"Dedicated to fellow Scottish singer Billy Mackenzie who fronted the exceptional band The Associates. Billy was not only an amazing talent but like many of our generation he was enamored much by those great collaborative albums produced by Iggy Pop and David Bowie. Written as a tribute to Billy and all our generation" - Jim

The song Return Of The King – you could call it a desperate homage for Billy McKenzie. What did make Billy McKenzie of the Associates so special?
To be honest the desperate thing about Billy was his tragic end. I’m not gonna pretend I was a close friend of Billy. But at the end no one knew. The same with Stuart Adamson, two Scottish guys who I admired did the same thing. And it’s kind of unfathomable. And I think although it was years ago, not only that they don’t talk about it after the event none of us wanted to talk about it either. We tried to close it out. So, we still have these images of Billy and Stuart as well and it’s a desperate, desperate thing you know. He was a character full of life. There’s speculations in the end he was unhappy because he wasn’t secure in his sexuality or whatever. But whatever.

Which memories did come to your mind remembering Billy and why is your singing on that song so desperate?
You know, it’s a desperately sad thing and I just remember him particularly on one night. We were in The Manor Studios doing New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) and he came down with Alan Rankine and like myself Billy was an incredible Bowie fan. And he was angry at Bowie. "Bowie's shite. The album shite. We have to write Bowie a song!" And he was drunken beyond [belief]. And I have this image of him singing and writing Bowie a song. And we were working on the frame of Return Of The King and it sounded like a Bowie pastiche. And I could see Billy saying: Yeah, you know this is it!" And I’ve never used that voice, I’ve never used that voice in the chorus. People might say: What’s this voice?" I’ve never used that voice and I can only assume that it relates to the frustration I have with how Billy has ended his life.

Jim, Lostboy! Generic Interview

The return of the king. It's the way that it falls. It's a wondrous thing. No rhyme, no reason at all. The return of the gang. Returns to the faith. In these momentous times. These are monentous days. Say you'll be with me tonight, Don't tell me baby that the sky is falling, I'm still calling. Say you'll be with me tonight, Don't tell me that the sky is falling, I'm still calling. You'll still be with me. The return of the gang. Returns to the faith. In these momentous times. There are momentous days. The return of the king. No reason at all. No logical thing. Say you'll be with me tonight, Don't tell me baby that the sky is falling, I'm still calling. Say you'll be with me tonight, Don't tell me that the sky is falling, I'm still calling. You'll still be with me. It's the return of the kings. The way that things fall. No logical thing. Don't tell me there's nothing. Don't tell me there's nothing. Don't tell me there's nothing left to say at all. The return of the king. dedicated to billy mackenzie (27 March 1958 - 22 January 1997)

Album Version (3:50) Produced, arranged and mixed by: Jez Coad Backing tracks engineered by: Tom Dalgety

Album Version (3:50) Produced, arranged and mixed by: Jez Coad Backing tracks engineered by: Tom Dalgety