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XTC — Greenman
Album: Apple Venus Vol. 1
Avg rating:
6.1

Your rating:
Total ratings: 389









Released: 0
Length: 6:16
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Please to bend down for the one called the Greenman
He wants to make you his bride
Please to bend down for the one called the Greenman
Forever to him you're tied

And you know for a million years he has been your lover
He'll be a million more
And you know for a million years he has been your lover
Down through the skin to the core

Heed the Greenman
Heed the Greenman

Please to dance round for the one called the Greenman
He wants to make you his child
Please to dance round for the one called the Greenman
Dressed in the fruits of the wild

And you know for a million years he has been your father
He'll be a million more
And you know for a million years he has been your father
Run to his arms at the door

Lay your head, lay your head, lay your head, lay your head on the Greenman
Lay your head, lay your head with mine
Lay your head, lay your head, lay your head, lay your head on the Greenman
Build a bed out of oak and pine

See the Greenman blow his kiss from high church wall
And unknowing church will amplify his call
Comments (113)add comment
Did someone say greenman?
Posted 4 months ago by Sofa_King    [ Reply ]
 LuckyAceXIII wrote:

Oh you Philistines!  I created an account on this site just to call you haters to task.  I'm fairly musical (singing professionally since I was 12) and this is my favorite XTC song bar none.  Rhythmically, it's interesting, and nods to the ancient.  The instrumentation is unusual and haunting (as many people nod to the Double Countrabass Bassoon). It's evocative of an earlier age is its melody, as anyone who's sung earlier musical traditions would know in a heartbeat. And while the lyrics may make you uncomfortable, so would the traditions of these earlier times which it references.  It's expertly steeped in its milieu, and it's still got that pop sensibility which pervades all XTC. Y'all who dislike this song get a free pass in that everyone has a sensibility, and it's well understood that taste is an individual thing.  It's not for me to tell you your pallet is unrefined.  Having said that, I now urge you to broaden your musical AND cultural horizons, and then come back to this masterpiece.

Disparagingly yours,

—Lucky

 




I agree! GREAT TUNE!! I never heard it before,  Thanx RP!   
Posted 1 year ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
Oh you Philistines!  I created an account on this site just to call you haters to task.  I'm fairly musical (singing professionally since I was 12) and this is my favorite XTC song bar none.  Rhythmically, it's interesting, and nods to the ancient.  The instrumentation is unusual and haunting (as many people nod to the Double Countrabass Bassoon). It's evocative of an earlier age is its melody, as anyone who's sung earlier musical traditions would know in a heartbeat. And while the lyrics may make you uncomfortable, so would the traditions of these earlier times which it references.  It's expertly steeped in its milieu, and it's still got that pop sensibility which pervades all XTC. Y'all who dislike this song get a free pass in that everyone has a sensibility, and it's well understood that taste is an individual thing.  It's not for me to tell you your pallet is unrefined.  Having said that, I now urge you to broaden your musical AND cultural horizons, and then come back to this masterpiece.

Disparagingly yours,

—Lucky

 
Posted 8 years ago by LuckyAceXIII    [ Reply ]
Another great song from the World's Most Under-rated Band.  Love the bass line and tone.
Posted 12 years ago by midigitguy    [ Reply ]
Best song on this record might be "Your Dictionary." Boy, does that song pack a punch! Probably can't be played on RP, however, because of the powerful and judicious use of language to express anger. (You get the idea.) 

 
Posted 12 years ago by Grammarcop    [ Reply ]
 bailey_comus wrote:
WHY? There are so many excellent XTC songs.  This is not one of them.
 
So true.  Please don't play this one again - complete muck!  XTC were so much better than this.

Posted 12 years ago by rage    [ Reply ]
WHY? There are so many excellent XTC songs.  This is not one of them.
Posted 12 years ago by bailey_comus    [ Reply ]
 Misterfixit wrote:


This is the Double Contrabass Bassoon.  The only wind instrument which can go any lower (16 Hertz) is the Double Contrabass Surrousophone.  Rumor has it that the Double Contrabass Surrousophone playing the long note ("C͵͵͵" or 13.75 Hertz) can cause an accident release of the bowels.

 
{#Roflol}

The Green Man reference is to an old English pagan folk figure - see the Wikipedia entry for a flavour.

Posted 12 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
Ah... Andy Partridge, the best warlock to ever pen a pop song.
Posted 12 years ago by ick    [ Reply ]
 Dave_Mack wrote:
Excellent bassooning at the beginning!  Possibly even contrabassoon.  Will have to hear that again.

 

This is the Double Contrabass Bassoon.  The only wind instrument which can go any lower (16 Hertz) is the Double Contrabass Surrousophone.  Rumor has it that the Double Contrabass Surrousophone playing the long note ("C͵͵͵" or 13.75 Hertz) can cause an accident release of the bowels.

Posted 12 years ago by Misterfixit    [ Reply ]
I like XTC and absollutely love this song.  All you haters, get your own radio station.
Posted 12 years ago by alux    [ Reply ]
This song is unbelievably creepy.
Posted 12 years ago by vnprc    [ Reply ]
Am I alone in thinking that this strangely sounds like a Bollywood musical? {#Stop}
Posted 12 years ago by rapdas    [ Reply ]


There's only one greenman!

Posted 12 years ago by scraig    [ Reply ]
Please to stop singing the greenman
Posted 12 years ago by lsfeder    [ Reply ]
Also not getting the hate. Do y'all also hate "Chalkhills and Children" and "Grass" too? Because they seem similar to me.

{#Think}
Posted 12 years ago by lexica    [ Reply ]
XTC is such a contradiction for me. I love their music but disagree with a fair amount of what they say in their words. I do have to admire their skill in music and message though.
Posted 13 years ago by Ahnyer_Keester    [ Reply ]
Excellent bassooning at the beginning!  Possibly even contrabassoon.  Will have to hear that again.

Posted 13 years ago by Dave_Mack    [ Reply ]
This is far from my favorite XTC song, but I'm surprised by the negative comments.  Is it really all that bad?  I've surely heard worse.  Wasp Star (Apple Venus Vol 2), made right around the same time, is a pop classic!
Posted 13 years ago by BKardon    [ Reply ]
Terrible
Posted 13 years ago by -relayer-    [ Reply ]
Hmmm, this song and album do not seem to be on iTunes.
Posted 13 years ago by Tana    [ Reply ]
Pleasant and somewhat different tune.  I'll buy that!
Posted 13 years ago by mapman    [ Reply ]
It says this was last played on September 29, though it was played last night, on October 30. A bug?

Posted 13 years ago by Chinju    [ Reply ]
I always liked XTC, and this is the best album cover yet.
Posted 13 years ago by cohifi    [ Reply ]
Working on something here and for some reason it just got really f*cked up and now i'm really screwed. Have to do the damn thing all over again and it's gonna cost me hours to finish it.

And then there's this song playing. Out-of-this-world annoying, it's like it's laughing in my face because things all turned out wrong....

Oh, when......does.....the...hurting.............stop...........
Ow wait, that's now, it's over.... {#Lol}
If only there were a rating below 1 for these rare occasions....
Posted 13 years ago by Sjaaks    [ Reply ]
I like XTC, but this is horrible.
Posted 13 years ago by iTuner    [ Reply ]
a little more annoying than usual from XTC.
Posted 13 years ago by black321    [ Reply ]
Thanks Bill, I was just mentally requesting some XTC! For those who love this band, Chalkhills is an amazingly rich online resource.

Posted 13 years ago by alaken    [ Reply ]
As XTC goes, this ain't half bad.
Posted 13 years ago by Baby_M    [ Reply ]
Not sure I'm strong enough to keep from hitting the mute button on this one.  Bounderline 1, but I'll go with a 2 because I'm in a good mood.
Posted 14 years ago by yodasan_magoo    [ Reply ]
 fredriley wrote:
"Here's to bend down for the one called the binman". Hmm. I'll give 'em a Xmas bonus, but I don't think I'll pay them homage.
 
LMAO

Posted 14 years ago by muxz0r    [ Reply ]
Yes, I'm all for Wicca and Paganism, but this is kinda cheesy.  Just like all religious songs are when they talk about praising "him," whomever "he" may be.
Posted 14 years ago by lysisphere    [ Reply ]
This playlist sounds recycled, but i LOVE it RPNOSTALGIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted 14 years ago by muxz0r    [ Reply ]
Just love XTC.

And since Bill is known to play wonderful Porcupine Tree songs now and then, here is an interesting XTC/Porcupine Tree connection; original XTC guitarist David Gregory wrote orchestration on some of the early PT material.
Posted 14 years ago by Propayne    [ Reply ]
that was kind of cool.
"m not sure how I feel about the repetitive ending though. still, a 7.
Posted 14 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
Actually, a nice listen for a Monday morning. Catchy beat. Thumbs-up.
Posted 14 years ago by michaelgmitchell    [ Reply ]
"Here's to bend down for the one called the binman". Hmm. I'll give 'em a Xmas bonus, but I don't think I'll pay them homage.
Posted 14 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
 damo wrote:
yet again, bill has reached back into my past and found another favorite of mine. Bill, I'm starting to think there is some associative weirdness going on....

Some synchronicity going on when you've been thinking of a song from more than two decades ago and they play it right after the thought? That's happened to me here—-but not this song.

Posted 14 years ago by Giselle62    [ Reply ]
{#Dancingbanana} love the song!

Posted 14 years ago by moonsaura    [ Reply ]
Well this is different.  With that swelling orchestration and the nature (wiccan?) theme, it reminds me a little of the Disney World fireworks show at EPCOT, which was actually a lot of fun.
Posted 14 years ago by plaice3    [ Reply ]
 chasech5 wrote:
Its completely a Pagan religious song. The Greenman is the masculine divine principle., or Horned God.  The song calls the listener to offer respect ("bend down") in both eros (lover) and agape (father) ways to Him. The CD has the *Wiccan Rede* printed on it, for Herne's sake, folks. This thread runs through much of XTC's music.

 Gish05 wrote:
Dear God is like 100x better than this crap.

I don't want to say it's religious. I'm sure "Greenman" implies nature and such. But it's a pretty corny tune.
 
 
 

From what I understand the Greenman, while clearly originating in pagan beliefs, has become something traditional in British culture. Not necessarily religious in and of itself.
Posted 14 years ago by Marr    [ Reply ]

Posted 14 years ago by themotion    [ Reply ]
yet again, bill has reached back into my past and found another favorite of mine. Bill, I'm starting to think there is some associative weirdness going on....
Posted 14 years ago by damo    [ Reply ]
Greenman has always been my favorite XTC song.  Why o why isn't this available on iTunes? 
Posted 14 years ago by alux    [ Reply ]
 revsully wrote:
Dear sweet Lord! I usually dig XTC, but that repetition at the end almost killed me.
 
exactly. couldn't stand it neither. 2.


Posted 14 years ago by dunno    [ Reply ]
History will be kind to XTC. 9 for this one.
Posted 14 years ago by lmic    [ Reply ]
Its completely a Pagan religious song. The Greenman is the masculine divine principle., or Horned God.  The song calls the listener to offer respect ("bend down") in both eros (lover) and agape (father) ways to Him. The CD has the *Wiccan Rede* printed on it, for Herne's sake, folks. This thread runs through much of XTC's music.

 Gish05 wrote:
Dear God is like 100x better than this crap.

I don't want to say it's religious. I'm sure "Greenman" implies nature and such. But it's a pretty corny tune.
 
 


Posted 14 years ago by chasech5    [ Reply ]
ick
Posted 14 years ago by whtahtefcuk    [ Reply ]

Posted 14 years ago by More_Cowbell    [ Reply ]
most excellent I think.  I always liked these guys (at least since "English settlement")

Posted 14 years ago by Wizzuvvoz    [ Reply ]
 zipper wrote:
well, that sucked in an overwhelmingly annoying way. I'd rated it a 2, but it's absolutely a 1.

 

meh.



Posted 14 years ago by Monkeysdad    [ Reply ]
well, that sucked in an overwhelmingly annoying way. I'd rated it a 2, but it's absolutely a 1.

Posted 14 years ago by zipper    [ Reply ]
 Gish05 wrote:
Dear God is like 100x better than this crap.

I don't want to say it's religious. I'm sure "Greenman" implies nature and such. But it's a pretty corny tune.
 

You obviously understand nothing about this group. They are deep but quirky, simple English lads living in the country but all the while being intricately complicated and very aware of the world.

Thanks Bill for playing this-more XTC!!{#Notworthy}
Posted 14 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
This is a great CD, but why is it $52.00+ on Amazon? I recomend the CD, but not at that price!

Posted 14 years ago by Valley_Boy    [ Reply ]
print wrote:
someone please shoot me in the face ALTERNATELY change the song


 bc wrote:
GLADLY.
Unfortunately, I don't know exactly where you are, so I'll instruct you to seek out Mr. Cheney.
 
{#Lol}{#Lol}{#Lol}
Posted 14 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
The fact that XTC never rose above cult status is a cryin' shame.

"We started out to drink beer, make money, and meet girls. Well, we've drunk a lot of beer . . . "
 - Andy Partridge
Posted 14 years ago by nagsheadlocal    [ Reply ]

Lay your head on the green man? {#Confused} Huh? 


Posted 14 years ago by coffee-eyes    [ Reply ]
 revsully wrote:
Dear sweet Lord! I usually dig XTC, but that repetition at the end almost killed me.
  
 

I think 99.9% of the time I would agree with you about the repetition, but in this case I really like it.  I don't know why.  Someone else mentioned Bach's Jesu, which is also repetitive in a good way.


Posted 14 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
 Happygirl wrote:
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring?

Anyone else hear it?
 

J.S. would rightfully have an issue...............chalk and cheese to the extreme for mine, tho' I still like this track!
Posted 15 years ago by nigelr    [ Reply ]
 kellis wrote:
Can't decide whether or not I like this song. The music's interesting but the lyrics are somewhere between annoying and catchy. Annoyingly catchy perhaps?

 

How about catchingly annoying. Dreck!!!!
Posted 15 years ago by sharkey    [ Reply ]
The XTC song you ought to play is "The Balllad of Peter Pumpkinhead".  A great song few people proably know which speaks a lot about the times we live in right now - what with all of the nonsense going on in politics and the media!
Posted 15 years ago by Rtbruin    [ Reply ]
 Happygirl wrote:
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring? Anyone else hear it?
 
I do! First thing to come to my mind when I heard the song, actually. I'm not quite sure yet whether I like it or not...

Posted 15 years ago by Bine    [ Reply ]
 kellis wrote:
Can't decide whether or not I like this song. The music's interesting but the lyrics are somewhere between annoying and catchy. Annoyingly catchy perhaps?
 
we have an accord
Posted 15 years ago by crazy    [ Reply ]
Fabulous, underrated album.
Posted 15 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
Dear God is like 100x better than this crap.

I don't want to say it's religious. I'm sure "Greenman" implies nature and such. But it's a pretty corny tune.


Posted 15 years ago by Gish05    [ Reply ]
Can't decide whether or not I like this song. The music's interesting but the lyrics are somewhere between annoying and catchy. Annoyingly catchy perhaps?

Posted 15 years ago by kellis    [ Reply ]
Hypnotic... {#Meditate}
Posted 15 years ago by spaceman    [ Reply ]
annoying....

Posted 15 years ago by stevo_b    [ Reply ]
 Shesdifferent wrote:
Not a lot of XTC played on RP. Why Not? Love these guys.

 
I second this motion.{#Dancingbanana_2}
Posted 15 years ago by rtb    [ Reply ]
{#Meditate}{#Music}{#Bounce}{#Notworthy}
Posted 15 years ago by suzanimals    [ Reply ]
revsully wrote:
Dear sweet Lord! I usually dig XTC, but that repetition at the end almost killed me.
Yeah, it was a 9, but that annoyed me too, so now it's an 8!
Posted 15 years ago by zair99    [ Reply ]
You can get autographed CDs at XTC's own shop (click here) ****xkolibuul wrote:
Argh, Greenman is not on iTunes. Anyone have suggestions for how to obtain online?
Posted 15 years ago by Krispian    [ Reply ]
Dear sweet Lord! I usually dig XTC, but that repetition at the end almost killed me.
Posted 15 years ago by revsully    [ Reply ]
It's green? Sorry, couldn't help myself. superfido wrote:
Bend down and I'll show you my greenman. muhahahah sorry couldn't help myself.
Posted 15 years ago by Phlegmaticman    [ Reply ]
Bend down and I'll show you my greenman. muhahahah sorry couldn't help myself.
Posted 16 years ago by superfido    [ Reply ]
Let me know when I can un-mute...
Posted 16 years ago by Krow_Pie    [ Reply ]
Argh, Greenman is not on iTunes. Anyone have suggestions for how to obtain online?
Posted 16 years ago by xkolibuul    [ Reply ]
Yay! Let's build a fire and get funky.
Posted 16 years ago by Tree_Hugger    [ Reply ]
Posted 16 years ago by keyholder    [ Reply ]
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring? Anyone else hear it?
Posted 16 years ago by Happygirl    [ Reply ]
print wrote:
someone please shoot me in the face ALTERNATELY change the song
GLADLY. Unfortunately, I don't know exactly where you are, so I'll instruct you to seek out Mr. Cheney.
Posted 16 years ago by bc    [ Reply ]
What a lovely surprise! The dulcet sounds of the Double Contrabass Sarousphone. Honk! Honk if you love the Basement Scale!
Posted 16 years ago by Misterfixit    [ Reply ]
billbangert wrote:
Great tune...XTC WAY under rated as a band...
someone please shoot me in the face ALTERNATELY change the song
Posted 16 years ago by print    [ Reply ]
Great tune...XTC WAY under rated as a band...
Posted 16 years ago by billbangert    [ Reply ]
xkolibuul wrote:
You're not listening to RP enough. Bill is no slouch when it comes to our XTC fix, they appear frequently.

That said, I'd forgotten how amazingly fine this song is.
yes...excellent song I think. I love XTC percussion
ed: I had to bump this up to 8 :-)

Posted 16 years ago by Wizzuvvoz    [ Reply ]
You're not listening to RP enough. Bill is no slouch when it comes to our XTC fix, they appear frequently. That said, I'd forgotten how amazingly fine this song is. rah wrote:
there should be MUCH more XTC played here.
Posted 16 years ago by xkolibuul    [ Reply ]
Not a lot of XTC played on RP. Why Not? Love these guys.
Posted 16 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
Wow, this is a very pleasant surprise. Sad to say I hadn't heard it before...
Posted 16 years ago by FeydBaron    [ Reply ]
Great song from a superb CD.
Posted 16 years ago by nctomatoman    [ Reply ]
blueyedmerle wrote:
Sweet..........
Posted 16 years ago by blueyedmerle    [ Reply ]
Thanks peeps
Posted 16 years ago by leathepea    [ Reply ]
Kristi wrote:
LOVE this song! More more more XTC!
Sweet..........
Posted 16 years ago by blueyedmerle    [ Reply ]
LOVE this song! More more more XTC!
Posted 16 years ago by Kristi    [ Reply ]
I generally like some XTC stuff, and this one has some very melodic background stuff, but the rhythms in it make me feel like a am going to start having heart palpitations. I guess I'll have to turn it down next time it comes on so that I don't die.
Posted 16 years ago by mamerjamer    [ Reply ]
leathepea wrote:
XTC did break up, right? I heard the reason was the singer was suffering from some sort of massive stage fright. I know that sounds like one of those stupid rumors floating around, I just wanted to clarify. Someone please give it to me straight, cause XTC's music shows real genius. Or at least that is my opinion.
They never broke up over Andy Partridge's stage fright, which came about over 20 years ago. They just stopped touring. Since then, they've put out numerous brilliant records. They are currently kind of stagnant and possibly broken up. Colin Moulding, 1/2 of the current XTC, is laying low and not really into recording anymore.
Posted 16 years ago by suzanimals    [ Reply ]
leathepea wrote:
XTC did break up, right? I heard the reason was the singer was suffering from some sort of massive stage fright. I know that sounds like one of those stupid rumors floating around, I just wanted to clarify. Someone please give it to me straight, cause XTC's music shows real genius. Or at least that is my opinion.
they did not break up. they stopped touring years ago because of that. before that they toured all the time.
Posted 16 years ago by rachlan    [ Reply ]
Goody, pre-christian paganism. I like, lots. It's even having a dig at the christians, not so subtly pointing out that the symbolism was incorporated into early christian churches.
Posted 17 years ago by MrCaps    [ Reply ]
Knew it from the first note. Play XTC anytime! These guys are brilliant!
Posted 17 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
pretty darn good song...i'm not usually one who likes too many XTC songs....but this is totally different....
Posted 17 years ago by SpaceCase    [ Reply ]
Please stop "playin it."
Posted 17 years ago by troydog    [ Reply ]
XTC did break up, right? I heard the reason was the singer was suffering from some sort of massive stage fright. I know that sounds like one of those stupid rumors floating around, I just wanted to clarify. Someone please give it to me straight, cause XTC's music shows real genius. Or at least that is my opinion.
Posted 17 years ago by leathepea    [ Reply ]
Good pre-equinox song.
Posted 17 years ago by babyjuice    [ Reply ]
XTC rules!
Posted 17 years ago by jdorn1    [ Reply ]
Hey, I LOVE this CD ... and Greenman is an excellent cut. The whole CD has a very "Spring-based" theme. Nice selection, Bill!
Posted 17 years ago by ursus88    [ Reply ]
there should be MUCH more XTC played here.
Posted 17 years ago by rah    [ Reply ]
This was released in 1999? An awesome blast from the past.
Posted 17 years ago by shayborg    [ Reply ]
WhooHoo! My favorite XTC song ever. Thanks!
Posted 17 years ago by quesarah    [ Reply ]
Red_Dawn wrote:
A very beautiful song!! Too sad it hasn't been played on RP yet!
Till now.
Posted 17 years ago by leathepea    [ Reply ]
YESSSS!
Posted 17 years ago by rah    [ Reply ]
A very beautiful song!! Too sad it hasn't been played on RP yet!
Posted 18 years ago by Red_Dawn    [ Reply ]