Towers of London

XTC

About Towers of London

"Towers of London" is a song written by Andy Partridge of the English rock band XTC, released as the second single from their 1980 album Black Sea. It peaked at number 31 on the UK Singles Chart. The BBC-2 documentary XTC at the Manor featured the group recording the song in the studio. Partridge later reflected that he may have been "subconsciously" trying to rewrite the Beatles' "Rain", desiring "clangorous guitars crashing together, and sort of droning." The night after John Lennon was killed, XTC played a gig at Liverpool, where they performed both "Towers of London" and "Rain" in tribute to the Beatle.  


Year:
1980
5:24
100 
#1

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Towers of London 
when they had built you 
did you watch over the men who fell 
Towers of London 
when they had built you 
Victoria's gem found in somebody's hell 

Pavements of gold leading to the underground 
Grenadier Guardsmen walking pretty ladies around 
fog is the sweat of the never never navvies who pound 
spikes in the rails to their very own heaven 

Bridges of muscles spanning so long and high 
merchants from Stepney walking pretty ladies by 
rain is the tears of the never never navvies who cry 
for the bridge that doesn't go 
in the direction of Dublin 

And I've seen it in a painting 
and I've seen it in engraving 
and I've seen it in their faces 
clear as children's chalk lines on the paving 

Towers of London 
la la Londinium.

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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 »

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Written by: PARTRIDGE

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Composition
"Towers of London" is a song by British band XTC, from their fourth studio album "Black Sea," released in 1980.
Genre
This song belongs to the Post-Punk and New Wave genres, both of which characterized the band's music.
Inspiration
The song, written by band leader and guitarist Andy Partridge, is a reflection on the city of London and its rich history.
Musical Influence
Some critics have identified a Beatles influence in the song's structure and melody.
Record Label
"Towers of London" was released under the Virgin Records label, which represented XTC for majority of their career.
Chart Rankings
It reached #31 on the UK Singles Chart, showcasing its moderate commercial success.
Music Video
Just like most of XTC's songs, "Towers of London" also had a music video, part of which was shot on the roof of Virgin Records.
Live Performances
Despite struggling with live performances due to Andy Partridge's stage fright, XTC performed "Towers of London" several times on TV shows.
Cover Versions
The song has been covered by several artists, including Robbie Williams, who included his version on his album "Under the Radar Volume 1".
Album Success
The album "Black Sea" that contains this song is often seen as one of XTC's best works, reaching #16 in the UK album chart and gaining Gold certification in Canada.
Lyrical Themes
The lyrics of "Towers of London" combine historical references with a more personal reflection, exploring themes of memory, identity, and the passage of time.
Band Members
When the song was recorded, XTC's lineup consisted of Andy Partridge (vocals, guitar), Colin Moulding (bass), Dave Gregory (guitar), and Terry Chambers (drums).

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