The Secret of Association
Paul Young · 1985
52 min · 11 tracks · rhythm and blues
Soulful melodies intertwine with rock sensibilities, showcasing a blend of heartfelt emotion and rhythmic grooves.
Top tracks — play these first
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Everytime You Go Away — This track became Paul Young's signature song, notable for its emotional delivery and memorable chorus that resonated widely with audiences.
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I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down — This cover showcases Young's ability to reinterpret classic soul material with an energetic rock flair, demonstrating his vocal prowess and dynamic range.
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I Was in Chains — A poignant ballad that highlights Young's soulful vocal delivery and lyrical depth, encapsulating themes of loss and longing prevalent throughout the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends soulful melodies with rock elements, showcasing solid craftsmanship but lacks strong cohesion.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks feature a consistent mid-tempo groove, establishing a rhythmic foundation before shifting to slower ballads.
- Vocal harmonies are layered prominently in the choruses, creating a rich sound that contrasts with the more stripped-down verses.
- Several tracks incorporate brass instrumentation, adding a soulful depth that enhances the emotional delivery of the lyrics.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady, consistent energy levels
- long, immersive listening sessions
- dynamic emotional journeys
- contemplative reflective moods
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1985, The Secret of Association was Paul Young's second studio album, following his successful debut, No Parlez. At this point in his career, Young was solidifying his reputation as a leading figure in the pop and soul scenes, building on the chart success of his earlier work.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Simply Red· Seal· Billy Ocean
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Bite the Hand That Feeds 4:30
- 2 Everytime You Go Away 5:23
- 3 I’m Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down 5:06
- 4 Standing on the Edge 4:36
- 5 Soldier’s Things 6:24
- 6 Everything Must Change 5:34
- 7 Tomb of Memories 3:52
- 8 One Step Forward 3:41
- 9 Hot Fun 4:26
- 10 This Means Anything 3:13
- 11 I Was in Chains 5:44
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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