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)
Party Fears Two
The Associates Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And then phone my brother up
Within the hour
I'll smash another cup
Please don't start saying that
Or I'll start believing you
If I start believing you
And what if this party fears two?
The alcohol loves you while turning you blue
View it from here
From closer to near, awake me
Don't turn around
I won't have to look at you
And what's not found
Is all that I see in you
My manners are failing me
I'm left feeling ugly
And you say it's wonderful
To live with I never will
So what if this party fears two?
The alcohol loves you while turning you blue
View it from here
From closer to near, awake me
I'm standing still
And you say I dress too well
Still standing still
I might but it's hard to tell
Even a slight remark
Makes nonsense and turns to shark
Have I done something wrong?
What's wrong's the wrong that's always in wrong
I'll have a shower
And then phone my brother up
Within the hour
I'll smash another cup
The lyrics to The Associates' song Party Fears Two is a complex commentary on the nature of a social gathering or party and the fears and uncertainties that plague the individual attending it. The opening line, "I'll have a shower and then phone my brother up, within the hour I'll smash another cup" sets the tone for the rest of the song, with the singer attempting to clear their conscience by doing things that they perceive as beneficial or helpful but end up only causing more problems.
As the song progresses, the singer laments the possibility of believing others when they say things that cause them to feel unsure or doubtful. This further contributes to their anxieties and insecurities about their social interactions, as they begin to question what exactly is causing the party's irrationality and paranoia.
This theme continues throughout the lyrics as the singer feels restrained and unsure of themselves, unable to communicate and connect with others in their group. The lyrics suggest that the singer's fears are not unfounded, as they begin to understand that others at the party are similarly struggling with their own fears and insecurities.
Overall, Party Fears Two is a compelling commentary on the complex nature of social anxiety and the uncertainties that come with it. The lyrics build a picture of a party that is fraught with uncertainties and fears, causing each individual to question their own place and role within it.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll have a shower
I need to clean myself before I do anything else.
And then phone my brother up
After my shower, I'll call my brother.
Within the hour
I plan to make this call quickly.
I'll smash another cup
I'm so frustrated that I'll break something else.
Please don't start saying that
I don't want to hear what you're about to say.
Or I'll start believing you
If you keep talking, I might think it's true.
If I start believing you
If I take your words to heart, it could have consequences.
I'll know that this party fears two
I'll realize that this relationship is not a healthy one.
And what if this party fears two?
If we're both scared, what does that mean for us?
The alcohol loves you while turning you blue
Drinking may make you feel good, but it's hurting you in the end.
View it from here
Look at our relationship from a different perspective.
From closer to near, awake me
Help me understand what's really going on and see the truth.
Don't turn around
I don't want to face the reality of our situation.
I won't have to look at you
If I don't see you, I don't have to deal with my emotions.
And what's not found
I don't see anything good in you anymore.
Is all that I see in you
All I see in you is negativity and pain.
My manners are failing me
I'm struggling to be polite in this situation.
I'm left feeling ugly
The way you're treating me is making me feel bad about myself.
And you say it's wonderful
You're trying to convince me that everything is great.
To live with I never will
I can't continue to stay in this toxic relationship.
Even a slight remark
Anything you say can be hurtful to me at this point.
Makes nonsense and turns to shark
Your words are meaningless and are hurting me like a predator.
Have I done something wrong?
I'm questioning if I'm the one to blame for our troubles.
What's wrong's the wrong that's always in wrong
Our relationship is always wrong, no matter who is at fault.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ALAN PETER RANKINE, BILLY MACKENZIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MadFranko008
Another musical genius gone too soon. Alan Rankine co-founder of the unique duo "The Associates" has passed away at just age 64...
Alan along with Billy MacKenzie brought a breath of fresh air of sound, style & lyrics to the early 80's music scene, some didn't quite get it at the time but came to eventually appreciate the musical genius of the pair much later on and all the way up till today...
T'was a great time and era to be young in, often spoiled for choice by the amazing bands & artists around at the time who had that magical touch of creating sounds, styles & music the likes of which has never been seen since...
Thank you to both Alan & Billy for being a very important sound of my youth and for the past 4 decades, your musical genius, talents & legacy will live on forever...
@pippagrindley7979
Classic tune...yes another legend leaves us!!😢Memories from my genre ✨
@johnjordan3768
Rip Alan. In heaven with Billy. God Bless you's .Thanks for the great songs.🙏
@RobTaverner
Well said Mr S. ;)
@JC-hu1wd
Tonne up. 100 💯 likes
@shakypam
Oh no!
@Adrian-jk4kx
42 years ago....where did all the time go...young people beware. Live every day like a gift from God.
@paperchain1239
This is a banging tune.
Still listening in 2023
Anyone ?
@MadFranko008
Erm... of course people are still listening in 2023... hence all the recent comments made in 2023 !!! 👀
@susieily
Im listening to it now 👌👌👌