Heading up the ska genre in the UK, Madness are a nostalgic band for many with songs so many of us have heard without even realising who they’re by! The band has been going since the 70s, and even in 2025 they are still performing live.
Madness’ Hits Parade 2025 tour will have them hitting the road this December to perform all their greatest songs at stadiums across the country. In this blog post we’ve listed Madness’ top five songs of all time so you can get to know the essential listening before the show!
Buy Madness VIP ticketsMadness’ Best Songs in Order
No. 5: ‘My Girl’
‘My Girl’ was Madness’ debut single, from the album One Step Beyond… in 1979. It peaked at number three on the UK singles chart, giving them almost immediate success as a band when they began performing as Madness instead of The Invaders. When they performed on Top of the Pops in January 1980, they were the first band of the new decade to perform on the show.
No. 4: ‘Baggy Trousers’
‘Baggy Trousers’ is another early Madness song, from the 1980 album Absolutely. It was successful once again on the UK charts, perhaps because of its cheeky and nostalgic lyrics about naughty kids at school, something that plenty of listeners can relate to. It garnered comparison to Pink Floyd’s ‘Another Brick in the Wall’ for the school lyrics, except Madness’ version is decidedly rougher.
No. 3: ‘It Must Be Love’
‘It Must Be Love’ is a song many of us have heard, but it was not originally by Madness. It was originally by Labi Siffre, a British singer-songwriter, and the Madness version reached number four on the UK charts. Since its release, the song has found its way into advertisements, film soundtracks, and has been covered by many artists.
No. 2: ‘House of Fun’
‘House of Fun’ remains Madness’ only UK number one, despite the success they’ve had over their careers. It’s a truly memorable song, the “welcome to the house of fun” chorus is catchy and guaranteed to stay in your head once you hear it. The music video, featuring the band at Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach riding rollercoasters, matches the fun and carefree vibe perfectly.
No. 1: ‘Our House’
‘Our House’ has stood the test of time, being catchy and fun with a great music video and cultural relevance ever since it was released in 1982. The song has shown up in unlikely places ever since, used as the theme tune for slice of life TV shows, parodies, and even a musical at the West End written by Madness themselves.
Get Madness Tickets
Madness will be playing up and down the country later this year, so don’t miss out on what is guaranteed to be a show full of raucous fun. With stops in Sheffield, Manchester, Aberdeen, Newcastle, and Leeds, the band will be at a stadium near you very soon.
Get VIP Madness tickets with Seat Unique to elevate your experience to the next level. Premium, padded seating, access to hospitality lounges, and inclusive food and drinks all await you – available now!
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