Life Begins at the Hop

"Life Begins at the Hop" is a song written by Colin Moulding. It was recorded by XTC and released in 1979 as the group's fifth single. Keyboardist Barry Andrews was replaced by second guitarist Dave Gregory prior to its recording. The song recalls Friday night youth dances that Moulding, in his teenage years, had attended at St. Peter's Church in Penhill, Swindon.

"Life Begins at the Hop"
Single by XTC
Released	April 1979
Genre	New wave[1][2] power pop[3]
Length	3:46
Label	Virgin Records
Songwriter(s)	Colin Moulding
Producer(s)	Steve Lillywhite
XTC singles chronology
"Are You Receiving Me?" (1978) "Life Begins at the Hop" (1979) "Making Plans for Nigel" (1979)
Music video
"Life Begins at the Hop" on YouTube

The single's B-side, "Homo Safari" was the first in Andy Partridge's "Homo Safari Series", a six-part series of ambient, impressionistic instrumentals, initially released on the b-sides of various XTC 7" and 12" singles.

Track listing

1. "Life Begins at the Hop" (Colin Moulding) – 3:46
2. "Homo Safari" (Andy Partridge) – 2:14

Charts

Chart (1979)	Peak position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[4]	94
UK Singles (OCC)[5]	54

References

1. "New Wave Music Songs". AllMusic. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
2. Stanley, Bob (13 September 2013). "Pleasantly Antagonistic: New Wave". Yeah Yeah Yeah: The Story of Modern Pop. Faber and Faber. p. 457. ISBN 978-0-571-28198-5.
3. Murray, Noel (11 October 2012). "A beginners' guide to the heyday of power-pop, 1972-1986". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
4. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 344. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
5. "XTC: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 December 2020.