The Associates

The Associates

1898 fans

Singer Billy Mackenzie and musician Alan Rankine formed The Associates in Dundee, Scotland in 1979. They won critical acclaim for a sound that was called 'new pop' with a mix of psychedelia, glam rock, post-punk, and electronic pop typified by their debut single, a cover of David Bowie’s “Boys Keep Swinging.” The single attracted interest from labels and The Associates signed with Fiction Records. Their debut album, The Affectionate Punch, was released in 1980 and received positive press but did not sell as well as expected. They achieved their commercial breakthrough with the release of their 1982 sophomore album Sulk and the singles “Club Country” and “Party Fears Two.” The Guardian newspaper said that Sulk "has a fair claim to the title of the most extraordinary album of the 1980s" and peaked at Number 10. Alan Rankine left The Associates and Billy Mackenzie continued to release albums under the band name. The album Perhaps was released in 1985 and went to Number 23 in the UK. Their fourth album, The Glamour Chase, was recorded for release in 1988 but was rejected by the label and remained unreleased until 2002. The final studio album by The Associates was 1990’s Wild and Lonely. While Billy Mackenzie continued to make music as a solo artist, a brief reunion with Alan Rankine led to hopes of a full-fledged Associates reunion. However, the project came to an end before any music was released. Mackenzie, who had suffered from depression most of his life, committed suicide in 1997 at the age of 39. Renewed interest in the group’s music inspired a series of reissues and compilations over the years including a 40th Anniversary edition of Sulk in 2022. Alan Rankine died on January 3, 2023, at the age of 64.
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Top tracks

01
The Affectionate Punch (Remastered 2016)
The Associates
The Affectionate Punch
03:32
Writer: Alan Rankine - Billy Mackenzie / Composers: Alan Rankine - Billy Mackenzie
06
A Matter of Gender (Remastered 2016)
The Associates
The Affectionate Punch
04:34
Writer: Alan Rankine - Billy Mackenzie / Composers: Alan Rankine - Billy Mackenzie
03
Logan Time (Remastered 2016)
The Associates
The Affectionate Punch
04:11
Writer: Alan Rankine - Billy Mackenzie / Composers: Alan Rankine - Billy Mackenzie
14
And Then I Read a Book (2000 Remaster)
The Associates
Sulk
03:27
Writer: Billy Mackenzie - Alan Rankine / Composers: Billy Mackenzie - Alan Rankine
12
18 Carat Love Affair (2000 Remaster)
The Associates
Sulk
03:39
Writer: Billy Mackenzie - Alan Rankine / Composers: Billy Mackenzie - Alan Rankine
02
Amused as Always (Remastered 2016)
The Associates
The Affectionate Punch
04:21
Writer: Alan Rankine - Billy Mackenzie / Composers: Alan Rankine - Billy Mackenzie
04
Paper House (Remastered 2016)
The Associates
The Affectionate Punch
04:56
Writer: Alan Rankine - Billy Mackenzie / Composers: Alan Rankine - Billy Mackenzie
05
Transport to Central (Remastered 2016)
The Associates
The Affectionate Punch
05:09
Writer: Alan Rankine - Billy Mackenzie / Composers: Alan Rankine - Billy Mackenzie
08
Party Fears Two (Remix)
The Associates
Sulk
05:12
Writer: Alan Peter Rankine - William McArthur McKenzie / Composers: Alan Peter Rankine - William McArthur McKenzie
15
Australia (2000 Remaster)
The Associates
Sulk
03:18
Writer: Billy Mackenzie - Alan Rankine / Composers: Billy Mackenzie - Alan Rankine
03
Tell Me Easter's on Friday (Remastered 2015 / Single Edit)
The Associates
The Very Best of The Associates
04:31
Writer: Alan Rankine - Billy Mackenzie / Composers: Alan Rankine - Billy Mackenzie
02
Waiting for the Loveboat
The Associates
Perhaps (Expanded)
04:26
Writer: Billy Mackenzie / Composers: Billy Mackenzie
12
Breakfast Alone (Instrumental Version)
The Associates
Perhaps (Expanded)
05:45
Composers: Billy Mackenzie
01
Those First Impressions
The Associates
Perhaps (Expanded)
04:42
Writer: Billy Mackenzie / Composers: Billy Mackenzie
06
Breakfast
The Associates
Perhaps (Expanded)
04:25
Writer: Billy Mackenzie / Composers: Billy Mackenzie
10
Don't Give Me That "I Told You So" Look
The Associates
Perhaps (Expanded)
05:12
Writer: Billy Mackenzie - Steve Reid
13
Thirteen Feelings (Instrumental Version)
The Associates
Perhaps (Expanded)
04:36
Writer: Billy Mackenzie - Steve Reid
13
Ulcragyceptimol (2000 Remaster)
The Associates
Sulk
04:25
Writer: Alan Rankine - Billy Mackenzie / Composers: Alan Rankine - Billy Mackenzie
14
The Stranger In Your Voice (Instrumental Version)
The Associates
Perhaps (Expanded)
06:18
Writer: Billy Mackenzie - Steve Reid
05
Helicopter Helicopter
The Associates
Perhaps (Expanded)
04:09
Writer: Billy Mackenzie - Steve Reid
07
Thirteen Feelings
The Associates
Perhaps (Expanded)
04:39
Writer: Billy Mackenzie - Steve Reid
04
Schampout
The Associates
Perhaps (Expanded)
06:02
Writer: Billy Mackenzie
11
Club Country (Remastered 2015 / Single Edit)
The Associates
The Very Best of The Associates
04:10
Writer: Alan Rankine - Billy Mackenzie / Composers: Alan Rankine - Billy Mackenzie
25
The Affectionate Punch (Remix / Remastered 2016)
The Associates
The Affectionate Punch
04:19
Writer: Alan Rankine - Billy Mackenzie / Composers: Alan Rankine - Billy Mackenzie
09
The Best of You (Billy Mackenzie & Dave Allen Remix) [feat. Eddie Reader]
The Associates
Perhaps (Expanded)
05:36
Writer: Billy Mackenzie - Steve Reid
21
Heart of Glass
The Associates
Celtic Hits
04:01
Composers: C. Stein - D. Harry
11
Perhaps (Instrumental Version)
The Associates
Perhaps (Expanded)
07:10
Writer: Billy Mackenzie
09
Club Country (2000 Remaster)
The Associates
Sulk
04:06
Writer: Billy Mackenzie - Alan Rankine / Composers: Billy Mackenzie - Alan Rankine
17
The Room We Sat In Before (2000 Remaster)
The Associates
Sulk
03:28
Writer: Billy Mackenzie - Alan Rankine / Composers: Billy Mackenzie - Alan Rankine

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  • Discography
Albums
Hi, How Can I Help You?
2022 The Associates
09-01-2022
Hi, How Can I Help You?
01
First Day at Work
The Associates
Hi, How Can I Help You?
02:43
Composers: Spencer John Schneider - Francis Xavier Patterson
02
Phone Calls
The Associates
Hi, How Can I Help You?
03:14
Composers: Francis Xavier Patterson
03
Shoes (Interlude)
The Associates
Hi, How Can I Help You?
00:58
Composers: Francis Xavier Patterson
04
Truck Day
The Associates
Hi, How Can I Help You?
02:33
Composers: Francis Xavier Patterson
05
Breaking Down the Boxes, Pt. 1
The Associates
Hi, How Can I Help You?
03:33
Composers: Francis Xavier Patterson
06
Lunch Break (Interlude)
The Associates
Hi, How Can I Help You?
00:34
Composers: Francis Xavier Patterson
07
Candyce
The Associates
Hi, How Can I Help You?
02:51
Composers: Francis Xavier Patterson
Access the complete album info (10 songs)
Vol. 1
2017 The Associates
07-08-2017
Vol. 1
01
Grey Eyed Gal from Amsterdam
The Associates
Vol. 1
04:26
Composers: Dan Legault - Alec McElcheran - Alan Springer
02
Just Don't Have the Time
The Associates
Vol. 1
04:05
Composers: Dan Legault - Alec McElcheran - Alan Springer
03
Lyin' to Myself
The Associates
Vol. 1
04:33
Composers: Dan Legault - Alec McElcheran - Alan Springer
04
Cold Wind Blowing
The Associates
Vol. 1
04:44
Composers: Dan Legault - Alec McElcheran - Alan Springer
05
Prisoner
The Associates
Vol. 1
06:32
Composers: Dan Legault - Alec McElcheran - Alan Springer
06
Not the End of the World
The Associates
Vol. 1
04:23
Composers: Dan Legault - Alec McElcheran - Alan Springer
07
The Rag & Bone
The Associates
Vol. 1
07:08
Composers: Dan Legault - Alec McElcheran - Alan Springer
The Very Best of The Associates
℗ 2016 The Estate of the late Billy Mackenzie,Alan Rankine and Michael Dempsey (The Associates), under exclusive licence to Union Square Music Limited, a BMG Company
08-04-2016
The Very Best of The Associates
01
Boys Keep Swinging (Remastered 2000)
Associates
The Very Best of The Associates
03:42
Writer: Brian Eno - David Bowie / Composers: Brian Eno - David Bowie
02
The Affectionate Punch (Remastered 2015 / Single Edit)
The Associates
The Very Best of The Associates
03:30
Writer: Alan Rankine - Billy Mackenzie / Composers: Alan Rankine - Billy Mackenzie
03
Tell Me Easter's on Friday (Remastered 2015 / Single Edit)
The Associates
The Very Best of The Associates
04:31
Writer: Alan Rankine - Billy Mackenzie / Composers: Alan Rankine - Billy Mackenzie
04
Q Quarters (Remastered 2015 / Single Edit)
The Associates
The Very Best of The Associates
04:57
Writer: Alan Rankine - Billy Mackenzie / Composers: Alan Rankine - Billy Mackenzie
05
Kitchen Person (Remastered 2015 / Single Edit)
The Associates
The Very Best of The Associates
03:32
Writer: Alan Rankine - Billy Mackenzie / Composers: Alan Rankine - Billy Mackenzie
06
(A) (Remix)
The Associates
The Very Best of The Associates
03:54
Composers: Alan Rankine - Billy McKenzie
07
Message Oblique Speech (Remastered 2015 / Single Edit)
The Associates
The Very Best of The Associates
04:00
Writer: Alan Rankine - Billy Mackenzie / Composers: Alan Rankine - Billy Mackenzie
Access the complete album info (26 songs)
Wild And Lonely
This Compilation ℗ 2006 Virgin Records Limited
01-03-1990
Wild And Lonely
01
Fire To Ice (2006 Digital Remaster)
The Associates
Wild And Lonely
04:03
Composers: Billy Mackenzie
02
Fever (2006 Digital Remaster)
The Associates
Wild And Lonely
04:26
Composers: Billy Mackenzie
03
People We Meet (2006 Digital Remaster)
The Associates
Wild And Lonely
04:25
Composers: Billy Mackenzie
04
Just Can't Say Goodbye (2006 Digital Remaster)
The Associates
Wild And Lonely
03:59
Composers: Billy Mackenzie
05
Calling All Around The World (2006 Digital Remaster)
The Associates
Wild And Lonely
04:20
Composers: Billy Mackenzie
06
The Glamour Chase (2006 Digital Remaster)
The Associates
Wild And Lonely
04:52
Composers: Billy Mackenzie
07
Where There's Love (2006 Digital Remaster)
The Associates
Wild And Lonely
04:44
Composers: Billy Mackenzie
Access the complete album info (16 songs)
Perhaps (Expanded)
2020 Warner Music Group - X5 Music Group
09-02-1985
Perhaps (Expanded)
01
Those First Impressions
The Associates
Perhaps (Expanded)
04:42
Writer: Billy Mackenzie / Composers: Billy Mackenzie
02
Waiting for the Loveboat
The Associates
Perhaps (Expanded)
04:26
Writer: Billy Mackenzie / Composers: Billy Mackenzie
03
Perhaps (Billy Mackenzie & Dave Allen Remix)
The Associates
Perhaps (Expanded)
06:32
Writer: Billy Mackenzie
04
Schampout
The Associates
Perhaps (Expanded)
06:02
Writer: Billy Mackenzie
05
Helicopter Helicopter
The Associates
Perhaps (Expanded)
04:09
Writer: Billy Mackenzie - Steve Reid
06
Breakfast
The Associates
Perhaps (Expanded)
04:25
Writer: Billy Mackenzie / Composers: Billy Mackenzie
07
Thirteen Feelings
The Associates
Perhaps (Expanded)
04:39
Writer: Billy Mackenzie - Steve Reid
Access the complete album info (26 songs)
The Affectionate Punch
℗ 2016 The Estate of the late Billy Mackenzie,Alan Rankine and Michael Dempsey (The Associates), under exclusive licence to Union Square Music Ltd., a BMG Company
01-08-1980
The Affectionate Punch
01
The Affectionate Punch (Remastered 2016)
The Associates
The Affectionate Punch
03:32
Writer: Alan Rankine - Billy Mackenzie / Composers: Alan Rankine - Billy Mackenzie
02
Amused as Always (Remastered 2016)
The Associates
The Affectionate Punch
04:21
Writer: Alan Rankine - Billy Mackenzie / Composers: Alan Rankine - Billy Mackenzie
03
Logan Time (Remastered 2016)
The Associates
The Affectionate Punch
04:11
Writer: Alan Rankine - Billy Mackenzie / Composers: Alan Rankine - Billy Mackenzie
04
Paper House (Remastered 2016)
The Associates
The Affectionate Punch
04:56
Writer: Alan Rankine - Billy Mackenzie / Composers: Alan Rankine - Billy Mackenzie
05
Transport to Central (Remastered 2016)
The Associates
The Affectionate Punch
05:09
Writer: Alan Rankine - Billy Mackenzie / Composers: Alan Rankine - Billy Mackenzie
06
A Matter of Gender (Remastered 2016)
The Associates
The Affectionate Punch
04:34
Writer: Alan Rankine - Billy Mackenzie / Composers: Alan Rankine - Billy Mackenzie
07
Even Dogs in the Wild (Remastered 2016)
The Associates
The Affectionate Punch
03:26
Writer: Alan Rankine - Billy Mackenzie / Composers: Alan Rankine - Billy Mackenzie
Access the complete album info (26 songs)
Singles
The Little Boy That Santa Claus Forgot (Live at Ronnie Scott's)
2020 Warner Music Group - X5 Music Group
02-10-2020
The Little Boy That Santa Claus Forgot (Live at Ronnie Scott's)
01
The Little Boy That Santa Claus Forgot (Live at Ronnie Scott's)
The Associates
The Little Boy That Santa Claus Forgot (Live at Ronnie Scott's)
02:26
Composers: Jimmy Leach - Michael Carr - Tommie Connor
Future
TR
30-06-2017
Future
01
Future
Keither Florence
Future
04:05
Composers: K. Florence
02
Free
Keither Florence
Future
03:24
Composers: K. Florence
Time for Honesty
(P) 2012 Eikås Records
01-03-2012
Time for Honesty
01
Time for Honesty
The Associates
Time for Honesty
03:50
Composers: The Associates
Featured in
Sulk
℗ 2000 The Estate of the late Billy Mackenzie,Alan Rankine and Michael Dempsey (The Associates), under exclusive licence to Union Square Music Limited, a BMG Company
14-05-1982
Sulk
01
Arrogance Gave Him Up (2000 Remaster)
The Associates
Sulk
03:00
Writer: Billy Mackenzie - Alan Rankine / Composers: Billy Mackenzie - Alan Rankine
02
No (2000 Remaster)
The Associates
Sulk
05:50
Writer: Billy Mackenzie - Alan Rankine / Composers: Billy Mackenzie - Alan Rankine
03
Bap De La Bap (2000 Remaster)
The Associates
Sulk
04:18
Writer: Billy Mackenzie - Alan Rankine / Composers: Billy Mackenzie - Alan Rankine
04
Gloomy Sunday (2000 Remaster)
The Associates
Sulk
04:11
Writer: Billy Mackenzie - Alan Rankine / Composers: Billy Mackenzie - Alan Rankine
05
Nude Spoons (2000 Remaster)
The Associates
Sulk
04:21
Writer: Billy Mackenzie - Alan Rankine / Composers: Billy Mackenzie - Alan Rankine
06
Skipping (2000 Remaster)
The Associates
Sulk
04:04
Writer: Billy Mackenzie - Alan Rankine - Michael Dempsey / Composers: Billy Mackenzie - Alan Rankine - Michael Dempsey
07
It's Better This Way (2000 Remaster)
The Associates
Sulk
03:30
Writer: Billy Mackenzie - Alan Rankine / Composers: Billy Mackenzie - Alan Rankine
Access the complete album info (17 songs)
80s Dance
This Compilation ℗ 2019 BMG Rights Management (UK) Limited
18-01-2019
80s Dance
01
Love Resurrection (Remastered 2009)
Alison Moyet
80s Dance
03:52
Writer: Steve Jolley - Alison Moyet - Tony Swain / Composers: Steve Jolley - Alison Moyet - Tony Swain
02
Love On Your Side
Thompson Twins
80s Dance
03:29
Writer: Tom Bailey - Alannah Currie - Joe Leeway / Composers: Tom Bailey - Alannah Currie - Joe Leeway
03
Quiet Life (German 7" Mix 1980)
Japan
80s Dance
03:52
Writer: David Sylvian / Composers: David Sylvian
04
People Hold On
Coldcut
80s Dance
03:30
Writer: Jonathan More - Lisa Stansfield - Matt Black / Composers: Jonathan More - Lisa Stansfield - Matt Black
05
Call Me
Spagna
80s Dance
04:05
Writer: Alfredo Pignagnoli - Giorgio Spagna - Ivana Spagna / Composers: Alfredo Pignagnoli - Giorgio Spagna - Ivana Spagna
06
You'll Never Stop Me Loving You
Sonia
80s Dance
03:23
Writer: Mike Stock - Matt Aitken - Pete Waterman / Composers: Mike Stock - Matt Aitken - Pete Waterman
07
Never Gonna Give You Up
Rick Astley
80s Dance
03:33
Writer: Matt Aitken - Mike Stock - Pete Waterman / Composers: Matt Aitken - Mike Stock - Pete Waterman
Access the complete album info (31 songs)
Return Of Dragon
℗ 2001 The Island Def Jam Music Group
01-01-2001
Return Of Dragon
01
Intro (Album Version Edited)
Sisqo
Return Of Dragon
00:51
Composers: Jarod "B" Barnes - Nathan Mooring
02
Not Afraid (Album Version Edited)
Sisqo
Return Of Dragon
02:56
Composers: Al West - Mark Andrews
03
Infatuated (Album Version Edited)
Sisqo
Return Of Dragon
03:28
Composers: Al West - Mark Andrews - J.P. Edmund
04
Can I Live (Album Version Edited)
Sisqo
Return Of Dragon
04:00
Composers: Richard "Nicky" Stanard - Teddy Riley - Dwayne Jones
05
Without You
Sisqo
Return Of Dragon
03:08
Composers: James Moss
06
Home Wrecker (Album Version Edited)
Sisqo
Return Of Dragon
03:57
Composers: Chris "Tricky" Stewart - Traci Hale - Thabiso Nkhereanye
07
Last Night (Album Version Edited)
Sisqo
Return Of Dragon
03:43
Composers: Nathan "N8" Walton - Tavia Ivey - D'Gregory Craig
Access the complete album info (12 songs)
Flashback 80's
2023 Warner Music Group - X5 Music Group
23-11-2023
Flashback 80's
01
Highly Strung
Spandau Ballet
Flashback 80's
04:10
Writer: Gary Kemp / Composers: Gary Kemp
02
You Are the One (7" Remix)
a-ha
Flashback 80's
03:50
Writer: Magne Furuholmen - Pal Waaktaar / Composers: Magne Furuholmen - Pal Waaktaar
03
Lament (Flexipop Version)
The Cure
Flashback 80's
04:36
Writer: Robert Smith / Composers: Robert Smith
04
Tell Me Why
Change
Flashback 80's
05:19
Writer: Larry La Falce - Mauro Malavasi - Mike Campbell - Timmy Allen / Composers: Larry La Falce - Mauro Malavasi - Mike Campbell - Timmy Allen
05
March On Down the Line
Erasure
Flashback 80's
03:44
Writer: Andy Bell - Vince Clarke / Composers: Andy Bell - Vince Clarke
06
Skin Trade
Duran Duran
Flashback 80's
05:56
Writer: John Taylor - Nick Rhodes - Simon Le Bon / Composers: John Taylor - Nick Rhodes - Simon Le Bon
07
Round & Round
New Order
Flashback 80's
04:31
Writer: Bernard Sumner - Gillian Gilbert - Peter Hook - Stephen Morris / Composers: Bernard Sumner - Gillian Gilbert - Peter Hook - Stephen Morris
Access the complete album info (30 songs)
Return Of Dragon
℗ 2001 UMG Recordings, Inc.
09-06-2001
Return Of Dragon
01
Intro
Sisqo
Return Of Dragon
00:51
Composers: Jarod "B" Barnes - Nathan Mooring
02
Not Afraid
Sisqo
Return Of Dragon
02:56
Composers: Al West - Mark Andrews
03
Infatuated
Sisqo
Return Of Dragon
03:28
Composers: Al West - Mark Andrews - J.P. Edmund
04
Can I Live
Sisqo
Return Of Dragon
04:01
Composers: Richard "Nicky" Stanard - Teddy Riley - Dwayne Jones
05
Without You
Sisqo
Return Of Dragon
03:08
Composers: James Moss
06
Home Wrecker
Sisqo
Return Of Dragon
03:57
Composers: Chris "Tricky" Stewart - Traci Hale - Thabiso Nkhereanye
07
Last Night
Sisqo
Return Of Dragon
03:43
Composers: Nathan "N8" Walton - Tavia Ivey - D'Gregory Craig
Access the complete album info (13 songs)
Classic Alternative
2020 Warner Music Group - X5 Music Group
31-07-2020
Classic Alternative
01
What Difference Does It Make?
The Smiths
Classic Alternative
03:49
Writer: Johnny Marr - Morrissey / Composers: Johnny Marr - Morrissey
02
The Cutter
Echo and the Bunnymen
Classic Alternative
03:52
Writer: Ian McCulloch - Les Pattinson - Pete de Freitas - Will Sergeant / Composers: Ian McCulloch - Les Pattinson - Pete de Freitas - Will Sergeant
03
Peaches
The Stranglers
Classic Alternative
04:05
Composers: Dave Greenfield - Hugh Cornwell - Jean-Jacques Burnel - Jet Black
04
Temple of Love (1992)
The Sisters Of Mercy
Classic Alternative
08:08
Writer: Andrew Eldritch / Composers: Andrew Eldritch
05
Epic (Radio Edit)
Faith No More
Classic Alternative
03:59
Writer: Andrew Bordin - Christopher Bottum - David Gould - James Martin - Mike Patton / Composers: Andrew Bordin - Christopher Bottum - David Gould - James Martin - Mike Patton
06
Remembrance Day
B-Movie
Classic Alternative
04:05
Writer: Hovington / Composers: Hovington
07
Atmosphere
Joy Division
Classic Alternative
04:09
Writer: Bernard Sumner - Ian Curtis - Peter Hook - Stephen Morris / Composers: Bernard Sumner - Ian Curtis - Peter Hook - Stephen Morris
Access the complete album info (27 songs)