DISCOGRAPHY SONG LYRICS, VIDEOS & FAN REVIEWS

Misery

Misery

Chris: 'Misery' was Cathal again. I said, "Oh, we should get a barbershop quartet on this". And so we got this barbershop quartet to sing on the choruses, and they were really good. They recently got in touch with me, because one of them died, ...
(Don’t Let Them) Catch You Crying

(Don’t Let Them) Catch You Crying

Are You Coming (With Me)

Are You Coming (With Me)

Swan Lake

Swan Lake

"One Step Beyond..." album by Madness includes four cover versions, and "Swan Lake" is one of them. Interestingly, it's a cover of The Cats' version, released between 1968 and 1970, which itself was a reggae version of "Swan Lake." Mark ...
Lockdown And Frack Off

Lockdown And Frack Off

Chris may have been experimenting with a Casio PT-1 mini-keyboard from the 1980s to create new material during the lockdown. The track's rhythm, reminiscent of a train, builds a palpable sense of tension. The lyrics are severe and cautionary, ...
Grey Day

Grey Day

Mike wrote "the song "Grey Day" before the band became a success in the UK music scene. The first performance came back in 1978 at Acklam Hall, when the band was known as "The North London Invaders."
Don’t Look Back

Don’t Look Back

Don’t Leave the Past Behind You

Don’t Leave the Past Behind You

The Prince (2-Tone Version)

The Prince (2-Tone Version)

Based loosely on Prince Busters 'Earthquake'* this track was taken from a session recorded at the tiny Pathway Studios in Highbury, London. The other 2 tracks recorded were the b side, Madness, and a version of My Girl (with Barso on vocals) ...
In The Hall Of The Mountain King

In The Hall Of The Mountain King

Instrumental
Uncle Sam

Uncle Sam

Bed And Breakfast Man

Bed And Breakfast Man

Clive Langer praises the song and describes it as "dead solid, a great song. Barson comes up with something in a melody that no one else does. And he writes a great mundane lyric." It is clear that the song bears the unique style of Mike ...
The Young and the Old

The Young and the Old

Suggs says the track "The Young and The Old" is about getting drunk in the pub and noticing how old people acted younger as the evening went on. A very astute observation for a man of such tender years!
Crying Shame

Crying Shame

The song "Crying Shame" was originally released as the B-side of the 7-inch single "Embarrassment". Despite being overlooked initially, the song is considered one of Barson's best works. "Crying Shame" has a Coasters-inspired sound and stands ...
My Girl

My Girl

Elvis Costello, a former Stiff artist, unwittingly provided the musical backbone for “My Girl.” Mike Barson had gone along to the first Stiff Records package tour, which featured Ian Dury and the Blockheads, Nick Lowe, Larry Wallis, Wreckless ...
Good Times

Good Times

Swan Lake (Live)

Swan Lake (Live)

Swan Lake (Live) was featured in the motion picture Dance Craze, released in 1981, an American documentary about the British 2 Tone movement. The film was directed by Joe Massot, who originally wanted to do a film only about the band Madness, ...
White Heat

White Heat

Madness

Madness

According to the back sleeve of One Step Beyond..., there are seven songs on each side, and at the end of side two, "Mummy's Boy" is swiftly followed by "Chipmunks Are Go!" Imagine the looks of glee on every young rude boy and rude girl's face ...
Primrose Hill

Primrose Hill

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