Life Begins at the Hop
| "Life Begins at the Hop" | ||||
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| Single by XTC | ||||
| Released | April 1979 | |||
| Recorded | December 1978 | |||
| Genre | Pop rock, new wave | |||
| Length | 3:46 | |||
| Label | Virgin Records | |||
| Writer(s) | Colin Moulding | |||
| Producer(s) | Steve Lillywhite | |||
| XTC singles chronology | ||||
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"Life Begins at the Hop" is a single by XTC released in 1979. Their fifth single, it was the first indication of a change in their late-seventies sound from urgent post-punk to power pop. As their sound changed, so too did their line-up as keyboardist Barry Andrews was replaced by second guitarist Dave Gregory prior to its recording. The song title references the 1950s' rock 'n' roll classic "At The Hop"; indeed, the song itself carries a strong early rock 'n' roll influence.
The song addresses "youth club culture". "The hop" of the title refers to popular gatherings sanctioned by local youth clubs as attempts to maintain some measure of control over the types of influences underage attendees would be exposed to in a supervised social environment.
It is also significant for being bassist Colin Moulding's first A-side composition for the group. Though the single just missed the Top Fifty, it established his prominence within the group.
"Homo Safari", the B-side, was the first in Partridge's "Homo Safari Series", a six-part series of ambient, impressionistic instrumentals.
Track listing
- "Life Begins at the Hop" (Colin Moulding) – 3:46
- "No.1 Homo Safari" (Andy Partridge) – 2:14
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