I cannot wait to see Terry Chambers with his band EXTC this week in Toronto. Been waiting to see them ever since the Police Picnic in 1982 when they were replaced on the bill with Flock of Seagulls (ugh)
That tower block is one of Grenfell Towers family of identical towers around Bramley Road by the Westway (may even be Grenfell itself). They used this area for loads of filming (particularltly TV series & The Bill, Rick Astleys "Never Gonna Give You Up" video promo) as there are a few TV studios nearby. Fun and pointless info.
@mantarayZ7 - Right on- I agree. Other bands making similar "Revolver-easque" music the same year were The Jam (Sound Affects) and The Records (Crashes!). These bands still remain deep in my soul!
Perhaps if XTC had been able to tour extensively for 30 years, they would rule the world instead of U2. Then again artistic genius doesn't seem to trump marketing savvy in the music business. Thank the muses we can still listen to their recorded works.
The entire Black Sea album is a joy from start to finish
One of the most underrated bands ever..I love xtc
and I raise a glass in agreement to this comment ...XTC produced some of the most magikal, amazing, rhythmical and poetic music around..pure genius ..
What can I say? This was the track that got me into XTC at the age of 15. My first live concert too. Fast forward to 2021 and not only am I 56 but I’m still listening to it. Do I get some kind of award? 🤣
Dude, we are the same era. Amazing memories!!!
The journey is the award
Many great structures put up like the Towers of London, many good men lost their lives. The "cities" bulding them did not give a tinkers damn, about how many might lose their lives in doing this. A Great tribute to the fallen ones not just for those that lost their lives building These London Tower-structures, but many structures as grand as The Towers of London, all over the world. A very powerful song. +Thanks Dear Friend for Sharing this great XRC tune. Love and Peace!!! :-)
BEST band since The Who and The Beatles.Fantastic composing from Partridge and Moulding and the Gregory guitars and Chambers drums... just magical
NOT SINCE ! ! ! THEY ARE THE BEST BAND PERIOD IN THE HISTORY OF NOISE !
I was fortunate enough to have seen them at the Paladium in Hollywood years ago. It still stands out as one of the best concerts I ever attended!
+Scott Ratzloff I saw them in San Diego. Amazing. We are lucky people, Scott.
+Dorrie Board Indeed we are! Take care..........
me too!
One of my XTC faves! Along with King for a Day, Summer's Cauldron, Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead. Hugh Padgham and the drums are awesome!!
Used to play this song every shift when I DJ'ed at the Texas A&M student radio station
SO ironic that this video was cut when it was, in 1980, when the Docklands were still a slum-like fading industrial centre yet to be redeveloped into 'condo flats for the Arabs' as one cabbie predicted. The shots of the Albert Memorial are cool-- wonder what the public reaction was to seeing a video being filmed there!
The music of this song is simply terrific. I expect I never appreciated it when the song was out then. Thanks, David, for another great posting.
XTC outstanding English rock, and their LP The Black Sea is amazing! Love them still.
And drums and wires and english settlement and pretty much all their albums!
Yes me too.
Their best tune ever. You could see Virgin thought they had the Next Big Thing on their hands from the tone of the production of the sound on the album, and from the imagination shown in the video, in a pre-MTV era.
Genius. My favourite band bar none. Every album in a roughly 22-year career an absolute killer.
When I have to hear all about the X-Factor shit EVERYWHERE - including the main news (!) - I just plug in my headphones spirit myself away to the land of XTC......
Black Sea...Un album extraordinaire....Un son jamais entendu..XTC a été le plus grand des années 80-90.....
Brilliant band, ahead of their time, superb songs i love them.
Agreed! The first time I heard that, I couldn't believe it, it's so brilliant, driving my parents nuts because I played it over and over (on Vinyl).
Pure beauty!
Andy's genius - agreed. Colin's soulfulness, undoubtedly. They also had Terry Chambers for a brief while and he brought a raw, hard edged, gritty quality to the percussion that was just brilliant. Xtc has been my favourite band since Drums & Wires...my first and only band that continually mesmerizes and charms me. Follow @XTCFans for the real Andy. He's amazing. Cheers!
Xtc still carry the absolutely amazing blend of rich artistic musical tunes that are so brilliantly addictive even after all these years . True god's of musical talent and far better than so called super groups 😎
As someone who grew up in the '80s, without the presence of XTC on my college radio, I would be force to go all "I don't like Mondays" as the top 40 stations force fed the population Michael Jackson and Madonna ad nauseum. Thank the powers that be for England and all of the great British bands like XTC that liberated us from boredom and banality!!!!! God save the Queen! Partiridge and Mouldign rule!!!!
One of the twenty greatest British bands imo, yet hardly known in the mainstream.
Also. After the fantastic gig at the 'Kings Head', they played at 'Friars Aylesbury' soon after. Barry Andrews had put himself right at the front of the stage with his keys (maybe to offset Andy's stagefright) and a punter, at the front of the crowd, went and poured his pint into Barry's boot while he was playing, the punter was obscured from vision by the keyboards. You had to be there for it. Andrews didn't miss a note but went radio rental and, well, the look on his face was priceless!
Love this band. Pitiful amount of views here. Quality music and views should be in the millions. Have most of their music from decades back. Still sound so fresh, even now.
I saw this lot at a pub called 'The Kings Head' at Aylesbury in the late 70's. One bloke pogoed so hard that his head went through the ceiling. I watched it happen! Happily, he was uninjured and you can see the repair work to this day. It was the best band they ever had there by a long stretch.
Towers of London
When they had built you
Did you watch over the men who fell
Towers of London
When they had built you
Victoria's gem found in somebody's hell
Pavements of gold leading to the underground
Grenadier Guardsmen walking pretty ladies around
Fog is the sweat of the never never navvies who pound, pound, pound, pound, pound
Spikes in the rails to their very own heaven
Towers of London
When they had built you
Did you watch over the men who fell
Towers of London
When they had built you
Victoria's gem found in somebody's hell
Bridges of muscles spanning so long and high
Merchants from Stepney walking pretty ladies by
Rain is the tears of the never never navvies who cry
For the bridge that doesn't go
In the direction of Dublin
Towers of London
When they had built you
Did you watch…
And I've seen it in a painting
And I've seen it in engraving
And I've seen it in their faces
Clear as children's chalk lines on the paving
Bought this for my brother one Christmas, great present I loved it !
Clever lyrics in this song,telling the story of the Irish Navvies.
Under rated band in my view,very talented.
That's true 😀
Saw them play live in San Diego back in the early 80's a couple of times. The first one alternating with THE POLICE and OINGO BOINGO and the other touring the ENGLISH SETTLEMENT album. One of my favorite bands of all time.
Wow. You saw XTC in San Diego?! The English Settlement tour date there was their last-ever gig! You are one lucky geezer. It was the only gig of the US tour in '82 they managed to do, right after Partridge's fateful Paris meltdown
I saw that ,too. police and xtc. do you remember the acibederians
+Keeley Moss I saw it, too. My friends got on stage and danced. Lol.
The enlightened.
yep- I was there too!
Man I’ve loved this song for a while and it’s so great when the video is just as good
I've always been a great XTC fan and yeah I think they're one of the most under-rated bands of all time, the albums English Settlement and Mummer are two of the greatest "English" albums of all time to me, kind of the novels of Thomas Hardy set to music. Brilliant! Apart from all their "popular" hits like Generals & Majors and "Making Plans for Nigel", no wonder they're setting up a plaque/monument to them in their hometown of Swindon.
Black Sea is one of the best f'n albums ever made!
you are right. i think everyone in the world needs to hear about XTC. boy am i glad i did. they are genious!!!
If you put punk influences in the Beatles, you'd get XTC!
Apparently such a thing did indeed occur.
So this is the second song I have ever heard from XTC (The first was Making Plans For Nigel).... And I have to agree with everyone else here, this band were ahead of their time! Very good song! I would never have discovered this band had Primus not covered one of their songs.
Pop genius. What a sound! Fantastic.
The vocal by the whole group at the end of the song has always reminded me of the end vocals of McCartney's "Listen to What the Man Said".
Altogether an uncommonly beautiful song. Previously, my favorite XTC song had been "The Wheel and the Maypole" off of Wasp Star (Apple Venus Volume 2), but "Towers of London" has usurped it. It's amazing not only how long the band was together (specifically Andy & Colin), but how their music constantly evolved, yet still retained an XTC quality. True music gems.
I'm 14 and XTC are my favourite band, I know exactly how you feel. :)
Good memories hearing this. One of my favorites from back in the 80s... great post!!
Love these guys. Saw em at the palladium in Hollywood circa 1980 (with wall of Voodoo of all things)- give em their due
The very first "new wave" concert I ever saw - XTC in 1980, University of Guelph. And they were tremendous.
I absolutely love the bridge in this song and the lead into it! 2:35-2:51 And I've seen it in a painting and I've seen it in engraving, and I've seen it in their faces..... plus that little bit of lead guitar by Gregory during it, is genius, love it!
They were great. And like another poster said it's a blessing they didn't go down the overblown stadium route like U2. Superb stuff that, like The LA's and World Party, never get old...
I used to play tennis with their manager, Ian Reid. Some of their work is just joyous - Burning With Optimism's Flame for example - lyrically and musically sublime.
Ian..Andy Reid is the coach of the Kansas City Chiefs.
Did you tell him he was a jackass for fucking up XTC's career?
32INCHSTRIPER yeah sorry Ian Reid, him and Virgin Records tötally wrecked Xtc, no wonder Andy Partridge lost the plot!
Nathaniel Mead
lol
Brilliant - still sounds fresh as most of their songs do. Great band! xx
I saw XTC in 82 at painters mill in Maryland (on mushrooms no doubt). Jules Holland opened, then Joan Jet ( whom I’d never of before). The XTC concert started with Generals and Majors. It’s one of best concerts of my memories, still love them so many decades later.
XTC are THE greatest band the UK has ever produced. The only reason I am proud to be a Swindonian. I still see Andy, Colin around town from time to time. True story, I worked for a guy who married Andy Partridges ex and was the reason they separated. A friend at work made this guy a coffee with the only intention of spitting in it, which she did. I would have dumped in it, but I think he would have noticed. So Martin, if you ever read this, you know why the coffee tasted funny.
Saw XTC years ago at Chelmsford Odeon, great band.
I'm 57. And I fear for music. But... I look back at these giants. Sorry. Giants. With a huge G...
Super guitars, great riddum section, cool lyrics, great song.
Amazing band, and a band that makes me proud of British music.
XTC had a unique sound, singing and style that I don't think had been matched by anybody that I know of.
Steve Lillywhite produced some awesome albums in the 1980's and 1990's by XTC, the La's, Big Country U2, and the Thompson Twins to name a few
Always found these guy's very interesting. Great writers as well as musicians.
I grew up with XTC an awsome band one of my favorits ! :) Unfortunatly I was too young to go to their concerts in the 80's ! :(
I was HUGE fan in high school and everyone thought I was weird. I still have crush on Andy! Black Sea is my favorite followed by English Settlement. :P
For anyone who's not understanding the lyrics; They're about the people who built London and some who died doing it.
My all-time favourite XTC song
wicked best kept rock n roll secret ever
Still my favorite song by them. Love that guitar work. Everything else is top-notch as well.
Such a great song. Yes, that middle 8 is awesome. So Beatle-y. I'm a metal musician but I know great music.
If I didnt know any better I would think this was filmed and recorded in the late 90s! So ahead of it's time!
These guys never got the credit they deserved ! At the the forefront of new wave, tons of great songs ... Will always be remembered with warmth
They really are a great band that not enough people even know exists
XTC...an absolute epic band.
yep these fellas are masters of the craft...it's a damn shame they don't do shows...they'd be one of the biggest bands in the world if they did.
las time i've been there 6 years ago and... still singing... :)
great band... pure english spirit...
one of my favourite tracks ever!st like the real london!
This should have millions of views/listens (But for those of who know this song already, that's of course what we're gonna say.)
@LIVERPOOLSCOTTISH
I love Blur too, but every time I listen to Park Life all I can hear is XTC :)
Like others here I reckon XTC is one of the greatest British pop bands ever, wholly uner-rated but with a legion of fans still.
This is the first time ive ever heard this song. I like it alot!!!
Fantastic track from a beluvd album!
I saw this many a year ago. One of my favorite bands. BTW, the Brits get it.....
Love this song. Love this promo. Love XTC.
@sugarandspice4815 I really like your comment. The song'Towers of London' is pretty unique in my opinion because you can't tell the difference between the verse or chorus! By That, I mean, (as a songwriter myself), there are no 'up' bits or 'down' bits. The song's dynamics are remarkable and this has to be their finest moment. The composition is perfection!
Have a read of the lyrics as well, google the song and have a look, they are remarkably beautiful. Doesn't even look like a 'pop tune'.
I love this song, but what's with the like 4:1 aspect ratio? ultra panivision?
0:51
ネバネバな水
Oh my brilliant i love xtc
Best British band of the eighties and one of the best period.
Hey, great story! Keep posting if you have any Andys or Colins stories or the ex, interesting! Thanks and a warm hello from here in the U.S.A! Bye!
Alan is a good Penhill boy from Swindon. Bravo Bravo
Great, great, great song!
Cool, Dave was playing a ES-335 or such styled guitar (1:57) I wonder if he played it in the album? I have an ES-335 style guitar so I may be able to get a similar tone if he played it on Black Sea!
I bet Blur were big fans. So much of their playful alternative sound comes straight from this album imo.
i used to have this album....loved it!
i saw em in san diego in their LAST US concert appearance--awesome band!!!
We're making plans for Nigel on Cheggers plays pop and Towers of London,remember them both well.Good rock band XTC.When new wave was emerging in the charts
Andy partridge what a wonderful songwriter
I cannot wait to see Terry Chambers with his band EXTC this week in Toronto. Been waiting to see them ever since the Police Picnic in 1982 when they were replaced on the bill with Flock of Seagulls (ugh)
That tower block is one of Grenfell Towers family of identical towers around Bramley Road by the Westway (may even be Grenfell itself). They used this area for loads of filming (particularltly TV series & The Bill, Rick Astleys "Never Gonna Give You Up" video promo) as there are a few TV studios nearby. Fun and pointless info.
There is a one hour documentary of XTC recording this song.
I LOVE this band!!!
@mantarayZ7 - Right on- I agree.
Other bands making similar "Revolver-easque" music the same year were The Jam (Sound Affects) and The Records (Crashes!). These bands still remain deep in my soul!
Very good!
Saw them around 1980-81 in at Poole Art Centre Drums and Wires period.
awwwwwww.....a video for this song......awwwwwwww
I know! Because the music is so good people sometimes overlook the brilliant songwriting. Dear Madam Barnum includes such clever metaphors!
Let’s sing this all together now, “ La La Londinium, La La Londinium”, come on everyone”!
Goddamn this is the good stuff. Andy, Colin, XTC 4ever!!!!!
Actually..when you think about it...isn't it nice that XTC didn't become U2..a mock-band guided by money.Music is whats leftover from XTC....
Completely agree, always saw U2 as a complete sell-out that did not evolve...unlike bands like XTC and The Stranglers...
I was just thinking the same thing. U2 to me really sucks now but these guys have stood the test of time. Just great music.
Beautiful sentiment. What’s left is music. What could have been doesn’t matter. What they did in their time was magical.
@@01goldg1 U2 never sell out
@@joddeurter2448 Awww, you actually think calling people queer is still an insult? Nobody cares anymore you loser.
Timeless power pop, love the lyrics.
Perhaps if XTC had been able to tour extensively for 30 years, they would rule the world instead of U2. Then again artistic genius doesn't seem to trump marketing savvy in the music business. Thank the muses we can still listen to their recorded works.
2:36 That ES-335 guitar is beautiful. Maybe I'll change my 335 copy to look a bit like that.