Party Fears Two: A Mysterious Success | Pop Classics
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- Опубліковано 10 лют 2025
- Party Fears Two: A Mysterious Success | Pop Classics
This is the first episode for my pop classics series. In this video we look at the 80s classic Party Fears Two by Scottish new wave band The Associates. This song has always been one of my favourites. We look at the story of this tack, the instrumentation and the lyrics. Party Fears Two was released in 1982 and reached number 9 on the UK singles chart. Moreover, Party Fears Two was featured on The Associates breakthrough album Sulk along with gems such as Club Country and 18 Carat Love Affair.
#BillyMackenzie #TheAssociates #FineArts #80s #PopClassics #AnanRankine #PartyFearsTwo
Party Fears Two: • Video
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Alan Rankine is pronounced like 'kin', as in 'rannikin' and 'original sin' not as in 'find ' or 'blind' Party Fears Two is toweringly great. Club Country as companion piece is arguably better for the lline 'every breath you breathe belongs to someone...there' - this could be about cultural hegemony, plagiarism, the sanctity of self, the ego, the id, the dancefloor, the suffocation of Dundee life, the knowledge that your adult life is never really your own, the boring cage of a defined sexuality, the yawning chasm between your vaulted dreams and desires and the empty crisp packet you get, or ' a drive from nowhere' that leaves you 'in the cold' but be consoled that 'refrigeration keeps you young, I'm told' and be amused by that brilliantly arch line. Pop music's all we've got son and 'Party Fears Two' is comfortably in the top drawer of it.
Club Country was just BRILLIANT !!!
As one of the writers of BBC Radio 4's "Week Ending", hearing this track always brings happy memories.
Awesome to hear you were one of the writers of BBC 4’s “Week Ending”! I’m glad to hear that this brings back memories for you 😊. Btw, it was awesome hearing Party Fears Two on “Week Ending” because I wasn’t around at the time due to this I can only appreciate the fact that it plays one a magnificent track.
Wait, didn’t you write a few children’s books? And help co-write The Basement?
@@FineArtsMusic *checks CV* Yes.
@@markgriffiths4826 😂 awesome! Thanks for checking out my video on The Associates
Thank u lam such a fan of Billy and dont wont him to be forgoting
So refreshing to still hear this band 38 years later, they where such a great modernist band.
I never thought I’d see a video essay on this incredible song! There really is no other song quite like it. I agree that 1982 was the right year for it - there was some really interesting, unusual music coming out at that time.
Billy was a neighbour of mine and always spoke , I went to his funeral Rip Billy x
@@llibbie1188 was he friendly?
great video. Thanks. The song struck me since I first heard it. That joyful iconic piano melody + the tragic vocal escalation. A peculiar spell binding combo. But no one around me ever saw anything in it. No one ever talked about it. and yet, as you said, it’s unforgettable - people all remember it. So it’s great to hear someone else discuss it. The way I always heard it - the piano is almost like the fun of the party all around him, people laughing, drinking., socially he feel alienated, and filled with self doubt. Although he says ‘you’ in the lyrics to me it means ‘us’, the spectator and him not knowing how to connect. Not seeing how he fits. Hence the sadness. A brilliant track with an acquired taste. Cheers.
I agree with your interpretation. And it's nice to know that there is someone else who appreciates this track. My mission is to introduce more people to The Associates as The Associates music is astounding. Sulk will always be my favourite yet, The Affectionate Punch and Perhaps are still spectacular. Billy Mackenzie would've been 63 yesterday. RIP Billy Mackenzie.
Fourth draw down is amazing as well in a left field industrial sort of way.Hard to listen to in one go but nothing like it ever.
Decent decontruction. One of my favourite songs of all time. Contempory always. Still have the 7 inch single. Robert Smith regrets always not giving time at The Cure's concert for Billy. An exquisite voice.
Very friendly,, I got Hello Hen every morning on my way to work when he was in Dundee x
@@llibbie1188 how sweet 😊
What's really great about the song , is that the timing wasn't messed with. Blank spaces weren't posted edited out , to the point the the dialogue was like someone rushing to get their words out 'so that they could rush off to the bog and dump
One of my favourites, i still have the album. As you say when i play it for friends they look at me with that look, but i liked the band because they were not mainstream and tried to do things the way they wanted to... I also have the single 'i'm in love with a german film star' by the passions which you might have a look at..great work..
I love the instrumentation and the sound in or about the 1:13 mark of the song and up to when Billy sings "Awake me!" Give it another listen and you'll see what I'm talking about. I also love the ethereal sound in the beginning, just right before the jangle piano kicks in. Then, of course, you can't forget Billy's heavenly operatic voice. This song truly is a masterpiece, but I think I still like Club Country just a little bit more.
I effing love this song.
Who dosen't, it's one of my favourite songs of all time
I love the Heaven 17 version . They improved on a perfect song . That’s saying something.
Great video! I will give it a listen.
Nice video!
I think the song is more about his inability to express himself without alcohol. He awakens on the sofa, the party is over and stumbles home alone again.
That’s what I always thought. Hiding behind something because he’s actually afraid of not being alone.
I've always thought that as well, and it is me to a tee.
God l love tthem just happy a young guy likes them
Love your new content. 👍
Thanks, I enjoyed discussing one of my favourite tracks for 10 minutes.
My ringtone x
I think there's another meaning to "party" in this song-that is, the singer referring to themself. They seem torn between wanting to be closer to this other person and between wanting to distance thsemselves. Party is a very distant way of referring to people, usually language you'd only find in contracts, which I think fits with the fear of the singer. They fear no longer being alone, because with a second person there, there's the possibility to do something wrong. So they try to repress, using this distancing language and dressing too well rather than more casually. Maybe there might be "love" between them and this other person, but they're afraid if it because love can be dangerous, like the "love" from the alcohol that turns you blue. And yet you can tell that this is a fear in deep contrast with their real desire to become closer with the other person, expecially when Billy shouts "awake me!"
Nah.His brother said it was about two slappers who gatecrashed a party he was at and were questioning his flamboyant appearance.And that is probably putting it politely.
I had this on just now (of course vinyl) & a black/British neighbour thought it was Bowie (?!?I know) I only mention this because someone else said it sounded like him a few years ago. I can’t hear it myself but as it was likened by two completely unrelated listeners who hadn’t heard it before there must be something in it.
Discuss:
It’s funny you say that as The Associates cover of Bowie’s Boys Keep Swinging was what lead to The Associates getting signed. Moreover, Alan Rankine stated that him and Billy were influenced by the likes of David Bowie.
The associates,soft cell,and the sound are the real deal not crappy Duran Duran or boring culture club
Believe they were Steve Wrights favourite band at the time
The original singal version is best.The shrill keyboard sound is dubbed down on later versions for some reason,including the USA album version.
Interesting, didn’t know that. Thanks for informing me of this !
I thought his name was Alan Rankine not rankyne
Awake me - make an advance and take me out of this dull world.
'Your words turn to shark' - am I mistaking your kindness for insult since I'm not worthy of your attention.
It really is a song about some one fancying another person ,,, but being unsure with those feelings are being reciprocal. - he was bi-sexual and I suspect often had desires for guys but was not sure if they felt the same for him.
Nice analysis
Please look at Hammer To Fall by Queen.
No
Shocking pronunciation of Rankine it's Ran-kin not Ran- kine
Sad story attached but Oh My, WHAT A SOUND !!!
Is it true that Billy was a Homosexual ?
Isn't it just a hiden-type of Homosexuality thing going on right in front of everything ?