MADNESS – BAGGY TROUSERS 7″ – EXC+ SKA INDIE

Madness – Baggy Trousers
(Stiff Records  1980  BUY84)

Vinyl in Excellent+ condition
(there are some surface marks visible on the vinyl – A side plays great – B side has some crackles)

Sleeve in Excellent+ condition
– some discolouration on the back

Madness are an English ska band from Camden Town, London, that formed in 1976. One of the most prominent bands of the late 1970s and early 1980s 2 Tone ska revival, they continue to perform with their most recognised line-up of seven members.

Madness achieved most of their success in the early to mid-1980s. Both Madness and UB40 spent 214 weeks on the UK singles charts over the course of the decade, holding the record for most weeks spent by a group in the 1980s UK singles charts. However, Madness achieved this in a shorter time period (1980–1986).

Madness have had 15 singles reach the UK top ten, one UK number one single (“House of Fun”) and two number ones in Ireland, “House of Fun” and “Wings of a Dove”.

“Baggy Trousers” is a song by English ska/pop band Madness from their 1980 album Absolutely. It was written by lead singer Graham “Suggs” McPherson and guitarist Chris Foreman, and reminisces about school days. (Mike Barson also received a writing credit in error, the correct McPherson/Foreman credit being used for subsequent releases). The band first began performing the song at live shows in April 1980.

It was released as a single on September 5, 1980 and spent 20 weeks in UK charts, reaching a high of #3. It was the 11th best-selling single of 1980 in the UK.

Track listing

1. “Baggy Trousers” (McPherson/Foreman) – 2:46
2. “The Business” (Barson) – 3:14