(Waiting For) The Ghost Train

1986 single from Madness (Waiting For) The Ghost Train (Waiting For) The Ghost Train.jpg yes single Madness Utter Madness * "Maybe in Another Life" "Seven Year Scratch" 27 October 1986 September 1986 * Pop two-tone 3:45 Zarjazz Graham McPherson * Clive Langer Alan Winstanley Sweetest Girl 1986 I Pronounce You 1988 z6pF1CwjKpA "(Waiting For) The Ghost Train" "(Waiting For) The Ghost Train" is a single by the English ska and pop band Madness. Released on 27 October 1986News Sounds 25 October 1986 3 0144-5774 shortly after the band announced they were to break-up, it was their last single prior to reforming in 1992. It spent nine weeks in the UK singles chart, peaking at number 18. The song first appeared on an album on the band's 1986's Utter Madness greatest hits compilation, issued one month after its single release. The song was written by Suggs about apartheid in South Africa, with its chorus "It's black and white, don't try to hide it" and the line "The station master's writing with a piece of orange chalk / One hundred cancellations, still no one wants to walk" (in reference to the South African flag). Former keyboardist Mike Barson reunited with the other members of the band to record this song, although he did not appear in the music video. A Christmas flexi disc record containing the 'band demo' of the song was sent out to Madness fan club (M.I.S.) members, featuring farewells and thanks from each member of the band (except Barson). Critical reception Upon its release, Anna Martin of Number One stated: "Reminiscent of the classic sound of "Grey Day" and "The Sun and the Rain", the chorus follows in the great tradition of sing-a-long-ability and ends in a big, sweeping crescendo that signals the end."Martin Anna 1 November 1986 Singles Number One Edwin Pouncey of Sounds noted that the "neat enough finale" should "please their loyal fans" as it has "all the hallmarks of a genuine Madness gold record".Pouncey Edwin Singles Sounds 1 November 1986 12 0144-5774 Simon Mills of Smash Hits related the song to the band's recent material of that time: "Their "farewell single" is more of the same doomy stuff about an unfortunate bunch of folk who are all waiting for this train that never comes. Life's like that isn't it?"Mills Simon 22 October 1986 Review: Singles Smash Hits Track listing 7": Virgin / JAZZ 9 (UK) Side one "(Waiting For) The Ghost Train" – 3:41 Side two "Maybe in Another Life" – 3:00 12": Virgin / JAZZ 9 12 (UK) Side one "(Waiting For) The Ghost Train" – 3:41 "Maybe in Another Life" – 2:59 Side two "Seven Year Scratch" – 8:39 Charts Chart (1986) Peakposition Irish Singles ChartJaclyn Ward https://www.irma.ie/search/%2A The Irish Charts - All there is to know Irishcharts.ie 2018-07-31 9 UK Singles Charthttp://www.officialcharts.com/artist/28003/madness/ Madness | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company Officialcharts.com 2018-07-31 18 References External links single 20094 Category:1986 songs Category:1986 singles Category:Madness (band) songs Category:Songs written by Suggs (singer) Category:Song recordings produced by Clive Langer Category:Song recordings produced by Alan Winstanley Category:Zarjazz singles Category:Songs about trains Category:Works about apartheid in South Africa