312 – XTC – Dear God (1986)
Written by Andy Partridge
Produced by Todd Rundgren
Label – Virgin/Geffen

Few 7″ single B sides have achieved such vital significance as “Dear God”. Originally shelved from the intended “Skylarking” album, Virgin/Geffen released the song as the flip side to the gently pastoral baroque pop of “Grass”. In contrast, “Dear God” was an angry open letter to the deity, questioning the suffering we all endure, and mistrust in the Bible’s teachings (“Us crazy humans wrote it”). For all his ire, the instrumentation and orchestral backing is relatively restrained which enforces the view that volume and aggression isn’t necessarily the way to make a point. A brave and truly thought provoking song.