Shame & Scandal

Infobox Single
Name=Shame & Scandal


Artist=Madness
from Album=The Dangermen Sessions Vol. 1
Released=July 25, 2005
Format=7"
CD
Recorded=2005
Genre=Ska/Pop
Length=2:52
Label=V2 Records
Writer = Lord / Pinard
Producer=Dennis Bovell
Chart position=* #12 (FRA)
* #38 (UK)
* #69 (SUI)
* #100 (NL)
Reviews=
Artist=Madness
Last single="Drip Fed Fred"
(2000)
This single="Shame & Scandal"
(2005)
Next single="Girl Why Don't You"
(2005)Extra tracklisting
Album = The Dangermen Sessions Vol. 1
Type = studio
Tracks =
#"This Is Where"
#"Girl Why Don't You?"
#"Shame & Scandal"
#"I Chase the Devil A.K.A. Ironshirt"
#"Taller Than You Are"
#"You Keep Me Hanging On"
#"Dangerman A.K.A. High Wire"
#"Israelites"
#"John Jones"
#"Lola"
#"You'll Lose a Good Thing"
#"Rain"
#"So Much Trouble in the World"

"Shame & Scandal" is a song originally performed by calypso singer Sir Lancelot. cite web|url= http://www.calypsoworld.org/noflash/songs-10.htm |title= "Calypso: Shame and Scandal in the Family" Retrieved on July 5, 2007.] The song is a reggae classic, and was written for the movie "I Walked with a Zombie" in 1943. The song was originally titled "Shame and Scandal in the Family". Trinidadian calypsonian Lord Melody used the song as the basis of his song "Shame and Scandal", although it was originally titled "Wau, Wau". This version used the same chorus as the original 40s song, but with new verses.

In 1965, British comedy actor Lance Percival reached No.37 in the UK charts with the original title.

This version of the song is that which British ska/pop band Madness later covered. The band began performing the song at a series of low-key performances as "The Dangermen" in 2005. They later recorded the song for their cover album "The Dangermen Sessions Vol. 1", Erlewine, Stephen Thomas.cite web|url= http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:jnfixqwsldse |title= "Allmusic.com The Dangermen Sessions Vol. 1 Overview" Retrieved on July 5, 2007.] and released it as a single later that year. cite web|url= http://www.musicsquare.net/charts/song/2187 |title= "Madness - Shame & Scandal: Charts" Retrieved on July 5, 2007.]

Lyrical content

The lyrical content of the Madness version is much the same as Lord Melody's 60s version, with a few word changes. The story follows a young Trinidadian man in search of a wife. In each of the verses, the young man asks his father for permission to marry a different woman, only to be told he can't marry the girl as "The girl is your sister but your mamma don't know". However, the tables are turned during the last verse, where the young man's mother tells him that "Your daddy ain't your daddy, but your daddy don't know", clearing the path for him to marry any of the girls.

Chart performance

The release did not fare particularly well in the UK, only spending 2 weeks in the charts, peaking at number 38. However, the song performed well in France, where it peaked at number 12 and spent 19 weeks in the charts. The song also made an appearance on the Swiss Singles Top 100, spending 8 weeks in the charts and reaching a high of number 69, and just made the Dutch Singles Top 100, hitting number 100 and only remaining in the charts for a single week. cite web|url= http://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Madness&titel=Shame+%26+Scandal+%28In+The+Family%29&cat=s |title= "dutchcharts.com Chart Information" Retrieved on August 26, 2007.]

Formats and track listings

These are the formats and track listings of major single releases of "Shame & Scandal".

*7" Single
#"Shame & Scandal" (Lord/Pinard) - 2:52
#"Shame & Scandal [Dub] " (Lord/Pinard) - 2:56

*CD Single
#"Shame & Scandal" (Lord/Pinard) - 2:52
#"Skylarking" (Hinds) - 3:02
#"Dreader Than Dread" (Galnek) - 3:04

Notes