Baggy Trousers

Madness

About Baggy Trousers

"Baggy Trousers" is a song by English ska/pop band Madness from their 1980 album Absolutely. It was written by lead singer Graham "Suggs" McPherson and guitarist Chris Foreman, and reminisces about school days. (Mike Barson also received a writing credit in error, the correct McPherson/Foreman credit being used for subsequent releases). The band first began performing the song at live shows in April 1980. It was released as a single on September 5, 1980 and spent 20 weeks in UK charts, reaching a high of #3. It was the 28th best-selling single of 1980 in the UK. In October 2017, American punk rock/hip hop band the Transplants released a cover version of the song on their Take Cover EP.  


Year:
2005
51 

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Naughty boys in nasty schools
Headmaster's breaking all the rules
Having fun and playing fools
Smashing up the woodwork tools
All the teachers in the pub
Passing round the ready-rub
Trying not to think of when
The lunchtime bell will ring again.

Oh what fun we had
But, did it really turn out bad
All I learnt at school
Was how to bend not break the rules
Oh what fun we had
But at the time it seemed so bad
Trying different ways
To make a difference to the days.

The headmaster's had enough today
All the kids have gone away
Gone to fight with next door's school
Every term, that is the rule
Sits alone and bends his cane
Same old backsides again
All the small ones tell tall tales
Walking home and squashing snails.

Lots of girls and lots of boys
Lots of smells and lots of noise
Playing football in the park
Kicking pushbikes after dark
Baggy trousers, dirty shirt
Pulling hair and eating dirt
Teacher comes to break it up
Back of the 'ead with a plastic cup.

Baggy trousers, baggy trousers, baggy trousers
Baggy trousers, baggy trousers, baggy trousers

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Madness

Madness are an English ska band from Camden Town, London, that formed in 1976. One of the most prominent bands of the late 1970s and early 1980s 2 Tone ska revival, they continue to perform with their most recognised line-up of seven members. more »

2 fans

Written by: Cathal Joseph Smyth, Christopher John Foreman, Daniel Mark Woodgate, Graham McPherson, Lee Jay Thompson, Mark William Bedford, Michael Barson

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Band Formation
"Baggy Trousers" is a song by British ska/pop band Madness. The band was formed in Camden town, North London in 1976, and is prominent in the UK music scene.
Album Release
The song featured in the band's third studio album "Absolutely". The album was released in 1980 and peaked at number 2 in the UK Albums Chart.
Chart Position
"Baggy Trousers" peaked at number 3 in the UK Singles Chart.
Song Theme
The song reflects on the school days of Madness' members. It majors on the mischief, rebellious spirit, and adolescent tomfoolery that is rampant in schools.
Song Writing
"Baggy Trousers" was written by Madness's lead vocalist, Graham "Suggs" McPherson, and saxophonist Lee Thompson.
Music Video
The music video of "Baggy Trousers" is renowned for Thompson's flying saxophone stunt. Lee Thompson decided to be suspended in the air via wires when playing the song's instrumental break on saxophone.
Influence
The song "Baggy Trousers" is cited to have influenced Britpop bands like Blur and Oasis in the 1990s.
Cultural Significance
"Baggy Trousers" is often played in gatherings involving British expatriates. The song is a vivid representation of Britpop and 1980s British culture.
Live Performances
"Baggy Trousers" is typically played towards the end of Madness' live performances due to its popularity and the energetic response it tends to generate from audiences.
Musical Style
The song is a blend of pop and ska, a style for which Madness is particularly noted. Ska is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1950s, combining elements of Caribbean mento and calypso with American jazz and rhythm and blues.

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