Mike Barson on The Specials' influence on Madness

[Imani]

Currently reading a book called Isle Of Noises by Daniel Rachel, which contains interviews with many British songwriters. There's about thirty pages on Madness. Suggs, Barso and Chris are interviewed. Here's a snippet:

Q: Was Jerry Dammers an influence on your writing? The major/minor changes on Never Ask Twice are very reminiscent of his feel and playing style.

Barso: When you said Jerry Dammers,, I thought of 'Never Ask Twice'. We got that change from one of his songs (hums Pearl's Cafe). We were sitting in Eric's in Liverpool as they were soundchecking. I don't know if they had lyrics, but they were playing it as an instrumental. We picked up a lot from The Specials and songs like 'International Jet Set'.

NEVER ASK TWICE (AKA AIRPLANE)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMi0loPuBlQ

I can hear something similar to Ghost Town and Friday Night, Saturday Morning on this one, and the nod to Jet Set in the lyrics.
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"Long, long ago, in the not too distant future..."

[Sugarman]

Thanks Imani

Interesting Article, I have always thought of New Delhi as Madness take on International Jet Set
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I'm having bags of fun

[Imani]