The song "Embarassment" by Madness was written about a band members sister who got pregnant by a black fella. Have a listen to the lyrics sometime..Back in the day of Major Gowan and Fawlty Towers you could get away with this sort of thing, imagine someone producing this sort of material now. End of career time! see also: Ron Atkinson
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But it doesn't say that explicitly or mention anything about the guy being black.
It does say "you're a disgrace to the human race". Now if it said "white race" then what you said would make sense but it doesn't.
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 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 neighbours think they'll think
we don't that's what they'll think we don't
but I will 'cos 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
They've made a 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 around here no more
Our Dad he 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 feeling twice as old she says
thought she had her head on her shoulders
'cos I'm feeling twice as older
I'm feeling twice as older
You're an embarrassment
i dont see nothing wrong with that at all
i really hope people do not make a big thing out of one of the best groups out of London and from this country in years
well said that man ... and the most recent album, Liberty of Norton Folgate, is stunning
Yeah, heard an interview where Sting was saying how funny it was that so many people choose it as their wedding song when it's about stalking your ex.
Don't Stand So Close To Me
No way on earth i'm going to bad mouth madness.They wrote the only ever song about buying johnnies for christs sake!
Thought everyone knew what it was about.
Madness wrote a lot of political songs which never got noted
due to their 'nutty' image.
my view entirely
well said sir
Agree what was said about the Norton Folgate; I was very impressed and surprised that it was so good - the film made about it was great too.
REM wrote two songs on this subject: 'Strange Currencies' on Monster which was sequelled by 'Be Mine' on New Adventures in Hi-Fi.
It shows how little people listen to the words to choose the The Police song for their wedding.
This does however lead me to a little anecdote. Our wedding video has a sequence of pictures which is played to 'It Must Have Been Love' by Roxette. We didn't choose this at all - the wedding was in Argentina and the video-man thought it was a real love song!
I definately wasnt implying Madness were racist especially coming from a SKA background and growing up in Camden area, I was just pointing out that the song told a story that these days nobody would write at the risk of being branded racist.
You would be surprised how many times this song is chosen as a first dance or as a post first dance song....
Now that you're gone
All that's left is a band of gold
All that's left of the dream I hold
Is a band of gold
And the memories of what love could be
If you are still here with me
You took me from the shelter of a mother I had never known
Who loved any other
We kissed after taking vows
But that night on our honeymoon
We stayed in separate rooms
I wait in the darkness of my lonely room
Filled with sadness, filled with gloom
Hoping soon that you'll walk
Back through that door
And love me like you tried before
Since you've been gone
All that's left is a band of gold
All that's left of the dream I hold
Is a band of gold
And the dream of what love could be
If you are still here with me
Ooh, don't you know that I wait in the darkness of my lonely room
Filled with sadness, filled with gloom
Hoping soon that you'll walk
Back through that door
And love me like you tried before
Since you've been gone
All that's left is a band of gold
All that's left of the dream I hold
Is a band of gold
And the dream of what love could be
If you are still here with me
I raise my (Pork Pie) Hat to you sir.
from Wikipedia
The meaning behind the song was particularly dark considering the band's previous material. Primarily written by Lee Thompson, the song reflected the unfolding turmoil following the news that his teenage sister, Tracy Thompson, had become pregnant and was carrying a black man's child. The following rejection by her family, and the shame felt was reflected in the song.
This does not imply that Madness as a band had an racist tendancies, just that one band members family had issues. These days a band i think would consider more carefully what material they produced as it could reflect badly on the band which this story does if the article hadnt been read in its entirety
We all remember the meaningful songs from our 'age'. I am guessing most people in this thread are 30-40. I could point out some provocative lyrics from the 50s / 60s and I'm sure there are some 20somethings on here who have some from today. Its just the issues that tend to change.
good point
marshall mathers
cuting his wives throat and throwing her in the lake
I loved taht albumn and was bloody as dark as it could be
oh dear