Madness have today announced plans to re-release their 1981 silver screen debut, the autobiographical Take It Or Leave It, thirty-two years after its initial release.
Released on October 7th the package will include a DVD of the film and an audio CD of the soundtrack, which has never previously been officially released.
Directed and produced by Dave Robinson, head of Madness’ original label Stiff Records, Take It Or Leave It provides a down-to-earth narrative of the trials and tribulations of the early career of one of Britain’s most iconic bands. With the backdrop of Camden Town, the film depicts the cult band’s epic rise from their humble start as a pub band to their first glimpse of fame.
The film illustrates the gritty reality of the turbulent music industry of the 1980s in comparison to the glamorous perception of the industry today. Take It Or Leave It features live and studio recordings of hits from Madness’s first three albums including The Prince, One Step Beyond and Baggy Trousers.
The accompanying CD soundtrack album provides an interesting perspective on the band’s early work and features 26 songs including singles, b-sides and album tracks. Two of the songs aren’t by Madness: Fats Domino’s I’m Walkin’ and The Four Tops’ Reach Out I’ll Be There, both of which can be heard in the film.
Take It Or Leave It – full soundtrack list:
Don’t Quote Me On That
The Business
I’m Walkin’ (Fats Domino)
On The Beat Pete
Don’t Look Back
Reach Out I’ll Be There (The Four Tops)
Embarrassment
Mistakes
That’s The Way To Do It
Rocking In Ab
Day On The Town
Swan Lake
In The Middle Of The Night
Razor Blade Alley
Madness
Steppin’ Into Line
Night Boat To Cairo
Sign Of The Times
Solid Gone
One Step Beyond…
Bed & Breakfast Man
The Prince
Baggy Trousers
Grey Day
My Girl
Take It or Leave It
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