Party Fears Two: A Mysterious Success | Pop Classics 

Thanks for watching! What are your thoughts on Party Fears Two? Is there a pop classic you would like to see me discuss next time? Here is a link to the pop classics playlist: ru-vid.com/group/PLZyWVkvBX9YJ1h-NsvgOgHQQCflq_JrNy Please make sure to share, like and subscribe if you’re new!

So refreshing to still hear this band 38 years later, they where such a great modernist band.

I never thought I’d see a video essay on this incredible song! There really is no other song quite like it. I agree that 1982 was the right year for it - there was some really interesting, unusual music coming out at that time.

Club Country was just BRILLIANT !!!

As one of the writers of BBC Radio 4's "Week Ending", hearing this track always brings happy memories.

Thank u lam such a fan of Billy and dont wont him to be forgoting

great video. Thanks. The song struck me since I first heard it. That joyful iconic piano melody + the tragic vocal escalation. A peculiar spell binding combo. But no one around me ever saw anything in it. No one ever talked about it. and yet, as you said, it’s unforgettable - people all remember it. So it’s great to hear someone else discuss it. The way I always heard it - the piano is almost like the fun of the party all around him, people laughing, drinking., socially he feel alienated, and filled with self doubt. Although he says ‘you’ in the lyrics to me it means ‘us’, the spectator and him not knowing how to connect. Not seeing how he fits. Hence the sadness. A brilliant track with an acquired taste. Cheers.

Great video! I will give it a listen.

Nice video!

What's really great about the song , is that the timing wasn't messed with. Blank spaces weren't posted edited out , to the point the the dialogue was like someone rushing to get their words out 'so that they could rush off to the bog and dump

One of my favourites, i still have the album. As you say when i play it for friends they look at me with that look, but i liked the band because they were not mainstream and tried to do things the way they wanted to... I also have the single 'i'm in love with a german film star' by the passions which you might have a look at..great work..

I love the instrumentation and the sound in or about the 1:13 mark of the song and up to when Billy sings "Awake me!" Give it another listen and you'll see what I'm talking about. I also love the ethereal sound in the beginning, just right before the jangle piano kicks in. Then, of course, you can't forget Billy's heavenly operatic voice. This song truly is a masterpiece, but I think I still like Club Country just a little bit more.

I effing love this song.

Love your new content. 👍

God l love tthem just happy a young guy likes them

I think there's another meaning to "party" in this song-that is, the singer referring to themself. They seem torn between wanting to be closer to this other person and between wanting to distance thsemselves. Party is a very distant way of referring to people, usually language you'd only find in contracts, which I think fits with the fear of the singer. They fear no longer being alone, because with a second person there, there's the possibility to do something wrong. So they try to repress, using this distancing language and dressing too well rather than more casually. Maybe there might be "love" between them and this other person, but they're afraid if it because love can be dangerous, like the "love" from the alcohol that turns you blue. And yet you can tell that this is a fear in deep contrast with their real desire to become closer with the other person, expecially when Billy shouts "awake me!"

I think the song is more about his inability to express himself without alcohol. He awakens on the sofa, the party is over and stumbles home alone again.

I had this on just now (of course vinyl) & a black/British neighbour thought it was Bowie (?!?I know) I only mention this because someone else said it sounded like him a few years ago. I can’t hear it myself but as it was likened by two completely unrelated listeners who hadn’t heard it before there must be something in it. Discuss:

The original singal version is best.The shrill keyboard sound is dubbed down on later versions for some reason,including the USA album version.

I thought his name was Alan Rankine not rankyne

Please look at Hammer To Fall by Queen.

Shocking pronunciation of Rankine it's Ran-kin not Ran- kine

Awake me - make an advance and take me out of this dull world. 'Your words turn to shark' - am I mistaking your kindness for insult since I'm not worthy of your attention. It really is a song about some one fancying another person ,,, but being unsure with those feelings are being reciprocal. - he was bi-sexual and I suspect often had desires for guys but was not sure if they felt the same for him.

Sad story attached but Oh My, WHAT A SOUND !!! Is it true that Billy was a Homosexual ?

Isn't it just a hiden-type of Homosexuality thing going on right in front of everything ?