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