Listen to Your Father

"Listen to Your Father" is a song from Irish singer Feargal Sharkey, released as his non-album debut single in 1984. It was written by Carl Smyth, and produced by Sharkey and Liquidator Productions (i.e. the British ska band Madness). The song reached No. 23 in the UK and No. 22 in Ireland.[2][3] The B-side, "Can I Say I Love You", was written by Smyth and Sharkey.

"Listen to Your Father"
Single by Feargal Sharkey
B-side"Can I Say I Love You"
ReleasedSeptember 1984[1]
GenrePop
Length3:14
LabelVirgin Records, Zarjazz
Songwriter(s)Carl Smyth
Producer(s)Feargal Sharkey
Liquidator Productions
Feargal Sharkey singles chronology
"Listen to Your Father"
(1984)		 "Loving You"
(1984)

The single was the first to be released on Zarjazz Records, a sub-label of Virgin which had been formed that year by Madness. All members of Madness performed on the record minus lead singer Suggs. When "Listen to Your Father" became a hit, Sharkey left the label to sign with Virgin as Madness had not required him to sign a contract with their label.[4]

A music video was created to promote the song. Sharkey performed the song on popular UK music show Top of The Pops with members of Madness as backing musicians.[5] Madness members Smyth and Mark Bedford also appeared with Sharkey on UK show Saturday Starship to promote the single and the Zarjazz label.[6]

On 24 November 1985, the song was performed live at the Hammersmith Odeon, London, during Madness' tour to promote their Mad Not Mad album. Sharkey performed lead vocals, with Madness singer Suggs introducing Sharkey as "Mr Teenage Kicks", referring to the Sharkey's hit song with his ex-band The Undertones.[7]

Reception

Upon release, Paul Bursche of Number One wrote: "It's not a brilliant song but its sheer stomping, foot-tapping brightness almost guarantees Fergy a hit."[8] Paul Massey of the Aberdeen Evening Express wrote: "I preferred him with the Undertones but this is still good - bold, brassy and powerful."[9]

Upon release, Jim Reid of Record Mirror commented: "A Carl Smythe tune, "Listen to Your Father" is the 4-4 stomp of early Madness without the winning melody and hook lines. Sharkey's voice isn't well served by the brassy jolting action. The Ulsterman deserves a more restrained treatment than this."[10] Vici MacDonald of Smash Hits wrote: "This man has gone one of the best voices around. I'm not ashamed to admit that, when performing the Undertones' perfect pop songs, he could bring a tear to my eye. What, then, is he doing on this foul pub-rock thingy? A terrible waste!"[11]

Formats
7" single
No.TitleWritten byLength
1."Listen To Your Father"Carl Smyth3:14
2."Can I Say I Love You"Smyth, Feargal Sharkey3:30
12" single
No.TitleWritten byLength
1."Listen To Your Father (Extended Version)"Smyth5:00
2."Can I Say I Love You"Smyth, Sharkey3:52

Chart performance
Chart (1984) Peak
position
Irish Singles Chart[3] 22
UK Singles Chart[2] 23

Personnel

References
  1. "Feargal Sharkey - Listen To Your Father / Can I Say I Love You? - Zarjazz - UK - JAZZ 1". 45cat. 2014-03-30. Retrieved 2018-03-02.
  2. "FEARGAL SHARKEY | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 2018-03-02.
  3. Jaclyn Ward - Fireball Media Group - http://www.fireballmedia.ie. "The Irish Charts - All there is to know". Irishcharts.ie. Retrieved 2018-03-02.
  4. Suggs (24 October 2013). That Close - Suggs - Google Books. ISBN 9780857389541. Retrieved 2018-03-02.
  5. "Madness with Feargal Sharkey Listen to Your Father". YouTube. 2009-11-08. Retrieved 2012-06-23.
  6. "YouTube". youtube.com. Retrieved 2016-11-09.
  7. "Madness/1985/85.10.22". Archived from the original on 2010-12-04. Retrieved 2011-07-02.
  8. Bursche, Paul (6 October 1984). "Singles". Number One.
  9. Massey, Paul (27 October 1984). "Singles". Aberdeen Evening Express.
  10. Reid, Jim (6 October 1984). "Singles". Record Mirror.
  11. MacDonald, Vici (27 September 1984). "Singles". Smash Hits.
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