: Producer Todd Rundgren suggested having a child sing the first verse and final line to underscore the innocence of the initial inquiry before the lyrics shift into a biting adult critique. Eight-year-old Jasmine Veillette provided the vocals, though a boy was cast to lip-sync them in the music video. Lyrical Themes
: Partridge questions why a creator would allow starvation, disease, and "the babes you drown". XTC, "Dear God"
: Many listeners find the song deeply emotional because it speaks to a "heartbroken believer"—someone who desperately wants to believe but finds the reality of the world makes it impossible. Impact and Controversy : Producer Todd Rundgren suggested having a child
Upon its American release, "Dear God" became a lightning rod for controversy. Some radio stations received bomb threats, and at least one DJ was reportedly held at knifepoint to stop the song from playing. Despite (or because of) this, the song’s music video won the Billboard Best Video award in 1987. : Many listeners find the song deeply emotional
: Partridge initially conceived the song in a skiffle style but moved toward a sound reminiscent of the Beatles' "Rocky Raccoon". The final version features a "Gershwin-y" string section intended to evoke a bluesy, "Summertime" atmosphere.
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.
Watch the official music video, which famously uses a child's perspective to frame the song's challenging questions: XTC - Dear God YouTube• 8 Jun 2018