MADNESS

RELEASE NEW GREATEST HITS ALBUM ‘HIT PARADE’

LISTEN HERE

With 15 UK Top 10 singles, global smashes including Our House, and unforgettable appearances everywhere from Top of the Pops to the roof of Buckingham Palace, Madness remain the original Nutty Boys of Camden. 

The band who became a British institution and soundtracked a nation, have today released their new Greatest Hits album ‘Hit Parade’ via West Village Music Management. Listen here.

Formed in North London, Madness have grown into one of Britain’s most successful and best-loved bands, selling millions of records worldwide and inspiring generations of artists. More than four decades on, their music, spirit, and style are woven into the fabric of British culture.

Hit Parade celebrates that remarkable legacy, a career-spanning anthology, the band have chosen 45 singles from 45 years from 1979 through to 2024, capturing every era of their story.  The collection features 27 Top 40 hits, including the timeless It Must Be Love, the cheeky chaos of Baggy Trousers, the anthemic Lovestruck, and their chart-topping No.1 House of Fun.

Talking about the album, Madness said: “From the early days to the latest tracks... we’ve packed up the lot and brought them all together in ‘Hit Parade’. It’s a proper nutty collection of our biggest and best. Press play, turn it up, and enjoy the ride.”

Fans are spoiled for choice with a wide range of special formats. The line-up includes a 45-track 2CD set (available in both standard and exclusive HMV artwork editions), plus two stunning 2LP volumes: Volume 1 (1979–1986) on translucent red vinyl and Volume 2 (1992–2024) on translucent blue. Vinyl enthusiasts can also look forward to the deluxe 4LP box set, with an exclusive Townsend edition featuring a bonus 7" single of Bed & Breakfast Man and Madness (The Singles That Never Were).

Highlights from across the decades are further showcased on curated 15-track 1LP editions, available in a range of exclusive coloured vinyl variants as well as a striking picture disc. For collectors in the US, a special opaque silver LP for Black Friday adds something truly unique, featuring rare live recordings and standout cover versions.

Hit Parade is a must-have celebration of one of the most iconic bands of all time, bringing together their best-loved hits alongside gems from every stage of their story.

Hit Parade also includes a treasure trove of rarities and first-time appearances, making it a must-have for collectors and completists. Fans can look forward to a number of firsts, including Drip Fed Fred (The Conspiracy Mix), Sorry (Radio Edit), Forever Young (Melt Music Radio Edit) and Mr. Apples (Toerag Mix) all appearing on a compilation and vinyl for the very first time. In addition, Bullingdon Boys and Round We Go (Single Version) are making their debut not only on a compilation and vinyl, but also on CD. These rare versions and mixes offer a fresh way to experience some of Madness’s later-era gems alongside their classic hits.

Madness released their latest record 'Theatre Of The Absurd Presents C’est La Vie' in 2023, which soared triumphantly to claim the band's first ever No.1 studio album in their 45 year career. The band have had one no.1 UK Official Charts album, two no.1 compilation albums, 10 UK top ten albums, 15 top ten singles and have won a multitude of awards including a prestigious Ivor Novello. They’ve performed on the top of Buckingham Palace as part of the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations and set the record for the biggest ever audience for the BBC’s Live New Year’s Eve Broadcast - the most watched TV music event of 2018.

Madness will take the record on the road in December for their ‘Hit Parade’ UK arena tour. Kicking things off at Sheffield Utilita Arena on 4th December the Nutty Boys will perform thirteen dates across the country, culminating with a special hometown show at London’s The O2 on Saturday 20th December. Madness will also be joined by very special guest Squeeze.

Tickets are available from https://www.madness.co.uk/hitparade/

RELEASE FORMATS:

• Hit Parade – 2CD (Standard Version)

• Hit Parade – 2CD (HMV Exclusive artwork) – O-card with exclusive artwork

• Hit Parade – Volume 1 1979–1986. 2LP – Translucent red vinyl, gatefold sleeve

• Hit Parade – Volume 2 1992–2024. 2LP – Translucent blue vinyl, gatefold sleeve

• Hit Parade – 4LP – Contains both red and blue 2LP sets

• Hit Parade – 4LP + bonus 7” single (Exclusive to Townsend) – Includes Bed & Breakfast Man / Madness (The Singles That Never Were)

• Hit Parade – 1LP (Standard Black Vinyl)

• Hit Parade – 1LP (HMV Exclusive Ultra Clear vinyl)

• Hit Parade – 1LP (Amazon Exclusive Opaque Gold vinyl)

• Hit Parade – 1LP (Exclusive TBC Translucent Yellow vinyl)

• Hit Parade – 1LP Picture Disc (Exclusive to Townsend)

• Hit Parade – 1LP (US Black Friday Exclusive Opaque Silver vinyl)

TRACK LISTINGS: 

CD1 : 1979 – 1986 / Also 2LP Hit Parade Volume 1 1979-1986

23 tracks:

The Prince

One Step Beyond

My Girl

Night Boat To Cairo

Baggy Trousers

Embarrassment

The Return Of The Los Palmas 7

Grey Day

Shut Up *

It Must Be Love

Cardiac Arrest

House Of Fun

Driving In My Car

Our House

Tomorrow's Just Another Day

Wings Of A Dove

The Sun And The Rain

Michael Caine

One Better Day

Yesterday's Men *

Uncle Sam *

Sweetest Girl *

(Waiting For) The Ghost Train

CD2 : 1992 -2024 / / Also 2LP Hit Parade Volume 1 1979-1986

22 tracks:

The Harder They Come *

Lovestruck

Johnny the Horse

Drip Fed Fred *

Shame and Scandal

Girl Why Don’t You

Sorry *

NW5 *

Dust Devil

Sugar and Spice

Forever Young *

My Girl 2

Never Knew Your Name

How Can I Tell You

Misery

La Luna

Mr.Apples *

Can't Touch Us Now

Bullingdon Boys

C'est La Vie

Baby Burglar

Round We Go

(Note: *= single edit/mix)

1LP

Baggy Trousers

Our House

It Must Be Love

One Step Beyond

House Of Fun

Night Boat To Cairo

My Girl

Embarrassment

Wings Of A Dove

Mr.Apples *

Michael Caine

Driving In My Car

Never Knew Your Name

Lovestruck

NW5 *

TOUR DATES:

December

Thu 4 Sheffield Utilita Arena

Fri 5 Manchester AO Arena

Sat 6 Glasgow OVO Hydro

Sun 7  Aberdeen P&J Live

Tue 9 Newcastle Utilita Arena 

Wed 10 Liverpool M&S Bank Arena

Fri 12 Leeds First Direct Arena

Sat 13 Nottingham Motorpoint Arena

Sun 14 Brighton Centre

Tue 16 Bournemouth International Centre

Thu 18 Cardiff Utilita Arena

Fri 19 Birmingham Utilita Arena

Sat 20 London The O2