Madness - Our House
Madness, the popular English ska and pop band, released their enduring hit "Our House" on November 12, 1982, as the lead single from their fourth studio album, "The Rise & Fall." The song was primarily written by band members Chris Foreman and Chas Smash. It quickly became one of their most recognizable tracks, celebrated for its catchy melody and vivid lyrical portrayal of everyday family life in a working-class London home.
The inspiration for "Our House" reportedly came from observations of domestic routines and the comforting familiarity of home. The song's upbeat tempo and singalong chorus contributed to its widespread appeal, mak
ing it a staple of 1980s pop music. "Our House" achieved significant international success, charting within the top ten in multiple countries. It was particularly successful in the United States, where it became Madness's only Top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number seven in 1983. The song also earned critical acclaim, winning Best Pop Song at the Ivor Novello Awards in May 1983. Its accompanying music video, which humorously depicted the band members engaging in various household activities, further cemented its place in popular culture and contributed to its lasting charm and enduring popularity.
Madness Our House Lyrics
Father wears his Sunday best
Mother's tired, she needs a rest
The kids are playing up downstairs
Sister's sighing in her sleep (ah)
Brother's got a date to keep, he can't hang around
Our house, in the middle of our street
Our house, in the middle of our
Our house, it has a crowd
There's always something happening
And it's usually quite loud
Our mum she's so house-proud
Nothing ever slows her down and a mess is not allowed
Our house, in the middle of our street
Our house, in the middle of our
Our house, in the middle of our street
Our house, in the middle of our (something tells you that you've got to move away from it)
Father gets up late for work
Mother has to iron his shirt
Then she sends the kids to school
Sees them off with a small kiss (ah)
She's the one they're going to miss in lots of ways
Our house, in the middle of our street
Our house, in the middle of our
I remember way back then when everything was true and when
We would have such a very good time, such a fine time
Such a happy time
And I remember how we'd play, simply waste the day away
Then we'd say nothing would come between us
Two dreamers
Father wears his Sunday best
Mother's tired, she needs a rest
The kids are playing up downstairs
Sister's sighing in her sleep
Brother's got a date to keep, he can't hang around
Our house, in the middle of our street
Our house, in the middle of our street
Our house, in the middle of our street
Our house, in the middle of our
Our house, was our castle and our keep
Our house, in the middle of our street
Our house, that was where we used to sleep
Our house, in the middle of our street
Our house, in the middle of our street, our house