Madness are celebrating landing their third UK No 1 album.
Suggs and Co hit the spot with their record ‘Theatre of the Absurd Presents C’est la Vie’ – knocking Taylor Swift’s ‘1989 (Taylor’s Version)’ to No 2 following its three consecutive weeks at the top of the Official Albums Chart.
It’s Madness’ first studio album to manage a No 1, as their previous two to reach the top were the greatest hits collections ‘Complete Madness’ in 1982 and 1992’s ‘Divine Madness’.
This also marks the group’s 20th time in the top 40 album charts, and 11th in the top 10.
The group toasted the landmark as they re-opened the doors of HMV’s iconic flagship store on Oxford Street in London on Friday. (24.11.23)
Madness said in a statement: “Thank you so much to everyone who worked with us, our record company, our management, and especially you, the fans, for making us No 1!”
The album marks seven years since the latest record from the ska favourites behind crowd-pleasers including ‘House of Fun’ and ‘Baggy Trousers’.
Madness’ ‘C’est la Vie’ lead single from the album was premiered on Zoe Ball’s Radio 2 Breakfast Show in September and is described as having an “eerie space-ska feel”.
Composer and keyboard player Mike ‘Barso’ Barson said it is “about these crazy times we’re living in, and how I just want to stay on my boat and not be a part of all this madness”.
Meanwhile, Dolly Parton landed her fifth top 10 album with ‘Rockstar’, a collection of rock cover versions featuring collaborations with the likes of Miley Cyrus, Sting and the two surviving Beatles, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr.
Just outside the Top 10 albums chart, Dutch violinist and conductor André Rieu and the Johann Strauss Orchestra finish the week at No 12 with ‘Jewels of Romance’ – Andre’s 20th top 40 record.
Michael Bublé’s inevitable rise with Christmas on the horizon continues as his album climbed 16 places to Number 16.
And festive favourite Cliff Richard is enjoying his usual end-of-year chart success as his ‘Cliff with Strings – My Kinda Life’ record rebounded 13 places to land back in the top 40 at 36.
Rockers The National earned their second top 40 album of the year with ‘Laugh Track; at 24 – giving the band a total of six UK top 40 albums.