MADNESS - MY GIRL / THE PRINCE / BED AND BREAKFAST MAN / MADNESS

MY GIRL

Released: December 21,  1979

Charted:  UK: #3 

"My Girl" is a song released as a single from the Nutty boys debut album, “One Step Beyond...”. Keyboard player Mike Barson wrote this on the back of a cigarette packet while employed delivering Fyffes bananas. 

The song paints a picture of a man who finds solace in solitude, much to the dismay of his girlfriend. His preference for staying home and watching TV instead of going out, coupled with awkward silences during phone conversations, reveals his introverted nature. Mike Barson, the songwriter, acknowledges the semi-autobiographical nature of the song, drawing inspiration from his own experiences. His then-girlfriend, Kerstin Rodgers, attests to its accuracy, describing the common dynamic where men retreat to their "man cave," indulging in solitary activities like watching football and drinking beer, while women attempt to bridge the gap in communication.

The instrumental arrangement of the song takes a slightly slower tempo than the band's usual, offering a unique backdrop. Suggs' vocals, notably harsher and deeper than usual, emphasize his distinct London accent, particularly pronounced in their earlier tracks. The song is enriched with jittery piano elements, especially notable in the bridge, potentially reflecting the protagonist's nervousness within his relationship struggles. The brass elements contribute significantly, creating a melancholic drone that resonates in harmony with the emotional narrative depicted in the lyrics.

The song captures a situation painfully relatable to anyone who has experienced the challenges of a high-maintenance relationship. In contrast to claims that Madness's output is lightweight and lacking substance, tracks like this one, along with "Embarrassment," serve as powerful retorts. They demonstrate the band's ability to delve into complex and relatable themes, proving that their music goes beyond mere frivolity, offering insightful commentary on the intricacies of human relationships.

THE PRINCE 

Released: August 10, 1979

Charted:  UK: #16 

Madness' debut single, "The Prince," released in 1979, is a vibrant tribute to Jamaican Ska star Prince Buster. Originally named The North London Invaders and later Morris And The Minors, the band finally adopted the name Madness in homage to one of their favorite Prince Buster songs. The track, produced for £200 at Pathway Studios in north London, captures the essence of ska with squawking sax, rollercoaster keys, and a distinctive guitar hook. The lyrics portray the Prince on Jamaican streets, accompanied by a catchy piano riff, Chris Foreman's surf guitar, Lee Thompson's killer sax solo, and Suggs' slightly more ambitious vocals.

Released on 2 Tone, the label run by Jerry Dammers of the Specials, "The Prince" quickly became a hit, leading Madness to make their initial Top of the Pops appearance. The absence of a music video for the single, attributed to the band's initial obscurity, was compensated by later acquiring the rights to a performance on Top of the Pops from September 6, 1979, now associated with the song and featured in compilations of the band's music videos.

BED AND BREAKFAST MAN

Released: October 19, 1979

"Bed and Breakfast Man" it’s a song released on the first album of the band “One step beyond…”. The song narrates the tale of a man known to the singer from the past. Despite frequent visits, the singer doesn't mind the company. However, the man's constant need for food and accommodation, usually on the sofa, earns him the label of a "loafer" from others.

The keyboardist, Mike Barson, wrote "Bed and Breakfast Man" drawing inspiration from the bass line in Smokey Robinson's "The Tears of a Clown." In a conversation with Daniel Rachel, he explained the connection, noting that while the songs are somewhat similar, they may seem miles apart. Barson emphasized the continuous process of refining and building upon musical influences, highlighting how creativity in music often stems from inspiration drawn from others.

Mike said: “This song was started by Chrissy Boy who composed the first line titled ‘there's a man I know’, then he didn't know how to continue and I finished it. The song is about John Ashler who was our first drummer and used to go to Chris's house for dinner. We started off rehearsing in my mum’s house, playing other people’s music, but then John Hasler wrote some lyrics and we all thought: ‘Well, if John can write a song, we all can.’ Originally I thought that The song had a sound similar to “Tears of a Clown” by Smokey Robinson, but after I gave up I still don't know why. At that time we were still apprentices as you can see and I think the song loses strength after the piano solo.”

MADNESS 

Released: August 10, 1979 (as the B-side of The Prince single)

Madness paid homage to their roots with a cover of a Prince Buster song, from whom they derived their band name. The rendition does justice to the original, reflecting the deep respect Madness holds for Prince Buster. The sound remains true to the 1st wave ska style, and the saxophone, a hallmark of Madness, shines with a notable solo mid-song, unmistakably identifying the band.

Woody said: “We were in a room trying to find a name for the group since The Invaders didn't convince us. However we had already suggested more than a hundred names, and we liked them even less than the one we had. Someone suggested adopting as a name the title of a song we had just recorded. and why not Madness? Yes, Madness was a good name as an omen of what was to come.” 

Mike said his own version: “We were called the North London Invaders at first, but had to change the name because there was already another band called that. It didn’t do them much good, either. One day at a rehearsal, our guitarist Chris Foreman said: ‘What about Madness?’ Nah, that’s shit. But everybody thought it was good. If he hadn’t spoken up, we could have ended up being a serious band.”