MADNESS are the ultimate British singles band, holding the record for British single sales in the 1980 s when over 6 million Madness singles were bought by the British public. Over a thirty year career, their string of Top Ten hits are part of the lifeblo

MADNESS are the ultimate British singles band, holding the record for British single sales in the 1980's when over 6 million Madness singles were bought by the British public. Over a thirty year career, their string of Top Ten hits are part of the lifeblood of British popular music and their influence on generations of musicians cannot be overstated. Their ability to document serious issues within seemingly sweet pop songs can be heard in the likes of The Smiths, Blur, Arctic Monkeys and a host of other huge acts that followed their appearance in the late 70's. With their latest album, 'The Liberty Of Norton Folgate', collecting continuous praise from the critics and re-establishing the band in the UK Top Five, this collection is the ultimate Madness Best Of and a great introduction to or reminder of one of the UK's most cherished bands.

The album spans the band's debut single, 'The Prince' through to 'NW5', the lead track from 'The Liberty Of Norton Folgate' and contains all the singles that formed a record breaking run of 20 Top 20 singles from that 1979 debut to 1985's 'Yesterday's Men'. Across the 23 tracks, the depth of Madness' songwriting is apparent, the familiar anthems such as 'Our House', 'Baggy Trousers', 'It Must Be Love' and 'Wings Of A Dove' standing alongside the rush of 'One Step Beyond' and 'Night Boat To Cairo'. When a band can balance such uproarious pop with the bittersweet beauty of 'Grey Day' and 'My Girl' what you get is an album that is the benchmark for pop writing.

To accompany the audio disc, 'Total Madness' also features a DVD of the classic videos for all tracks save for 'Madness', which was not a single. Madness are rightly remembered for their pioneering attitude towards the format throughout their careers, the band themselves coming up with the ideas which are now also woven into British music history. Whether Lee Thompson flying in 'Baggy Trousers', the chemist shop in 'House Of Fun' or a succession of interviews with bemused passers by as introductions to each short, the videos, all shot in one day, have stood the test of time, mixing the dark humour of the Pythons and Derek and Clive with the pratfalls of Chaplin and Harold Lloyd.

'TOTAL MADNESS', the CD and DVD is released on September 21st through USM Media

Q) Which one of these songs is NOT a madness track

a) House Of Fun

b) Driving In My Car

c) Firestarter

Please submit your answer using this form under the COMPETITION NAME "MADNESS"