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Yesterday's Men
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Wikipedia article
"'Yesterday's Men'" is a song by British band Madness, released in 1985 from their sixth studio album 'Mad Not Mad'. It was written by Graham McPherson and Chris Foreman, and produced by Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley. The song spent 7 weeks on the UK Singles Chart peaking at number 18. The song was edited for release as a single, the album version being some thirty seconds longer. A music video was filmed to promote the single, directed by Chris Gabrin.
Critical reception
Upon release, Paul Bursche of 'Number One' stated: "A grim portrait of a land without hope. A real grower this that finally emerges into one of the best songs the group have ever done. Very Sade-ish but even the orchestration can't disguise a new lush Madness sound." Ian Cranna of 'Smash Hits' wrote: "This mournful little exhortation to hang on in there with gentle percussion and varied instrumental weaving must be quite satisfying to record after being so nutty for so long, but it's hardly soul-stirring stuff." The song was ranked number 7 among the "'Tracks of the Year'" for 1985 by 'NME'.
In a retrospective review of 'Mad Not Mad', Darryl Cater of AllMusic described the song as "dwell[ing] on themes of transience and aging". Terry Staunton of 'Record Collector' noted: "The wacky humour of old, already on the wane in their previous outing, 'Keep Moving', was almost totally eclipsed by sombre tones of resignation, best exemplified on the single "Yesterday's Men"."
7" Track listing
#"Yesterday's Men" - 4:07
#"All I Knew" - 3:07
12" Track listing
#"Yesterday's Men" (Extended Version) - 8:05
#"All I Knew" - 3:07
#"Yesterday's Men" (Demo Version) - 3:33
7" 'Picture Disc & Extra Disc' Track Listing
#"Yesterday's Men" 4:07
#"All I Knew" 3:07
#"Yesterday's Men" (Harmonica Version) 4:37
#"It Must Be Love" (live) 3:35
Chart performance
References
Category:1985 singles
Category:Madness (band) songs
Category:Songs written by Suggs (singer)
Category:Songs written by Chris Foreman
Category:1985 songs
Category:Song recordings produced by Clive Langer
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