The Prince
The Madness Lyrics


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Buster, he sold the heat with a rock-steady beat

An earthquake is erupting, but not in Orange street
A ghost-dance is preparing, You got to help us with your feet
If you're not in the mood to dance, step back, grab yourself a seat
This may not be uptown Jamaica, but we promise you a treat

Buster, bowl me over with your bogus dance, shuffle me off my feet
Even if I keep on runnin', I'll never get to Orange street

So I'll say there's nothin' left to say, for the man who set the beat
So I'll leave it up to you out there, to get him back on his feet

Buster, bowl me over with your bogus dance, shuffle me off my feet
Even if I'll keep on runnin', I'll never get to Orange Street

Bring back the




Who is the
We want the

Overall Meaning

The Madness's song "The Prince" tells the story of an upcoming earthquake in Orange street and how a "ghost-dance" is preparing. The lyrics describe Buster, who sells the heat with a rock-steady beat, calling for help from the listeners' feet. The song acknowledges that they may not be in uptown Jamaica, but promises a treat. However, despite the desire to dance, the singer knows that he will never be able to get to Orange street. The lyrics offer a challenge to the listeners to get Buster, the man who set the beat, back on his feet.


Some interpret the song as a call to action for unity and dancing as a form of resistance against whatever is coming – the earthquake, violence, or oppression. Others interpret the song as a tribute to Prince Buster, one of the pioneer Jamaican musicians who was known for his influence in the development of ska and rocksteady music.


Line by Line Meaning

Buster, he sold the heat with a rock-steady beat
Buster is selling the heat with a strong and steady beat


An earthquake is erupting, but not in Orange street
There's a disturbance happening, but not in Orange street


A ghost-dance is preparing, You got to help us with your feet
A celebration is going to happen, and you need to dance to help us


If you're not in the mood to dance, step back, grab yourself a seat
If you don't feel like dancing, step aside and sit down


This may not be uptown Jamaica, but we promise you a treat
This may not be the fanciest place, but we promise you'll have a good time


Buster, bowl me over with your bogus dance, shuffle me off my feet
Buster, impress me with your fake dance moves and sweep me off my feet


Even if I keep on runnin', I'll never get to Orange street
Even if I keep trying, I won't make it to Orange street


So I'll say there's nothin' left to say, for the man who set the beat
I have nothing more to say about the man who started the music


So I'll leave it up to you out there, to get him back on his feet
I'll leave it to the audience to bring him back to the dance floor


Bring back the
Bring back the music


Who is the
Who is the one responsible for the music?


We want the
We want the music to continue




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CATHAL JOSEPH SMYTH, CHRISTOPHER JOHN FOREMAN, DANIEL MARK WOODGATE, GRAHAM MCPHERSON, LEE THOMPSON, LEE JAY THOMPSON, MARK WILLIAM BEDFORD, MICHAEL BARSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@Jungleland33

I've loved Madness since '79 and can't believe I've never seen this. Thank you so much. ❤❤❤❤

@Millwall77

Could be because the video is about a year old?

@neilshenton1834

Still sounds fresh as a daisy all these years later. 👍😎

@wjamyers

So true. In fact after decades of listening to and playing music I can hear and appreciate more, like that phat Precision bass growl.

@ignacioperandres

Truee

@pauldaviesantiques1556

And so it began; a run of singles that sound as fresh and original in 2022 as the day they were recorded. Thank you chaps.

@raddimusmcchoyber3362

As a naturally curly haired lad, I always desperately wanted to be able to have a Suggs style pseudo-flattop haircut when I was a kid 😂. No amount of my Gran saying “all the girls love a man with curls” could sway me! What wonderful music it is, and always will be. Fantastic video too.

@hopebgood

Grans are just the best. My SE London gran didn't take shit from anyone! She ruled the roost and even though she's gone now she's still slipping me some extra pocket money. "Don't tell your mum and dad....." 😉

@aclark903

@@hopebgood#StWinifredsgirlschoir

@hopebgood

@@aclark903 🙄

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