70's Pick of the Week
Making Plans for Nigel, XTC (1979)
This is one of my all-time favourite new wave songs for sure! It was also XTC’s most successful single, written by bassist Collin Moulding. With its driving, almost industrial sound, I played this song to death. XTC is British of course; if the name Nigel didn’t tip you off. There is something dark about the satirical lyrics offset by the repetitive backbeat and the little “Wheeew” background singer. The upbeat tempo is completely opposite to the concern for the predetermined destiny of the poor Nigel’s of the world. Be happy dammit! His future was as good as sealed with “the company” in this case, British Steel – a bit controversial in the U.K. “Nigel is not outspoken”, but “he must be happy in his work”.
