Wake Up

XTC

About Wake Up

"Wake Up" is a song written by Colin Moulding of the English rock band XTC, released as the opening track on their 1984 album The Big Express. It was the third and last single issued from the album, following "All You Pretty Girls" and "This World Over", and peaked at number 92 on the UK Singles Chart.


Year:
1984
4:40
42 
#1

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer

You put your cleanest dirty shirt on
Then you stagger down to meet the dawn
You take a ride upon a bus, it's just a fuss
You know it keeps you born
You get to know a morning face
You get to join the human race
You get to know the world has passed you by

Who cares? You might be dead
Who cares? You stayed in bed
Who cares? You wrote the note
Who cares? You might have spoke

Wake up!

You take a snack to fill the gap
And then you're ready for another shift
Your attention was diverted
By the girl who smiled and made the lift
The radio is blaring out
It's in one ear and then it's out
You didn't notice that the record's over

Who cares? You might be dead
Who cares? You stayed in bed
Who cares? You wrote the note
Who cares? You might have spoke

In the road a crowd had gathered
And a man was close to dead
The blood is running down the gutter
While you're yawning, nothing's said
His body's wriggling like an eel
They got no sense, no touch, no feel
Somebody better go and get a blanket

Who cares? You might be dead
Who cares? You stayed in bed
Who cares? You wrote the note
Who cares? You might have spoke

Who cares?

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer


XTC

XTC was a New Wave band from Swindon, England, active between 1977 and 2005. The band enjoyed some chart success, including the UK and Canadian hits "Making Plans for Nigel" (1979) and "Senses Working Overtime" (1982), but are perhaps even better known for their long-standing critical (rather than commercial) success. more »

1 fan

Written by: COLIN MOULDING

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Genre
"Wake Up" is a rock song. It is classified as new wave, which is a genre that emerged in the late 1970s and incorporated elements of punk rock and electronic music.
Album
The song appears on the band's album "The Big Express" which was released in 1984.
Band Members
At the time of this song's release, the English band XTC consisted of members Andy Partridge, Colin Moulding and Dave Gregory.
Producer
"Wake Up" along with the other songs on "The Big Express" album were produced by David Lord and the band XTC.
Lyrics
The song’s lyrics express a frustration with the complacency and lack of awareness present in modern society - a plea for people to "wake up" and recognize the world around them.
Musical Instruments
The song is notable for its heavy use of the melodica, a wind instrument with a keyboard, played by band member Andy Partridge.
Music Video
Similar to their other songs, XTC did not make a music video for "Wake Up", as the band stopped touring and making promotional videos in 1982, two years before the song's release.
Chart Information
"Wake Up" did not chart on the standard pop charts. However, it was popular on college radios and in underground music scenes.
Reviews
Music critics have praised the song for its upbeat, catchy melody and thought-provoking lyrics.
Influences
Andy Partridge, the primary songwriter of the band, has mentioned in interviews that the song was influenced by the music of 1960s British rock bands like The Beatles and The Kinks.
Social Commentary
The song is a reflection of XTC’s broader tradition of mixing social commentary with creative and complex song arrangements. Their songs often challenge societal norms and institutions.

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