"love on a farmboy's wages" is a song written by andy partridge of the english rock band xtc, released as the third single from their 1983 album "mummer". it peaked at number 50 on the uk singles chart. partridge wrote the song during the aftermath of the cancelled "english settlement" tour. it features a key modulation from e to f# before its bridge. drummer terry chambers left the band during rehearsals for the song. the single's cover art is a photograph of partridge's actual wallet with the title embossed.