Billy MacKenzie sang torch-songs in the tradition of Scott Walker or Jacques Brel, over multi-instrumentalist Alan Rankine’s clipped guitars and synthisized soundscapes.
Their best known hits are Take Me to the Girl, 18 Carat Love Affair, Club Country, Waiting for the Loveboat, Breakfast and the operatic Party Fears Two.
Tragically Billy Mackenzie committed suicide in 1997 aged 39, after suffering from depression.
Discography
The Affectionate Punch (Fiction, 1980)
Fourth Drawer Down (Fiction, 1981)
Sulk (WEA, 1982)
Perhaps (WEA, 1985)
The Glamour Chase (WEA, 1988) - but unreleased until 2003
Wild And Lonely (Circa, 1990)
Popera: The Singles Collection (WEA East West, 1990)
The Radio One Sessions (Nighttracks, 1994)
Double Hipness (V2, 2000)
The Radio One Sessions Volume One 1981-1983 (Strange Fruit, 2003)
The Radio One Sessions Volume Two 1984-1985 (Strange Fruit, 2003)
Singles (Warners, 2004)
Nó
Associates Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've got to work out ma, and sort out my face
I've got all 'zines telling me what to eat
And I'm tired of being told what to wear on my feet
And I don't have the time to get all worked up about the year on the street
And it's not my fault, I can find my way, yeah it's not my fault
There goes another day, I've been here too long
I feel out of flavour, I don't look like a picture
You think I'm a loser, but I can see through you
You're running around like you're running the country
I know that you think that you've got one on me
Ear to the ground like a boy about town
Can't get nothing to fit me!
And it's not my fault, I can find my way, yeah it's not my fault
There goes another day, I've been here too long
Do I have to change in to what it takes, yeah make it No.1
Got to call for an old friend who used to be real close
Said he couldn't go on the American way
Sold his house, sold his car
Bought a ticket to the West coast
Now he gives him 'em a stand-up routine in L.A.
yeah but it's not my fault, I can find my way, yeah it's not my fault
Got to look out for an old friend who used to be real close
Said it couldn't go on the American way
Sold his house, sold his car
Bought a ticket to the West coast
Now he gives 'em a stand-up routine in L.A.
Do I have to change in to what it takes, yeah make it No.1
The Associates' song "No" discusses the pressures of societal norms and expectations, which lead to feeling like an outsider. The singer seems to be fed up with the constant bombardment of media telling them what to eat, wear, and do. They also feel like they don't fit in with the conventional idea of what is attractive or successful, and that they won't change to conform to these standards.
The lyrics express frustration with the way things are and being judged for not fitting in. The singer also references an old friend who left the American way of life and headed to the West Coast to pursue a different path. This perhaps serves as inspiration for the singer to also seek out their own path and find their own version of success.
Line by Line Meaning
I've got to get up ma, and get in my place
I need to go about my day and get my work done
I've got to work out ma, and sort out my face
I need to exercise and get ready for the day ahead
I've got all 'zines telling me what to eat
I am bombarded with magazines telling me what to eat
And I'm tired of being told what to wear on my feet
I am sick of being told what type of shoes to wear
And I don't have the time to get all worked up about the year on the street
I don't have the energy to worry about the latest fashion trends
And it's not my fault, I can find my way, yeah it's not my fault
I'm not to blame for society's standards, I navigate it on my own
There goes another day, I've been here too long
I feel like I've been stuck doing the same thing for too long
Do I have to change into what it takes, yeah make it No.1
Do I have to conform to society's standards in order to be successful?
I feel out of flavour, I don't look like a picture
I don't fit the cookie-cutter image of what society deems as attractive
You think I'm a loser, but I can see through you
People may think poorly of me, but I see their true intentions
You're running around like you're running the country
You act as if you have control over everything, like you're the president
I know that you think that you've got one on me
I know that you think you're better than me or have an advantage over me
Ear to the ground like a boy about town
I am constantly listening and staying informed about what's happening
Can't get nothing to fit me!
I can't find anything that fits my unique style or preferences
Got to call for an old friend who used to be real close
I need to reach out to a dear friend who I've lost touch with
Said he couldn't go on the American way
He didn't want to keep living the typical American lifestyle
Sold his house, sold his car
He sold all of his possessions
Bought a ticket to the West coast
He bought a ticket to the West Coast of the US
Now he gives him 'em a stand-up routine in L.A.
He now performs stand-up comedy in Los Angeles
Do I have to change in to what it takes, yeah make it No.1
Should I have to change myself to fit society's standards to become the best?
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALAN PETER RANKINE, BILLY MACKENZIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind