7 (Master)

Released in 1981, “7” is Madness’s third studio album. It continues their signature blend of ska, pop, and punk, showcasing their maturing sound. Produced by Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley, the album features more complex arrangements and a broader sound palette. Notable tracks include “Cardiac Arrest,” “Grey Day,” and “Shut Up,” with catchy melodies and socially conscious lyrics. “7” reached No. 5 on the UK Albums Chart and solidified Madness’s position in the music scene. It explores everyday struggles and societal issues while maintaining their lively, upbeat tempo. This release further established Madness as a leading ska revival band.

The international releases of Madness’s 1981 album “7” vary notably, particularly concerning the track “A Day On The Town”. This variation highlights the different market strategies and perhaps regional preferences at the time. France essentially mirrors this but titles it “A Place In The City,” also known as “Day On The Town.” Germany offers a different track, “Aeroplane,” also known as “Never Ask Twice,” while several countries including the Netherlands, Belgium, Scandinavia, Italy, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and New Zealand omit track B7 entirely. Notably, Belgium includes the song “Never Ask Twice” as a free single in some releases, and Scandinavia adds it in re-pressed versions.

In contrast, Finland, Spain, Greece, Yugoslavia (on LP), Mexico (on LP), Australia, Hong Kong, and Japan feature “Never Ask Twice” under various listings—sometimes mismatched with the sleeve notes, adding to the confusion for collectors. For instance, in Spain, the track is listed as “Day On The Town” on the sleeve rear. Portugal and Israel stick with “Day On The Town.” The Greek cassette release swaps the position of “Never Ask Twice” with “Mrs. Hutchinson,” and in Mexico’s cassette version, “Mrs Hutchinson” moves to B7 with “Never Ask Twice” added earlier. These discrepancies not only reflect differing approaches to album composition but also demonstrate the complexities of international music distribution in the pre-digital era.