"I Pronounce You" is the first single by British band The Madness (see Madness

Madness (band)

In 1979, the band recorded the Lee Thompson composition "The Prince". The song, like the band's name, paid homage to their idol, Prince Buster. The song was released through 2 Tone Records, the label of The Specials founder Jerry Dammers. The song was a surprise hit, peaking in the UK music charts...

) from their 1988 album The Madness

The Madness (album)

The Madness is a self-titled album by the British band The Madness. In 1988, after the breakup of the original Madness, four of the original members recreated the band, adding "The" to its name...

. It is about a bride's feelings on the eve of her arranged marriage

Arranged marriage

An arranged marriage is a practice in which someone other than the couple getting married makes the selection of the persons to be wed, meanwhile curtailing or avoiding the process of courtship. Such marriages had deep roots in royal and aristocratic families around the world...

. In addition to his usual guitar, Chris Foreman

Chris Foreman

Chris Foreman , nicknamed Chrissy Boy, is an English guitarist, best known as a member of a second wave ska band, Madness.Foreman started Madness with Mike Barson and Lee Thompson in 1976...

 plays the sitar

Sitar

The 'Tablaman' is a plucked stringed instrument predominantly used in Hindustani classical music, where it has been ubiquitous since the Middle Ages...

 and the track also features tabla

Tabla

The tabla is a popular Indian percussion instrument used in Hindustani classical music and in popular and devotional music of the Indian subcontinent. The instrument consists of a pair of hand drums of contrasting sizes and timbres...

 to give the song a middle east

Middle East

The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...

ern feel. The song spent 4 weeks in British charts peaking at number 44.

Track listing

• 7"

1. "I Pronounce You" (Thompson/Smyth/West) - 4:38
2. "Patience" (McPherson/Smyth) - 3:34

• 12", CD

1. "I Pronounce You" (Thompson/Smyth/West) - 4:38
2. "4BF (Thompson) - 2:54
3. "Patience" (McPherson/Smyth) - 4:40
4. "11th Hour" (McPherson/Foreman) - 4:31

A Limited Edition

Special edition

The terms special edition, limited edition and variants such as deluxe edition, collector's edition and others, are used as a marketing incentive for various kinds of products, originally published products related to the arts, such as books, prints or recorded music and films, but now including...

Box Set was also released, featuring all four tracks on a 7" ep, and including an Enamel Badge and two Postcards.

Television Appearance

• The one and only TV appearance of 'The Madness' performing this track was on Friday Night Live. A cult late night comedy show hosted by Ben Elton.
• The Madness performed a great rendition of 'I Pronouce You'.
• The Madness also performed 'Beat The Bride' on the show - one of the standout tracks from the album.

Video

A video was made for this track. It was included on the 'Divine Madness' video released in the early nineties.