The first represented Lee Thompson's sister trying to explain how she got pregnant to her parents. The second is the sound of her heart breaking, from being misunderstood.
I saw Madness in Bournemouth last December. Suggs told of how this song was written about Lee Thompson's sister dating a black man and how his family practically disowned her. He said how this song was amazing at showing how times have changed aince it was written. I love Madness. Their songs have such a deep meaning but are always so upbeat sounding.
She got pregnant, that's why they disowned her (too late to reconsider, no one's gonna wanna know ya), Always wondered what happened. They probably came round once they saw the baby. They usually do. I hope it had a happy ending.
@@TheFakeyCakeMaker I saw Lee and his sister and her daughter on The One Show a few years ago. As far as I know their parents did come to terms with the situation but I wouldn't know much more than that. It certainly gave Lee and the band a great song whatever happened afterwards.
English culture lyricised brilliantly.. I grew up with this.. Madness had the knack of absolutely capturing the circumstances and feeling and culture of the time in the early eighties that still resonates today
understanding the history and social context, madness make me proud to be english and british, them and the whole two tone record label / social movement
@@callithowiseeit5806 who gives a shit what Suggs thinks? Suggs is only a musician - don't get me wrong I luv their music but he's not God ffs - Nothing wrong with being proud of all the great things achieved by the nation that you belong to!... and you are allowed to think what you like and anyone else who tells you otherwise is the Nazi!
Even after forty years... the opening bars of this iconic seminal song, still make my heart skip a beat. Madness did and still do have something so British and unique and will be forever held as one of the best bands from these Sceptered Isles xxx
@@patrickhenry7036 I always thought it was a sad song about a family having to deal with a disgraceful daughter having a mixed baby. It's clearly in favour of the racist family.
Some significant messages and stories embedded in many 80’s songs. They’re like a time capsule, giving an insight to how things were. People would do well to look at the lyrics from many of their favourite 80s songs. They often run deep. I’m glad I grew up through this decade.
@@lolacherrycola7035 A band members sister got pregnant by a black man. Her family disowned her and she was left to have the baby alone. A different time.
@@Just_another_Euro_dude They released their first single in Audust 1979 and released another 4 singles, 2 albums and an EP before Lennon was shot in December 1980...
When I heard this song for the first time I did not realise this was about a serious subject within family circles. Priceless now when u realise what it is about
The madness ‘absolutely’ album is by far one of the best - reeks real life experiences put into beautiful and meticulously crafted songs that may seem very poppy and swingy on the surface but once you scratch past that it’s pure genius and meaningful lyrics that are relatable and just all round brilliant. Favourite band ever and absolutely brilliant live 10000/10 for the nutty boys
This song is NOT about Ireland someone already mentioned what the songs about This song is about the turmoil that engulfed Madness saxophonist Lee Thompson's sister Tracy, after she fell pregnant by a black man. The lyrics expressed the shame felt throughout the family of having a mixed race baby, an attitude sadly still prevalent in early 1980s Britain. Lee Thompson told the BBC "It was just not accepted in those days. She was shunned by a few people in the family. My father tried to talk her into getting it terminated. My sister dug her heels in and I was caught in the middle, wanting everyone to be happy.
Lyrics Received a letter just the other day Don't seem they wanna know you no more They've laid it down given you their score Within the first two lines it bluntly read You're not to come and see us no more Keep away from our door Don't come 'round here no more What on earth did you do that for? Our aunt, she don't wanna know she says "What will the neighbors think, they'll think We don't, that's what they'll think, we don't" But I will, 'cause I know they think I don't Our uncle he don't wanna know he says "We are a disgrace to the human race", he says "How can you show your face When you're a disgrace to the human race?" No commitment, you're an embarrassment Yes, an embarrassment, a living endorsement The intention that you have booked Was an intention that was overlooked They say, "Stay away Don't want you home today Keep away from our door Don't come 'round here no more" Our dad, don't wanna know he says "This is a serious matter Too late to reconsider No one's gonna wanna know ya" Our mum, she don't wanna know, she says "I'm feelin' twice as old", she says "Thought she had a head on her shoulder 'Cause I'm feelin' twice as older I'm feelin' twice as older" You're an embarrassment
My brother love madness all his life til he passed away suddenly in 2020 aged 46. I grew up listening to them and listen to them even more so now the music is timeless 💜
In my all time top 3 favourite bands of all time …ideas Madness daft growing up and had every Madness single and album …..this was jyst pne of many of their all time classics
I totally agree with you there !! I have been a Madness fan since 1979 and I have about 60 cds and all their vinyl albums as well as picture discs, red vinyl, blue vinyl,brown vinyl,clear vinyl ,yellow vinyl and every song they ever recorded. Madness are surely the best band off all time. My favourite song by them is 'Embarrassment' and my second favourite is 'Bed & Breakfast Man' There are so many to choose from though. Another one of my most liked is 'Close Escape' from the album 'Absolutely followed closely by 'Night Boat To Cairo' ' I hope you enjoy every madness album because they are surely the best group that ever came out of the Ska revival. Cheers
defo not the case. It must be love is their top tune, then after that this and uncle sam, and waiting for the ghost train, and thats it all their other songs are rubbish
'One Step Beyond' is what gets me in gear for work. I love 'Might Boat To Cairo' and House of Fun', and I smile whenever I hear 'Mummy's Boy', and I'd only recently heard 'Embarrassment'. It's heavy. I wasn't much younger than Thompson's sister when the song came out, and could have easily been in that situation.
Can we just take a moment to enjoy probably the best ending to a Madness song, possibly any song ever? Glorious! And knocking over the wine glass. Perfect!
That is brilliantly put my friend l feel you've lived it & that travells across your blog. Quite poetical & l admire your thought process. I too know this feeling of belonging to empty street lamp streets.
It never ages. I frigging love this. I still have the original albums and the man in the mad suit tour. My cousin used to play for Chelsea, so we were privilege to watch them making the blue day video.❤
I saw Madness for the first time at Lindisfarne in September 2022 and they were absolutely magnificent. If you haven't seen them live, DO IT! If you have... DO IT AGAIN!
I love Madness, they are a great band! Today I listened to all my favorite songs from Madness on RUclips, all I can say is that all the videos are great, I don't think any other video would top them, they are a genius group! I want to learn how to play the saxophone! from watching this song. Too bad they don't issue other songs now, the music today is not as good as the eighties, I'm 48 now and love that era.... you keep listing to those songs and never get bored. This is my favorite song from Madness.
Some of their tracks from later albums (late 90s, early noughties) are great too. Check out: Johnny the Horse, Drip-Fed Fred (featuring Ian Dury RIP), Never Knew Your name, Lovestruck, Mr Apples, etc. Johnny the Horse is one of my favourite Madness Songs and has a fun, uplifting tune with poignant lyrics which was inspired by a tramp that Carl Smyth used to know who was tragically kicked to death by some yobs.
😩 Sat here listening to this before Rob Forrest's funeral, the guy told me about this song and all the crazy times back in the day!! He had some crazy stories from sound managing with madness an others. God bless you Rob Forrest 💚
I'm 51 years old... and have gone back to when I was just 12.All these songs are still brilliant because the lyrics are so easy,fun,and you know the tunes from the first bars.I remember wearing nutty boyz badges,cromby coats and a trilbyMy girl is my favourite song.❤️👍
Outstanding social comment; and superb tight musicianship. Suggs posing correctly, singing SUPERBLY, with no pretentious USA accent. For a short period of time, they were unsurpassable. This their best I believe. Love the ending; it's so unexpectedly surprising ....then.....!
I love that all their videos look like they were filmed in their basement or in the street when traffic cleared, and they drew straws to determine which member of the band had to hold the camera and couldn't be in that shot.
If you didn’t know what the meaning behind the song. It was about Lee Thompson’s (the saxophonist) sister was carrying a black man’s baby and the mother and the father of Lee Thompson disowned the daughter, as of why Lee wrote the lyrics. “our dad don’t wanna know, he said, this is a serious matter, too late to reconsider, no ones going to want to know you” hence why the song is called “embarrassment” it shows the corruption of the black community 30-40 years ago.
The song is so-so, they recorded many far superior tunes, but the video is fantastic; pure art. The collected Madness videos deserve to be recognised as something special - Chapl8n, Keaton, Madness - there is a genuine connection, the combination of music AND video is what the band will be remembered by; whoever made them deserves to be recognised for their immense talent
Something today's "musicians" should learn, write lyrics that actually mean something & with a relevant point to it, anyone who grew up around the time this was released will know exactly what I mean ✌🏻💙🏴
@@lilab151 yeah, obviously, but the manufactured sorry excuse for popular music is at best abysmal & don't get me started on the lame ass attempt called mumble rap ffs Now music is all about the money & more importantly, being "politically correct" The exception being Gerry Cinnamon of course.
@@Scottish_Son You really need to listen to more music, I'll agree with pop music being shit but there is so many great bands with amazing and relevant lyrics that arent cash grabby or worried about being "politically correct"
Word around the campfire is that this is based upon Lee Thompson receiving letters from the family while Madness was on tour. His sister, Tracey, had become pregnant by a Brotha which, was a definite no-no even in 1980. The first sax solo is his sister trying to explain what had happened. The second is the sound of her heart breaking from her family's disapproval. The interesting thing is that, the family fell in love with the baby. Today, everything's all good.
❤ Lying in the Sun in NZ listening to madness! Bliss 😅 brings back great memories of growing up in North London ❤ hello Suggs from 'cookie" proud of you ❤
@@Shiggiesmalls02 not sure what you mean. This song was written as a result of Lee’s sister getting pregnant and the father was black. He was singing about how his father and aunts took it badly. My comment was saying the 93 thumbs down must be from racists. This is a brilliant song. Not sure how you can say I know nada?!
Jake Burns understood exactly what his genre was and how to throw it in your face. Also,having the drum kit up front while he stood in the back has never been done by any live band.Genius.
That brass section is the bollocks. Later in tunes like "Tomorrow is Just Another Day" the brilliant brass motifs were rendered tinny by specious production.
Different era, absolutely class. Wish I could go back to this time of life.
So do I, loved every minute of it
@@aliceseville Me and you will build a time machine, so we can go back to the best era in music, Earley 80s.
@@julieking9481 love too, I remember the boys and I listening to Madness whilst playing pool in the bedroom. Good memories
@@aliceseville going to see them in Scarbough soon can't wait.
Yes but no
The two saxophone solos during this record still gives me goosebumps
ive got terrible goose zits and they wont subside!
So glad you said that dude. Me too.
@@jonr5636 andthe
The first represented Lee Thompson's sister trying to explain how she got pregnant to her parents. The second is the sound of her heart breaking, from being misunderstood.
Me too.
Lee T is the business 🖤💙🎷💙🖤
I saw Madness in Bournemouth last December. Suggs told of how this song was written about Lee Thompson's sister dating a black man and how his family practically disowned her. He said how this song was amazing at showing how times have changed aince it was written. I love Madness. Their songs have such a deep meaning but are always so upbeat sounding.
It was Lee Thompsons sister not Suggs.
@@drapes36 Thanks for correcting me
@@GVRyoutube also she got pregnant not just dating
She got pregnant, that's why they disowned her (too late to reconsider, no one's gonna wanna know ya), Always wondered what happened. They probably came round once they saw the baby. They usually do. I hope it had a happy ending.
@@TheFakeyCakeMaker I saw Lee and his sister and her daughter on The One Show a few years ago. As far as I know their parents did come to terms with the situation but I wouldn't know much more than that. It certainly gave Lee and the band a great song whatever happened afterwards.
This is a bloody good record. 40 years on.
You're everywhere
@@JohnWick-ro8zv who is
@Samuel slack Geoff joffy
Yeah
42 years on too!
The sax deserves a like.
One of if not the best saxophone players the world has ever heard.
"Kix" "El Thommo" Lee Thompson 😎🎷👍
Best sax ever...
It does
Sax dude also wrote the tune. Cool song
English culture lyricised brilliantly.. I grew up with this.. Madness had the knack of absolutely capturing the circumstances and feeling and culture of the time in the early eighties that still resonates today
and told it well
The best, and for me definitive, Madness song.
Agreed
understanding the history and social context, madness make me proud to be english and british, them and the whole two tone record label / social movement
Me too, I wouldn't say it out loud tho or Suggs will call you a Nazi
I hear you Andrew Mott.....to me the message of Madness goes Beyond!!... the 1% is not sharing or caring.
Madness make me proud to be a human....tis Universal lad!
@@callithowiseeit5806 who gives a shit what Suggs thinks? Suggs is only a musician - don't get me wrong I luv their music but he's not God ffs - Nothing wrong with being proud of all the great things achieved by the nation that you belong to!... and you are allowed to think what you like and anyone else who tells you otherwise is the Nazi!
@@callithowiseeit5806 ,
Even after forty years... the opening bars of this iconic seminal song, still make my heart skip a beat. Madness did and still do have something so British and unique and will be forever held as one of the best bands from these Sceptered Isles xxx
Too dight
Growing up in the early 80’s .. i didn’t realise what such a powerful message this song had
Do you now what this song represents
@@jademeredith6071 Sure do. Sad story of a family rejectin their daughter for havin a baby with a black man.
I always wondered what this song was about
@@patrickhenry7036 I always thought it was a sad song about a family having to deal with a disgraceful daughter having a mixed baby. It's clearly in favour of the racist family.
@@oman9492 It clearly isn't
Some significant messages and stories embedded in many 80’s songs. They’re like a time capsule, giving an insight to how things were. People would do well to look at the lyrics from many of their favourite 80s songs. They often run deep. I’m glad I grew up through this decade.
Madness, quite simply the best band ever.
Hi from Russia! Madness is one of my favorite groups 🙃
I agree
@@cols-muscle-power i wouldn't go that far.
Correct😎
There could only be one kind of Madness,
This song can bring tears to your eyes. (especially the injustice of the back story) You really feel for the sister.
Can you explain more please? Thanks
@@lolacherrycola7035 A band members sister got pregnant by a black man. Her family disowned her and she was left to have the baby alone. A different time.
Yeah and I realised the pianist at 2:48 is black
@@batdebaseball1850 yes 😢
@@sssssssssggggggg it was Lee Thompson - the Sax players sister.
The older these songs get THE BETTER THEY SOUND....PROUD TO BE 1980S GIRL XXXX
i'm 64 now..and would i want to go back to the 80's?..in a heartbeat leanne,in a heartbeat..for real.
Amen
Well said Leeann. Was a great time for music. Left school in 81 so grew up on this stuff and still listen to it all today
Im 60 and i pity our youth of today, not their fault but the most amazing time of my life was the amazing 80s. I miss them😢😢. I need a time machine😂
Thank goodness for reggae!!! Without reggae, there wouldn't be Madness. Thanks Jamaica, thanks Britain!!
Amen to that. Two brilliant, musical traditions produced Ska & everything related. Much like the subject of the song: it was good in the end 😊
Madness = Genius. This song is a gem and possibly Lee Thompson's best showcase of his great talent.
This is so very british, it's great. The saxophone player is incredible !
Lee Thompson. I think "Embarrassment" is his creation.
@@darrylroff3932 Correct Lee Thompson, due to his families turmoil when his sister Tracy got pregnant by a black man
It is! But it's more Çockney Sparrruuu Laaaanduuun matey!
Me?
I'm from up West mate!
Kensington and Chelsea in London. 🇬🇧😉🎾🏏⚽
I was a massive Madness fan when I grew up in the 8T's. Still am. How can you not be?
80s, not 8T's, you must be what, at least in your 50s?
Grow up Man!
@@Docv400 I write however i please. You seem like a bitter old fart. Lighten up pal.
@@Docv400 I thought the same to be honest 😆
Top of their game, even John Lennon loved them, their music was part of the soundtrack to my youth, cheers Madness!!
@@Just_another_Euro_dude They released their first single in Audust 1979 and released another 4 singles, 2 albums and an EP before Lennon was shot in December 1980...
He said in an interview how he liked 'One Step Beyond '. He didn't get get the opportunity's to explain further
@@Just_another_Euro_dude 😂
@@Just_another_Euro_dude he mentions liking them in his last bbc interview and even does a funny impression of the one step beyond intro
Songs with actual words, and that Sax is just mind blowing good.
When I heard this song for the first time I did not realise this was about a serious subject within family circles. Priceless now when u realise what it is about
call me an old bastard but this song just has everything modern music mostly doesnt have
I can't call you an old bastard because I agree with you which would make me an old bastard
im old too but you are bang on todays music is utter crap you old bastard lol
I’m only 16 and I can 100% agree with you mate, I hate this era- the music is shite! We need this old stuff again, it’s proper good music 🎵
@@mattinfullvision9598 Amen
it has a soul
The madness ‘absolutely’ album is by far one of the best - reeks real life experiences put into beautiful and meticulously crafted songs that may seem very poppy and swingy on the surface but once you scratch past that it’s pure genius and meaningful lyrics that are relatable and just all round brilliant. Favourite band ever and absolutely brilliant live 10000/10 for the nutty boys
That Madness album, you know, the one that goes bop bop bop, yeah, thats my favorite. ALL of them!!
Cudnt agree more. Have tickets to.see them in Dublin end of November. Great live band. Never disappoint
First band I ever saw at 12. 55 now and still go whenever they're playing near us. Top british band
One of the most unique bands to ever exist, quintessentially working class british. Long live Madness.
This song is NOT about Ireland someone already mentioned what the songs about
This song is about the turmoil that engulfed Madness saxophonist Lee Thompson's sister Tracy, after she fell pregnant by a black man. The lyrics expressed the shame felt throughout the family of having a mixed race baby, an attitude sadly still prevalent in early 1980s Britain. Lee Thompson told the BBC "It was just not accepted in those days. She was shunned by a few people in the family. My father tried to talk her into getting it terminated. My sister dug her heels in and I was caught in the middle, wanting everyone to be happy.
Thank god :) the amount of people I've had to say this to
His sister had a black kid that what this song us about
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Embarrassment_(song)
Jackie Linda how!
Http: get a life
Shame we can't rewind time back to the 70's!!! Great times, no hassles, not a lot of money but god it was fun as a kid!!!
Lyrics
Received a letter just the other day
Don't seem they wanna know you no more
They've laid it down given you their score
Within the first two lines it bluntly read
You're not to come and see us no more
Keep away from our door
Don't come 'round here no more
What on earth did you do that for?
Our aunt, she don't wanna know she says
"What will the neighbors think, they'll think
We don't, that's what they'll think, we don't"
But I will, 'cause I know they think I don't
Our uncle he don't wanna know he says
"We are a disgrace to the human race", he says
"How can you show your face
When you're a disgrace to the human race?"
No commitment, you're an embarrassment
Yes, an embarrassment, a living endorsement
The intention that you have booked
Was an intention that was overlooked
They say, "Stay away
Don't want you home today
Keep away from our door
Don't come 'round here no more"
Our dad, don't wanna know he says
"This is a serious matter
Too late to reconsider
No one's gonna wanna know ya"
Our mum, she don't wanna know, she says
"I'm feelin' twice as old", she says
"Thought she had a head on her shoulder
'Cause I'm feelin' twice as older
I'm feelin' twice as older"
You're an embarrassment
The song the music, the text, the sax... Hearing it once just ain't enough... Masterpiece
I can’t believe it, I’m 48yo m, heard this song a million times and it’s the first time I’ve shed a tear 😢 to it, crazy times!
My brother love madness all his life til he passed away suddenly in 2020 aged 46. I grew up listening to them and listen to them even more so now the music is timeless 💜
I lost my 46 year old brother as well in Jan 2020 Jayne. He was into Madness as a kid and got me into them.
Hugs
In my all time top 3 favourite bands of all time …ideas Madness daft growing up and had every Madness single and album …..this was jyst pne of many of their all time classics
44 years on and this record was for me it was how I was made to feel by my old man still know all the word's off by heart
Similar. But you’re not him. He can only hurt you now if you let him. Let it go. Don’t carry it anymore.
Best Madness song ever!! FACT :)
I totally agree with you there !! I have been a Madness fan since 1979 and I have about 60 cds and all their vinyl albums as well as picture discs, red vinyl, blue vinyl,brown vinyl,clear vinyl ,yellow vinyl and every song they ever recorded. Madness are surely the best band off all time. My favourite song by them is 'Embarrassment' and my second favourite is 'Bed & Breakfast Man' There are so many to choose from though. Another one of my most liked is 'Close Escape' from the album 'Absolutely followed closely by 'Night Boat To Cairo' ' I hope you enjoy every madness album because they are surely the best group that ever came out of the Ska revival. Cheers
Deffo
I don't get it; it's a good backing track but that's about it. I can count at least eight or nine better Madness tracks and that's only the singles.
defo not the case. It must be love is their top tune, then after that this and uncle sam, and waiting for the ghost train, and thats it all their other songs are rubbish
'One Step Beyond' is what gets me in gear for work. I love 'Might Boat To Cairo' and House of Fun', and I smile whenever I hear 'Mummy's Boy', and I'd only recently heard 'Embarrassment'. It's heavy. I wasn't much younger than Thompson's sister when the song came out, and could have easily been in that situation.
Madness at their peak absolutely
Can we just take a moment to enjoy probably the best ending to a Madness song, possibly any song ever? Glorious! And knocking over the wine glass. Perfect!
As a senior citizen 57 candles burnt this track makes a happy memory for me proper old skool😊
eighties music and saxophone, the perfect match. it dissapeared in the nineties
The soundtrack of walking the streets alone at night, feeling the cold on your shaved head, the echoe of your boots on the empty street.
That is brilliantly put my friend l feel you've lived it & that travells across your blog. Quite poetical & l admire your thought process. I too know this feeling of belonging to empty street lamp streets.
The best of Madness's songs
Underrated song, band, attitude.
No way are Madness underrated 🇬🇧
J adore , c est une époque où on écoutait du bon ska avec the specials,Bad manners...une époque formidable !!
I was never that keen on Madness, but this ia a great song that still stands up today.
A big hit in the UK singles charts in November-December 1980.Remember it well.
It never ages. I frigging love this. I still have the original albums and the man in the mad suit tour. My cousin used to play for Chelsea, so we were privilege to watch them making the blue day video.❤
I saw Madness for the first time at Lindisfarne in September 2022 and they were absolutely magnificent.
If you haven't seen them live, DO IT!
If you have... DO IT AGAIN!
I grew up in that area and saw them live and the specials and selecter
Absolutely brilliant, absolutely brilliant love to see them back again😮😮😮😮
IMO their best song. Shot in my old manor. Used to see them bouncing around often back in the day. Top lads, all.
AHHHHHHH LUCKYYYY
What I'd do to meet a young Suggs, he was SO CUTE back in the day!!!!
Bunch of young guy's hard to believe they were capable of such quality great little band plenty of hits .
i love every song from Madness!!!
I love this whole album. I just get lost in that sax at the end. It takes me right back to school, flight jacket and an arm full of two tone badges.
46 years on. I have only co-existed with Madness for 14 of those years, and yet they’ve managed to become my number one favourite band.
This has an almost RnB/Motown soul style to it, incredible.
Another brilliant song from the brilliant madness i love their songs 🤩😊😎🤗❤🎉
Brilliant record, best by Madness by a mile very very deep lyrics.
I love Madness, they are a great band! Today I listened to all my favorite songs from Madness on RUclips, all I can say is that all the videos are great, I don't think any other video would top them, they are a genius group! I want to learn how to play the saxophone! from watching this song. Too bad they don't issue other songs now, the music today is not as good as the eighties, I'm 48 now and love that era.... you keep listing to those songs and never get bored. This is my favorite song from Madness.
Some of their tracks from later albums (late 90s, early noughties) are great too. Check out: Johnny the Horse, Drip-Fed Fred (featuring Ian Dury RIP), Never Knew Your name, Lovestruck, Mr Apples, etc.
Johnny the Horse is one of my favourite Madness Songs and has a fun, uplifting tune with poignant lyrics which was inspired by a tramp that Carl Smyth used to know who was tragically kicked to death by some yobs.
😩 Sat here listening to this before Rob Forrest's funeral, the guy told me about this song and all the crazy times back in the day!! He had some crazy stories from sound managing with madness an others.
God bless you Rob Forrest 💚
My very first single bought! What a gem! Another classic from one of the best all time British groups!
Mine too..bought from the bargain bin in my local village shop.
Usually playing in the background with stories about corruption and incompetence in the establishment . We need it now more than ever.
Love Madness! Big childhood memories. Big love lads
Madness' best songs, Embarrassment, You Said, Sign of the Times, Missing You, In the Rain.
I'm 51 years old... and have gone back to when I was just 12.All these songs are still brilliant because the lyrics are so easy,fun,and you know the tunes from the first bars.I remember wearing nutty boyz badges,cromby coats and a trilbyMy girl is my favourite song.❤️👍
Never liked the trilby, stingy brim and all that. Pork Pie for me.
I fell in love with Suggs after watching this video, I was 10 and 44 years later I still love him 💙
Serious subject from the nutty boys and boy didn't they do it really well
This remains a very good song, just like most music of Madness, nostalgia of the highest level.
💯👍🏻💯👍🏻💯👍🏻💯👍🏻💯👍🏻
Always loved the song but now digging it even more after having just learned what it was about. Well done Nutty Boys!
I love Madness since my youth and ever will! Thank them for Such great Songs! ❤❤❤
this is their best song
MADNESS AT THEIR BEST
Great
This is one of the best songs of all time
FANflippingTASTIC
Wonderful Madness 💙🖤♥️🖤💙
How has this only been watched 300k times! What a classic. Grew up with these tunes.
Wish i was around when this was released thank you dad for introducing me to the best era of music
One of the first singles i ever bought, just brilliant.
Outstanding social comment; and superb tight musicianship.
Suggs posing correctly, singing SUPERBLY, with no pretentious USA accent.
For a short period of time, they were unsurpassable.
This their best I believe.
Love the ending; it's so unexpectedly surprising ....then.....!
Legends, pure & simple.
I love that all their videos look like they were filmed in their basement or in the street when traffic cleared, and they drew straws to determine which member of the band had to hold the camera and couldn't be in that shot.
If you know the backstory to this song you realise haow brilliant it is
Your so right if anyone hasn't looked into the meaning and the reasons behind the song please do.its absolutely excellent.
If you didn’t know what the meaning behind the song. It was about Lee Thompson’s (the saxophonist) sister was carrying a black man’s baby and the mother and the father of Lee Thompson disowned the daughter, as of why Lee wrote the lyrics. “our dad don’t wanna know, he said, this is a serious matter, too late to reconsider, no ones going to want to know you” hence why the song is called “embarrassment” it shows the corruption of the black community 30-40 years ago.
First single I ever bought, aged 11. I think i did very well! Thank you Madness.
Also the first single I ever bought, although you were considerably older than me. I was 10, lol.
briljant choice ann-marie👍
Saw then years back at a gig years back with Our Daughters Wedding and Tenpole Tudor supporting.
The song is so-so, they recorded many far superior tunes, but the video is fantastic; pure art. The collected Madness videos deserve to be recognised as something special - Chapl8n, Keaton, Madness - there is a genuine connection, the combination of music AND video is what the band will be remembered by; whoever made them deserves to be recognised for their immense talent
Thank you for everything
i love you from the start.......when i was a little kid 😅Kiss from Belgium ❤
Something today's "musicians" should learn, write lyrics that actually mean something & with a relevant point to it, anyone who grew up around the time this was released will know exactly what I mean ✌🏻💙🏴
u do know that good modern music exists right???? songwriters didnt just die out
@@lilab151 yeah, obviously, but the manufactured sorry excuse for popular music is at best abysmal
& don't get me started on the lame ass attempt called mumble rap ffs
Now music is all about the money & more importantly, being "politically correct"
The exception being Gerry Cinnamon of course.
@@Scottish_Son You really need to listen to more music, I'll agree with pop music being shit but there is so many great bands with amazing and relevant lyrics that arent cash grabby or worried about being "politically correct"
@@Scottish_Son mumble rap more like mumble crap. Lil’ lump looks like a rainbow fruit loop
Spacegrass could you recommend some?
Word around the campfire is that this is based upon Lee Thompson receiving letters from the family while Madness was on tour. His sister, Tracey, had become pregnant by a Brotha which, was a definite no-no even in 1980.
The first sax solo is his sister trying to explain what had happened.
The second is the sound of her heart breaking from her family's disapproval.
The interesting thing is that, the family fell in love with the baby. Today, everything's all good.
A cutting-edge brilliant piece of work.
Absolutely classic band
seriosly BEST the song EVER
❤ Lying in the Sun in NZ listening to madness! Bliss 😅 brings back great memories of growing up in North London ❤ hello Suggs from 'cookie" proud of you ❤
Best song by the nutty boys. The 93 people with thumbs down must have their phone upside down, tha nuz
No just ignorant racists.
Those who disliked are an embarrassment
@@robtudor3785 you clearly know nada
@@Shiggiesmalls02 not sure what you mean. This song was written as a result of Lee’s sister getting pregnant and the father was black. He was singing about how his father and aunts took it badly. My comment was saying the 93 thumbs down must be from racists. This is a brilliant song. Not sure how you can say I know nada?!
These lyrics wouldn’t go down well today 😂😂. What a band and what a song. Saw them at Wembley when I was about 17 and it was amazing
As 'goofy as the general public perceived them as, they wrote bloody good songs!! Really and truly!
Jake Burns understood exactly what his genre was and how to throw it in your face. Also,having the drum kit up front while he stood in the back has never been done by any live band.Genius.
That brass section is the bollocks. Later in tunes like "Tomorrow is Just Another Day" the brilliant brass motifs were rendered tinny by specious production.
Very true. 80's production was horrible, as far as pop records went. By 80's, I guess I mean about '83 on.
Instantly transported back to 1980
Thanks guys, you were the soundtrack to my life . Ohhhh yes 👏🏾
That's the beauty in music and RUclips is nearest thing to time machine we have
Still as fresh today as it was 41+ years ago
When I was 10, in 1980 this was the best song ever.
Outstanding song…..
Knew about madness before i knew what music was. Big part of the soundtrack of my youth.
Music like this kept folk sane through a an ever more depressing era for the working class youth in Britain
I was in my youth in the 80's. Loved every minute of it. 🎉🥳