The Assembly was a short-lived but influential synth-pop project formed in 1983 by former Yazoo and Depeche Mode founder Vince Clarke alongside producer and songwriter Eric Radcliffe. Conceived as a studio-based collaboration featuring different guest vocalists, the project produced only one official single, ‘Never Never’ (1983), with Feargal Sharkey on vocals. Despite its brevity, the single was a major success, reaching the UK Top 5 and earning critical praise for its blend of Clarke’s signature melodic synth arrangements and Sharkey’s distinctive voice.
Although The Assembly never developed into a full-time group, its brief existence highlighted Clarke’s continued impact on the evolution of electronic pop and has since secured a lasting place in the lineage of 1980s synth-driven music.
The Assembly’s 1983 single ‘Never Never’ may have been their only release, but it left a big mark on the ’80s pop scene. A collaboration between synth-pop pioneer Vince Clarke (of Depeche Mode and Yazoo) and producer Eric Radcliffe, the track featured Feargal Sharkey’s instantly recognizable vocals, giving the song its haunting and emotional edge.
With its shimmering synths, heartfelt lyrics, and unforgettable chorus, ‘Never Never’ climbed into the UK Top 5 and became a classic of the era. Though The Assembly never recorded a full album, this one-off hit remains a beloved gem in the synth-pop catalogue, proof that sometimes one song is enough to make history.
The song peaked at No. 04 in the UK Singles Chart on 26th November 1983.
| A-Side | Never Never (3:46) (Vince Clarke) Produced By The Assembly |
| B-Side | Stop / Start (3:29) (Vince Clarke, Eric Radcliffe) Produced By The Assembly |
| Genre | Electronic, Pop, SynthPop |
| Release Date | October 1983 |
| Label | MUTE |
| Catalogue Number | 7 TINY1 |
| Date Of UK Top 40 Entry | 12th November 1983 |
| Highest Chart Position | No. 04 |
| Weeks In UK Top 40 | 08 |
| UK Top 40 Chart Run [8 Weeks] – 12th November 1983 – 31st December 1983 |
| 36-10-[4]-6-10-22-39-30 |
Officially Released Versions
Never Never [Single Version] [3:46]
Never Never [Extended Version] [5:53]
Versions On Spotify
If you have an active Spotify account you will be able to play the complete versions of the songs below. If you don’t have an account, you will only be able to hear a 30-second sample.
Lyrics
I know just what to say
It’s just a game I play
Now I’m here on my own
I’d like to be with you
I guess you always knew
Still I’m all alone
I know the story
Got it all worked out
It never happens to me
It never happens to me
(Maybe that’s the way my life was meant to be)
It never happens to me
It never happens to me
(Love’s just a door that’s locked and there’s no key)
It never happens to me
I know my every line
It’s just a waste of time
Guess it’s all such a shame
I’ve seen it all before
And every time I’m sure
That it ends up the same
I know the story
Got it all worked out
Never happens to me
It never happens to me
(Maybe that’s the way my life was meant to be)
It never happens to me
It never happens to me
(Love’s just a door that’s locked and there’s no key)
It never happens to me
I know just what to say
It’s just a game I play
Now I’m here on my own
I’d like to be with you
I guess you always knew
Still I’m left all alone
I know the story
Got it all worked out
It never happens to me
It never happens to me
(Maybe that’s the way my life was meant to be)
It never happens to me
It never happens to me
(Love’s just a door that’s locked and there’s no key)
It never happens to me
It never happens to me
It never happens to me
(Maybe that’s the way my life was meant to be)
It never happens to me
It never happens to me
(Love’s just a door that’s locked and there’s no key)
It never happens to me
It never happens to me
(Maybe that’s the way my life was meant to be)
It never happens to me
Written by Vince Clarke
