Associates - Club Country (TOTP 1982)

[@gavinmurton8454]

I read somewhere that way back in the eighties Billy was offered a million pounds to go on tour and never did because he loved his dogs. Later having lost his mum to cancer Billy took his own life. Many will never have heard of Billy because he didnt tour and died so young but for me Billy was the finest male vocalist there has ever been outside of the opera and one could say that Billy was a pop music soprano ... quite quite brilliant, RIP mate

[@beavisbonce]

Dude this gave me the shivers i adore billy and to see him so handsome and coquettish warms my heart. I have all the associates and his solo work I’m sure you do to. Take me through the empires of your heart…..billy 4 Eva

[@THEBEATPOETS1]

Agreed, a really special talent sorely missed.

[@shanefitzpatrick5811]

I absolutely love them. One of my favourite Bands from the great eighties. RIP Billy.

[@flipflop1975ify]

Definitely a top Falsetto 👏

[@tussk.]

Thats true, sort of. Billy suffered from crippling anxiety, and he would often cancel gigs, TV appearances and press guff under the pretence of having to look after his dogs or something else. He never wanted to talk about his mental health issues, especially back in the early 1980's where very little was known about it and he was scared that people would treat him like a freak or a joke and not take him seriously. It took over his life entirely and he backed out of a gig that would have cemented him and the band in place as one of the top acts of the decade, and faded into obscurity. He was on the verge of something great when he took his own life, and it's a damn shame that we will never know what he had to offer.

[@Nick_Turpin]

God this was a fabulous era to be young. So much music so much talent just an unrepeatable moment in time.

[@Kevin-1969]

Your so right, I was 13 in 82, really young, I soaked it up, a great time

[@gbirving]

It was

[@mauriceogrady4447]

Nick that's true. Something about that time was magical in an explosion of new groups doing what they felt they needed to do. No ripping off others. No cover versions. Just all from the heart

[@gilessutherland7692]

Precious moments in time

[@bruce5799]

But at the time i didn't know it!!!

[@tutts999]

The 80's, Thank god I was there to witness stuff like this.

[@Nick_Turpin]

You weren`t alone.

[@paulsteele2266]

totally agree

[@FuckSlowShit]

I can Feel The Coke in this Song

[@katastrophenschutzwa]

My god, there was some talent around in the early 80’s. I adored the associates. Billy was a real loss. 🕶

[@jenniferjones188]

Loved the associates they were great.

[@mauriceogrady4447]

What an extraordinary vocal range. Heartbreaking that Billy left this world so early

[@michael.carney5498]

Scotland had so many great acts

[@iananderson2212]

Beautiful song, beautifully performed by beautiful Billy and Alan. Both not with us anymore. Rest easy, guys.

[@lorraineworsell]

My daughter is 28 & I've introduced her to this classic. Luv u billy

[@FuckSlowShit]

@@lorraineworsell’82 when coke was getting hot during that time

[@campfreddy3547]

Legendary track,Martha Ladly sigh... gorgeous.

[@jasoncockram6247]

The Associates were amazing, Billy Mackenzie was an Incredible singer his lyrics and the iconic way he conveys them. Sulk for me is in my Top 5 80’s albums and top 10 of all time and both Club Country and Party Fears Two are among my favourite tracks of all time, R.I.P Billy a legend gone too young 😔

[@spacespace764]

The superb Associates 💜💜💜. The brilliant ethereal Billy...what a voice, what a gorgeous charismatic soul. NEVER EVER forgotten. Xxx

[@philburton7803]

What a brilliantly constructed composition this is. Still as fresh now

[@mikebanks620]

Billy McKenzie, the superstar who should have been. RIP.

[@keith-leecastle6700]

Dear god...Why can’t pop records be like this again.?

[@dazgrice6604]

Because the collective is in indiviatly is out

[@annother3350]

Learn to play guitar - make the music - the fans are still there.

[@jany2224]

Totally agree with you Keith, it was heaven then.

[@JamesDeanBrown]

individuality

[@jackjude]

@@annother3350 yeah, its a weird thing for a spectator to say. Plenty of characterful performers around.

[@rogerwinstanley7244]

This is one of those 80s tracks I listened to then and still listen to now. Never tire of it. Had the single and listened to it tirelessly. Billy and his gorgeous whippets. Still miss him. What a talent.

[@shugbonner1604]

Brilliant voice ahead of his time R I P MATE

[@stormyweather2773]

Billy had a smile that could lighten the darkest night ☹️☹️☹️Always missed 💕

[@alix660]

Those dimples too!

[@MarkSilverwood-s6o]

Loved the Associates - and Martha Ladly ❤ stunning, just stunning.

[@timmcmahon77]

Martha is hypnotic! Billy great singer - Top band

[@nobbytart27]

Brilliant video, back in the day i dont think i realised just how hot Martha Ladly was, she is absolutely smoking on here 😘 brilliant band and in Rankine a songwriter quite unique, as a bass player i listen to music and kind of know how its put together and whats coming next, in Rankine i find surprises and quite an unconventional way he puts things together. Great video, thanks

[@64five]

Great song ! after 35yrs I never knew who this was and looked for that long to find out who this was . I taped this song from a college radio station , back then . go Detroit !

[@vixtravels]

Beautiful ...& beautiful Billy will be forever missed. A Gentalman with an amazing talent. God Bless you Sir xxx

[@dazronch5450]

I loved this guys voice he was unique and still listen to him quite often we all keep saying how good 80s music was they were great years to be growing up and going to discos and dancing to music I’m so glad that I got to experience those years…

[@JeromekJerome1972]

Aaahh the 80s. Where loads of suburban weirdos were able to reinvent themselves and make insanely great big POP records while broadening the horizons of all the other suburban weirdos (like this one) every Thursday on top of the pops. This record is just so good and was only a minor hit. Billy Mackenzie, what a talent. Heard to envisage pop music ever being this good again.

[@paulsteele2266]

Spot on

[@biegebythesea6775]

For guys you mean, yeh. Hasn't happened for women yet.

[@francescxavierbulto9848]

Being alive and old enough to be in my early teens when all these class tunes was a blessing that no era will ever recapture.

[@veritas4364]

Billy McKenzie might have been a weirdo, but he wasn't from the suburbs. He was from Dundee.

[@TheClareybrown61170]

Absolute and utter TUNE. So remember this era riding my Suzuki X7 with this tune playing in my head along with many other Associates tunes and Japan,Cure,Tears for Fears,Simple Minds.

[@stephendent3058]

Microns?

[@claremartin2054]

Spooky, my name is Clare Brown dob 6,11,1970 😊

[@paulsteele2266]

What a time to be 18. Best era. Incredible band

[@nigelb5341]

Man this was a great track. Bass player is killing it!

[@annother3350]

He used the full range!

[@sidstewart7399]

Bass declined after the 80s..root note plodders took over...my theory is that bands were more interested in getting into big festivals and arenas where intricate bass doesn't work. I blame Coldplay.

[@chrisnewcastle61]

Some of the greatest bass playing on a pop tune ever... absolutely brilliant

[@steffanhoffmann8937]

@@sidstewart7399 lol gr8 analysis

[@blackmore4]

Here and there, sure. But he's too busy in my opinion. Certain sections, like the chorus, are left floundering a bit without any bottom end.

[@goodlife6145]

Absolutely brilliant. Full of originality and vitality.

[@andrewjacques6598]

Love this song, a little known fact is that Billies dad was a bus conductor and Billy borrowed his hat for this performance. OMG Martha.

[@SynthMagic]

What a talent and voice this guy had - Brilliant.

[@graemepitt6378]

brilliant superb post. loved this lot billy mackenzie is sadly missed what a voice. plus martha of martha and the muffins fame looks amazing in this

[@paulhunt9600]

Nothing like this today. What a tune

[@tyrionlannister6769]

Featuring the charming Professor Martha Ladly (ex Martha & the Muffins) walking the doggies, vocals, playing violin and just looking chic in leotards...!

[@stevo62ful]

She's also on backing vocals for Avalon - Roxy music

[@duffbaker9554]

@@stevo62ful She's In the video clip for 'Avalon', but it's not her singing on the recording.

[@stevo62ful]

@@duffbaker9554 True. She's miming to Yannek Ettienne (I'm sure I've spelt her name wrong)

[@hughmoore3844]

Musically and creatively they were far more ahead of their time in the 80s much like Bowie was in the 70s . Billy had his demons sorry to have such a talent die so young ❤

[@garyjohnson7628]

As Steve Wright said 'music from another world' Totally unique and never matched.

[@hunkhk]

Just as then Billies voice is giving me goosebumps even now 40 years later. Unique and taken too soon. This composition is staggering so evocative of my youth. Refrigeration keeps you young I'm told .... Wife beater and blusher ...RIP mate

[@stuartmorley3836]

Billy's autobiography is brilliant. I recommend it to any fan of this band or the man himself. He lived liked a millionaire, but basically had nowt! He knew how to work the system. R.I.P.

[@stuartmorley3836]

*biography, I meant*

[@RHINOWINOLUNATIC]

"The Glamour Chase"? Read it years ago, but still a highly recommended book.

[@BobHeaney]

Absolutely brilliant ❤ Billy & band . We will remember your music ❤🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@raynewman3258]

I am lucky to be have been prime age during some of the best music to hit our ears.

[@archangelpoet]

Me too

[@jimmyriddles]

Me too.... was really into the New Romantic era and dressing up in this amazing time.

[@blackmore4]

For pity's sake, please! Every single KZbin video over 20 years old has the same damn comment. It's SO fucking boring. And... EVERY SINGLE GENERATION THINKS THE EXACT SAME FUCKING THING. Jesus...

[@gordon7462]

Space music for beautiful space boys and girls yum yummy.

[@leesmith4022]

80's rule :)

[@francescxavierbulto9848]

There is more musical talent in them two pups than the rubbish we get thrust upon us now.

[@garystackhouse5787]

Can we please appreciate the brilliance here without being an ass and denigrating anyone else? There are plenty of very talented artists today, they simply aren't heard on the radio (much like Associates weren't in NA back in the day!)

[@themanftheworld8439]

​@@garystackhouse5787todays talent doesn't come close.

[@ledivo59]

... simply epic ... and Billy, what a voice and what a sadly tattered soul. :///

[@tonymills-k3j]

Billy what a talent that sadly never got the recognition he so deserved, he also sang on some fantastic songs with swiss group Yello, check them out amazing stuff, RIP Billy gone but not forgotten

[@glamnesianouveaux2039]

This performance is PHENOMENAL, seriously. WOW

[@oldandnew1234]

❤❤❤❤❤❤ Fantastic. So much fun on that stage when life was amazing. Xxx

[@steffanhoffmann8937]

The fault is..... I can find no fault in you. Fab line

[@veronicabock9114]

Everything about this is wonderful...style...talent...fantastic 80s creativity...and above all, Billy's crazy but amazing voice 🤩

[@DRMEEKS]

Billy McKenzie cannot keep his eyes of Martha in her Black shiny swimsuit bless him, he looks totally captivated. Love these guys.

[@crozwayne]

Seriously, who on earth could blame him? my laptop is smoking after my 100 view of this! looooool

[@MrTonaluv]

@@crozwayne yes shame it seems to be VHS quality and not HD

[@michaelmcalister6477]

An astonishing record......

[@clivejones5880]

Brilliant. No other words required. Oh, every breath I breath belongs to... Martha Ladly (OMG, has there every been a more sexy women alive?)

[@lindastanley229]

Hope you found your peace Billy I love this song xx

[@robison5396]

Unique vocal style.dramatic and beguiling.One of a handful of 80s artists that were truly original and have stood the test of time.

[@potter2702]

RIP Billy, forever missed

[@johnnycarder-bull6081]

Billy boy your beautiful image lives on darling. You are a great loss but like most beauties who died too young you will be forever beautiful.

[@maxthelab8457]

I was 18 in 1982 and moved to Central London. I was gay, wealthy, and 'in' with the 'in' crowd, and we just partied nonstop from 1982 to 1992. The culture, fashion, nightlife and talent during that time were phenomenal. Almost everyone was interesting, rich or poor, young or old, gay or str8. Post 1992 everything seemed to just dissolve into a grey and homogenous pile of nothingness - music, fashion, social life........... I moved abroad until 2000 and then 'retired' to life of gentility in the country. But Jesus do I have some memories - and indeed still have some of those people in my life. Like the P.S.Boys said...'We were never being boring'. How true. ( BTW at the start of this video Billy is seen in the grounds of the Roof Gardens Kensington, the place we would grace with our presence every Sunday soir )

[@kt1pl2]

My favourite band just covered this. I hadn't heard of the Associates. Wow the singer was amazing!

[@leea2112]

Billy was amazing stunning in looks and voice I'm so sad he died so young his talent was immeasurable rest in peace beautiful man ❤❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@matthewbeumer3168]

So unique so Special ! I saw him at Ronnie Scott's in 1984 christ I'm lucky . Matt the Siouxsie fan.

[@MarkAllen-km9vh]

What a gorgeous cheeky talent Billy was 👌😘❤️

[@rogergrigg]

Martha looking 'hot' & Billy borrowing Freddie Mercury's vest & Postman Pat's hat😂..the eighties were NEVER DULL.

[@kennyglesga]

Billy Mackenzie was an amazing singer, wish he'd come through the dark days to be singing today, brilliant vocal stylist!

[@gezza7560]

Great voice such a range!

[@nevetsgnil1962]

The associates very very underatted 80s band, awesome vocals from Billy, sad end RIP.

[@stevensmith2283]

She was one of the two Martha's in The Muffin's.

[@philipjackson4668]

I loved their music when it was first released and still do now ,R.I.P. Billy.

[@pippagrindley7979]

And also Alan too

[@vincentmallia7619]

Amazing voice

[@johncapstick5210]

This song reminds me of great times I was 18 when this came out the 80,s greatest for songs fashion and expensive video,s RIP billy

[@michaelgoldwyn2182]

They were head and shoulders above the rest...class will always out

[@ThePegasus101]

that bass rift wow

[@JJ62]

It’s fucking mental, isn’t it?

[@gregoriosancha8402]

Gorgeous Billy ❤❤❤❤

[@jaymacgee_A_Bawbag_Blethering]

Omg that bass player has got it going on

[@davidellis5141]

Michael Dempsey .. From The Cure

[@AJeziorski1967]

Love this song ... I remember watching this as a young lad of 14 - we all watched TotP back then so we could argue about it the next day. There was just me and one other lad at my school who liked this band (and he later went on to become an extremely successful songwriter). I was hooked on their general weirdness and Billy's incredible voice ever since I heard 'Party Fears Two' for the first time. And, damn, I had a massive crush on Martha Ladly back then, and watching this absolutely reminds me why. (Typical of TotP producers to throw in those three unnecessary dancers on the right of the stage, pulling focus from a band that already had all the charisma, showmanship and glamour it needed.)

[@malgorzataczerska8340]

Super song ❤😊

[@rogergrigg2056]

It's probably an 'understatement' to call Billy McKenzie a 'Maverick' as ive Never seen anyone combine an impression of Freddie Mercury (white shirt) & Postman Pat (hat) before. As much as there was the sadness with his early passing he always looked to be 'having a blast' on stage performing with his 'cheeky grin' & the gorgeous 'Martha Ladly'. 1982 was a great year to be young!

[@pascalbruel7750]

It's a bass party time ; it never stop ! A new-wave masterpiece !!

[@lyndondavis8277]

What a song. What a band. What a man Billy was. Everyone having a great time on stage. Different times

[@mrgedwood1932]

Excellent my friend Glad you have this one As it wasn't screend last year On the totp 82 re run Keep up the good work And be careful Don't wamt to loose this Fantastic channel

[@mthraves]

That's because it was introduced by Jimmy Saville. Such a shame.

[@littlenige]

Associates: the definition of creativity.

[@davidbrennan2253]

Safe to say,there will never be a band like the Associates again,Billy was different league

[@princess1968ish]

Amazing track, so exciting and funky and intelligent I just want to sing and dance to it.

[@ivorwilliams5605]

amazing 80s band- we lived the dream

[@leesmith4022]

Loved them Billy bless your soul xx

[@philipmcmullan2516]

I was present during the absolute beauty and deep indie songs that played during this era and still play them

[@Kitcat363]

Takes me back.xxxx

[@Lee81uk]

Ashes to Ashes S2E8 bought me here “Carneige you’ve just been quattroed”

[@64five]

One of my favorites from these guys great song !

[@NewWaves-NightMoves]

SIMPLY WONDERFUL

[@carlosfandango2419]

Billy and Rakim, such talent even back then. One day people will realise............

[@anthonydale8243]

Rankine...

[@josephletts1093]

Love Martha, or Professor Ladly!

[@jamesfraser2162]

Believably Beautiful Billy no better music RSP

[@dianamiino7391]

This band was absolutely lovely ❤️

[@halloweenjack3565]

loved the 80's music ,one of my faves from the era.

[@JCJTC]

RIP Billy and Alan❤

[@igolfjtweetler4097]

Some genius level stuff on this. Very foxy chic on lead violin.

[@MrTonaluv]

Martha Ladly

[@tinatrainer6003]

Gives me goosebumps …. Incredible song

[@napalmenema1]

Sweet Jesus! Martha Ladly! And Billy so charismatic.

[@richardguarascia5920]

Love the 80’s music amazing era rip Billy

[@jamiefoyers2800]

Oh well...was watching the Scottish News last night when I learned of Rankine's passing. I always had a feeling he was going to go quite young for some crazy reason. I wonder if any other "Kids from Stow" as we used to be called will be putting anything up. I do wish though that those of us who were involved in the classes at Stow get a mention. It wasn't all Rankine discovering Belle and Seb and Snow Patrol...we had a wee hand in history too... Sad though to hear of Rankine's passing, those were crazy times back in the classroom...

[@judithoverton7341]

RIP Alan Rankine 🎶💙🖤 with Billy again 😥

[@leonboden7974]

The associates were a great group country club and 18 carat love affair.... so much new romantic energy in the first album never really heard anything like this since r.i.p billy always remembered with great fondness

[@halfordslain7477]

I was 20 when this came out. In the Army. It was a NAAFI favourite. I'm 61 now🫤 still fresh...

[@ajs41]

I quite like the other TOTP performance of this from two weeks earlier where they did the creepy special effects on Billy's face which I think suited the song very well. This is from 10th June 1982. www.tapatalk.com/groups/popscene/1982-t1185.html

[@philliphazell4211]

RIP Alan Rankine - say hello to Billy if there really is a heaven

[@fradaja]

Is this the most fabulous original single of all time ?

[@carloolimpico4377]

Super Billy Mackenzie!! Incredible Dempsey!! Great Song!!