3 September 1983
Surprisingly, given that classic Madness singles have been played on the radio fairly constantly since the ’80s, I don’t think I know this number one of theirs. It was kept off the top spot in the UK by the track that succeeds it as Irish number one, which makes me curious about ‘Wings Of A Dove’ now.
So, as per my standard operating procedure for a track I don’t know, I will listen to ‘Wings Of A Dove’ LIVE as I write this. Expectations? Oh, the usual gurning and funny dancing, but perhaps without the underlying tenderness that made ‘Our House’ and their cover of ‘It Must Be Love’ such broad-based hits.
[One listen later]
Meh. The steel drums and gospel choir are notionally new and different but they’re not really used to their best advantage here. Pretty unremarkable fare, thereby explaining why I haven’t heard it so much since then. “Nutty” antics in the video, of course. Yawn.
