The Associates - Party Fears Two - Top of the Pops

[@77davie]

William McKenzie was my Wifes Uncle, sadly I married her after he died so never had a chance to meet him. He is well respected and loved still in Dundee. Long rest William..

[@711honved]

One of the standout tracks from its generation. Billy found life difficult after his musical career took a downturn & the death of his beloved mother was the final straw. Sadly, he took his own life in the garden shed of his father's house. Too sensitive for this world, RIP Billy.

[@drenn63]

An important song for me at the time when I was 19 - I'm 51 now. I assumed at the time that by my age I'd be bemoaning the morally obnoxious records teenagers would be playing. What's happened is that I am actually bemoaning the fact that there's nothing nearly as interesting or exciting in the charts as this now!

[@Robhalifax]

This song always made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Only a handful of songs ever had this effect.

[@paulholmes8887]

I agree Billy had one of the greatest voices of my generation

[@jbrodie007]

Possibly the greatest song of the 80's. Unique in every way..

[@Pinerocks]

That was Ghosts by Japan but this is pretty darn close!! Lol

[@pugwash08]

james brodie Possibly the greatest song ever! Sorry to hear about Billy, his band, Associates or whoever, could have been huge

[@pugwash08]

james brodie greatest ever maybe!

[@TalkBeliefs]

Agreed🎉

[@llibbie1188]

Totally agree , my ringtone since 1982 x

[@UBZUKki]

One of those songs that at times, defies description but just stops you in your tracks whenever you hear it and the way it ends with Mackenzies soaring vocals...fuckin epic.

[@WestHamForever]

Personally i think this is one of the greatest songs ever made. Majestic vocals. The world is a sadder place without Billy Mackenzie R.I.P.

[@gggggggg3542]

just trying to relive a bit of my youth, ironically just found out 2 of my all time fav songs have a common link. keyboard player was one of the marthas in martha and the muffins echo beach, which is my other fav song........ oh to be young again, how did i end up in my 50s?????? back then had no worries, now...... mortgage, shit job, grey hair, mental wife, maniac daughters, lets not mention the bank account

[@charlottethorburn6548]

He won't feel the benefit when he goes outside.

[@djbethell]

This made my day :D X

[@Noodles37UK]

Bit too well wrapped up methinks

[@ufewl]

thanks mum!

[@daghammar4385]

That’s just the sort of thing my Mum would say.... LOL.

[@gotreble]

A fragile, beautiful soul. RIP in eternity...

[@LeighRichards27]

simply one of the most extraordinary pop songs ever...still sounds as original and good now as it did 30 years ago.....

[@derekdignan9233]

I stayed in a place called Stobie for yrs & i used to see Billy with his Greyhounds, he would never pass u always inviting & go take the dogs to Baxter park, a truly remarkable GUY & a Gr8 singer cheers:)))

[@bella4uk]

great to see people are still commenting on this....his legacy lives on x

[@seantd6140]

Brilliant and original you cannot believe how fantastic this tune sounded in 1982 unless you was there to make comparisons, and in 2013 still sounds awesome.Respect to Billy a talent ahead of his time.

[@violetbowie4567]

billy mackenzie seemed like such a sweetheart. so sad he's gone, but glad his fantastic music lives on!

[@GarethJohnson]

What a voice! What a phenomenal voice! Every era produces videos that looks funny out of time but listen to that voice and the song writing - absolutely phenomenal... And I think it helps if you know the story behind the song which was one of Billy's family telling him about a party where two teenage girls turned up who were so out of it and out of control that the whole party was scared of them. If you put that tension in the song or them catherine-wheeling out of control, you see it even better - that was the Party that feared two. I absolutely bloody love this song.

[@laetitialogan2131]

Wasnt he just so handsome??? Anyone??? Yeah the music is brill, but look at the gorgeous face....

[@permaveg]

Morrisey wrote "William it was really nothing" as a tribute to his friend Billy, Billy wrote" stephen your really something" as a reply. One of the most stunning voices of the 80s, still a dreadful loss. He OD'd on paracetamol in his dads shed, so sad, so missed, never forgotten.

[@dreedle]

So much to love about this. The song would be in my all time top ten, as would the album (Sulk). Rankine's oriental appearance reminds me of Connery in You Only Live Twice - Martha Ladley looks gorgeous and Billy is cool as fcuk. For anoraks like me - this track peaked at number 9 in the British Charts week ending 27 March 1982. Wonderful wonderful memories. Thanks Billy. Rest In Peace.

[@garysimpson8171]

Another iconic 80s song so haunting yet so memorable...wish I was back there

[@711honved]

80's gold, a pure classic! Saw Heaven17 the other night & they did this song as a tribute to Billy. RIP with your dear mother Billy.

[@stevestringer1371]

Being 17 in 82 and dancing in a club to this was sweet.

[@ColumRogers]

I'm 22 and have been dancing *badly* to this since I was 17/18. Would have loved to have been around in it's 80's glory though.

[@CONSIDERABLYMORE1]

Colum Rogers its when working class kids with no hope and no future could buy a couple of guitars and just have a go, and make some money. No money in music these days so you don't get this sort of thing anymore - now its Cowell Clones or middle class phonies for whom mummy and daddy will bail out if the music career fails. These guys were for real!

[@stevestringer1371]

Great times to be alternative and it all grew out of Punk.It was fun dancing and listening to records like this.They reflected a new way of expression.

[@vanillaorchid]

I know exactly how you feel.

[@stevestringer1371]

Cheers for that.They were my fave band at the time.

[@onlyme151]

How so very sad. I didn't even know he'd died. He was beautiful, we swooned over him in the 80s

[@youandwhosearmy6339]

the trousers were high, the guitars were high, the voices were high, the performers were (dare i say it) high. it's the 80s folks. enjoy. i know i did lol

[@machinelfgaming]

they keyboardist was Martha from Martha and the Muffins, she sang backup on Roxy Music avalon and is now a professor. Yeah. She's smoking then, and now.

[@richardevans560]

No she didn't sing backing on Avalon. She did appear on stage with Roxy Music though

[@sonicfoxxmusic4281]

ABSOLUTELY, BEYOND DOUBT, WITHOUT QUESTION. UNDENIABLY..... f*cking WAY, WAY, WAY, WAY, WAY AHEAD OF THEIR TIME!!!!! When these dudes EXPLODED across our TV screen, my first thought, i swear to god, was THE REST OF YOU MAY AS WELL PACK UP YOUR GEAR AND HEAD OFF BACK TO THE LITTLE TOWN OF "LET'S START A CREDIBLE BAND'SVILLE". If this song arrived today and hit the airwaves for the first time.....AHHH...YOU DO THE MATH. Miss you Billy MacKenzie and gang.

[@robjones2408]

Remember dancing to this track at the Camden Palace in the summer of 1982. Billy, you were a class act. A brilliant vocalist who should have been bigger than he was.

[@wendylou3612]

Me too. Good times.

[@djbethell]

I lived in that mac throughout my early teen-years. Billy had the most beautiful smile.

[@permaveg]

Billy and Alan Rankine were sublime, amazing unearthly but mesmerizing music, one if not the best voices of the early 80s, when you here this it's a reminder of what a loss it was when Billy killed himself. But the music lives on, and on and on.

[@chinesefake]

A massively underated singer, song and lyric. Real top draw stuff.

[@franke6882]

Definitely the best song of the 80's. Happy memories. Billy, lost but not forgotten. You're a star.

[@WeweGT404]

Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. And absolutely barking. RIP Billy, what a mark to leave..

[@colinm71]

its a shame a guy like billy taking his own life the talent he had was great rip

[@old_biker490]

I was 30 when this was a hit - I always was a late developer! I loved it then and love it still. So sorry about Billy Mackenzie but what a gem he and the rest of The Associates left us. The lyrics and that riff/lick are priceless.

[@snorten7455]

Billy we are all still here and listening to your astonishing sounds xxxx

[@styxcreek]

martha. she'd be well into her 50s now but i'm still keen.

[@waldolala1964]

The Associates brought me relief in sad times when I lost my dad as a youngster and inspired me to get on in hard times - the early eighties. Youngsters like me making goooood music. In 1997 I heard the sad news - too incomprehensible, too hard, why. Only now I could express my gratitude to Billy, Alan and their fellow bandmembers. Billy, thanks, RIP

[@kidfromtheseventies]

Absolute class, the versatility of Michael Crawford as a performer knows no bounds

[@mikekaraoke]

+kidfromtheseventies Michael Crawford wtf?

[@TheSeanm102]

+kidfromtheseventies haha

[@jonstevenson1417]

+kidfromtheseventies knob

[@youandwhosearmy6339]

+kidfromtheseventies The more I think about it, the more I think he did this on purpose. lol I was just waiting for the fireworks to go off. RIP Billy

[@Lethoscorpia]

+kidfromtheseventies new order played totp live - awesome band !!!

[@Uberlaser]

I adore this song. There is something magical about it. Knowing about Billy and his passing makes it even more emotional.

[@rugbyboy2222]

Thanks for posting what for me is an athem of the early 80's that sounds as fresh and inivative today. Fantastic to see so many people still appreciate this work of art. Billy may sadly no longer be alive, but this song will keep him with us forever.

[@ciphermatrix]

That voice, just incredible. And Martha Muffin - still have a crush on her to this day. This is my favourite song which is some accolade to give to anything.

[@digipip1]

The Smiths song William It Was Really Nothing was apparently written about Billy.

[@matthurst5834]

A music legend that is not played often enough….. 80s miles better than the shite played today…

[@Hemski1]

Saw him at the Powerhouse Birmingham in about 1981. One of the most memorable gigs - the guy had lashings of charisma and an amazing voice. RIP the Mc

[@tracyrobbotie1611]

Love it Love you Billie Mackenzie your voice will still keep going on one of the Best Ever!

[@gilsampaio9987]

From Portugal... This song thrills me!

[@ellaboshe9527]

THIS INTRO IS SO AHEAD OF ITS TIME. IT SOUNDS SO MILLENNIAL!

[@tbwff]

This song was constantly played on the duke box in the NAFFI bar when I was stationed in Germany in the 80's. Great memories and the more we drank the better it sounded lol

[@WeLoveBettingUK]

I was fortunate enough to hear this song for the first time in July. Four months later I'm still completely and utterly consumed by it. It's just perfect!

[@sammaltwood8087]

Love this - so sad xx Billy had a great, distinct and amazing voice

[@justMorrissey]

Billy went ahead 20 years ago today. William It Was Really Nothing. But it was, It really, really was :(

[@PaoloVeneziano1958]

Genius at work. As is evident from some of the comments here, music needs Billy more than ever. RIP.

[@waldolala1964]

STUNNING! I am devastated.... what he brings.... what a bonanza of talent and joy, those years were so great

[@TheOptimod]

One of those that your parents didn't 'get' in the 80s..... but we knew different :-)

[@seantd6140]

Remember watching this on top of the pops back in 1982 and 30 years on it still sounds just as superb and original as it did then, im sorry that today we live in an age of either manufactured or sampled music to satisfy corporate greed,sad times..... at least we had great artists like The Associates to remind us of better times in the music industry and i would hope many more people will look back and see the wealth of true talent that has gone before and appreciate it...

[@apetotohhototepa6741]

Absolutely brilliant!!!!

[@mickyfinnone]

HI I TOOK THE TROUBLE TO FIND OUT A LITTLE ABOUT BILLY, Mackenzie was born and grew up in Dundee. As a youngster, he lived in Park Avenue in the Stobswell area and attended St Mary's Forebank Primary School and St Michael's Secondary School. He led a peripatetic lifestyle, decamping to New Zealand at the age of 16, and travelling across America aged 17. Here he married Chloe Dummar, the sister-in-law of his Aunt Veronica. While Mackenzie was quoted as saying the marriage was made to stave off deportation so that he could sing with the New Orleans Gospel Choir - calling his wife a 'Dolly Parton type' - Dummar still believes the pair were in love.[1]He left her after 3 months of marriage and returned to Dundee, and the two never had contact again. Chloe Dummar filed for divorce in 1980, and Mackenzie did not contest the filing. Chloe's brother, Melvin Dummar, claimed to be the "one sixteenth" beneficiary of the estate of Howard Hughes, until the case was thrown out in 1978. He returned to Scotland where he met Alan Rankine and in 1976 formed the Ascorbic Ones.[2] They changed the name to Mental Torture and finally Associates in 1979.[2] Rankine left The Associates in 1982, but Mackenzie continued to work under the name for several years until he began releasing material under his own name in the 1990s. Mackenzie also collaborated with many other artists during his career. In 1987, he wrote lyrics for two tracks on Yello's album One Second: "Moon On Ice", which he sang himself, and "The Rhythm Divine", which was sung by Shirley Bassey and was released as a single. A version sung by Mackenzie was released on the tape and CD versions of the Associates' Popera compilation). Mackenzie also collaborated with B.E.F. (British Electric Foundation) for their two albums Music of Quality and Distinction Volume I (1982) & Volume II (1991). Morrissey of The Smiths was said by Craig Gannon of The Smiths to have written the song William, It Was Really Nothing about Mackenzie, after a brief friendship together. On 22 January 1997, depression and the death of his mother are believed to have contributed to Mackenzie's suicide.[3][4] He overdosed on a combination of paracetamol and prescription medication in the garden shed of his father's house in Auchterhouse. He was 39 years old. Now a significant cult figure, much of his musical legacy has been released in the past few years. He was the subject of a biography by Tom Doyle, The Glamour Chase, in 1998. The Cure song "Cut Here" written by Robert Smith, a friend of Mackenzie, is about the regret Robert felt about seeing Mackenzie a few weeks before his death backstage at a Cure concert and not giving him any of his 'precious time' and fobbing him off. Siouxsie Sioux wrote the song "Say", revealing in the lyrics that they were going to meet just before his death. The song was released as The Creatures' single in 1999 and charted in the UK Top 75. For her Medúlla album, Björk considered singing a beyond the grave duet with Mackenzie using recordings given to her by his father, but eventually decided against it.[5] Between 9-27 June 2009, a play entitled Balgay Hill about the story of Mackenzie's life was showing at Dundee Repertory Theatre,[6] in Mackenzie's home town. It tells the story of his life through the eyes of four fictional characters, and the title of the play derives from the name of the Dundee cemetery where the singer was buried

[@nationstolemyrobots]

That's a bit more like "copy and paste a little about Billy" as far as I can see. You haven't even removed the citation tags. Oops!

[@kwesi01]

Phenomenal. Even more breathtaking to hear it now than when it came out. One day, someone will take up the torch that Billy and his colleagues lit. Loved this and "Country Club," too. Thanks and RIP, Billy.

[@SuperPhil1960]

I like the way he is constantly watching himself on the big screen.

[@carolynmcarthur2236]

,this is amazing, totally unique artist and performance,come on people !!! x

[@katastrophenschutzwa]

TOTALLY AWESOME! this song,for me, absolutely sums up the best year of my life!! 1982.it was all happening. i cannot put into words how this song and these days make me feel...........

[@ajs41]

This performance is from 11th March 1982 because Simon Bates is presenting. They also performed it on Top of the Pops two weeks earlier on 25th February 1982.

[@Ross.Cavendish]

The song was also used as the theme tune to the BBC Radio 4 satirical series "Week Ending".

[@jchopra]

It's approaching 30 years since this song was released and it still sounds awesome....truly ahead of it's time and sounds as good as the day it was made!!!

[@seantd6140]

Awesome song, 31 years old and if released today would sound original, I remember clearly how this great tune stood out in 1982 and it was a breath of fresh air........ superb!

[@Useaname]

This disappeared for a while. So glad it's back up.

[@Scotty-P]

I was just listening to 'The Affectionate Punch' again a short while ago, on a beautiful sunny Spring day here.

[@rjy8960]

I love this track - One from my childhood that I didn't get at the time but learned to love. The Smiths were the same - I didn't get them at the time but again learned to appreciate during adulthood. I didn't know that Billy had died.

[@robertmcandrew6361]

still thinking of you neighbour! Memories will never fade!

[@kinclair1939]

Superb song and I love The Associates, but always smile to myself watching this as Billy keeps reminding me of Frank Spencer in that get up !!

[@19bootsy68]

Oh my school days as a 14 year old have suddenly returned.

[@mugsy051]

+19bootsy68 same here. life seemed so simple. the world was my oyster as they say. 50 now still feel 16........ish

[@paulwilson2805]

Absolute classic

[@theseus27]

Such a classic hit song....amazing how 80s and 90s songs sound better than the ones we have today :-)

[@CONSIDERABLYMORE1]

RIP Billy. A rare and gifted man.

[@robertlytton3205]

who could not love this track, its brilliant!

[@seantd6140]

an incredible vocal performance which 31 years on still sounds as brilliant and original as ever,respect to a superb and original artist.

[@rajnirvan3336]

What memories the 1980s has with such great music, I was nearly 5 in 1982. I totally forgot about this song until I heard it in a pub few days ago.

[@000MYSZ999]

It's an absolutely beautiful track !! I love it !!

[@chrisgraham4778]

Scottish art at it's finest. Just sensational!

[@Hadeesyoutube]

In my opinion Scotland is /the/ birth-place of good music ... Fiction Factory, Simple Minds, Cocteau Twins, Lowlife, Jesus & Mary Chain, Aztec Camera ...... And that's just the 80's!!!!!!

[@nationstolemyrobots]

HadeesHeart The Blue Nile? Josef K? Orange Juice? There's loads of them!

[@chrisgraham4778]

Andy Durrant HadeesHeart yeah some great examples there. Would say it reached it's peak in the first half of the 80's. Throw The Pastels in there too. Shamefully I've only got into The Associates recently, but convinced Mackenzie could have been the biggest pop star Scotland has ever seen if he wanted it. Fascinating guy!

[@Hadeesyoutube]

Aye .. Billy was a genius. Club Country & Skipping are 2 of my all-time favourite tracks. If you're into Post-Punk you should really check out Cindytalk, Gordon Sharp has one of the most intense voices any singer has ever been blessed with.

[@Bethfromwigan]

HadeesHeart Don't forget The Proclaimers, Altered Images and Wet Wet Wet !.

[@thegreatlowellgeorge]

Go Billy, a proper star and an amazing singer!

[@christopherscapelliti9187]

Always loved this song. So wonderful to see Billy here in full Frank Spencer dress. (Michael Crawford is yet another icon with a great singing voice, after all.)

[@TheBleech]

1982, the year I started high school. The high school where "Gregorys' Girl" was filmed. Anyway, this is defo in the top 5 songs of the 80s.

[@hottestbabe1000]

claim to fame ....Good on you xx to kisses, Something awesome to look back on..... Be proud. !!!

[@Noodles37UK]

Norse man What country you from? I'm from Scotland and started Barrhead High in August'80. Bowie did Ashes. Good song. Very good.

[@Jojoseahorse]

Norse Cumbernauld?

[@TheBleech]

Jojoseahorse Aye.

[@Noodles37UK]

Norse Did you get the belt. They banned it in Scotland '82 to celebrate our historic 5- 2 victory over New Zealand. And Dave Narey's goal.

[@andrewpollock4599]

What a tragedy-the expression "tormented genius"-fits Billy perfectly.The very brightest flames burn only for a very short time..........

[@Callunna]

This sums up my life in 1982 - I loved the song then and I love it now. I'm 24 years old again when I hear it.

[@clarenicolson1]

I heard a rumour that The Smiths 'William' was written about Morriseys' dalliance with Billy Mackenzie??? Dont sue me tho - I could be wrong. I LOVE this song!!!

[@rick1969ful]

I would love to see any one perform that. Lost ,but not forgotten.

[@RonWylie-gk5lc]

What a brilliant and classy single this was, has anyone ever done anything better, bless you Billy

[@craigbrown2859]

The Peel sessions are sublime, his best work, I think, but Im a real indie kid who loved the cure and bowie. The sugarcubes were also a favourite band of mine and you can really hear The Associates influence on them from the peel sessions so it doesn't surprise me when Bjork was gonna do an album with billy mackenzie recordings. Time for a statue in the centre of Dundee, Billy with his whippets.

[@TheTigersbay]

Good tune , I just feel old looking back . top upload

[@pigsmightfly4558]

Bet nobody has ever done this on karaoke and pulled it off. Inimitable!

[@elrenato82]

Nice one! Martha looks amazing and her style of playing is so cool!

[@dfr68]

billy didnt have to end like that god rest in peace x

[@LouVivaMorrissey]

I moved to dundee in august, and you wouldnt believe the amount of people who dont even know this man ever existed. MADNESS.

[@jack94987002]

The first time i heard this the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. 30 years later nothings changed, every time i hear this brilliant track its like its the first time i`ve heard it.

[@genki2genki]

Of the hundreds of songs that mention having a shower then calling up one's brother, I'd say this is the best.

[@MrLarsDF]

What a Great song:-))) Thanks for sharing. Looks like Mr. McKensie loved every second of the show. Well, Me too!!

[@berlinmitte10117]

Quite simply - one of my favourite songs ever!!!

[@francisgoodall1287]

R.I.P. Billy McKenzie...Legends live forever xx

[@AnnaMaria-rw3wo]

Such a handsome man with a haunting voice, this is such a beautiful song ❤️

[@jonflynn1]

A gem way ahead of its time sad Billy left us so young he was so talented