Was A Yes
Andy Partridge/XTC Lyrics
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And here comes the axe
Covered my ears
Scared of the facts
I never dreamt that that was the answer I'd hear
I've been clocking up the courage to ask you all year
Now I'm really punchy with success
Because her answer was yes
To every little question I could ask her
Why her answer was yes
The pessimist in me expects disaster
But her answer was yes
Here comes my hand
Here
The lyrics of Andy Partridge/XTC's song "Was A Yes" are a portrayal of a person summoning the courage to ask someone they love a significant question. The lyrics "Here comes my neck/And here comes the axe/Covered my ears/Scared of the facts" are metaphors for the fear and anxiety that the singer feels before asking the question. The singer never expected to hear the answer that they received, which makes them feel uplifted and successful. They are amazed by the response, and they feel empowered and confident. The singer's negativity and pessimism expect disaster, but the answer they received was affirmative, making them feel hopeful and optimistic about their future with the person they love.
The second part of the song conveys how the singer is still overwhelmed by the fact that the answer was a "yes." They express their overwhelming emotions with the lyrics "Here comes my hand/Here comes my heart." They are taking a step to further their bond with this person they love. They are both nervous and excited, but the song concludes with the same message of hope and optimism about their future together.
Line by Line Meaning
Here comes my neck
I am filled with fear and anticipation, as though my neck is on the line
And here comes the axe
I feel like I am about to be judged harshly or punished
Covered my ears
I am trying to block out the truth that I fear hearing
Scared of the facts
I am frightened of the reality of the situation
I never dreamt that that was the answer I'd hear
I never expected to hear such a positive response
I've been clocking up the courage to ask you all year
I have been preparing and building my courage for a long time to ask this question
Now I'm really punchy with success
I feel confident and triumphant after receiving a positive response
Because her answer was yes
Her response was affirmative and positive
To every little question I could ask her
She responded positively to every inquiry I made
Why her answer was yes
I am questioning the reasons behind her affirmative response
The pessimist in me expects disaster
Despite her positive response, I still have a negative outlook on the situation
But her answer was yes
Her response remains positive, despite my own doubts and fears
Here comes my hand
I am reaching out, perhaps in gratitude or affection
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Aydn of Astro-Action
Unraveling the riddle of XTC.
Thank you!
The talk about novelty to strawberry fields was brilliant. Throw in Captain Beef heart and now I get it. How this band managed to be so outstanding.
Today is my birthday and the song Stupidly Happy popped up for me upon her waking. Perfect!....and now I am going to listen to this all day!! Yeah!!
This band changed the trajectory of my life in many ways. I’m so grateful for all the attention they are getting these days, with all the YT interviews, Documentary etc.
I’ve been playing around with arranging the order of songs in a few albums, since that is easy in our digital age. Live the original sequence, especially for nostalgia reasons. But it’s fun to try and make a Skylarking-like concept album out of other works like The Big Express. It’s a fun and complicated game!! 🤣
NOW this has given me an idea
perhaps I’m not the only one: would t it be GREAT and on point for someone to write a musical/story based on an album say like Skylarking and or others!! Damn we are talking the potential for as many musicals as there are XTC albums!Heck “Everyday Story of Small town” already sounds like a Broadway musical.
For reference also watch Across the Universe, the Beatles based film by that amazing director, Julie Tamor.
And we are talking a profitable move for XTC.
I also think of Todd’s symphonic adventures in Amsterdam. If he can do it,
so should the “greatest unknown Pop band in the known universe”
Imagine “XTC The Big Express - A musical”
Gary Olshan
XTC-- the most underappreciated band in rock history. Period
E Richert
Absolutely!
Joe Flink
Not by me.
Reverse Fulfillment
They aren't underappreciated by those with the latest brain software upgrades.
Brenna
XTC and sparks are two of the best bands that never quite got the success some of their contemporaries got, I think it’s cuz their humor was a lil beyond what was “normal” for rock radio
Mike C
Yes
ℙ𝕆𝕍 𝕄𝕦𝕤𝕚𝕔
I love that he's done a number of podcasts and interviews recently. He's one of the most creative musicians ever to come out of this country and I'm so proud to be an XTC fan (and a Wiltshire man).
No Diggity
Wiltshire ftw. Represent. 🚜✊
Leon Musk
Yes! I so appreciate him sharing his time and thoughts with us
THaggerty
Andy is so patient here, understanding the interviewer's nervousness, adds to my admiration of him. I have been digging deeper lately into XTC, always thought Mayor Of Simpleton is one of the most brilliant Pop songs ever.