1) a British ba… Read Full Bio ↴At least four artists exist by this name on last.fm:
1) a British band
2) an American rapper
3) a Brazilian death metal group
4) a Mongolian rock band
1) Madness is a British pop and ska band from Camden Town, London, England that was formed in 1976. As of 2012, the group has continued to perform with their most recognised lineup of seven members, although that has varied slightly over the years. Known for their cheeky humour and musical eclecticism, the band members called a "dysfunctional family", the group was one of most prominent artists in the late-70s 2 Tone ska movement. As their career progressed, Madness moved closer toward conventional pop music and has become one of the most successful British bands of all time.
The guys achieved most of their success in the 80s, often picking up new wave fans who enjoyed the band's eclectic sound. Madness, in fact, spent exactly 214 weeks on the U.K. singles charts from 1980-89, thereby sharing the record for most weeks spent by a group in said charts with UB40. Examples of some of their most popular songs include 1979's "One Step Beyond", 1982's "Our House", and 1984's "Keep Moving".
Formation
The core of the band formed as "The North London Invaders" in 1976. This outfit included Mike Barson (Monsieur Barso) on keyboards and vocals, Chris Foreman (Chrissy Boy) on guitar and Lee Thompson (Kix) on saxophone and vocals. They later recruited John Hasler on drums and Cathal Smyth (better known as Chas Smash) on bass guitar. Later in the year, they were joined by lead vocalist "Dikron". This six-piece lineup lasted until part way through 1977, when Graham McPherson (better known as Suggs) took over the lead vocals after seeing the band perform in a friend's garden. Smyth, who was poor on bass guitar, was replaced by Gavin Rogers, an acquaintance of Barson. McPherson was kicked out of the band for too often choosing to watch football instead of rehearsing. As well, Thompson left the band after Barson criticised his saxophone playing.
By 1978, the band had allowed McPherson to return, after filling in temporarily for Hasler (who had taken over vocals when McPherson was removed). Thompson returned after patching things up with Barson, and Daniel Woodgate (Woody) and Mark Bedford (Bedders) also joined the band, on drums and bass guitar respectively. After briefly changing their name to Morris and the Minors, the band renamed itself as Madness; paying homage to one of their favourite songs by ska/reggae artist Prince Buster. The band remained a sextet until late 1979, when Chas Smash rejoined and officially became the seventh member of Madness as a backing vocalist and trumpet player.
Early success
In 1979, the band recorded the Lee Thompson composition "The Prince". The song, like the band's name, paid homage to their idol, Prince Buster. The song was released through 2 Tone Records, the label of The Specials founder Jerry Dammers. The song was a surprise hit, peaking in the UK music charts at #16. A performance of "The Prince" on popular UK music show Top of the Pops helped Madness gain public recognition. Madness then toured with fellow 2 Tone bands The Specials and The Selecter, before recording their debut album, One Step Beyond..., which was released by Stiff Records. The album included a re-recording of "The Prince" and the band's second and third singles: "One Step Beyond" and "My Girl". The title song was a cover of the B-side of the 1960s Prince Buster hit "Al Capone". One Step Beyond... stayed in the British charts for over a year, peaking at #2. After the release of "My Girl", the band felt that they had exhausted the material from One Step Beyond..., and did not want to release any more singles from the album. However, Dave Robinson, head of Stiff Records, disagreed. Eventually, a compromise was made, and the band decided to release an EP featuring one album track and three new tracks. The result was the Work Rest and Play EP, which was headlined by the song "Night Boat to Cairo", from the One Step Beyond album. The EP reached #6 in the UK singles chart.
The following year, the band's second album, Absolutely reached #2 in the UK album charts. Absolutely spawned some of the band's biggest hits, most notably "Baggy Trousers"; which peaked at #3 in the UK singles chart. "Embarrassment" reached #4 in the charts, and the instrumental song "Return of the Los Palmas 7" climbed to #7.
Change of direction
In 1981, the band's third studio album, 7 reached #5 in the UK album charts and contained three hit singles. In an article in 1979, Chris Foreman explained that the band's music would move with the times, and change styles as time goes on. This was shown to be the case, as unlike the two ska-filled, fast-paced albums that preceded it, 7 was somewhat of a change in direction. Suggs' vocal performance changed significantly, and his strong Cockney accent from the previous albums had been watered down. The album strayed from the ska-influenced sound of One Step Beyond... and Absolutely, and moved towards a more conventional and mature pop sound; a trend that continued with subsequent albums. Near the end of 1981, Madness released one of their most recognised songs; a remake of Labi Siffre's 1971 hit "It Must Be Love". The song climbed to #4 in the UK and entered the US charts at #33. In 1982, Madness released their only #1 hit to date, "House of Fun"; as well as their fourth studio album The Rise & Fall. The album contained their most internationally successful single to date, "Our House", which reached #5 in the UK music charts and # 7 in the US charts. In 1983, their single "Wings of a Dove" peaked at #2 in the UK charts. Their following album, Keep Moving, peaked at #6 in the UK album charts, and several singles from that album reached the top 20 in the UK music charts.
Decline and breakup
In October 1983, the band's founder, keyboardist and prominent songwriter Mike Barson decided to leave the band, partly because he had relocated to Amsterdam, Netherlands. He officially left the band in June 1984, following the release of "One Better Day". The six remaining members left Stiff Records and formed their own label, Zarjazz Records, which was sub-label of Virgin Records. In 1985, the label released the band's sixth album, Mad Not Mad. Barson's keyboard parts were filled by synthesisers, and in later years, frontman Suggs described the production as "polished turd". The album reached #16 in the UK charts, which was the band's lowest position on the album charts to date. Despite the poor chart showing, the album was listed as #55 in NME's All Time 100 Albums. The singles for the album fared even worse, with "Yesterday's Men" peaking at #18 in the UK charts. The subsequent singles, "Uncle Sam" and "Sweetest Girl", failed to make the top 20, which was a first for Madness singles.
The band then attempted to record a new album, and 11 demo tracks were recorded. However, musical differences arose between band members, and in September 1986, the band announced that they were to split. Barson rejoined the band for a farewell single, "(Waiting For) The Ghost Train", but did not appear in the music video. The band officially split following the release of the single, which reached a high of #18 in the UK. In 1988, four members of the band — Suggs, Chas Smash, Lee Thompson and Chris Foreman — created a new band, using the name The Madness. After one self-titled album and two singles that failed to make the the top 40, the band split.
Reunions and The Dangermen
In early 1992, "It Must Be Love" was re-released and reached #6 in the UK singles chart. Following that, the singles compilation Divine Madness was released and peaked at #1 in the album charts. Madness then announced plans for a reunion concert, Madstock!, which was held at Finsbury Park, London on August 8 and 9 of that year. The original lineup reunited, performing together for the first time since Mike Barson left the band in 1984. Over 75,000 fans attended the weekend festival, and during "One Step Beyond", the crowd danced so much they caused an earth tremor which measured over 4 on the richter scale. A subsequent live album was released, and the associated single, "The Harder They Come" (a cover of Jimmy Cliff's 1973 song) reached #44 in the UK.
The band continued to reunite for annual UK Christmas season tours and held three more Madstock! festivals; in 1994, 1996 and 1998. In 1999, Madness released their first studio album since 1986, entitled Wonderful. The album reached #17 in the UK album charts, and the lead single, "Lovestruck", gave the band their first new top 10 hit in the UK since 1983. Neither of the two subsequent singles from the album, "Johnny The Horse" and "Drip Fed Fred", entered the top 40 of the UK charts.
From October 28, 2002 to August 16, 2003, a musical based on Madness songs, Our House, ran at the Cambridge Theatre in west London. Madness played a role in the executive production of the show, and Suggs played a role in the production for a period of time, playing the central character's father. It won an Olivier Award for best new musical of 2003, and the performance was released on DVD on November 1, 2004. There was also a previous musical based on Madness songs, One Step Beyond!, written by Alan Gilbey. The musical had a brief run at the Theatre Royal Stratford East in 1993.
In 2004, the band played a series of low-key concerts as The Dangermen, performing covers of classic reggae and ska songs. A lot of the songs were those played by the band when they were first forming, and the band performed the songs as a celebration of their 25 year anniversary. This led to the release of the album The Dangermen Sessions Vol. 1 in August 2005. However, during the sessions which produced the album, the band's guitarist Chris Foreman announced his departure. Foreman left the band in mid 2005, citing "the petty, time consuming bollocks that goes on in the band" in a statement announcing his decision to leave. The band completed the album without him, and on release, it peaked at #11 in the UK album charts, which was the band's highest studio album chart position in 21 years. Although two singles were released, neither was a major success in the UK. The more successful of the two, "Shame & Scandal", reached #38. Despite the poor chart showing, the single reached #12 in France.
In late 2006, this six remaining members of Madness began working on their first original album in seven years. However, for Madness' 2006 Christmas season tour, Foreman rejoined the band. In March 2007, the single "Sorry" was released from the band's upcoming album, peaking in the UK charts at #23. The single included a version featuring UK hip hop artists Sway DaSafo and Baby Blue. Both artists were included on the music video which accompanied the hip-hop version of the song, but not on the original music video. Both music videos were also without Chris Foreman, despite the fact that he was a band member at the time of release.
The new Madness song "NW5 (I Would Give You Everything)" and a re-recorded version of "It Must Be Love" were featured in the German film Neues vom Wixxer. The two songs were released in Germany as a double A-Side, and both of them were turned into music videos. While promoting "Sorry", Sway DaSafo confirmed in an interview with NME that he will perform in the recording of Madness' updated version of their song "Baggy Trousers", entitled "Baggy Jeans". The updated song will be featured on Madness' upcoming studio album, and also released as a single. DaSafo predicted the song will be a "huge smash gaurenteed", although the date of release is not yet known.
Lyrical themes
Although Madness were seen by many as somewhat of a humorous band with catchy, bouncy songs, they sometimes tackled, what were at the time, controversial issues in their lyrics. "Embarrassment" (from the "Absolutely" album) was written by Lee Thompson, and reflected the unfolding turmoil following the news that his teenage sister had become pregnant and was carrying a black man's child. The band discussed animal testing in the song "Tomorrow's Dream". The band criticized the National Health Service in "Mrs. Hutchinson"; which told the story of a woman who, after several misdiagnoses and mistreatment, became terminally ill. The story was based on the experiences of Mike Barson's mother. Madness' final single prior to disbanding, "(Waiting For) The Ghost Train", commented on apartheid in South Africa.
Skinhead controversy
Early in their career, Madness were linked to skinheads; members of a British working class subculture that the media often stereotyped as racist (although the clear majority of skinheads were anti-racist). Not only were Madness, along with other 2 Tone bands, popular with skinheads, but it was said that the band members themselves were associated with the subculture. The band's relationship with the skinheads varied at times. Mike Barson was particularly displeased with the band's skinhead following, often finding it disappointing that so many were present at performances. Prior to becoming a full member of the band, Chas Smash had been involved in fights with skinheads at performances. In one particular incident on November 18, 1979, Madness were supported by "Red Beans and Rice", who featured a black lead singer, and the band were prevented from completing the performance due to the racist chants from certain members of the skinhead filled audience. Suggs later came on stage to show his displeasure at their behaviour, but this didn't stop much of the audience from Nazi saluting at the end of the show.
In a 1979 NME interview, Madness member Chas Smash was quoted as saying "We don't care if people are in the NF as long as they're having a good time." This added to speculation that Madness was a racist band supporting the fascist group National Front, although the band members denied those allegations. Numerous fans felt upset that Chas Smash's views were mispresented by the media, with yellow journalists just looking for a story in their eyes. Smash responded to the NME article in the song "Don't Quote Me On That". Eventually, band members denied their skinhead roots, which disappointed much of their skinhead fan base. The issue faded as the years went by and the far-right skinhead groups failed completely in winning converts, their particular fringe shrinking massively while in the meantime Madness' international popularity grew.
Awards
The band's first notable musical award came in 1983 when they won an "Ivor Novello Award" for Best Song for the international hit "Our House". They received another "Ivor Novello Award" 17 years later for an "Outstanding Song Collection". In 2005, they were awarded the Mojo Magazine "Hall Of Fame" award, notably for being 'an artist's artist'. As of 2007, a campaign is taking place by fans of Madness for the band to be awarded a Brit award. Many fans and critics feel they have been overlooked over their past 30 years in the music industry.
Website
madness.co.uk
2) Madness is also the name of a hip-hop artist from Florida in the U.S. He has competed in many Grindtime Rap Battle events, and the rapper work is featured on the release 'Fresh Coast Perishables Volume One' as well as in his own underground albums.
3) Madness is a Brazilian death metal band.
4) Madness is a Mongolian rock band.
Embarrasment
Madness Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't seem they wanna know you no more
They've laid it down given you their score
Within the first two lines it bluntly read
You're not to come and see us no more
Keep away from our door
Don't come 'round here no more
Our aunt, she don't wanna know she says
"What will the neighbors think, they'll think
We don't, that's what they'll think, we don't"
But I will, 'cause I know they think I don't
Our uncle he don't wanna know he says
"We are a disgrace to the human race", he says
"How can you show your face
When you're a disgrace to the human race?"
No commitment, you're an embarrassment
Yes, an embarrassment, a living endorsement
The intention that you have booked
Was an intention that was overlooked
They say, "Stay away
Don't want you home today
Keep away from our door
Don't come 'round here no more"
Our dad, don't wanna know he says
"This is a serious matter
Too late to reconsider
No one's gonna wanna know ya"
Our mum, she don't wanna know, she says
"I'm feelin' twice as old", she says
"Thought she had a head on her shoulder
'Cause I'm feelin' twice as older
I'm feelin' twice as older"
You're an embarrassment
Madness's song Embarrassment is a poignant representation of the social and cultural issues prevalent in Britain in the late 1970s. The lines received a letter just the other day and Don't seem they wanna know you no more introduce the theme of rejection and isolation, communicated through the letter the singer receives from his family members. The lyrics further emphasize the rejection and unwelcome attitude exhibited by the family members when they ask the singer to keep away from their door and not come around there anymore. The sharp contrast between the earlier lines and What on earth did you do that for? highlights the singer's confusion and inability to understand the reason behind his family's behavior.
The song also comments on the societal and cultural norms prevalent at the time. The lines "What will the neighbors think, they'll think
We don't, that's what they'll think, we don't" reflect the obsession with societal opinions and the fear of being ostracized from the community. The judgments and opinions of others dictate the behavior and attitudes of individuals, even at the cost of alienating family members. Moreover, the lines "No commitment, you're an embarrassment
Yes, an embarrassment, a living endorsement" expose the hypocrisy and superficiality of society, which values image and appearance over personal relationships and connections.
Overall, Madness's Embarrassment is a thought-provoking commentary on society's values and the cost of conforming to societal norms. It reflects the personal and emotional repercussions of societal and familial rejection and highlights the need for individuality and self-expression.
Line by Line Meaning
Received a letter just the other day
The singer recently received a letter from someone they know.
Don't seem they wanna know you no more
The person who wrote the letter does not want to associate with the singer anymore.
They've laid it down given you their score
The writer of the letter has made clear their opinion of the singer.
Within the first two lines it bluntly read
The negative message in the letter was immediately apparent in its opening lines.
You're not to come and see us no more
The writer of the letter has barred the singer from visiting them.
Keep away from our door
The singer should not attempt to come to the writer's residence.
Don't come 'round here no more
The writer of the letter does not want the singer to visit them anymore.
What on earth did you do that for?
The writer of the letter is questioning the singer about something they did to provoke such a harsh response.
Our aunt, she don't wanna know she says
The singer's aunt has also cut off the relationship with the singer due to the negative opinion of others.
"What will the neighbors think, they'll think
The aunt is concerned about how she and her family will be viewed by others after the singer's actions.
We don't, that's what they'll think, we don't"
The singer's aunt is worried that people will think she does not share the same negative opinion of the singer as those who wrote the original letter.
But I will, 'cause I know they think I don't
Despite her fears about other's opinions, the aunt still loves and cares for the singer as a family member.
Our uncle he don't wanna know he says
The singer's uncle has also cut off the relationship with the singer due to the negative opinion of others.
"We are a disgrace to the human race", he says
The uncle is extremely ashamed of the singer's actions and sees them as having brought disgrace to their family and humanity as a whole.
"How can you show your face
The uncle cannot bear the idea of the singer coming around and facing their neighbors and other people who know them.
When you're a disgrace to the human race?"
To the uncle, the singer's actions have resulted in such harsh judgment that they are seen as being a disgrace to all of humanity.
No commitment, you're an embarrassment
The singer is deemed an embarrassment as a result of being viewed as unreliable and undependable due to not keeping their word.
Yes, an embarrassment, a living endorsement
The singer's behavior is perceived as being indicative of an overall lack of quality and dependability for others to observe.
The intention that you have booked
The plans made by the singer for some future event or occasion.
Was an intention that was overlooked
The singer had made plans that were not considered important enough by others to remember or acknowledge.
They say, "Stay away
The people who have written the letter and made other negative comments want the singer to stay away from them.
Don't want you home today
The singer is not welcome in the homes of those who have criticized their behavior.
Our dad, don't wanna know he says
The singer's father is also cutting ties with the singer over the negative opinions of others.
"This is a serious matter
The father thinks that the situation is very grave and lasting.
Too late to reconsider
The father believes that it is too late for the singer to change courses and repair damaged relationships.
No one's gonna wanna know ya"
The singer's father believes that the negative opinions of others are so widespread that it has become unlikely that anyone will want to associate with them in the future.
Our mum, she don't wanna know, she says
The singer's mother has also cut off ties with the singer due to the negative opinions of others.
"I'm feelin' twice as old
The singer's mother is extremely disappointed and feels much more aged as a result of the situation.
Thought she had a head on her shoulder
The mother had believed that the singer was wise and responsible enough to make good decisions.
'Cause I'm feelin' twice as older
The singer's mother believes that the negative situation has aged her much more than she should be normally.
You're an embarrassment
The singer is seen as an embarrassment and a disappointment to many people in their life.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MICHAEL BARSON, LEE JAY THOMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@NicoNico-79797
Lyrics
Received a letter just the other day
Don't seem they wanna know you no more
They've laid it down given you their score
Within the first two lines it bluntly read
You're not to come and see us no more
Keep away from our door
Don't come 'round here no more
What on earth did you do that for?
Our aunt, she don't wanna know she says
"What will the neighbors think, they'll think
We don't, that's what they'll think, we don't"
But I will, 'cause I know they think I don't
Our uncle he don't wanna know he says
"We are a disgrace to the human race", he says
"How can you show your face
When you're a disgrace to the human race?"
No commitment, you're an embarrassment
Yes, an embarrassment, a living endorsement
The intention that you have booked
Was an intention that was overlooked
They say, "Stay away
Don't want you home today
Keep away from our door
Don't come 'round here no more"
Our dad, don't wanna know he says
"This is a serious matter
Too late to reconsider
No one's gonna wanna know ya"
Our mum, she don't wanna know, she says
"I'm feelin' twice as old", she says
"Thought she had a head on her shoulder
'Cause I'm feelin' twice as older
I'm feelin' twice as older"
You're an embarrassment
@hirensankey8578
The sax deserves a like.
@sheldontapp3769
One of if not the best saxophone players the world has ever heard.
@andreichivu7653
"Kix" "El Thommo" Lee Thompson 😎🎷👍
@andreacarlini
Best sax ever...
@Fribby8
It does
@jamesleeming912
Sax dude also wrote the tune. Cool song
@western-oud1898
The two saxophone solos during this record still gives me goosebumps
@jonr5636
ive got terrible goose zits and they wont subside!
@cptskellern
So glad you said that dude. Me too.
@kathjjjerinephillips4597
@@jonr5636 andthe