On June 29, 1989, I was walking down the street during my lunch break in NYC (I was a 23-year-old in an entry-level advertising job) in midtown near Sixth Ave, and saw three interestingly dressed men and a little girl walk by me in the opposite direction. After a second, I realized they were Colin and his young daughter, Dave and Andy from XTC and I turned around and followed them for a couple of blocks. When we got to a DON'T WALK sign, I said "Excuse me, are you guys XTC?" and they all turned around. I told them I was a huge fan and had all of their records. Colin thanked me and said "tune in, we'll be on David Letterman tomorrow night." I don't remember the other two guys saying anything. I was completely blown away, especially considering they had stopped touring and become a studio band and weren't exactly out in public much. I went back to the office and told two of my friends that I had just met XTC on the street downstairs and they both said, "Who's XTC?"

Dave knew talent. In the 80’s these guys were right there with the Clash/the Smiths. XTC songwriting was A+.

What a disgrace that this song got nowhere in the charts. XTC sure wrote a lot of quirky music, music that was decidedly not radio friendly, but when they chose to write accessible pop music they nailed it! People throw around "underrated" all the time, but XTC was truly underrated.

XTC the most underated band of all time

The music The Beatles would be doing in the 80s. These guys carried the staff effortlessly but barely anyone noticed their greatness.

I was there in the audience!!

Oranges and Lemons is a superb album. One of my favorite albums of all time. So quirky yet catchy and lush and melodic and dynamic.

These weren’t just perfect pop songs, these were perfect songs, full stop.

XTC should be in the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame.

The most criminally underrated Brit band. The Wiltshire accents are a bonus. Just like my ol' mums.

The way I see it XTC dug a catalogue that was so deep and rich with quality it was hard for people to fully appreciate it back then.

I'm about 12 miles away from Swindon Xtc central what a fantastic band 😊

Great to see Andy Partridge playing live. Thank god he never turned into another Syd Barrett.

Still regret that I was never able to see them live. Their catalog is unmatched.

This is an awesome performance. I did not want the song to end.

Another masterpiece from XTC ,. One of the greatest bands of all time ,such gifted musicians and songwriters . Thanks XTC .

This is a great song! XTC was a very underrated band. I know this was a big deal because they didn’t perform live for a long time because of Andy Partridge’s crippling stage fright.

Seen The Clash. Seen The Smiths. Seen The Police. One band I wish to have seen.

I listened to this song a ridiculous number of times on repeat. This is a Rockin version. And also a reminder of how ridiculously great the World’s Most Dangerous Band was in its original form. The 80s is pre-corporatocracy and among several decades of high artistic achievement. God willing somehow similar times will return. I do not hear such innovation in millennial and Gen Z music for the most part.

I love how they shared vocals

Underrated band. This song is magic and XTC was at the peak of their powers back then.

This is my favorite English band. Funny, nobody ever pegged them into a "genre". That's true magic. Thanks for all the music and advice. I was listening.

great harmonies, Andy has probably 1 of the greatest voices ever!!!

XTC can deliver in a way that most bands can't. Impressed with this. I bet Colin enjoyed the spotlight.

I saw them play at our local roller rink in 1980. We all sat cross legged on the floor for the warm up band. When XTC came on stage Andy said "Stand Up" and we all stood and the place went crazy. Too much touring must have freaked him out. Too bad. A great new wave band they was.

I was so excited to see this and to see Andy playing live for an audience again. Forget about charts and sales, just focus on the quality of the music and I would put XTC's ENTIRE discography up against any band of their era and since. The quality of the songwriting and musicianship was just that good.

Holy shit! People with instruments, actual melodies and thoughtful lyrics!

live performance absolutely faithful to the studio original - with 3 guitars and TWO basses - amazing :-)

Unbelievable talent on that stage. Extremely tight. How refreshing to hear live music so tightly woven on stage... no mistakes except for one from this live recording... and it wasn't coming from any members of the band.

What lucky audience members. These guys are so F-in' good, it makes me emotional. Man, I'd love to see them live. One of my all-time musical influences. That's all I can say.

Ahh, the warm sound and slight yellow haze of VHS. It never gets old.

These guys were true musical craftsmen! From arrangements, to vocal harmonies, the colors of the instrumental blend - it's all so beautifully put together. And their sound really holds up, sounds so fresh. Did they even make a bad album - or half of one? NO! And while you can hear influences, they really sound like no one else! They should have been every bit as popular as The Police. The era for commercial music to have such high quality - really, it's pretty much gone. Thank God for KZfaq!

My God theyre a good band ,they chose their path and stuck to it ,totally original.

This song is on permanent repeat in my head! Vastly underrated group.

The vocal was live, sung by Colin. Andy and Dave dutifully sang backup, live, as well. This was a very good performance. I'm happy that Paul and the band learned enough of the song that afternoon to accompany them. But Paul may have already been a fan and knew the song, already.

Swindon's finest. The most Northern Southern town. Great track from a great album. Bought it on release week as a 3 mini CD box. Chalkhills is a sublime closing track.

such an amazing song with a great message.. rings true to this day

astonishing. This band was the real deal.

The one and only Colin Moulding and XTC. The band that saved me from being a sixties wonk. Thanks guys!

King For a Day and Mayor of Simpleton are two of the best songs and records in the history of music.

That melodic progression kills me. Sublime.

This song just kicks ass period!!!! XTC was way ahead of their time. This beauty is my favorite from this great band.

A wonderful,if all too rare clip of the boys playing live. Colin and Andy should have been megastars !!

Hats off to Letterman’s band bringing this song live! Well done Boys

They always wrote such fantastic bridges in their songs...love this one starting at 2:33...you're only here once so you gotta get it right...XTC were fantastic...miss them!

I was 13 when this tune was in rotation

I stayed up late in 1989 (high school days) to watch XTC on Letterman on my 13" Sony Trinitron. I remember this like is was yesterday. Even at that age I knew that it was Andy Patridge's first performance since his meltdown in 1982. I only wish he carried on with regular live performances.

Jazzy... rocking...popping.... I mean, every color of the rainbow here! XTC RULES!!!

I left Ireland...seeking work (and freedom of sorts) and landed in Vancouver that June '89. A few weeks later I discovered 'Oranges & Lemons' by finding it at a Saturday morning house yard sale....and fell in love with XTC all over again. What an album

What a Great Live version with Paul Schafer's band playing as part of XTC!

What a great team of songwriters in Andy and Colin, I really really wish they would have come out with more albums. I miss them sooo much 😔

XTC, one of the very few post 60s-70s artists that were (and are) eloquent poets + song writers + musicians. On top of that, they refused to be like any other bands at all. For this they paid the price, low airplay at a time where sadly that actually mattered. Had things gone a bit differently, they would have been wildly popular. But then, maybe by not being - they didn't succumb to the pressure to sell out. Regardless, even their early work still sounds crazy relevant today. Cheers Andy, Colin, and Dave! You guys unrock!

Andys backing vocals are so good. The chorus is incredible

Look at Colin looking back at Andy, sweet! Lads, you were all amazing!!

the most gifted band of all time, creating music from punk, new wave, prog rock to almost anything

Two bassists, playing live, so cool.

My oh my what a fabulous song! They would have needed and deserved more support by the industry.

That entire album is amazing and the one before it’s even better called skylarking. They have dozens of great songs. Just a phenomenal band.

This is fantastic. A snapshot from a very wonderful time to be young, to be alive. Just great music. Can you believe that I get the biggest kick out of Paul, playing the iconic keyboard riff? What a musician! Added to favorites.

So underrated! What a tight set! They knew their craft so well!

I was glued to the TV that night. Wonderful stuff.

Best bridges in the biz!

This episode, and XTC’s heyday in general, outdated my coherent years. I discovered their music in college and have appreciated them ever since. Then afterward, I learned about Andy’s issues. It’s nice to go back in time and visit this, and to also see Paul and the band support them when (and where) they needed it the most. Very cool and memorable performance.

Brilliant album. I was standing in line of the Hollywood Palladium that fateful day in 1982 with my XTC ticket clutched tightly in my hand, when it was announced that the show was canceled. I was crushed. XTC would tour no more, but just like when the Beatles decided to quit touring, they would continue to record some of the greatest music of all time.

Bless 'em for getting that studio sound live with all the guitars!

I recorded this on my VCR nearly 35 years ago now, and played it over and over before KZfaq came along. I love how the bridge of this song at 2:34 reminds me of the bridge in The Beatles' "We Can Work It Out."

Colin rocking the fantastic feathered mullet!

XTC with hippie hair! :) And Andy even dancing 'round a bit! It's okay lads, enjoy yourselves. Too bad Pat Mastelotto wasn't onboard for this. Beautiful.

I’ve always loved this song, and 25 O’Clock through Nonsuch is my favorite period for XTC. I pretty much devoured Oranges and Lemons.

Andy's background vocals gives me chills

Everything XTC recorded sounded important.Great unigue songwriting

The one song that I can confidently say I could never get sick of

The last time XTC performed live before this was in late 1982. 7 years later.. They sound better than ever.. Cheers mates..

Such a thrill of excitement to watch them playing what looks and sounds like a live performance as late as 1989. Interesting to see them play a song which they claimed wasn't written to be performed anywhere except in the studio. Sure, they had to have some extra musicians, but it sounds wonderful.

OMG IS THAT COLLIN AT THE MIC?? ❤ love that guy. It is always a good day when I get to see Collin speaking his piece 🗣️

All that bad '80s music I listened to instead of these guys.... what was I thinking?

One of my favourite songs for ever !

XTC since I was a kid on 70s still sound 1000000 years ahead

I watch this on a daily basis. It’s so uplifting!

Oh!! What a beautiful era for music!! And this is Live folks!!! Amazing!!

XTC were so great during their run from ‘79’s Drums and Wires up to ‘89’s Oranges and Lemons but even after that they were still producing some fine music,even in the offshoot band The Dukes of Stratosphear Andy Partridge was still producing so really wonderful songs!

Album is a masterpiece.

how could i not remember this! classic. that BASS playing!

Nothing but talent each album different

The Original Letterman Band, especially Paul, were so amazing.They could back up ANYBODY !

XTC should be in the R&R hall of fame!!!! It’s criminal they aren’t

Remarkable here that the great Will Lee plays the bass part on the record so beautifully, while Colin plays up the neck. Andy was of course chief songwriter, but Colin's voice and bass playing are for me such a huge part of XTC.

One of my favorite bands of the 80's.

My first exposure to XTC was Oranges and Lemons. A little late to the game but wow what an album. King For A Day was my favorite song off the album, and this performance was just as good as the original studio version. Glad I stumbled upon this vid!!

I'm in XTC world since a few years ago and it's becoming one of my favorite bands... they were so creative and different.

Loved XTC all my life. Didn't hurt having Lettermens band back then up on that one 😀

I remember like yesterday when they did this, and I could see my heroes play live again!! They WERE great live! (despite their unnecessary self deprecation)

One of rock’s most underrated bands. Listen to Oranges & Lemons and proove me wrong

Who else had this on CD in the late 80s/90s? Then, we forgot about it when we switched to digital. This guys are so, so good. It's like re-discovering a great treasure.

Why has this not become a world hit?

I first heard this release in a record store in Bellevue, WA and was so impressed with it. I'd already been a fan of XTC for a few years, and they were still at their peak with "Oranges and Lemons".

I love this band!

Back when music was real. No autotune.

Great tune, great band. Will Lee fucking kills it, as usual.

amazing song , totally underated band , wish Id seen them live .