Madness Frontman Reflects on Lifelong Musical Memories and Karaoke Secrets

In a nostalgic look back at his musical life, the Madness frontman reveals the first song he fell in love with was "Judy Teen" by Cockney Rebel. He was captivated by the band's frontman Steve Harley's look, with the mascara and bowler hat, reminiscent of the character Alex from "A Clockwork Orange." The singer recalls cycling to Salisbury Plain with friends and listening to "Judy Teen" on a transistor radio, though the batteries died by the time they reached Swiss Cottage.

The first single the singer bought was "The Wall Street Shuffle" by 10cc, purchased from a Woolworths store in Camden Town. He admits that later on, he and his friends would sometimes shoplift records, but he paid his dues for a while. When it comes to karaoke, the Madness frontman enjoys belting out "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" by Aretha Franklin, though he jokes that his family often tells him to "get off" the stage.

Looking back on the best songs to play at a party, the singer cites "Teardrops" by Womack & Womack as a crowd-pleasing dance track. He also reminisces about a wild end-of-tour party in Australia, where the band's saxophone player chased Duffy's backing singers around a giant polystyrene volcano in his underwear.