In 1981, the band’s third studio album, 7, reached number 5 in the UK Albums Chart and contained three hit singles: “Grey Day” (no. 4, April 1981), “Shut Up” (no. 7, September 1981), and “Cardiac Arrest” (no. 14, February 1982).[19] In an article in 1979, Chris Foreman explained that the band’s music would move with the times, and change styles as time goes on.[20] This was shown to be the case, as, unlike the two ska-filled, fast-paced albums that preceded it, 7 was something of a change in direction. Suggs’ vocal performance changed significantly, and his strong accent from the previous albums had been watered down.[citation needed] The album strayed from the ska-influenced sound of One Step Beyond… and Absolutely and moved towards a pop sound; a trend that continued with subsequent albums.
Near the end of 1981, Madness released one of their most recognised songs: a cover of Labi Siffre’s 1971 hit “It Must Be Love”.[19] The song climbed to number 4 in the UK, and in 1983, the song peaked at number 33 in the US charts.[19][21] In 1982, Madness released their only number 1 hit to date, “House of Fun”,[22] which they played live on the 1980s series The Young Ones, and also reached number 1 in the album charts with their first compilation, Complete Madness.
In November 1982, they released their fourth studio album, The Rise & Fall, which was well received in the UK, but did not get an American release. Instead, many of its songs were included on the US compilation Madness, including “Our House”, which was their most internationally successful single to date. “Our House” reached number 5 in the UK music charts and number 7 in the US charts; it was also performed live on The Young Ones.[23] Many reviewers compared The Rise & Fall to The Kinks’ Village Green Preservation Society,[24] and it is at times retrospectively considered a concept album. The album also featured “Primrose Hill”, which was more similar to The Beatles song “Strawberry Fields Forever”, containing similar psychedelic imagery and a layered arrangement.
