I Pronounce You

"I Pronounce You" is the debut single by the British Ska/pop band The Madness from their self-titled debut studio album The Madness. It was released as the lead single from the album on 25 February 1988, by the label Virgin. It was written by their saxophonist Lee Thompson and their co-lead vocalist Carl Smyth. The single features the non-album track, "Patience" as the B-side, which has not been found anywhere else since.

"I Pronounce You"
Single by The Madness
from the album The Madness
Released25 February 1988
Recorded1987
GenrePop
LabelVirgin Records
Songwriter(s)Lee Thompson (lyrics)
Carl Smyth (music)
Producer(s)The Three Eyes
The Madness singles chronology
"I Pronounce You"
(1988)		 "What's That"
(1988)

The song was recorded at Liquidator Studios, in London, while the mixing of the track was finished at The Townhouse, which was also in London.

Cover artwork

The single's sleeve was designed by Dave Gibbons and Rian Hughes. The cover features a drawing in a similar style to the album's cover - resembling a face.[1]

Music and lyrics

The song's lyrics refer to a bride's feelings on the eve of her arranged marriage. In addition to his usual guitar, Chris Foreman plays the sitar and the instrumentation used in the song includes the tabla which gives the song a more Middle Eastern sound.

Chart performance

The single peaked at #44 in the UK, lasting on the charts for four weeks after originally debuting at #48.[2]

Promotional video

A promotional video was made for this track, it features an appearance from John Hasler, the ex-Madness drummer and manager. When their guitarist Chris Foreman was asked about the music video in an interview for Guitarist & Scootering, he said "On the one video we've just done we tried to be serious, but Lee's got a Mohican haircut and in a bit of it we dyed his face red and things like that".[3] It later appeared as part of the 1992 VHS compilation Divine Madness, which was later issued on DVD in 2002 and as a CD+DVD set in 2005.[4] It is notably the band's only single to feature a music video.

Television Appearances
  • The one and only TV appearance of The Madness performing this track was on Friday Night Live, a cult late night comedy show hosted by Ben Elton. The band also played the album track "Beat the Bride" on the show.

Critical reception

Upon release, John Aizlewood of Number One wrote: "And did our hearts miss an excited beat when we heard Madness had returned with a 'The' stylishly added? "I Pronounce You" has been well worth the wait. Suggs tries to sing, there's a tasteful sitar or 20, and they sound suitably mournful. This is one deep band. Today we need them more than ever."[5]

Track listing
  • 7"
  1. "I Pronounce You" (Thompson/Smyth/West) - 4:38
  2. "Patience" (McPherson/Smyth) - 3:34
  • 12", CD
  1. "I Pronounce You" (Thompson/Smyth/West) - 4:38
  2. "4BF (Thompson) - 2:54
  3. "Patience" (McPherson/Smyth) - 4:40
  4. "11th Hour" (McPherson/Foreman) - 4:31

A Limited Edition Box Set was also released, featuring all four tracks on a 7-inch EP, and including an Enamel Badge and two postcards.

References
  1. "Madness, The - I Pronounce You (vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2014-05-05.
  2. http://www.officialcharts.com/search-results-album/_/I+Pronounce+You#single
  3. http://www.chrishunt.biz/features41.html
  4. "Madness - Divine Madness at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2014-05-05.
  5. Aizlewood, John (12 March 1988). "Singles". Number One magazine.
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