Embarrassment (song)

"Embarrassment" is a song recorded by ska/pop band Madness, predominantly written by Lee Thompson, but partially credited to Mike Barson.[1][2] The band first began performing the song at live shows in April 1980,[3] and it was featured on their second studio album, Absolutely.

"Embarrassment"
Single by Madness
from the album Absolutely
Released14 November 1980
Recorded1980
Genre
Length3:10
LabelStiff
Composer(s)Mike Barson
Lyricist(s)Lee Thompson
Producer(s)
Madness singles chronology
"Baggy Trousers"
(1980)		 "Embarrassment"
(1980)		 "Return of the Los Palmas 7"
(1981)

The song was released as a single on 14 November 1980 and spent 12 weeks in the UK singles chart, reaching a high of number 4.[3] The song was remixed for issue as a single, which is different from the album version, although they both have the same running time.

Lyrical content

The meaning behind the song was particularly dark, considering the band's previous material. Primarily written by Lee Thompson, the plot of the song reflected the unfolding turmoil following the news that his teenage sister, Tracy, had become pregnant and was carrying a black man's child. The subsequent rejection by her family, and the shame felt, was reflected in the song.[4]

As Thompson was on the road with the band, he only heard snippets of the story, through phone calls and letters, but this was enough for him to piece the story together. The song is a clear indication of changing attitudes (see miscegenation). The real-life story had a happy ending, however; Thompson later stated that when her daughter Hayley was born, the antipathy of Tracy's relatives dissolved.[1][5]

Music video
Suggs at the Embassy Club Bar.

The music video for the single was filmed in Embassy Club, London, on 7 and 8 November 1980.[3] The music video was particularly dark for Madness, corresponding to the lyrical content of the song. The video mainly features Suggs at a gloomy bar, interspersed with shots of the band playing various brass instruments.

Appearances

In addition to its single release and appearance on the album Absolutely, "Embarrassment" also appears on the Madness collections Divine Madness (a.k.a. The Heavy Heavy Hits), Complete Madness, It's... Madness, The Business, Our House and the US compilation Ultimate Collection.

Track listing
  1. "Embarrassment" (Barson/Thompson) - 3:10
  2. "Crying Shame" (Barson) - 2:36

Charts

Certifications and sales
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[13] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References
  1. "An embarrassment no more". BBC News. 24 November 2005. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
  2. Woodstra, Chris."Allmusic.com Absolutely Overview". Retrieved on July 1, 2007.
  3. "The Madness Timeline: 1980". Archived from the original on 16 July 2009. Retrieved on July 1, 2007.
  4. Madness' Embarrassment BBC Magazine
  5. "Lee Thompson: Embarrassment". YouTube. Archived from the original on 13 December 2021. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
  6. "Madness – Embarrassment" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  7. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Embarrassment". Irish Singles Chart.
  8. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 10, 1981" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  9. "Madness – Embarrassment" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  10. "Madness: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  11. "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1981". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
  12. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1981". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
  13. "British single certifications – Madness – Embarrassment". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
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