Total Madness is a 2009 compilation CD/DVD album by Madness, released by Union Square Music. It is principally a singles collection, though it also includes two album tracks from their debut album, One Step Beyond.... On release in the UK it reached #11 in the Official Album Charts, making it Madness' second hit album of 2009, the second being The Liberty of Norton Folgate (#5).[1]

Total Madness
Greatest hits album by
Released21 September 2009
Recorded1979–2009
Genre
Length71:44
LabelUnion Square
Producer
Madness chronology
The Liberty of Norton Folgate
(2009)
Total Madness
(2009)
Ultimate Madness
(2010)

Due to licensing problems, none of the four singles that Madness released on Zarjazz Records in 1985-86 are included.

The album effectively supersedes the now deleted Divine Madness collection. Total Madness should not be confused with the earlier US-only Total Madness — The Very Best of Madness.

Promotion

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Union Square put significant effort into the album's promotion. As well as a TV advert campaign, a large billboard featuring the album's cover was erected on Hanger Lane in London. In addition, there was a flyering campaign during the band's performance at Regent Street festival, and also an old AEC Routemaster bus was recommissioned and redecorated to match the vehicle on the album cover. This bus made several appearances on Madness' 2009 Christmas Tour. This makes Total Madness one of the most heavily promoted Madness albums since their reunion in 1992.

Track listing

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The collection comprises a CD and DVD sold as a single package.

CD - The hits
No.TitleWriter(s)Original releaseLength
1."One Step Beyond"Cecil CampbellOne Step Beyond..., 19792:19
2."Baggy Trousers"Graham McPherson, Chris ForemanAbsolutely, 19802:27
3."House of Fun"Lee Thompson, Mike BarsonComplete Madness, 19822:45
4."Our House"Cathal Smyth, ForemanThe Rise & Fall, 19823:10
5."Embarrassment"Thompson, BarsonAbsolutely3:04
6."My Girl"BarsonOne Step Beyond...2:41
7."It Must Be Love"Labbi SiffreNon-album single, 19813:20
8."Wings of a Dove"Smyth, McPhersonNon-album single, 19832:59
9."The Sun and the Rain"BarsonNon-album single, 19833:28
10."Grey Day"Barson7, 19813:38
11."NW5"Thompson, BarsonThe Liberty of Norton Folgate, 20093:48
12."Cardiac Arrest"Smyth, Foreman72:52
13."Tomorrow's Just Another Day"Smyth, BarsonThe Rise & Fall3:14
14."Driving in My Car"BarsonNon-album single, 19823:18
15."Bed and Breakfast Man"BarsonOne Step Beyond...2:31
16."Lovestruck"Thompson, BarsonWonderful, 19993:50
17."One Better Day"McPherson, Mark BedfordKeep Moving, 19844:01
18."Michael Caine"Smyth, Dan WoodgateKeep Moving3:34
19."The Return of the Los Palmas 7"Barson, Bedford, WoodgateAbsolutely2:33
20."The Prince"ThompsonOne Step Beyond...3:20
21."Shut Up"McPherson, Foreman72:51
22."Madness"CampbellOne Step Beyond...2:38
23."Night Boat to Cairo"McPherson, BarsonOne Step Beyond...3:24
Total length:71:44
Digital download bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Original releaseLength
24."Johnny the Horse"SmythWonderful3:21
25."Drip Fed Fred"Thompson, BarsonWonderful4:31
Total length:79:36
DVD - The music videos
  • The DVD contains the same 23 tracks, and in the same order, as the CD.

Charts

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Chart (2009) Peak
position
UK Albums (OCC)[2] 11

Certifications and sales

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[3] Platinum 300,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ "Official Charts: Madness - Albums". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  2. ^ "Madness | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart.
  3. ^ "British album certifications – Madness – Total Madness". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
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