XTC
by RICH ARITHMETIC
Editor’s Note: This somewhat edited post was previously published in the 1980’s Cassette Culture Blog on June 25, 2025
We’re all acquainted with the obsessive, lustful declarations of a singer describing the effects their object of desire has on them. It’s interesting how many of the descriptions of their desires have to do with breath and breathing:
- “Every breath you take, I’ll be watching you” (Every Breath You Take, The Police)
- “So go on, come on: leave me breathless” (Breathless, The Corrs)
- “I’ll take your breath away” (Possession, Sarah McLachlan)
- You Take My Breath Away by Queen
To be certain, there are plenty more examples.
But leave it to XTC — who in 1979 were in the midst of evolving from their previous more punky origins and starting to write edgy pop songs — to translate these sentiments into the most gawky and geeky teenage way imaginable with awkward and angular music that’s catchy as hell.
From their 1979 album Drums and Wires: