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"Michael Caine" is a song by British band Madness, released on 30 January 1984 as the first single from their album Keep Moving.[1] The song was written by Carl Smyth and Daniel Woodgate,[2] and features Smyth on lead vocals in place of usual Madness vocalist Suggs. "Michael Caine" spent eight weeks on the British chart, peaking at number 11.

"Michael Caine"
Single by Madness
from the album Keep Moving
B-side	"If You Think There's Something"
Released	30 January 1984
Recorded	1983
Genre	Sophisti-pop
Length	3:39
Label	Stiff
Composer(s)	Daniel Woodgate
Lyricist(s)	Carl Smyth
Producer(s)	Clive Langer Alan Winstanley
Madness singles chronology
"The Sun and the Rain" (1983) "Michael Caine" (1984) "One Better Day" (1984)
Audio sample
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Lyrical content

The song is about an informer during the Troubles, and the lyrics suggest a state of paranoia and mental disintegration.[3] It is named after English actor Michael Caine and includes his vocal samples, recorded specifically for this song. The song's hook, a repetition of Caine introducing himself by name, recalls his role in the 1960s spy film The Ipcress File, in which his character, Harry Palmer, repeats his name while trying to stay sane under torture.[4]

When he was approached to appear on the record, Caine initially turned it down, but his daughter on hearing his decision made him change his mind, telling him how popular they were.[5]

Speaking of the song's lyrics and the idea behind the use of Caine's name, Carl Smyth told Record Mirror in 1984, "The record's about informers. If you think of informers who are current news then that's a clue. At the same time, I wouldn't do a song just about Michael Caine – it's not a tribute or anything like that. I was trying to think of who could be used to illustrate it, and his name seemed right – his film The Ipcress File had the sort of atmosphere I wanted to create – we even used some of the phrases."[6]

Music video

The music video was also based on The Ipcress File, and featured a lightbulb being shot, as seen in the title sequence from the television spy series Callan.[7] A photograph of Michael Caine from the 60s is also seen being shredded in the video.[4] The video took longer to complete than usual, due to being shot on 35mm film as opposed to 16mm.^{[clarification needed]}[7] As a result, Mike Barson is absent for much of the video; he had a plane to catch, and could not stay for the whole filming session.[7]

Formats and track listings

• 7" single

1. "Michael Caine" (Smyth/Woodgate) - 3:39
2. "If You Think There's Something" (Barson) - 3:08

• 12" single

1. "Michael Caine (extended version)" (Smyth/Woodgate) - 4:08
2. "Michael Caine" (Smyth/Woodgate) - 3:39
3. "If You Think There's Something" (Barson) - 3:08

Charts

Chart (1984)	Peak position
UK Singles Chart[8]	11

References

На других языках

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- [en] Michael Caine (song)

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[it] Michael Caine (singolo)

Michael Caine è un singolo del gruppo musicale britannico Madness, pubblicato nel 1984 ed estratto dall'album Keep Moving.

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