"Wake Up" is a song written by Colin Moulding of the English rock band XTC, released as the opening track on their 1984 album The Big Express.

"Wake Up" opens the album with guitars and piano followed by a chorus lyric that proclaims "who cares, you might be dead".

[2]To write the song, Moulding started with a three-note piano figure, which he then overdubbed with two guitar riffs.

"[3] Guitarist Andy Partridge said of Lord's embellishments: "He blew it up like one of those hot air balloons in the shape of a palace.

"[2] Guitarist Dave Gregory commented: "We love confusing intros: records that start with a naked riff with no drum beat.