Respectable Street

"Respectable Street" is a song written by Andy Partridge of XTC, released as the opening track on their 1980 album Black Sea. According to Partridge, the song is about English streets[2] and "the hypocrisy of living in a so-called respectable neighborhood. It's all talk behind twitching curtains. It's all Alan Bennett land."[3] Discounting the Canada-only "Love at First Sight", it was the fourth and last single issued from the LP. BBC Radio banned the song because of its references to abortion and a "Sony Entertainment Centre".[4]

"Respectable Street"
Single by XTC
from the album Black Sea
ReleasedMarch 1981 (1981-03)
Recorded1980
StudioTownhouse Studios, London
GenrePost-punk[1]
Length3:56
LabelVirgin
Songwriter(s)Andy Partridge
Producer(s)Steve Lillywhite
XTC singles chronology
"Sgt. Rock (Is Going to Help Me)"
(1980)		 "Respectable Street"
(1981)		 "Senses Working Overtime"
(1982)

Legacy
A street view of Swindon in 2005

Music journalist John Harris highlighted "Respectable Street" as "one of the most evocative items in Partridge's oeuvre."[2] In 1996, critic Jack Rabid praised its "sardonic crack" and wrote "am I the only one who's noticed that super-fans Blur have ripped this song off three times already???!!!!"[5]

In 1982, it was the only song XTC performed at a televised gig simulcast in Paris, which became one of the last live performances of their career. Partridge experienced a panic attack mid-performance and walked off the stage.[3]

It is the first XTC recording in which Dave Gregory contributed his keyboard playing.[6]

Personnel

XTC

Variations
  • Original album version, Black Sea (1980)
  • Single remix (1981)
  • Live versions
  • Home demo, live studio demo, and instrumental versions released on 2017 expanded edition of Black Sea

References
  1. Schabe, Patrick (27 October 2006). "The Man Who Sailed Around His Soul". PopMatters. 1980's Black Sea sold well on the album charts on the strength of its solid post-punk tracks, including "Respectable Street", "Towers of London", and "Generals and Majors".
  2. Harris, John (2 April 2010). "The sound of the suburbs and literary tradition". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 November 2018.
  3. Farmer, Neville (1998). XTC: Song Stories: The Exclusive Authorized Story Behind the Music. London: Helter Skelter Publishing. pp. 94, 134. ISBN 190092403X.
  4. Bernhardt, Todd; Partridge, Andy (26 February 2007). "Andy discusses 'Respectable Street'". Chalkhills.
  5. Rapid, Jack (July 1997). "Upsy Daisy Assortment". The Gallery of Sound Stereo-Type.
  6. Dave (9 March 2008). "Interview of Dave Gregory". Rundgren Radio (Audio). Retrieved 14 January 2008.


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