MADNESS - SHUT UP / CARDIAC ARREST

SHUT UP

Released: September 11, 1981

Charted:  UK: #7 

"Shut Up" is a song written by Suggs and Chris Foreman, released as a single of their third album, "7”.  This track weaves a narrative around a criminal fervently trying to deny guilt, even in the face of compelling evidence. Surprisingly, the song's title doesn't directly appear in the lyrics, but it once concluded an additional verse in an early version. This clever twist adds a touch of irony, emphasizing the theme of denial and the protagonist's desperate attempts to deflect responsibility.

Chrissy Boy says: “Many people wonder why this song is called “Shut up” when the word does not appear in the chorus or the rest of the lyrics. Well, I'm going to explain: when Suggs wrote the lyrics for this song or originally it turned out that it lasted almost 10 minutes and repeated constantly in the chorus shut up, words that were omitted when the duration had to be shortened to the classic three minutes, however we kept the title for sentimental reasons.”

This originally had a few more verses that explored the policeman's perspective. Suggs told Daniel Rachel (The Art of Noise: Conversations with Great Songwriters): "[Petty crime] was a vaguely glamorous thing to be involved with as a kid. Then you thought of all the lives it affected and the coppers themselves. I thought about them chasing after petty criminals. It went on for a few more verses that never made it onto the finished record. I think they were about the policeman and his family and him running around after these burglars and then at the end they both meet up in the courtroom with this copper saying, 'Shut up.'"

The promotional video depicted Madness in a narrative where they first appear as a group of criminals and later transform into police officers. Lead singer Suggs is portrayed as a character with a dual role—a used car salesman and a criminal wearing a mask, bowler hat, and a black suit or horizontally striped shirt. The video suggests that Suggs' character has friends who steal cars for his business. However, at the beginning of the video, there is an implication that he has been apprehended by the police for his crimes, with the song serving as his plea of innocence. The video thus weaves a storyline around crime and its consequences, adding a visual layer to the song's narrative.

CARDIAC ARREST

Released: February 12, 1982

Charted:  UK: #14 

"Cardiac Arrest," penned by Chas Smash and Chris Foreman, unfolds the story of a workaholic meeting a tragic end with a fatal heart attack on his way to work. Despite being the first Madness single since "The Prince" to miss the UK Top 10, it retains its engaging quality. 

The music video depicts Smash experiencing a coronary episode, with other band members playing roles advising against overworking. Notably, the video aligns with the single version, not the album version, concluding with a dramatic cut to the sound of a heartbeat that suddenly stops, intensifying the song's narrative impact.

Madness, originating from working-class backgrounds, were known for crafting humorous songs depicting the challenges of everyday life. However, "Cardiac Arrest" takes a darker turn, exploring the theme of a fatal heart attack, which stirred controversy among listeners who found it insensitive. Chas Smash defended the song, emphasizing that it raises a crucial point.