Such a brilliant,witty & sadly underrated tune from the Associates which never got the real success it deserved as in comparison with the songs in the charts at the time the originality of a song like this absolutely shone through....Respect!
The record company thought the Associates were getting out of hand and decided to let the single down. By then music business pressure and drug-induced shenanigans had taken their toll and the band was at the end of the road... Billy Mackenzie ran away from London soon after this TOTP appearance. He spent a few weeks in Dundee, not answering Rankine's calls (or the record company's for that matter) Rankine was left stranded in London, having to deal with WEA on a daily basis, rehearsing with a 9-piece (!) band by day (a neverending world tour was on the cards with new dates being added every single day) and working at night on the useless afectionate punch remix LP - in his own words "this was heavy shit". Success really destroyed Billy's and Alan's friendship and mutual trust.
it was still a modest hit. this was a great time for pop-1982 but don't forget though the public preferred novelty records and corny shit like tight fit and bucks fizz
I don't agree that the remixed The Affectionate punch was "useless" at all. Unnecessary perhaps but there are a good few songs on the remixed version that at least give us an interesting alternative take on those songs. Do you really think that the remixed Amused as always was not worth hearing? And if you do, then I think it's a fair question to ask whether you would've still thought that if you didn't have the original to compare it to?
I had a similar experience when I was 15 (I recently turned 22). I was hooked when I saw the video for "Breakfast" and bought the "Sulk" album from HMV. No one else like them/Billy. This might be their finest moment.
As students in Amsterdam in the early eighties we recognized his talent... but now I realize he was outstanding... he matches and outpasses Carl Wilson or the brothers Gibbs, Billy covers the entire range...
Such a joyous band & one of the few distinct ones of their era. More talent than they managed find ways to get it out there. Another thing is that ANY BAND thats had Martha Ladly in it was blessed at by the GODS !! I almost listen to them with a tear in my eye all the time. All kinds of reasons & out of happiness and missing people like them mostly. Beautiful people.
At the time this one was my least favourite, now it almost brings me to tears. I used to prefer their more sinister edge, like the amazing "Skipping" and "It's Better This Way". But how can you hear this soaring, exuberant slice of the pop sublime and see Billy in his charismatic, glowing prime and fail to be gloriously transported?
just how gorgous dus billy look in this totps clip. i loved his music bk then but was too young too fully appreciate the greatness of his talent. Now older & wiser i have all hs back catalogue & am mesmerised by it. sadly i can never see him live. wot a waste. gone too soon rip mr mackenzie
billy was a great looking guy, who was so talented, he had a unique voice which separated him from the rest. The Associates should have the same recognition in my opinion as the smiths or simple minds for example they where that good, they where an excellent band
I've sometimes felt that really my fave Associates single should be one of the earlier, darker, more experimental tracks. Even Party Fears Two and Club Country are, arguably, a bit edgier. But no....it's this one that always thrills me the most. 18 Carat Love Affair makes me feel euphoric, but also slightly sad, as it was to be their last real taste of mainstream success. Billy looks so happy in this clip, just goofing around as usual. An incredible individual, still sorely missed.
wouldbecardsharp I agree - much as I love White Car in Germany, Message Oblique Speech and others there is something so joyous about this song that it is impossible to resist. The video is so good, I could watch Billy larking around with Martha all day long. He truly is the lost star.
Couldn't agree more with that last part. I remember the first time I heard this, thinking that he's not so much singing the song, he's bloody shouting it! And you're not *meant* to do that, are you? But with Billy, somehow, it worked. :-) And that smile - could melt Antarctica. :-)
What a weird and wonderful group The Associates were. McKenzie's voice is just ridiculous. It's sad they never hung around given the wildly differing sounds of the few records they made in that 2-3 year period. They really could do it all...the pop attack of "Sulk", the weird back room vibe of the "Fourth Drawer Down" singles...
I actually remember this song. Definitely a forgotten gem ! I'm just getting to know this band and yeah i heard they are a love em or hate em type group, but i love em.
I remember watching this on TOTP in Aug 1982. A 12 year old kid....what the ...how the hell can a man sound like that? Just beautiful.....RIP Bill. Bearhug & love. Tx
Effortlessly cool. Very adult, very sexy, huge fun. Love love love the lyric, the music, the band. Their best single. One of the best ever, of any time, in my view. Billy Mac - unbelievable singer. Try singing along! Alan Rankin: fantastic musician, composer, arranger. Whatever happened to pop music??
This song brings me such incredible joy. I am sad to only be a recent Associates convert; but, you know, thank God I eventually caught the light! Arch, sexy, swanky, brilliant: Thank you, Darling Mr. Mackenzine. I swoon in your presence.
From the start Alan Rankine sits playing the first of two guitars that had been specifically made by Harrods entirely from chocolate, at a cost of £600. During the second verse 1:54 Billy is seen holding the now detached head, while surely marking a Top of the Pops first - 2:00 Rankine feeds it to the audience and then picks up and continues with the second confectionary six string.
@MikesDanceVids They put ALL of todays bands in the shade and virtually all of their contemporaries as well. To my mind one of the greatest and most unusual sounding of bands. How many bands are capable of writing songs of the quality of "Skipping" or "No"? These songs keep on improving with age.
![Associates - 18 Carat Love Affair [totp2]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/pYSsATDP3kI/mqdefault.jpg)
Such a brilliant,witty & sadly underrated tune from the Associates which never got the real success it deserved as in comparison with the songs in the charts at the time the originality of a song like this absolutely shone through....Respect!
Never gets old ... Carry the mood from this time with me forever
I agree. It's worth more than everything Duran Duran ever wrote put together.
It's garbage
One of the greatest tunes, ever. Truely a gem.
Listen to the instrumental version called Nothinginsomethingparticular. As Christmassy a tune as you could make without intending to.
ANOTHER SCOTTISH GEM, RIP BILLY MACKENZIE.
Still one of the most beautiful men I've ever seen ❤
Oh ! What a L💖 vely thing to say !
Also martha ladley one of the most beautiful women ive seen. 😍
@@freedom4life123 yes ! I concur I would have been all over her.
One of best 80's bands ,but most under rated.
People who are still to be born will enjoy this immense talent!! I hope his family that he left behind will be so proud of him!! Rip Billy 🙏
Billy was mesmerising. A real one off. Loved him so much ❤️💙♥️
This has been my earworm since Alan passed away a couple of weeks ago. What an utterly brilliant duo they were...
you said it - so iconic and amazing time capsule loved Billy so much back in the day may they both RIP
Oh no! Didn't know that..... how sad.... but maybe they'll team up again now 🥲🙏
watching this just makes you want to cry when you think of this mans talent breathtaking
How is it that this song was not a huge hit? Billy was so handsome and talented. Watching this breaks my heart.
The record company thought the Associates were getting out of hand and decided to let the single down. By then music business pressure and drug-induced shenanigans had taken their toll and the band was at the end of the road... Billy Mackenzie ran away from London soon after this TOTP appearance. He spent a few weeks in Dundee, not answering Rankine's calls (or the record company's for that matter) Rankine was left stranded in London, having to deal with WEA on a daily basis, rehearsing with a 9-piece (!) band by day (a neverending world tour was on the cards with new dates being added every single day) and working at night on the useless afectionate punch remix LP - in his own words "this was heavy shit". Success really destroyed Billy's and Alan's friendship and mutual trust.
it was still a modest hit. this was a great time for pop-1982 but don't forget though the public preferred novelty records and corny shit like tight fit and bucks fizz
+Martin Farnworth Don't forget Marillion was just around the corner too!
I don't agree that the remixed The Affectionate punch was "useless" at all. Unnecessary perhaps but there are a good few songs on the remixed version that at least give us an interesting alternative take on those songs. Do you really think that the remixed Amused as always was not worth hearing? And if you do, then I think it's a fair question to ask whether you would've still thought that if you didn't have the original to compare it to?
M DS thanks for this I didn’t know about this at all wow 😮
This takes me back.....I wish I had a time machine I would head straight back to the early 80s
One of the best songs ever written. Always looked forward to seeing The Associates on TOTP. Billy was a true star. Much missed.
It's terrible song
Brilliant song from one of the best 80s outfits at the time. There is nobody compares to that voice, wonderful!!
Is this really a song
So sad he is gone, great talent. Great looks and those dimples...
to die for this look - so sad he left the world too soon
Billy *still* warms my world today. Thanks again for it all, wee man. RIP Billy. x
even now in 2023 still rocking it in my world ...
Superb stuff,Associates were a terrific band and this song takes me straight back to that time in my past
I'll second that, tremendously underrated. There's been no one can sing like him.
I had a similar experience when I was 15 (I recently turned 22). I was hooked when I saw the video for "Breakfast" and bought the "Sulk" album from HMV. No one else like them/Billy. This might be their finest moment.
What a vocal range, what a talent; 'Sulk' was such an impact on me back then.
William Mac the light will NEVER go out.
brilliant and under-rated, lyrics, vocals, charisma he had it all - RIP Billy
These and Big Country were huge around this time. Scotland had talent ... 1:54
As students in Amsterdam in the early eighties we recognized his talent... but now I realize he was outstanding...
he matches and outpasses Carl Wilson or the brothers Gibbs, Billy covers the entire range...
One of my very favourite tracks of the '80's. Boy, could Billy sing!
Beautiful, beautiful Billy ....xxx
Such a joyous band & one of the few distinct ones of their era. More talent than they managed find ways to get it out there. Another thing is that ANY BAND thats had Martha Ladly in it was blessed at by the GODS !! I almost listen to them with a tear in my eye all the time. All kinds of reasons & out of happiness and missing people like them mostly.
Beautiful people.
Utterly magical from magnificent billy
Very much missed 😢
At the time this one was my least favourite, now it almost brings me to tears. I used to prefer their more sinister edge, like the amazing "Skipping" and "It's Better This Way". But how can you hear this soaring, exuberant slice of the pop sublime and see Billy in his charismatic, glowing prime and fail to be gloriously transported?
Probably their only track you could have a bop to!🎉
Adore this song and this band. Awesome performance!
best of the early 80s. RIP Billy
Such an amazing voice rip Billy
Gorgeous! Out of this world beautiful music, such beautiful people, such poise, such a voice,......
Martha ladley looks fantastic, that smile and knowing look at 1.54 is heart meltingly gorgeous.
Nobody sings like Billy.Rip x
A great band from a time and a decade that holds a lot of good memories
just how gorgous dus billy look in this totps clip. i loved his music bk then but was too young too fully appreciate the greatness of his talent.
Now older & wiser i have all hs back catalogue & am mesmerised by it.
sadly i can never see him live. wot a waste. gone too soon rip mr mackenzie
The biggest voice of the 80s and very unique !
Love the chocolate guitar!!!!!
'Sulk' was the best of them, and they were great.
55 now . This was the best days of my life
I hope my children w
billy was a great looking guy, who was so talented, he had a unique voice which separated him from the rest. The Associates should have the same recognition in my opinion as the smiths or simple minds for example they where that good, they where an excellent band
They had so many good songs, this possibly being my favourite, wonderful!
one of the most talented and under rated artists that ive ever had the good fortune to listen to.. r.i.p billy mackenzie x
What an outstanding tune! Looking forward to playing this to my next Valentine...
RIP Billy.
Love this band ! Love this man !
One of my favourite bands...What a voice!
Dundee's favourite son crushing... great to see Martha too. Wow the Associates were the best!
This song is pure magic way ahead of its time and today.s drab charts
Couldn't agree more, simply brilliant clever lyrics and the amazing Billy RIP
I can't believe I found this total gem after all those years! Fantastic!!!
I've sometimes felt that really my fave Associates single should be one of the earlier, darker, more experimental tracks. Even Party Fears Two and Club Country are, arguably, a bit edgier. But no....it's this one that always thrills me the most.
18 Carat Love Affair makes me feel euphoric, but also slightly sad, as it was to be their last real taste of mainstream success. Billy looks so happy in this clip, just goofing around as usual. An incredible individual, still sorely missed.
wouldbecardsharp I agree - much as I love White Car in Germany, Message Oblique Speech and others there is something so joyous about this song that it is impossible to resist. The video is so good, I could watch Billy larking around with Martha all day long. He truly is the lost star.
I think Billy was a little under the influence here....and RIP Alan Rankine...loved his chocolate guitar playing.
Same here.
The associates are a legandary great band, this track especially. thx for posting this it's brilliant.
Couldn't agree more with that last part. I remember the first time I heard this, thinking that he's not so much singing the song, he's bloody shouting it! And you're not *meant* to do that, are you? But with Billy, somehow, it worked. :-)
And that smile - could melt Antarctica. :-)
What a weird and wonderful group The Associates were. McKenzie's voice is just ridiculous. It's sad they never hung around given the wildly differing sounds of the few records they made in that 2-3 year period. They really could do it all...the pop attack of "Sulk", the weird back room vibe of the "Fourth Drawer Down" singles...
40 years ago this summer 😭😭
I actually remember this song. Definitely a forgotten gem ! I'm just getting to know this band and yeah i heard they are a love em or hate em type group, but i love em.
Suberb.
I have a big smile on my face now, thanks.
Gotta shout about this again!!! I wore out my 7" single of this cos I played it so much! Love it! love it!
Wonderful !!!
Early 80’s just fantastic
Great chemistry between billy and martha. Im suprised she didn't end up pregnant after this totp performance
I remember watching this on TOTP in Aug 1982. A 12 year old kid....what the ...how the hell can a man sound like that? Just beautiful.....RIP Bill. Bearhug & love. Tx
HIs 'Wild is the Wind' on Old Grey Whistle Test is heartbreaking.
It's not OGWT, it's STV's Don't Look Down, but apart from that detail, yes, I agree.
Rip billy Mackenzie taken too young he was a genuine talent. His music is timeless betta than the crap we have now
Effortlessly cool. Very adult, very sexy, huge fun. Love love love the lyric, the music, the band. Their best single. One of the best ever, of any time, in my view. Billy Mac - unbelievable singer. Try singing along! Alan Rankin: fantastic musician, composer, arranger. Whatever happened to pop music??
miss you bill
billy mackenzie,what a voice !incredibly unique,what a sad waste when billy took his life,sadly missed,colin sheffield
RIP Billy.You were absolutely fucking amazing and totally original.You are very sadly missed... :-(
l heard him sing a cover version of "you only live twice"live on tv ...great voice with a great vocal range
Beautiful man Beautiful voice. Check out say by the creatures. Siouxsie wrote it about him after Gorgeous Billy committed suicide. She was his friend
Class singer brilliant band
pure 80,s classs nothing like ths now
Always come back to this on you tube, how come its unavaiable at times. Need my Martha fix
Brian Likings yeah, I was thinking that - had to trawl Google for it then realised its back on this!
This song brings me such incredible joy. I am sad to only be a recent Associates convert; but, you know, thank God I eventually caught the light! Arch, sexy, swanky, brilliant: Thank you, Darling Mr. Mackenzine. I swoon in your presence.
Amazing voice! Fabulous group! One of the top 80's bands 🙂👍
Oh that voice...
Pure class
What a sad loss Billy is. So young, with so much to give.
how can anyone put tony hadley in the same catergory as billy mackenzie vocally, please, ha!!!
This makes me so sad, he looked so happy in this video 😢 Thank you for the music Billy.
Lovely song, beautifully played...great to see Billy looking so happy...
freshhhhhhhhh thanks mate RIP B.M.
From the start Alan Rankine sits playing the first of two guitars that had been specifically made by Harrods entirely from chocolate, at a cost of £600. During the second verse 1:54 Billy is seen holding the now detached head, while surely marking a Top of the Pops first - 2:00 Rankine feeds it to the audience and then picks up and continues with the second confectionary six string.
what a voice ! sweet dreams bill !
Great Choon Billy Mac Kenzie legend
That voice...
@MikesDanceVids They put ALL of todays bands in the shade and virtually all of their contemporaries as well. To my mind one of the greatest and most unusual sounding of bands. How many bands are capable of writing songs of the quality of "Skipping" or "No"? These songs keep on improving with age.
That voice,totally original,and not forgotten
Majestic.
so so great. and the fine way alan handle the liitle accident ; love those two guys
I MISS YOU BILL
Still love you Billy....
So sad to hear about Billys brother....so sad best wishes to the family.. luv to u Billy xxx
Before His Time.
Billy and Martha, I don't know which one is more beautiful!
Billy,all day long
Great upload. Thanks for that. Heaven 17, Visage, China Crisis, Human League....aaaaah....HAPPY DAYS :)
There's a photo on the "singles" CD booklet with Billy & his whippet ! Classic .
ah, the memories come flooding back
i miss you billy
I bought this on 12 inch double A side wth Love Hangover, i was 14 always thought i was cool this confims it 👍
World class miming! Since playing it last weekend, this song has been in my head all week.
Not compaining, mind.
Oh god. I wanna go back 😫
CLASSIC STUFF FROM A MASTER!! & SCOTTISH ASWELL
BILLY MacKenzie YOU WERE AMAZING