Xtc, "dear God" Here

The song is structured as a letter to a deity, evolving from humble requests for a "reduction in the amount of tears" to a full-scale rejection of religious dogma.

: The title and concept were inspired by a series of children's books titled Dear God , which Partridge viewed as exploitative. XTC, "Dear God"

XTC 's "Dear God," written by Andy Partridge, is one of the most polarizing and enduring tracks of the 1980s. Originally released as a B-side to the single "Grass" in 1986, it was excluded from the initial pressing of the album Skylarking because Partridge felt he had "failed" to capture the vastness of human belief in such a short song. However, intense radio play in the United States—driven by its controversial lyrics—forced a re-release of the album that included the track. The Inspiration and Composition The song is structured as a letter to

: A central thesis of the song is the idea that mankind created God, rather than the other way around: "Did you make mankind after we made you?". Originally released as a B-side to the single