Work Rest and Play

The tenacious Dave Robinson, co-founder of Stiff Records, was determined to squeeze another single out of One Step Beyond…, despite the growing concerns that it would be seen as over-commercialization. The first three tracks on side one had already become iconic as the first three singles released by Madness on Stiff: “The Prince,” “One Step Beyond,” and “My Girl.” On top of that, “The Prince” had also been re-recorded for inclusion on the album, heightening debates around the value of adding more singles from the same release. Some felt that releasing another single from One Step Beyond… might be seen as taking advantage of the band’s dedicated fan base, who might resent buying songs they already owned on the album, even with an exclusive B-side.

The British music scene at the time was highly sensitive to fan loyalty. Multiple singles from the same album were often perceived as an attempt to milk an album’s success by extracting more money from consumers. The notion of releasing another single from One Step Beyond… therefore sparked considerable “argy-bargy” within the band’s camp, as well as among fans and critics alike.

After lengthy discussions, a compromise was finally reached in the form of a 7″ EP. This release featured “Night Boat to Cairo” as the A-side, which was one of Madness’ most beloved songs, with its infectious ska rhythm and evocative lyrics. The EP’s value was further enhanced by the inclusion of three new, original tracks: “Deceives the Eye,” “The Young and the Old,” and “Don’t Quote Me on That.” This EP allowed the band to offer something fresh while avoiding the perception of overexploiting the album’s popularity.

The release was not only commercially successful but also became a critical part of Madness’ growing reputation for innovation. The decision to package new material alongside a popular track like “Night Boat to Cairo” demonstrated their creative integrity and helped to solidify their standing as one of the most important bands of the ska revival movement in the UK.