80’s at 8 Rockturnal With Scotty B Wednesday 04-12-23
English Ska singer Suggs (born Graham McPherson), of the group Madness, at the Lyceum, London, 3/1/1983. (Photo by Steve Rapport/Getty Images)
It was a Double Play Wednesday 80’s at 8 tonight, and I rocked a double shot of the 80’s British Ska Band Madness. They are so much damn fun and put out great tunes. The first track in the Madness double play was their 1981 cover of the 1971 song by British singer song writer Labi Siffre titled It Must Be Love. Madness’s version has a gentle, melodic piano intro and its upbeat, bouncy rhythm give it that Ska/ Reggae vibe. It features a catchy, sing-along chorus and a memorable saxophone solo that adds to the overall joyous atmosphere of the song. It reached #33 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US and #4 on the UK Singles chart.”It Must Be Love” has become one of Madness’ most popular songs and a staple of British pop culture. In 2012, it was featured in a US advertisement for Volkswagen Passat. The music video mostly shows band members playing in a white room and standing over a grave. You can watch the music video for It Must Be Love by Madness below:
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – CIRCA 1985: Music band Madness photographed in London circa 1985 in London England. (Photo by Anwar Hussein/Getty Images)
The second track in the Madness Double Play is from 1982 titled House of Fun. House Of Fun is known for its infectious melody, catchy chorus, bouncy, upbeat rhythm, distinctive fairground-style organ riff, a memorable saxophone solo, and a sing-along chorus that has become a fan favorite. The lyrics tell the story of a young man’s first trip to a pharmacy to buy condoms, a common rite of passage for many teenagers. The pharmacy, however, is depicted as a “house of fun” where the customers are required to play a game before being allowed to make their purchase. Never was fun to go by condoms ! House of Fun was not released in the JUS in 1982 but the music video was played on the newly launched MTv which opened the door for their future hit song in the US titled Our House that peaked at #7 on the US Billboard Charts. You can watch the wild and crazy music video for House of Fun by Madness below:
