On this day October 27, 1986, the English band XTC released their acclaimed album Skylarking, a beautifully crafted concept record that captured the warmth and wonder of everyday life. Produced by Todd Rundgren, the album blended pop sophistication, melodic charm, and poetic lyricism into one of the most celebrated releases of the 1980s.
Skylarking featured standout songs such as Grass, The Meeting Place, Earn Enough For Us, and Dear God, which became one of the band’s most iconic and thought provoking tracks. The album flowed seamlessly from start to finish, tracing the cycle of a day and the changing moods of love, youth, and reflection. Its lush arrangements and pastoral tone helped it earn critical acclaim and lasting recognition as a masterpiece of British pop.
80s insight: Skylarking reflected the artistic side of 1980s music, when bands combined imagination and craftsmanship to create albums that felt timeless and deeply human.
Skylarking featured standout songs such as Grass, The Meeting Place, Earn Enough For Us, and Dear God, which became one of the band’s most iconic and thought provoking tracks. The album flowed seamlessly from start to finish, tracing the cycle of a day and the changing moods of love, youth, and reflection. Its lush arrangements and pastoral tone helped it earn critical acclaim and lasting recognition as a masterpiece of British pop.
80s insight: Skylarking reflected the artistic side of 1980s music, when bands combined imagination and craftsmanship to create albums that felt timeless and deeply human.
