XTC — Making Plans for Nigel
Album: Drums and WiresAvg rating:
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Length: 4:00
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We're only making plans for Nigel
We only want what's best for him
We're only making plans for Nigel
Nigel just needs this helping hand
And if young Nigel says he's happy
He must be happy
He must be happy in his work
We're only making plans for Nigel
He has his future in a British steel
We're only making plans for Nigel
Nigel's whole future is as good as sealed
And if young Nigel says he's happy
He must be happy
He must be happy in his work
Nigel is not outspoken
But he likes to speak
And loves to be spoken to
Nigel is happy in his work
We're only making plans for Nigel
We only want what's best for him
We're only making plans for Nigel
Nigel just needs this helping hand
And if young Nigel says he's happy
He must be happy
He must be happy in his work
We're only making plans for Nigel
He has his future in a British steel
We're only making plans for Nigel
Nigel's whole future is as good as sealed
And if young Nigel says he's happy
He must be happy
He must be happy in his work
Nigel is not outspoken
But he likes to speak
And loves to be spoken to
Nigel is happy in his work
We're only making plans for Nigel
Comments (318)add comment
The music is pretty cool, but what the heck is going on in this song? And who is Nigel?
Brutally true! Steel belt, corn belt, no belt!
An opportunity to plead with William for MORE XTC on RP - please! 
Fantastic.
Oh the memories of being just 20 years old in 1979..
Oh the memories of being just 20 years old in 1979..
Such an infectious, taut, smart pop song from a groundbreaking postpunk band. As fresh as ever and recorded in 1979! I've annoyed my wife more than once singing, "He has his future in a British steel! Stee-yal! Stee-yal! Stee-yal!"
Kajukenbo wrote:
Temple Grandin wrote a great book about "Thinking in Pictures." There is an excellent movie about Temple titled "Temple Grandin." The movie stars Claire Daines and is much quicker than reading the book. The book and/or movie are worth your time if you curious about different abilities in general, or autism specifically.
Temple Grandin wrote a great book about "Thinking in Pictures." There is an excellent movie about Temple titled "Temple Grandin." The movie stars Claire Daines and is much quicker than reading the book. The book and/or movie are worth your time if you curious about different abilities in general, or autism specifically.
aspicer wrote:
Temple Grandin wrote a great book about "Thinking in Pictures." There is an excellent movie about Temple titled "Temple Grandin." The movie stars Claire Daines and is much quicker than reading the book. The book and/or movie are worth your time if you curious about different abilities in general, or autism specifically.
The documentary about the band is interesting and worth checking out. Interesting to hear that Andy Partridge says he actually hears in pictures (i.e., music for him comes in the form of images, not sounds!) It's a unique type of brain organization - see the documentary...
Temple Grandin wrote a great book about "Thinking in Pictures." There is an excellent movie about Temple titled "Temple Grandin." The movie stars Claire Daines and is much quicker than reading the book. The book and/or movie are worth your time if you curious about different abilities in general, or autism specifically.
What a song. Why is so much of my favourite music English, from this era?
JesstheMess wrote:
Nigel is not outspoken
But he likes to speak
Who's Nigel? :)
Nigel is not outspoken
But he likes to speak
aspicer wrote:
The documentary about the band is interesting and worth checking out. Interesting to hear that Andy Partridge says he actually hears in pictures (i.e., music for him comes in the form of images, not sounds!) It's a unique type of brain organization - see the documentary...There is a weird name for this condition. Billie Eilish and Finneas O Connell also “see” sounds as pictures. Long live RP!
This is on my top ten list.
BlackDog1121 wrote:
Sadly it didn't, he got made redundant 20 years later when British Steel went bust, and he's been on the dole ever since.
Hoping everything worked out okay for Nigel
Sadly it didn't, he got made redundant 20 years later when British Steel went bust, and he's been on the dole ever since.
More XTC, please!
The song still makes me stupidly happy.
Compare this to the WILD and WACKY cover by Primus on the EP "Miscellaneous Debris" -- it strikes the perfect pace and tone. You'll immediately hear how badly XTC ***SUCKED*** and reflect sadlyon what a froggin' wasteland the 80's were, musically...
Love this goofy little tune.... 
Dana_Montroy wrote:
I like this song. It is a product of its time. A time without Thatcher. A time of opportunity.
This is one of the worst songs EVER. Thank heavens for PSD. Still, love that Radio Paradise plays all kinds of music and that if I don't like a song I can skip ahead.
I like this song. It is a product of its time. A time without Thatcher. A time of opportunity.
This is one of the worst songs EVER. Thank heavens for PSD. Still, love that Radio Paradise plays all kinds of music and that if I don't like a song I can skip ahead.
We're only making plans for Nigel
He has his future in a British steel
He has his future in a British steel
This can only be a song about the railroad builder Isambard Kingom Brunel.
Hoping everything worked out okay for Nigel
Haven’t heard this in FOREVER. Thank you RP.
Thank you again Bill!
Long live WHFS of decades ago.
Long live WHFS of decades ago.
villaridge wrote:
Really?!! Hmmmm.... Did it say how many were named Ye. :-)
I swear I read the other day, that in England, last year was the first year not one recorded instance of a baby named Nigel.
Really?!! Hmmmm.... Did it say how many were named Ye. :-)
I swear I read the other day, that in England, last year was the first year not one recorded instance of a baby named Nigel.
bmosbarg wrote:
Because they're brilliant musicians and it's a rockin' tune?!
I don't know why but I love this song.
Long live RP.
Because they're brilliant musicians and it's a rockin' tune?!
I don't know why but I love this song.
Long live RP.
Long live RP.
jonathaneshaw wrote:
May I suggest you avail yourself of a dictionary and find out the definition of "revise" and then maybe check "deny". Only then will you realise that revision != denial.
Andy Partridge is a holocaust revisionist and XTC have no place on any decent playlist.
May I suggest you avail yourself of a dictionary and find out the definition of "revise" and then maybe check "deny". Only then will you realise that revision != denial.
lewisv66 wrote:
Would it really have taken that long?
Ironically, poor Nigel would have been made redundant 20 years later when British Steel went out of business.
Would it really have taken that long?
Where punk, new wave and British pop perfectly meet. Iconic song.
Ironically, poor Nigel would have been made redundant 20 years later when British Steel went out of business.
jonathaneshaw wrote:
You might want to read an article from the Chicago Tribune from 2012. The headline is "Bad Celebrity Tweet Triggers Word Dilemma".
Not sure if your accusation is true. But clearly we do not have the whole story or context.
Andy Partridge is a holocaust revisionist and XTC have no place on any decent playlist.
You might want to read an article from the Chicago Tribune from 2012. The headline is "Bad Celebrity Tweet Triggers Word Dilemma".
Not sure if your accusation is true. But clearly we do not have the whole story or context.
jonathaneshaw wrote:
Play the ball not the man. Rate the art not the artist. Besides nothing is beyond revision.
Andy Partridge is a holocaust revisionist and XTC have no place on any decent playlist.
Play the ball not the man. Rate the art not the artist. Besides nothing is beyond revision.
Partially due to this song I have a healthy respect for letting adolescents make their own career decisions. That said, my son has taken quite a bit of support in making post-high school decisions. He now has quite a bright future that he wouldn't have if it wasn't for his parent's advice. I didn't want him to have to fail like I did before he makes his way in life, but also didn't want to push him into something that wouldn't be a good fit for him. So I hope it's OK to actually make some plans for Nigel, but only as long as those plans have been developed with the full cooperation and understanding of Nigel. I always had this song playing in the back of my head when we planned my son's future. The version I heard playing though was Primus's cover, which is great.
Andy Partridge is a holocaust revisionist and XTC have no place on any decent playlist.
I was typing an email to a colleague of mine named Nigel when this song came on. How cool is that?!
Great! Love XTC. Beatlesque and I mean that as a high compliment.
SpaceCowboy wrote:
"Demanding"? I don't know about that. Most of their songs were pretty accessible and listenable pop tunes - more "sophisticated" or "cerebral" perhaps than the work of many of their contemporaries but it's not Thelonious Monk.
XTC is a really demanding band to listen to. You really got to pay attention. But, my god, how rewarding! Talk about thinking man's pop music! 
"Demanding"? I don't know about that. Most of their songs were pretty accessible and listenable pop tunes - more "sophisticated" or "cerebral" perhaps than the work of many of their contemporaries but it's not Thelonious Monk.
The repetition of the word Nigel, especially at the end, really makes me pause and think, "Wow, Nigel is just a strange-sounding name."
This is one of those songs that get stuck in my head for the rest of the day. I can hear a dozen more songs after this, but when the music stops, I'm still making plans for Nigel in my head. NOT a good thing.
Just heard this on NPR a few days ago... Pub gathers 433 people named Nigel for world record attempt
JesstheMess wrote:
My dog!
Who's Nigel? :)
My dog!
Another band that was ahead of its time ..
The documentary about the band is interesting and worth checking out. Interesting to hear that Andy Partridge says he actually hears in pictures (i.e., music for him comes in the form of images, not sounds!) It's a unique type of brain organization - see the documentary...
SpaceCowboy wrote:
Amen - you said it well!
XTC is a really demanding band to listen to. You really got to pay attention. But, my god, how rewarding! Talk about thinking man's pop music!
Amen - you said it well!
melzabutch wrote:
That is awesome.
Isn't that where Clint realized the chair had won the argument?
That is awesome.
Isn't that where Clint realized the chair had won the argument?
Most under rated band ever! - seriously.
Their catalogue of songs and albums is crazy good.
Funny, but not uncommon, that their weakest songs were the radio players.
Their catalogue of songs and albums is crazy good.
Funny, but not uncommon, that their weakest songs were the radio players.
at the end of this song, it sounded like you were mixing into Seal...?
gwolfie1959 wrote:XTC is always welcome in my book! I really like the way Terry plays the drums in this song...reverse like . It's nice to see (hear) someone reinventing the drum sound.
+1
XTC is always welcome in my book! I really like the way Terry plays the drums in this song...reverse like . It's nice to see (hear) someone reinventing the drum sound.
enkay wrote:
XTC evolved from high-energy new wave artists to literate and melodic rock/pop geniuses, with a few varied stylistic stops along the way, including 60's psychedelia.
So, much as I would never normally suggest such a thing, I'd recommend you go with a compilation such as Fossil Fuel, which is chronological. It doesn't include anything from their final pair of albums, which I think are excellent, but if nothing on Fossil Fuel works for you then nothing on the last albums will either.
Start with disc 2 (the later stuff) and if you like some of that then you can work your way back to the earlier stuff on disc 1.
enkay: Tusin tuck! 10^3 thanks!
Much appreciated.
P.S. Just added Fossil Fuel to my wish list in amazon.ca. At C$60 a pop, I might wait for a less expensive alternative.
P.P.S. The click-thru to Amazon does not work for this song.
XTC evolved from high-energy new wave artists to literate and melodic rock/pop geniuses, with a few varied stylistic stops along the way, including 60's psychedelia.
So, much as I would never normally suggest such a thing, I'd recommend you go with a compilation such as Fossil Fuel, which is chronological. It doesn't include anything from their final pair of albums, which I think are excellent, but if nothing on Fossil Fuel works for you then nothing on the last albums will either.
Start with disc 2 (the later stuff) and if you like some of that then you can work your way back to the earlier stuff on disc 1.
enkay: Tusin tuck! 10^3 thanks!
Much appreciated.
P.S. Just added Fossil Fuel to my wish list in amazon.ca. At C$60 a pop, I might wait for a less expensive alternative.
P.P.S. The click-thru to Amazon does not work for this song.
Many final exams were graded-pass thanks for songs like this!! This is one of the best tracks by XTC!
Listening to college radio in the late 70s and having your mind blown by Elvis Costello, XTC, etc.
And it's criminal these guys never really made it.
And it's criminal these guys never really made it.
I fear Nigel is "special needs"
Friggin brilliant!
These guys were consistently way out front.
Friggin brilliant!
These guys were consistently way out front.
What did do Wrong to here this
The disjointed rhythm, the annoying cadence of the repeated 'Nigel'... I find this song to be more annoying than Cardi B. I hope to never hear this tune again. A pity, because XTC does have some good tracks.... but this really isn't one of them.
BCarn wrote:
Andy Partridge of XTC fame the lyrics for Steven Wilsons new album “To the Bone".
Not their best song but this band is incredibly under rated. Have a listen to Skylarking or any of their other work. Why they chose this as the commercial piece is odd.
I re-discovered XTC recently and was just "wowed" over what they did.
I re-discovered XTC recently and was just "wowed" over what they did.
Andy Partridge of XTC fame the lyrics for Steven Wilsons new album “To the Bone".
Not their best song but this band is incredibly under rated. Have a listen to Skylarking or any of their other work. Why they chose this as the commercial piece is odd.
I re-discovered XTC recently and was just "wowed" over what they did.
I re-discovered XTC recently and was just "wowed" over what they did.
jchrise wrote:
One of the worst songs ever written.
No, definitely one of the best songs ever written.
One of the worst songs ever written.
No, definitely one of the best songs ever written.
sfyi2001 wrote:
That is awesome.
That is awesome.
Krispian wrote:
One of the worst songs ever written.
One of the greatest songs ever written.
One of the worst songs ever written.
XTC were such a great band. I bought Black Sea when it came out in the 80's. I still like it, its still fresh., but hadn't heard any of their other music. I recently got my hands on a discography - and it's almost all good; innovative, melodic and unpredictable. Every song stands on its own - sometimes I can't tell it's XTC w/o looking at the player.
rpdevotee wrote:
Yeah, I've got some plans for THAT Nigel...
Yeah, I've got some plans for THAT Nigel...
westslope wrote:
XTC evolved from high-energy new wave artists to literate and melodic rock/pop geniuses, with a few varied stylistic stops along the way, including 60's psychedelia.
So, much as I would never normally suggest such a thing, I'd recommend you go with a compilation such as Fossil Fuel, which is chronological. It doesn't include anything from their final pair of albums, which I think are excellent, but if nothing on Fossil Fuel works for you then nothing on the last albums will either.
Start with disc 2 (the later stuff) and if you like some of that then you can work your way back to the earlier stuff on disc 1.
Never did get into XTC. Love the lyrics on this song but overall the song leaves me somewhat cold. On the other hand, musicians and listeners, I respect dig this band. (So what is wrong with me?)
That said, if I was to try to broaden my horizons, what CD of XTC should I start with? Suggestions please.
That said, if I was to try to broaden my horizons, what CD of XTC should I start with? Suggestions please.
XTC evolved from high-energy new wave artists to literate and melodic rock/pop geniuses, with a few varied stylistic stops along the way, including 60's psychedelia.
So, much as I would never normally suggest such a thing, I'd recommend you go with a compilation such as Fossil Fuel, which is chronological. It doesn't include anything from their final pair of albums, which I think are excellent, but if nothing on Fossil Fuel works for you then nothing on the last albums will either.
Start with disc 2 (the later stuff) and if you like some of that then you can work your way back to the earlier stuff on disc 1.
I've always thought this was Oingo Boingo! It sounds like it would be related to Only A Lad
oppositelock wrote:
Indeed! Just about every Nigel I've ever met actually fits the image from the song
I always think of Nigel Mansell when I hear this song. ;)
Indeed! Just about every Nigel I've ever met actually fits the image from the song
Song's about parental domination. It's semi-autobiographical in that Colin Moulding's dad didn't care for his son's long hair and decision to abandon school to hang around with Andy Partridge.
Colin says his dad eventually got over it.
Colin says his dad eventually got over it.
Heard this song may times when I was in California on Radio Nigel. Always thought there was a connection, maybe not ?
I always think of Nigel Mansell when I hear this song. ;)
misterbearbaby wrote:
No Primus on RP (that I know of). It would probably drive more people away from RP than it would attract, but still, it's a shame.
After the tormented, twisted rage in the Primus cover of this song, the XTC studio version sounds so perfectly British-ly INSIPID!
No Primus on RP (that I know of). It would probably drive more people away from RP than it would attract, but still, it's a shame.
I love the music and the satire regarding the times it came out especially! 
"A Future in British Steel"! Yeah, right!
stevendejong wrote:
Also remember Nigel from Monty Python, their dedicated loser. :))
After hearing this song I cannot hear the name Nigel without getting annoyed :-)
Also remember Nigel from Monty Python, their dedicated loser. :))
JesstheMess wrote:
Good question. Regardless, I'm a little leery of the dude. Especially with pictures of lambs on the album cover? (wink, wink) :^ /
Who's Nigel? :)
Good question. Regardless, I'm a little leery of the dude. Especially with pictures of lambs on the album cover? (wink, wink) :^ /
One of the greatest songs ever written.
westslope wrote:
My first contact with XTC was "Black Sea" back in the early 80s and I was hooked forever. Don't know if it will work for you too, though.
That said, if I was to try to broaden my horizons, what CD of XTC should I start with? Suggestions please.
My first contact with XTC was "Black Sea" back in the early 80s and I was hooked forever. Don't know if it will work for you too, though.
RP listeners being spoilt this morning - XTC a brilliant, brilliant band.
One would surmise Little Nigel is a bit.....off.
DaidyBoy wrote:
How topical. Our Welsh cousins are being tucked up again ...
Never did get into XTC. Love the lyrics on this song but overall the song leaves me somewhat cold. On the other hand, musicians and listeners, I respect dig this band. (So what is wrong with me?)
That said, if I was to try to broaden my horizons, what CD of XTC should I start with? Suggestions please.
That said, if I was to try to broaden my horizons, what CD of XTC should I start with? Suggestions please.
After hearing this song I cannot hear the name Nigel without getting annoyed :-)
Complete extase! Yeah!
Good song, actually prefer the Primus cover.
How topical. Our Welsh cousins are being tucked up again ...
good follow up tune - "Satisfaction" by DEVO
XTC is one of the most under-rated bands of any era. Their music is a treasure trove of styles and incredible lyrics. This tune was a pretty big hit and instantly takes me back to 1980 when I was living in the UK. Wish I'd seen them live.
9 → 10
treatment_bound wrote:
Me too.
Thanks...instantly takes me back to the VERY early eighties, when I was having way more fun.
Me too.
Who's Nigel? :)
Never heard this before; loving it
On_The_Beach wrote:
You see, most blokes, you know, will be playing at ten. You're on ten here, all the way up, all the way up, all the way up, you're on ten on your guitar. Where can you go from there? Where? ... These go to eleven.
You see, most blokes, you know, will be playing at ten. You're on ten here, all the way up, all the way up, all the way up, you're on ten on your guitar. Where can you go from there? Where? ... These go to eleven.
Geecheeboy wrote:
I knew one in upstate NY. He didn't go into British steel.
Good decision. He'd be out of a job now if he had
Suprised to hear XTC on here, was certainly 'an aquired taste' at the time. I liked them. I vaguely remember seeing some TV documentry about an XTC album launch involving Richard Branson, and blowing up a lake. Very bizarre
I don't know a soul named Nigel.
LowPhreak wrote:I knew one in upstate NY. He didn't go into British steel.
Good decision. He'd be out of a job now if he had
Suprised to hear XTC on here, was certainly 'an aquired taste' at the time. I liked them. I vaguely remember seeing some TV documentry about an XTC album launch involving Richard Branson, and blowing up a lake. Very bizarre
Geecheeboy wrote:
I don't know a soul named Nigel.
Just wondering if Nigel gets a say? 
Nigel just needs that helping hand.
Great song, great group, great era of music.
MORE XTC!!
Great song, great group, great era of music.
MORE XTC!!
Geecheeboy wrote:
I knew one in upstate NY. He didn't go into British steel.
I don't know a soul named Nigel.
I knew one in upstate NY. He didn't go into British steel.
Geecheeboy wrote:
I know a couple of them. I've got no plans for them, though.
I don't know a soul named Nigel.
I know a couple of them. I've got no plans for them, though.
After the tormented, twisted rage in the Primus cover of this song, the XTC studio version sounds so perfectly British-ly INSIPID!
I don't know a soul named Nigel.
Great memories, great song.
My gawd. This is painful.
XTC started to really pick up their game with this gem of a song.
Love it - nice little pick-me-up this afternoon!
real Brit pop ! Really like it ! thanks !
Thanks...instantly takes me back to the VERY early eighties, when I was having way more fun.
oh yeah ! british sounds from the 80"s !
one of the best band in UK !
Thanks for that !
one of the best band in UK !
Thanks for that !
This one gets a 10 ... just because XTC is one of the most underated bands I know.
Well, then you have a stressful situation at every family gathering.
Baby_M wrote:
Baby_M wrote:
But what if Nigel doesn't want you making plans for him? What if Nigel is an individualist philosophically opposed to this sort of collectivist, top-down centrally-planned corporatism? What then?
I guess Nigel's parents wanted him to work in British Steel - which at the time of this song, was going through rather a rough patch, as was most of Britain - Nigel was probably more interested in becoming a pop star.
Maybe one of the worst songs I've ever heard on RP, exacerbated by the fact that the PSD button is not functioning. Mute.
A "must" from 70's
My friend Nigel does not like this track.
One of my favorite XTC tunes.
Dinner plans, I hope.
Why does Nigel need plans making? And why are you only making plans for him? I doubt he's happy if he can't make his own plans?
Love to hear more XTC. Skyarking?
rtrudeau wrote:
No it doesn't. Neither misses the mark nor tries to be amusing.
This song tries very hard to be amusing and misses the mark by a wide margin.
No it doesn't. Neither misses the mark nor tries to be amusing.
Throwing some love XTC's way.
Miss them.
Miss them.
misterbearbaby wrote:
100% agreed.
The Primus cover of this tune, on Miscellaneous Debris, is the killer cut— it teeters on the insane in that unique Claypool way.
100% agreed.
Nigel is not outspoken
But he likes to speak