Madness: The Two-Tone Pioneers Who Shaped Ska in the U.K.
Madness, hailing from Camden, London, stands alongside The Specials as one of the two-tone ska movement’s defining forces in the U.K. during the late ’70s and early ’80s.
Formed in 1976, the band spent its first few years navigating through internal struggles, frequent lineup changes, and a series of name changes. However, one constant was their regular gig at the Dublin Castle in Camden—an essential stepping stone for any band looking to make it big. A top tip for aspiring groups: secure a residency!
In 1979, Madness released their debut album One Step Beyond on Stuff Records. The album made an impressive impact on the charts, peaking at #2. The title track and My Girl were the standout singles, both making it into the top 10.
The following year, Madness released Absolutely, which introduced their first real classic, Baggy Trousers. The track spent 20 weeks on the charts, peaking at #3.
1981 saw the release of 7, a studio album that, for some reason, did not include one of their most iconic tracks, It Must Be Love. This song, a cover of Labi Siffre’s 1971 original, was released as a single a month after the album. Despite this oversight, the song was included in the Spanish and Australian versions of the album.
Later in 1982, Madness released Complete Madness, a greatest hits collection that included all their major hits, including House of Fun. This track would go on to become Madness’s only #1 single in the U.K.
The same year, they dropped The Rise & Fall, which would be hailed as their best work by critics. The album featured the beloved Our House, which not only reached the top 10 in several countries but also earned an Ivor Novello award for Best Song in 1983.
After The Rise & Fall, Madness shifted focus to greatest hits and live albums, with original studio material having a lower impact. However, their reputation was solidified, and they remained a household name, playing festivals, touring, and releasing new material. Their latest album, Can’t Touch Us Now, arrived in 2016, proving that the band’s legacy continues to thrive.
Madness Tunes | Related Pages
It Must Be Love | Chords + Lyrics
You can learn how to play It Must Be Love by Madness using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| Am | Amadd9/E | Am | Amadd9/E | G | Gsus4 | G | G G# |
I never thought I’d miss you, half as much as I do…
Our House | Chords + Lyrics
You can learn how to play Our House by Madness using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| C | Gm |
Father wears his Sunday best…
Madness on the web
