Mental Health Themes in Music: Making Plans for Nigel

Welcome to the next installation in the exploratory series of Mental Health Themes in Music! Today, we’re analyzing the new wave rock track, “Making Plans for Nigel,” released as the lead single on XTC’s 1979 album, Drums And Wires. While it was originally intended as commentary on overbearing parenting styles, it can be applied to similar  interpersonal contexts. Let’s take a look!

“We're only making plans for Nigel

We only want what's best for him

We're only making plans for Nigel

Nigel just needs that helping hand”

This verse, which repeats a few times throughout the song, captures such a relatable sentiment. Unfortunately, it is possible to cause harm while trying to help and, especially so, if it’s not a collaborative effort. Even if intentions are 100% benevolent, this sort of intervention eventually results in disempowerment.

“We're only making plans for Nigel

Nigel's whole future is as good as sealed, yeah”

This line refers to a culture where parents, understandably, have dreams for their children where they are successful in adulthood. Again, if this isn’t collaborative in nature, these dreams become unrealistic (and suffocating) expectations.

“Nigel is not outspoken but he likes to speak

And loves to be spoken to”

I appreciate the sarcasm of these lyrics, especially the use of “likes” vs “loves” in context, implying that Nigel prefers to be ordered/directed instead of his voice being heard. One interpretation could also be that Nigel isn’t outspoken because he frequently spoke over, but his parents lack insight into this.

“And if young Nigel says he's happy

He must be happy in his world”

Assuming this is still from Nigel’s parents’ perspective, then this further illustrates the lack of insight around how Nigel feels about their parenting style. Compliance doesn’t always equate to happiness.

The moral of the story is to collaborate with the people you love. Even if they are minors, even if you believe you know what’s best for them, and even if you believe they are happy to comply with your ideas. Ask in addition to telling.

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Kim Johnson, LMHC, MT-BC, is a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) and board certified music therapist (MT-BC) who graduated with her master’s from Lesley University in 2017. She has experience with adults and adolescents in group private practice and community mental health settings. The levels of care she has worked in are outpatient, with both individual and group therapy and in partial hospital programs for mental health and substance use disorders. Additionally, she has had intensive training in dialectical behavioral therapy and cognitive processing therapy for PTSD.

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