Listen to Your Father
Encyclopedia
"Listen to Your Father" is pop vocalist Feargal Sharkey's first single as a solo artist, released in 1984. The single's two tracks did not feature on Sharkey's self titled 1985 debut album Feargal Sharkey
.
The single was the first release of Zarjazz Records, owned by ska/pop band Madness
. Zarjazz was a sub-label of Virgin Records who released the single through themselves outside of the UK. Zarjazz was also the label that released the last singles from Madness until the band originally split by 1986.
The a-side of the single "Listen to Your Father" was written by Madness' own backing vocalist Carl Smyth. The b-side "Can I Say I Love You" was written by Smyth and Feargal, remaining exclusive to the single. The b-side is also known as "For Without You".
The single peaked at #23 in the UK upon release.
A promotional video was created for the song. Sharkey performed the song on popular UK music show Top of The Pops along with members of Madness as backing musicians. Madness members Smyth and Mark Bedford
appeared with Sharkey on UK show "Saturday Starship" to promote the single and the Zarjazz label. They were interviewed by Tommy Boyd
.
On the 24th of November, 1985, the song was performed live at the Hammersmith Odeon, London, during Madness' tour to promote their "Mad Not Mad" album. Sharkey performed lead vocals, with Madness singer Suggs introducing Sharkey as "Mr Teenage Kicks" which referred to the hit song from Sharkey's ex-band The Undertones. This was the only time the song was played live.
12" Single
Feargal Sharkey (album)
Feargal Sharkey is the first solo album of former Undertones singer Feargal Sharkey. The album was released in 1985, peaking at #12 in the UK and contains Sharkey's best known single "A Good Heart".-Track listing:#"A Good Heart"...
.
The single was the first release of Zarjazz Records, owned by ska/pop band 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...
. Zarjazz was a sub-label of Virgin Records who released the single through themselves outside of the UK. Zarjazz was also the label that released the last singles from Madness until the band originally split by 1986.
The a-side of the single "Listen to Your Father" was written by Madness' own backing vocalist Carl Smyth. The b-side "Can I Say I Love You" was written by Smyth and Feargal, remaining exclusive to the single. The b-side is also known as "For Without You".
The single peaked at #23 in the UK upon release.
A promotional video was created for the song. Sharkey performed the song on popular UK music show Top of The Pops along with members of Madness as backing musicians. Madness members Smyth and Mark Bedford
Mark Bedford
Mark Bedford , nicknamed 'Bedders', is a bass guitarist and former member of the band Madness....
appeared with Sharkey on UK show "Saturday Starship" to promote the single and the Zarjazz label. They were interviewed by Tommy Boyd
Tommy Boyd
Timothy Leslie Boyd , better known as Tommy Boyd, is a British radio and television presenter who now lives in Chichester, West Sussex.-Early career:...
.
On the 24th of November, 1985, the song was performed live at the Hammersmith Odeon, London, during Madness' tour to promote their "Mad Not Mad" album. Sharkey performed lead vocals, with Madness singer Suggs introducing Sharkey as "Mr Teenage Kicks" which referred to the hit song from Sharkey's ex-band The Undertones. This was the only time the song was played live.
Formats
7" Single- "Listen To Your Father" - 3:14
- "Can I Say I Love You" - 3:30
12" Single
- "Listen To Your Father (Extended Version)" - 5:00
- "Can I Say I Love You" - 3:52
Chart performance
| Chart (1984) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Irish Singles Chart | 22 |
| UK Singles Chart | 23 |
Personnel
- Photography – Jill Furmanovsky
- Producer – Feargal Sharkey, Liquidator Productions
- Listen To Your Father (Extended Remix) - Michael BrauerMichael BrauerMichael Brauer is a New York-based mix engineer whose credits encompass a wide range of genres, and include The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, Coldplay, John Mayer, Ash, My Morning Jacket, Ben Folds, Dream Theater, The New Radicals, Change, Fountains of Wayne, David Poe, Wilco, Alpha...
- Writer of "Listen To Your Father" - Carl Smyth
- Writer of "Can I Say I Love You" - Carl Smyth, Feargal Sharkey