Madness brought the curtain down on BBC Television Centre with a concert outside the iconic circular building last night. The ska band played a combination of old songs and new tracks in front of the venerable 60 year old building, which will close its doors for the final time after 53 years on Easter Sunday.
The Madness gig was screened live on BBC Four, followed by a special programme oozing nostalgia where a host of BBC stars shared and reminisced about their BBC Television Centre memories. It was fitting that Madness played, not just because they are the archetypal North London boys, but because their upbeat, happy music prevented the occasion becoming a maudlin, morose and melancholic one as it so easily could have done!!
The only thing that was missing was a Pickfords removals van, but the BBC Television Centre Closing Ceremony was a happy one with many BBC employees rocking and dancing to Madness songs at the windows of BBC Television Centre. As sad as it is for generations of BBC Television viewers to see BBC Television Centre close, on a another level it is great for the author’s generation to see Madness have a renaissance. Madness’ music became part of the soundtrack of my teenage years, from the moment I first saw them on Top of the Pops in 1979 singing “The Prince” and “One Step Beyond”, which of course was filmed and broadcast from BBC Television Centre.
The universal appeal and popularity of Madness is simply due to the fact that they are fun and funny. Their melodies are upbeat and their lyrics are witty. And of course the bands’ musicianship is also of the highest calibre. Madness have a timeless quality that means their music can easily transcend the generations. One of my happiest and memorable days was attending the first “Madstock” concert at Finsbury Park one Summer’s day in 1992, where Madness rocked North London!! My lasting memory was of fans bouncing around to the music on the roof of the beer tent / marquee, using it as a giant bouncy castle, illuminated by the lights within!!
So let’s celebrate the music of Madness with this Recordpress Top 10 Best Madness Songs –
Top 10 Best Madness Songs
1) Embarrassment ( No4 1980 )
2) It Must Be Love ( No4 1981 )
3) Night Boat To Cairo ( No6 1980 )
4) One Step Beyond ( No7 1979 )
5) House Of Fun ( No1 1982 )
6) Grey Day ( No4 1981 )
7) My Girl ( No3 1980 )
8) Our House ( No5 1982 )
9) Baggy Trousers ( No3 1980 )
10) Tomorrow’s ( Just Another Day) ( No8 1983 )
Which are your favourite Madness songs and why? Let us know in the Reply Box below.
Celebrate your favourite Madness song in your home or office, by ordering your favourite Madness song in a vinyl or CD format; single, album or album cover; framed and mounted as a picture disc souvenir. You can also personalise it with an inscribed / engraved plaque……
ORDER NOW…….. www.myfirstrecord.co.uk/
You could order a framed Madness vinyl single as a gift for a number of different special occasions….. ie “It Must Be Love” for a Wedding gift or an Engagement present or “House Of Fun” or “Our House” for an Housewarming Party gift!! Or how about a framed copy of “Driving In My Car” as a congratulatory gift for someone who has passed a driving test?!! ORDER NOW… www.myfirstrecord.co.uk/
Framed vinyl records, framed CDs and framed DVDs with a personalised plaque, make unique presents or original gifts for a special celebration / special occasion ie a Wedding ( Wedding First Dance Song ), an Engagement Party ( Our Song ), a House Warming Party ( New Home ), a 21st, 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th Birthday ( How about the No1 song on the day of birth? ), a Silver, Ruby or Golden Wedding Anniversary, Father’s or Mother’s Day or Valentine’s Day!! THE PERFECT PERSONALISED PRESENT!!
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