The Compact XTC


The Compact XTC: The Singles 1978–1985 is a singles compilation album by XTC originally issued in 1985. It replaced Waxworks: Some Singles 1977–1982 as a greatest hits album, adding six singles issued between English Settlement and The Big Express. It took advantage of the compact disc's greater storage capacity to limit it to a single disc. It was superseded by the double-disc set Fossil Fuel: The XTC Singles 1977–1992, on which all eighteen tracks appear.
Two UK Virgin Records singles are missing from this compilation: "Respectable Street" and "No Thugs in Our House", as well as "Take This Town" – an RSO Records released single issued from the soundtrack of the film "Times Square". 'International' singles missing are the re-recorded version of "Ten Feet Tall" and "Love at First Sight".

Track listing

UK CD: CDV 2251

All songs written by Andy Partridge, except where noted.
  1. "Science Friction" – 3:12
  2. "Statue of Liberty" – 2:24
  3. "This Is Pop?" – 2:39
  4. "Are You Receiving Me?" – 3:03
  5. "Life Begins at the Hop" – 3:47
  6. "Making Plans for Nigel" – 3:53
  7. "Wait Till Your Boat Goes Down" – 4:34
  8. "Generals and Majors" – 3:42
  9. "Towers of London" – 4:38
  10. "Sgt. Rock (Is Going to Help Me)" – 3:36
  11. "Senses Working Overtime" – 4:33
  12. "Ball and Chain" – 4:30
  13. "Great Fire" – 3:45
  14. "Wonderland – 4:02
  15. "Love on a Farmboy's Wages" – 3:58
  16. "All You Pretty Girls" – 3:56
  17. "This World Over" – 4:43
  18. "Wake Up" – 3:40