Complete Madness, Madness - Promo

Madness – Complete Madness

Artist: Madness

Title: Complete Madness

Album Type: Greatest Hits / Compilation

Original Release Date: April 23, 1982

Label: Stiff Records

Genre: Ska / Pop / 2-Tone / New Wave

Background & Production Complete Madness was the first "Greatest Hits" collection from the quintessential British "Nutty Boys." Released at the height of their popularity, it documents the band’s meteoric rise from 1979 to 1982. Produced primarily by the legendary duo Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley, the album features sixteen tracks that define the "2-Tone" era’s transition into sophisticated British pop. The compilation was a massive commercial success, spending 64 weeks on the UK charts and peaking at #1, solidifying Madness as one of the most beloved and consistent singles bands of the 1980s.

Musical Composition & Style The album is a masterclass in songwriting, blending frantic ska rhythms with music-hall tradition and observational, working-class storytelling.

• The Ska Anthems: Early hits like "The Prince" (a tribute to Prince Buster) and "One Step Beyond" showcase the band’s high-energy saxophone-driven roots and iconic "Heavy Heavy Monster Sound."

• Pop Perfection: The collection features their most enduring melodies, including the whimsical "Our House," the bittersweet "My Girl," and the #1 smash hit "House of Fun"—a song that cleverly used a funfair metaphor to describe a young man’s awkward trip to the chemist.

• The Visual Element: Though a music compilation, the album is inseparable from the band’s humorous, choreographed music videos, which are echoed in the iconic "Nutty Train" cover photography.

• Diverse Influences: From the reggae-tinged "Grey Day" to the vaudevillian "Baggy Trousers," the album proves that Madness were far more than a simple ska revival act.

Legacy & Collector Notes For many fans, Complete Madness is the definitive introduction to the band. For vinyl collectors, the original Stiff Records pressings are highly prized—not just for the music, but for the witty liner notes and the "Madness map" often found on the inner sleeve. It remains a staple for any shop catering to 80s nostalgia, British New Wave, or the enduring legacy of the 2-Tone movement.

• Keywords: Madness, Complete Madness, Stiff Records, 1982 Vinyl, Ska, 2-Tone, Our House, House of Fun, Suggs, British Pop.

• Collection Ideas: 80s Greatest Hits, 2-Tone & Ska Essentials, British New Wave Classics, The Stiff Records Discography.

• Related Artists: The Specials, The Beat, Bad Manners, The Selecter, Ian Dury & The Blockheads.

MINT - sealed

NM - likely never played - almost perfect

VG+ - light scuffs, light scratches wont effect play

VG -  signs of wear, light scratches you can feel

GOOD -  surface noise, visible groove wear

POOR / FAIR- some damage, causing issues like skipping & distorted audio

OIS - original inner sleeve