Life Begins at the Hop

"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

XTC

Andy Partridge Colin Moulding Terry Chambers Dave Gregory Barry Andrews

Studio albums	White Music Go 2 Drums and Wires Black Sea English Settlement Mummer The Big Express 25 O'Clock Skylarking Psonic Psunspot Oranges & Lemons Nonsuch Apple Venus Volume 1 Wasp Star (Apple Venus Volume 2)

EPs	3D - EP

Live albums	BBC Radio 1 Live in Concert

Compilations	Waxworks: Some Singles 1977–1982 Beeswax: Some B-Sides 1977–1982 The Compact XTC Chips from the Chocolate Fireball Explode Together: The Dub Experiments 78-80 Rag and Bone Buffet: Rare Cuts and Leftovers Drums and Wireless: BBC Radio Sessions 77–89 Fossil Fuel: The XTC Singles 1977–92 Upsy Daisy Assortment Transistor Blast: The Best of the BBC Sessions Coat of Many Cupboards Apple Box

Other albums	Homespun Homegrown Instruvenus Waspstrumental

Related articles	Discography The Dukes of Stratosphear Urgh! A Music War A Testimonial Dinner: The Songs of XTC Fuzzy Warbles Take Away / The Lure of Salvage

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