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XTC — Grass
Album: Skylarking
Avg rating:
6.6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1993









Released: 1986
Length: 2:37
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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Laying on the grass, my heart, it flares like fire
The way you slap my face just fills me with desire
You play hard to get
'Cause you're teacher's pet
But when the boats have gone
We'll take a tumble, excuse for a fumble

Shocked me, too, the things we used to do on grass
If you fancy, we can buy an ice cream cone
Your mate has gone, she didn't want to be alone
I will pounce on you
Just us and the cuckoos
You are helpless now
Over and over, we flatten the clover

Shocked me, too, the things we used to do on grass
It would shock you, too, the things we used to do on grass
Grass
On grass
Things we did on grass
Comments (250)add comment
I remember the days when I could get down on the grass. And get up again. 
Posted 2 months ago by Geecheeboy    [ Reply ]
This is the second time recently I've noticed Grass played after Summer Cauldron. Researching the comments, l found these comment

Posted 5 years ago byAyejoe:
Its the crashing transition from this into 'Grass' that is just perfect and hence needs Grass to always be played immediately after !

Posted 3 years ago byseasonscycle:
Thanks for keeping Summer's Cauldron and Grass together, they are two songs, but really one....a great album.

William obliges, and why i love RP!
Posted 3 months ago by eyke    [ Reply ]
I actually saw XTC live, opening for the Police. The Police hadn't yet reached their megastar status and Andy Partridge was still on stage performing. Great show and, dare I say, XTC was the better band that night. Touring behind Black Sea, my favorite album of theirs.
Posted 3 months ago by SchoepTone    [ Reply ]
 Proclivities wrote:

Well, it's probably not "things we used to do on graphs".
graphs



Nerd! 
Posted 10 months ago by ick    [ Reply ]
 marysclark wrote:

Cheese.



A very fine cheese indeed!
Posted 1 year ago by chyk5    [ Reply ]
skylarking was produced by the amazing Todd Rundgren…
Posted 1 year ago by tm    [ Reply ]
 itsme_bygolly wrote:



The playlist is malfunctioning. Two XTC songs back to back.  From the same album. I'm a fan but I could listen to the album Skylarking without RP.


nah, they should be played together. this time, they weren't though.
Posted 1 year ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
 nicknt wrote:

As Andy Partridge said about this song, it's a "teenage sex nostalgia".



Alan Partridge perhaps?
Posted 1 year ago by Fishman    [ Reply ]
It's two in a row on Paradise Radio!
Posted 1 year ago by nomnol    [ Reply ]
So many hours spent in high school, lying on my bed listening to this album. The 80s was a decade full of such great music. I didn't know it at the time.... but it was a great time. 
Posted 1 year ago by slugore    [ Reply ]
I will pounce on you
Just us and the cuckoos
 
Ah, ok, cuckoos.  All this time I thought he was trying to use that cutesy babble talk.
Posted 1 year ago by timmus    [ Reply ]
Cheese.
Posted 1 year ago by marysclark    [ Reply ]
 Rockit999 wrote:

Grass is just swell.




The playlist is malfunctioning. Two XTC songs back to back.  From the same album. I'm a fan but I could listen to the album Skylarking without RP.
Posted 1 year ago by itsme_bygolly    [ Reply ]
Grass is just swell.
Posted 2 years ago by Rockit999    [ Reply ]
 2and4 wrote:

A great album that I almost always have to listen to from front to back. It's weird hearing individual songs and anticipating the next song.   

this is why I still enjoy listening to albums/CDs

Posted 2 years ago by xcranky_yankee    [ Reply ]
...I wish they all could be California girls... Beach Boys influence spotted.
Posted 3 years ago by nopar    [ Reply ]


The way you slap my face just fills me with desire
You play hard to get






Ok Bro. 
Posted 3 years ago by Extreme343gs    [ Reply ]
Takes me back 40 some odd years. This song means so much to me. Thank you Bill!
Posted 3 years ago by chinaski    [ Reply ]
Summers cauldron skipped right into Grass!!! Wow cool
Posted 3 years ago by tm    [ Reply ]
Moral of the story
Things are not always as they seem.
Posted 3 years ago by bruceandjenna    [ Reply ]
Over and over- we flatten the clover...  oh my!
Posted 3 years ago by drewd    [ Reply ]
Grass makes me itchy 
Posted 3 years ago by NoisyMiner    [ Reply ]
H E L P .
Posted 3 years ago by sfyi2001    [ Reply ]
 seasonscycle wrote:
Thanks for keeping Summer's Cauldron and Grass together, they are two songs, but really one....a great album.
 

I'm glad you wrote this because it sounded awful and I didn't know why.
Posted 3 years ago by MrsTom    [ Reply ]
A great album that I almost always have to listen to from front to back. It's weird hearing individual songs and anticipating the next song.   
Posted 4 years ago by 2and4    [ Reply ]
Quintissential English rock band, whenever I drive across Wiltshire or the Vale of the White Horse I just have to listen to a bit of XTC.
Posted 4 years ago by Rob57    [ Reply ]
 morganmike wrote:
Perfect, this following Summer's Cauldren is how life is meant to be,  excellent Bill, thanks
 
Yes.  What a great band!!  What a marvelous radio station!!
Posted 4 years ago by khardog145    [ Reply ]
Perfect, this following Summer's Cauldren is how life is meant to be,  excellent Bill, thanks
Posted 4 years ago by morganmike    [ Reply ]
Thanks for keeping Summer's Cauldron and Grass together, they are two songs, but really one....a great album.
Posted 4 years ago by seasonscycle    [ Reply ]
 erdo41 wrote:
Irritating, More Tweeting Than Our President! (And that's saying something)
 
Oh ya? Well....YOU'RE irritating. So there.
Posted 4 years ago by BCarn    [ Reply ]
As Andy Partridge said about this song, it's a "teenage sex nostalgia".
Posted 4 years ago by nicknt    [ Reply ]
 lemmoth wrote:

Being as how Grass follow's Summer's Cauldron immediately on this great great recors — of course, and hooray!!!

 
didn't look back far enough to find this, but doesn't surprise me either.
Posted 4 years ago by the_jake    [ Reply ]
"Summer's Cauldron" followed by "Grass" via the fast forward button.

I'm not much of an XTC fan.  Always been partial to astroturf.  
You know the good modern high potency stuff.
Posted 4 years ago by the_jake    [ Reply ]
this song could be double the length... so seductive. 
Posted 4 years ago by RabbitEars    [ Reply ]
 Will62 wrote:
Brilliant band. "English Settlement" has been at the high end of my "all-time" list since release. 
 

So many great albums. Brilliant band for sure.
"Black Sea " is a desert island disc - no brainer.
( I am not bringing my turntable to the Island )
Posted 4 years ago by ace-marc    [ Reply ]
Brilliant band. "English Settlement" has been at the high end of my "all-time" list since release. 
Posted 4 years ago by Will62    [ Reply ]
Ahead of it's time
Posted 4 years ago by ExploitingChaos    [ Reply ]
Drums and Wires and beyond. XTC produced so many wonderful songs. Think I saw them live in Detroit! LOL
Posted 4 years ago by Splabble    [ Reply ]
 ScottishWillie wrote:
Probably an indacator of how my mind works, but when he sings "the things we use to do on grass" I was thinking about the kind you smoke. Now having actually read the lyrics I realise he probably means the kind you get in a lawn?!?
Posted 4 years ago by sjccroquet    [ Reply ]
Much prefer King For a Day or other upbeat tracks to this one
Posted 4 years ago by chuck.b.meyers    [ Reply ]
Love XTC.

Beatlesque of course, but why not?

Vastly underrated band.
Posted 4 years ago by tonyjory    [ Reply ]
Remember when knob singers would come on Sesame Street and sing about the number 2 and the letter V?
Posted 5 years ago by Michaeljcovel    [ Reply ]
 TerryS wrote:


Saccharin  Kinks
 
I love the Kinks. XTC  are righteous progeny!

Posted 5 years ago by tonypf    [ Reply ]


Saccharin  Kinks
Posted 5 years ago by TerryS    [ Reply ]
Irritating, More Tweeting Than Our President! (And that's saying something)
Posted 6 years ago by erdo41    [ Reply ]
 ziggytrix wrote:
Yay! I hate it when Bill plays anything other than Grass after Summer's Cauldron. {#Eyes}

 
Just had that {#Eyes} experience. 
Posted 7 years ago by Jörg_Asmussen    [ Reply ]
 ScottishWillie wrote:
Probably an indacator of how my mind works, but when he sings "the things we use to do on grass" I was thinking about the kind you smoke. Now having actually read the lyrics I realise he probably means the kind you get in a lawn?!?
 
Well, it's probably not "things we used to do on graphs".
graphs
Posted 7 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
 ScottishWillie wrote:
Probably an indacator of how my mind works, but when he sings "the things we use to do on grass" I was thinking about the kind you smoke. Now having actually read the lyrics I realise he probably means the kind you get in a lawn?!?
 
I was thinking the same, but reading the lyrics, could be both, right? I mean first one then the other....{#Daisy}{#Tongue-out}
Posted 7 years ago by VH1    [ Reply ]
I've always enjoyed GRASS!
Posted 7 years ago by Rockit999    [ Reply ]
Probably an indacator of how my mind works, but when he sings "the things we use to do on grass" I was thinking about the kind you smoke. Now having actually read the lyrics I realise he probably means the kind you get in a lawn?!?
Posted 7 years ago by ScottishWillie    [ Reply ]
 coarsely_ground wrote:
nice 4-20 timing.....:)

 
Bravo BillG!  I've been listening from behind the playlist for a bit here (you know, work isn't all listening to RP) and now I got my headphones back in and YES you did give us a holiday treat. 
Posted 7 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
Yay! I hate it when Bill plays anything other than Grass after Summer's Cauldron. {#Eyes}
Posted 7 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
 stunix wrote:
Not often you hear 2 tracks by the same band back to back on RP, whoever it is.  Apart from Floyd.

 
It would be a travesty to not play these two song together.
Posted 7 years ago by BKardon    [ Reply ]
nice 4-20 timing.....:)
Posted 7 years ago by coarsely_ground    [ Reply ]
Thank you Bill for playing this and for allowing the Summer's Cauldron~ Grass seque.    Peace
Posted 7 years ago by midigitguy    [ Reply ]
 Propayne wrote:
Andy Partridge's contribution to the new Monkees album is wonderful and would slot in wonderfully right after this.

hint, hint....

 
Good idea!
Posted 7 years ago by KurtfromLaQuinta    [ Reply ]
XTC...Dukes of Stratosphear...always.
Posted 8 years ago by chinaski    [ Reply ]
In the early '80s I was living and working in Swindon, England. This was a very low time of my life. The (only) 2 good things about Swindon are XTC and Arkells Brewery, cheers {#Cheers}
Posted 8 years ago by markybx    [ Reply ]
Excellent tune and album!  Could really stand to hear more from this incredible band on RP.
Posted 8 years ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
Andy Partridge's contribution to the new Monkees album is wonderful and would slot in wonderfully right after this.

hint, hint....
Posted 8 years ago by Propayne    [ Reply ]
 Birds do like music.
    So real XTchic.
Posted 8 years ago by twoplain2sea    [ Reply ]
Not often you hear 2 tracks by the same band back to back on RP, whoever it is.  Apart from Floyd.
Posted 9 years ago by stunix    [ Reply ]
Thanks, Bill. After a day filled with shock and grief, I needed something life affirming.
Posted 9 years ago by Grammarcop    [ Reply ]
Nope, not doing anything for me. 
Posted 9 years ago by wolverine    [ Reply ]
 tonypf wrote:

Oy!  Such a visual.  Love XTC.

 
Love XTC, love Todd Rundgren, love this album.
Posted 9 years ago by Propayne    [ Reply ]
 I had never heard them until now and suddenly, there are two of their songs back to back. I'm trying to decide if I like them or not...  I think I'll need to hear them again, or maybe a third song ? ;)
Posted 9 years ago by ChrisVIII    [ Reply ]
 Lonestar wrote:
Back to back crap. 

 
Oy!  Such a visual.  Love XTC.
Posted 10 years ago by tonypf    [ Reply ]
Thanks Bill
Posted 10 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
 matz wrote:
Does anybody know the "Winnetue"-Theme from those cult like movies in the 60s? It was a German movie series (not really good and far from being impressive western movies, but anyway).

BUT - the theme song really reminds me of XTCs Grass, only much slower, but it really has the same soundscape created by the string arrangements and the conga rhythm section.

Just listen into it and hear what I mean: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzeydENt0yQ 

 
Just in case you're ever reading this: I know the movies from when I was a child, and that's a VERY nice spotting! Everything you said is there {#Cool}
Posted 10 years ago by fedtho    [ Reply ]
One of those perfect songs.
Thanks Bill for the Summer's Cauldron just prior.
Posted 10 years ago by akdavey    [ Reply ]
Back to back crap. 
Posted 10 years ago by Lonestar    [ Reply ]
Somehow (Brian) Eno'esque. Like it.
Posted 10 years ago by palatin8    [ Reply ]
Now that I've actually paid attention to the lyrics, I'm not convinced that the grass-based activities were entirely consensual...

Maybe I'm reading too much into it.
Posted 10 years ago by alanthecowboy    [ Reply ]
 GeorgeMWoods wrote:
What am I missing? This is awful. Sounds like early 60's pop only worse.

 
What are you missing? Idk. The happy gene?
Posted 10 years ago by bmo    [ Reply ]
More cowbird. {#Bananajumprope}
Posted 10 years ago by bmo    [ Reply ]
{#Heartkiss} .... love this album a lot - great track, "Outstanding" from me
Posted 10 years ago by Peter_Bradshaw    [ Reply ]
 msymmes wrote:
Nice to hear even if only twice a year.

 


Posted 10 years ago by msymmes    [ Reply ]
got a bug in your brandy woodsy, chill
Posted 11 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
Nice to hear even if only twice a year.
Posted 11 years ago by msymmes    [ Reply ]
What am I missing? This is awful. Sounds like early 60's pop only worse.
Posted 11 years ago by GeorgeMWoods    [ Reply ]
what a pleasant reminder
Posted 12 years ago by katiediddler    [ Reply ]
Nice selection Bill !!
 
Posted 12 years ago by msymmes    [ Reply ]
Kissing my fingertips!
Posted 12 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
I think it was Todd Rundgren's idea to blend alot of the songs on this album together and he met much resistance from the band. Still all these years later this album is truly a work of art the way it was assembled.
Posted 12 years ago by ColdMiser    [ Reply ]
God I love this album!

Makes me wish it were Spring.... 
Posted 12 years ago by Propayne    [ Reply ]
Wow Bill, thanks for the double shot of XTC! Summer's Caldron followed by Grass 

Posted 12 years ago by krysthal    [ Reply ]
Does anybody know the "Winnetue"-Theme from those cult like movies in the 60s? It was a German movie series (not really good and far from being impressive western movies, but anyway).

BUT - the theme song really reminds me of XTCs Grass, only much slower, but it really has the same soundscape created by the string arrangements and the conga rhythm section.

Just listen into it and hear what I mean: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzeydENt0yQ 
Posted 13 years ago by matz    [ Reply ]
have to admit that these songs do sound better on grass
Posted 13 years ago by Pharlap    [ Reply ]
Wow, takes me right back to high school and college. XTC was a staple of my playlist back then. Thanks Bill.
Posted 13 years ago by iTuner    [ Reply ]

Groovy :)


Posted 13 years ago by floydginger    [ Reply ]
Everyone's animated avatars are dancing in perfect sync with this song. {#Dancingbanana}
(Not dancing banana, however.)
Posted 13 years ago by skindy    [ Reply ]
There doesn't seem to be any negative comments about this song. Well I friggin hate it, so there.
Posted 13 years ago by Fredrikson    [ Reply ]
Love this!  Played this vinyl the morning before my wedding in 87.  Still together.
Posted 13 years ago by More_Cowbell    [ Reply ]
What a nice combo!
Posted 13 years ago by 2Hawks    [ Reply ]
Thanks for letting those two flow together!
Posted 13 years ago by midigitguy    [ Reply ]
 Randomax wrote:
wow - a 1st for me...I have NEVER seen Bill play two in a row by the same artist!
 
He does a Robert Palmer three-fer every once in a while, because the songs just flow into each other, much like Summer's Cauldron and Grass do...however, I heard a jump. I should get this album on vinyl, rip it, and upload the two songs. Because really, there is no pause in between them. They were meant to be played together, forever and ever, ramen.

Posted 13 years ago by AliGator    [ Reply ]
 Businessgypsy wrote:
Thanks! Wally is 140 (by 7x human years reckoning), blind and deaf - but try making a sandwich without his help.

We were both young pups once upon a time.


 
Who's a good boy? Who's a good boy? ;-)

Posted 13 years ago by Grammarcop    [ Reply ]
 Randomax wrote:
wow - a 1st for me...I have NEVER seen Bill play two in a row by the same artist!
 
Being as how Grass follow's Summer's Cauldron immediately on this great great recors — of course, and hooray!!!

Posted 13 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
wow - a 1st for me...I have NEVER seen Bill play two in a row by the same artist!
Posted 13 years ago by Randomax    [ Reply ]
ptooey wrote:
Now that there is one cute dog.
Thanks! Wally is 140 (by 7x human years reckoning), blind and deaf - but try making a sandwich without his help.

We were both young pups once upon a time.


Posted 13 years ago by Businessgypsy    [ Reply ]
 Businessgypsy wrote:
You can always visit, most welcome to our grass.


 
Now that there is one cute dog.

Posted 13 years ago by ptooey    [ Reply ]
I'm not sure why, but for some reason, this song and the previous "Summer's Cauldron" seem to beg me to put them into a playlist including "California Dreaming" by The Mamas and the Papas and "Crystal Blue Persuasion" by Tommy James and the Shondells.  I'm sure if I thought harder about it, "Good Vibrations" would fit in there someplace, too, as would "Heavy Disguise" by Strawbs.

I'm attributing this to the impending onslaught of snow, after several days of false-spring. (Well, that and the brandy.) {#Redface}
Posted 13 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
XTC is a musician's band.
Posted 13 years ago by chirpie    [ Reply ]
 Grammarcop wrote:
Sigh. Makes me pine for summer.
 
I reckon XTC did their job as artists then.

Posted 13 years ago by ick    [ Reply ]
Grammarcop wrote:
Sigh. Makes me pine for summer.
You can always visit, most welcome to our grass.


Posted 13 years ago by Businessgypsy    [ Reply ]
 Dave_Mack wrote:

And mowing.  Don't forget mowing.
 
And fertilizing!  I love fertilizing freshly mowed grass.
Posted 13 years ago by AvoidingWork    [ Reply ]
Can't see the grass today ... snowed yesterday {#Cry} I can dream, though ... {#Sunny}
Posted 13 years ago by WayUpNorth    [ Reply ]
Sigh. Makes me pine for summer.
Posted 14 years ago by Grammarcop    [ Reply ]
Happy....Thank You!{#Daisy}
Posted 14 years ago by htowncoog    [ Reply ]
 rachlan wrote:
love this. 
 
Much better.  {#Group-hug}
Posted 14 years ago by cohifi    [ Reply ]
love this. 
Posted 14 years ago by rachlan    [ Reply ]
I like this...it does sound a bit like Chris Difford lead Squeeze stuff...doesn't it? 
Posted 14 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
 peter_james_bond wrote:
He must be talking about soccer, baseball, football...you know....sports...right? {#Eh}
 
And mowing.  Don't forget mowing.

Posted 14 years ago by Dave_Mack    [ Reply ]
 Rick_V wrote:
I concur. These guys were AMAZING! I'd put them up there with just about anyone.
 
Nothwithstanding that a respected (female) friend of mine once described them as "geeky boy music," I believe XTC's about as brilliant—and original—as it gets.

Posted 14 years ago by lmic    [ Reply ]
The album where two of my favorites got together, XTC and Todd Rundgren.

Would love to hear some Todd! 
Posted 14 years ago by Propayne    [ Reply ]
Really surprised by the low rating.  This album is a masterpiece.  XTC have got to be some of the best song writers ever - nearly on par with The Beatles.
Posted 14 years ago by BKardon    [ Reply ]
Pet Sounds, Sgt. Pepper & Skylarking

Love to play them in order.
Posted 14 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
 VicEdee wrote:
MORE XTC, please!
the most underrated pop band / songwriters, perhaps ever......!
 

I concur. These guys were AMAZING! I'd put them up there with just about anyone.
Posted 14 years ago by Rick_V    [ Reply ]
beach boys - california girls? anyone? anyone? bueller?
Posted 15 years ago by pugifat    [ Reply ]
perfect summertime lazy afternoon accompanyment.  where did i leave my hueraches?
Posted 15 years ago by iscoot4peace    [ Reply ]