Embarrassment

When Madness released Embarrassment as the second single from their 1980 album Absolutely, it marked a striking departure from their trademark cheeky exuberance. Up until that point, the band had become synonymous with buoyant, ska-infused pop, irresistible dance rhythms, and a nutty sense of humour that had won them legions of fans. But with Embarrassment, the band took a bold and emotionally resonant turn that showcased a very different side of their artistry.

Clocking in at just under three minutes, Embarrassment is a tightly wound piece of pop craftsmanship — but beneath its catchy exterior lies a hard-hitting message. The lyrics, penned by saxophonist Lee Thompson, were drawn from a deeply personal family experience. Thompson wrote the song in response to the reaction within his own family when his teenage sister announced she was pregnant — and that the father was Black. What followed was a period of family tension and shame that made a deep impression on the young musician. Rather than sanitising the emotions involved, Thompson channelled them into a powerful narrative about prejudice, social pressure, and ultimately, acceptance.

It was a brave choice for a band who had traded on their sense of fun. Madness had already established themselves as a force in the British pop landscape with songs like One Step Beyond, The Prince, and Baggy Trousers, all bursting with energy and playfulness. Embarrassment turned that expectation on its head — not only in subject matter but in sound.

Thompson originally had in mind the melody from Ghost Dance by Prince Buster, a fitting nod to Madness’s ska influences and their Two-Tone roots. But keyboardist Mike Barson had other ideas. Instead of leaning further into ska, Barson created a song that was part Motown groove, part cinematic drama. The result was something that sounded, in the words of one critic, as if Motown’s legendary house band, The Funk Brothers, had been drafted to record the theme tune for The Sweeney. It had an irresistible melody, pulsing brass, and instrumental swagger — a striking musical contrast to the song’s bleak lyrics. It was this very contradiction that made the single so compelling.

Released on November 28, 1980, Embarrassment quickly climbed the UK Singles Chart, eventually peaking at No. 4 — yet another Top Five hit for the band. But more importantly, it helped redefine public perception of Madness. They were no longer just the lovable lads from Camden goofing around in pork pie hats. Here was a group willing to take risks, to confront uncomfortable truths, and to use their platform to reflect real-life struggles.

The accompanying music video, while still bearing some of Madness’s trademark visual flair, was notably darker in tone — dimly lit and more restrained, with the band performing amid stark interiors, reflecting the weight of the song’s themes. Gone were the playful antics of earlier promos; this was a more mature and reflective Madness.

The single’s B-side, Crying Shame, offered a different flavour altogether but was no less impressive. Written by Barson, it was a soulful, Coasters-flavoured number that stood out with its doo-wop stylings and crisp piano lines. While not given the same level of attention at the time, many fans and critics have since noted that Crying Shame was melodically stronger than several tracks that made it onto the Absolutely album itself. Perhaps it’s for that reason that it later became a popular choice for encores during the band’s live shows.

Looking back, Embarrassment marked a critical juncture in the evolution of Madness. It wasn’t just a hit single — it was a statement of intent. The band had proven they could do more than just amuse; they could move, provoke, and challenge, all without losing the essence of what made them so musically irresistible in the first place.

More than four decades on, Embarrassment remains one of the most powerful songs in the Madness catalogue. Its relevance hasn’t faded — if anything, its themes of family conflict, racial prejudice, and emotional resilience feel as pertinent today as they did in Thatcher-era Britain. Musically, it remains a triumph of arrangement and mood: sophisticated, danceable, yet emotionally raw.

In hindsight, releasing Embarrassment may have seemed like a gamble for a band riding high on the wave of pop success. But it paid off — artistically, commercially, and culturally. It showed that Madness weren’t just entertainers. They were observers, commentators, storytellers — unafraid to shine a light on society’s contradictions and their own personal truths.

And in doing so, they created something far from embarrassing. They made a masterpiece.