Tuesday 12 October 2021

Fever In The Shadows

I've been floored by the horrendous cold bug that seems to be sweeping the island at the moment. What better way to distract myself than with a generous dose of Associates / Billy Mackenzie? 
 
Fever was the spectacular single that pronounced the return of Associates in 1990. Criminally, it managed two weeks on the chart and a peak of #81. Wrong on so many levels.

This is a similarly spectacular and extended live performance of the song from (I think) The Big Day concert at George Square in Glasgow on 3rd June 1990. Texas and Wet Wet Wet may have been the bigger names with longer sets that day but honestly, how do you follow this?

Last but not least, Fever In The Shadows was originally a bonus track on the 12" and CD of the Fever single, then a CD bonus track on the Wild And Lonely album. Some similarities with the single, but a different groove, completely different lyrics and up there with the best Associates songs.
 
 
Fever
 

Cruel, was the first time

Cruel, still I remember

I never ever saw you again, contain me

Fever when I call out your name

Can you blame me?


 
Something in the night, making me feel electrified

Something in the night, tell me about you

Something in the night, throw me shadows of your life

And let me take this night closer until you fall


 
Cruel, was the first time

Cruel, still I remember

Let me see you get out of this

I want you with or without tenderness

I'll haunt you


 
Something in the night, making me feel electrified

Something in the night, tell me about you 

Something in the night, throw me shadows of your life 

And let me take this night closer until you fall 
 

 
I knew you were waiting for something better to come along 

C'mon, you won't forget me honey 

Am I weak because I'm strong? 
 

 
Something in the night, making me feel electrified

Something in the night, tell me about you

Something in the night, throw me the shadows of your life 

And let me take this night closer until you fall  
 
 
Fever In The Shadows 
 
Love the beat, shame about the groove
 Love the beat, shame about the groove 
Love the beat, shame about the groove 
Love the beat, now it's been proved 
 
Stuck in the wild with nothing to do 
Dance myself dizzy thinking of you 
The clock on the wall's timings bad 
Ever felt like you've been had
The noise of the city has me in its grips 
Shoot from the hip now take my trip 
I go downtown within the hour 
Back to nature, the kingdom of power 
 
Love the beat, about the groove 
Love the beat, shame about the groove 
Love the beat, shame about the groove 
Love the beat, now it's been proved 
 
The rhythm of love has me on my knees

I believe in the spirit of democracy 
A dreamy girl filled a questionnaire 
About giving birth to a zillionaire

Around the world the news is good 
Culture vultures in the nude 
Feed the soul through the arts 
With poetry let's play the part 
Let's play the part 
 
What's happening in the shadows 
Palace in the ghetto 
Ask me about Soweto 
When the sun goes down 
Fever, fever, fever 
Fever, fever, fever 
 
Love the beat, shame about the groove 
Love the beat, shame about the groove
Love the beat, shame about the groove
Love the beat, now it has been proved
 

2 comments:

  1. Got to love the associates - hope you feel better soon!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Mike, getting there! I was a bit surprised to find that this is only the third time an Associates song has featured on this blog, and the first as the main focus of the post. More Billy planned...!

      Delete