Cheyne met producer and writer Andy Van in a dance club. Van was the founder of the Vicious Vinyl record label and had remix credits for Tina Arena and CDB. Van had also won an ARIA award for his production work on "Coma" by Pendulum.
The duo started working together mainly as writers and producers in 1988. Their first single "Fly" featured Kellie Wolfgram as the vocalist. However, Cheyne sang on the group's breakthrough single "Don't Call Me Baby" because Andy Van liked her version initially used as the guide track for the intended singer. Van took the song to the MIDEM Conference leading to the band being signed by Virgin Records in the UK and Sony Music for the rest of the world.
"Don't Call Me Baby" proved to be a breakthrough record for Madison Avenue topping the Australian charts in 1999. It sold 200,000 singles in Australia, the best singles sales achieved by any Australian act in that country for 1999 and Madison Avenue were the first Australian dance act to top the Australian singles charts. The single was released internationally in 2000. In the UK, the song sold 400,00 copies and topped the singles chart, and was a hit throughout Europe. "Don't Call Me Baby" also topped the Billboard dance charts in the US. By this stage, Cheyne was widely established as the public face of the band, although Madison Avenue was originally intended to be a collective dance group like C&C Music Factory or Soul II Soul.
The single's accompanying album, Polyester Embassy, was released in 2000 and reached #4 on the Australian album charts. It spawned three further singles:
* "Who The Hell Are You" - a #1 hit in Australia and on the Billboard Dance Charts, it also reached #10 in the UK.
* "Everything You Need" - went to #6 and was certified gold in Australia, as well as breaking into the UK's Top 40.
* "Reminiscing" - a cover version of the 1978 hit by Australian rock band Little River Band, it was the 9th most popular single by an Australian artist in Australia in 2001 (reaching #9 in the Australian singles charts that year).
In 2001, Madison Avenue won the Best Dance Artist at the International Dance Awards in Miami. Destiny's Child, Madonna, *NSYNC and Britney Spears were also nominated for the award.
The group officially disbanded in 2003, with Cheyne going on to pursue a solo career.
It's Alright
Madison Avenue Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's alright, if you wanna touch me
It's alright, if you wanna lay me down 'n
It's alright, if you wanna do me
It's alright, it's alright, it's alright
SAX BREAK
VERSE 1
Do you have a specialty?
Something a little cruel you'd like
To do to me?
I don't even know your name
And I'll probably never see you again
SAX BREAK
It's alright, if you want me
It's alright, if you wanna touch me
It's alright, if you wanna lay me down 'n
It's alright, if you wanna do me
It's alright, it's alright, it's alright
SAX BREAK
VERSE 2
Tell me something you like
'Cause tonight is the night
Leave you morals on the shelf
Would you like to watch me do myself?
It's alright, it's alright, it's alright
BREAK
It's alright, if you want me
It's alright, if you wanna touch me
It's alright, if you wanna lay me down 'n
It's alright, if you wanna do me
It's alright, it's alright, it's alright
Madison Avenue's song "It's Alright" is a song about sexual liberation and exploration. The lyrics depict a woman who is open and willing to engage in sexual acts with a stranger, without any commitments or expectations, even though the two will probably never meet again. The repeated phrase "It's alright" signifies the consent and acceptance of the situation that they are in, as well as an assertion that there is nothing wrong with what they are doing.
The song also touches on the taboo subjects of S&M and masturbation, with the line "Something a little cruel you'd like to do to me?" and "Would you like to watch me do myself?" respectively. This further emphasizes the sexual freedom and exploration that the song encourages, as well as a rejection of traditional sexual norms and conventions.
The saxophone break in between the verses and the catchy upbeat rhythm of the song contribute to the overall energy and vibe of it, making it a popular dance song in the early 2000s.
Line by Line Meaning
It's alright, if you want me
I am okay with you wanting me
It's alright, if you wanna touch me
It is okay with me if you want to touch me
It's alright, if you wanna lay me down 'n
I am okay with you wanting to lay me down
It's alright, if you wanna do me
I am okay with you wanting to have sex with me
It's alright, it's alright, it's alright
Repeated statement that everything is okay
Do you have a specialty?
Do you have a particular sexual preference?
Something a little cruel you'd like to do to me?
Do you have a desire to engage in rough or painful sexual activity with me?
I don't even know your name
I have no knowledge of your name
And I'll probably never see you again
It is likely that we will never meet again
Tell me something you like
Share what you find pleasurable
'Cause tonight is the night
Because tonight is the time for us to engage in sexual activity
Leave your morals on the shelf
Forget your moral standards
Would you like to watch me do myself?
Do you want to watch me engage in self-pleasure?
BREAK
Musical break
Contributed by Matthew A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.