Madness (Muse song)

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"Madness"
The word "madness" displayed in blue text on a dark background with the Muse logo to the top of the image.
Single by Muse
from the album The 2nd Law
Released20 August 2012 (2012-08-20)
Recorded2011–2012
Genre
Length
  • 4:39 (album version)
  • 3:38 (radio edit)
Label
Songwriter(s)Matt Bellamy
Producer(s)Muse
Muse singles chronology
"Survival"
(2012) 		"Madness"
(2012) 		"Follow Me"
(2012)

"Madness" is a song by the English rock band Muse. It is the second track and second single from Muse's sixth studio album, The 2nd Law (2012), released as a download on 20 August 2012. It was written by singer and guitarist Matthew Bellamy and produced by the band. The music video premiered on 5 September 2012.

"Madness" spent 19 weeks at number one on Billboard's Alternative Songs chart, becoming the second-longest-running number-one song on the chart. The song earned a nomination in the Best Rock Song category at the 2013 Grammy Awards.

Background and writing[edit]

"Madness" is an electronic rock,[1] synth-pop,[2] soft rock,[3] and R&B song.[4] According to NME, "Madness" draws influences from Queen's "I Want to Break Free", George Michael's "Faith" and some instrumental elements of his other hit "I Want Your Sex".[5] During a preview of The 2nd Law on French site Jeuxactu, the song was said to resemble Depeche Mode and described as "calm, languid and sweet".[6] Matthew Bellamy stated that the song started as a personal reflection after a fight with his girlfriend Kate Hudson, and how, after she had gone to her mother's house, he began to realise "yeah, she was right, wasn't she?"[7] In a separate interview, Bellamy stated the song was the band's attempt to strip down the sound of the album, and that the song has its roots in twelve-bar blues with gospel, soul and R&B influences. He went on to conclude that, "It's the song I'm probably most proud of on the album for sure."[8]

Music video[edit]

The "Madness" music video was uploaded to Muse's YouTube channel on 5 September 2012.[9] This video saw the second collaboration between the band and director Anthony Mandler, who previously directed the music video for "Neutron Star Collision (Love Is Forever)".[10] Jacquelyn London edited it.[11][12] The director of photography was David Devlin.[11] The video was filmed on the Red Line platform at Los Angeles Union Station.[13] The two main characters are played by models Erin Wasson and Max Silberman.[14]

Release and reception[edit]

"Madness" was released as a download on 20 August 2012,[15] with an accompanying lyric video for the song being uploaded shortly after.[16] NME described the song as "taking the defining noise of 'bass music' and using it to create slinky, soft rock sex music."[3] The track review goes on to call it a brilliant single and states that Muse have "tamed the shark" following their declaration that Muse had jumped the shark with "Survival".[17] Diffuser.fm noted that the single "doesn't sound like the Muse that established itself as one of the world's biggest rock bands" but that "the unusual blend of sounds works far better than it probably should", giving the track 8/10.[18]

Rolling Stone stated that the single sees Muse "swap bombastic bass brutality with wubby subtleties as Matthew Bellamy croons over a surprisingly gentle pop track."[19] Radio Times described it as "George Michael's "Faith" underwater". In a negative review of the song, Robert Myers of The Village Voice wrote that "the band's U2 imitation has finally caught up to Achtung Baby and Zooropa". He further added that Muse "gets the surface details right but lacks the emotional and intellectual foundation to get at their inspiration's essence."[20] Rolling Stone named the song the 37th best song of 2012.[21] Chris Martin of Coldplay described the single as "Muse's best song yet".[22]

"Madness" spent 19 weeks at the summit of Billboard's Alternative Songs chart, making it the longest running number-one song on the chart, beating the previous record of 18 weeks set by Foo Fighters' "The Pretender". The record was later broken again by Portugal. The Man's "Feel It Still" in 2017, which spent 20 weeks at the number-one spot.[23] "Madness" was nominated for Best Rock Song at the 2013 Grammy Awards, but lost to "Lonely Boy" by the Black Keys.

Commercial performance[edit]

"Madness" had a positive commercial performance, charting in several countries and peaking within the top 10 in Belgium (Wallonia), Iceland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Portugal, and South Korea. In the band's home country of the United Kingdom, the song peaked at number 25 on the UK Singles Chart. In the United States, the song peaked at number 45 on the Hot 100 and number three on the Hot Rock Songs chart. It topped the Alternative Songs chart for 19 weeks, breaking the record for the longest-reigning number-one song on the chart, which was previously held by "The Pretender" by Foo Fighters.[24] That record later got overtaken by Portugal. The Man's "Feel It Still" in 2017 which spent 20 weeks at the number-one spot.[23] In late 2023, for the chart's 35th anniversary,[25] Billboard ranked "Madness" as the sixth-biggest hit in the history of the chart.[26] The song has been certified gold by the IFPI in Switzerland, platinum by the MC in Canada and FIMI in Italy, and double-platinum by the RIAA in the United States.

Track listing[edit]

Digital download[15]
No.TitleLength
1."Madness"4:39
UK promotional single[27]
No.TitleLength
1."Madness" (radio edit)3:38
2."Madness" (album version)4:40

Charts[edit]

Certifications[edit]

Certifications for "Madness"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[64] Platinum 80,000*
Italy (FIMI)[65] Platinum 30,000*
Mexico (AMPROFON)[66] Gold 30,000*
Portugal (AFP)[67] Gold 10,000‡
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[68] Gold 15,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[69] Silver 200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[70] 2× Platinum 2,000,000‡

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Sperounes, Sandra (1 October 2012). "Album review: Muse, The 2nd Law". Edmonton Journal. Postmedia Network. Archived from the original on 12 September 2015. Retrieved 8 January 2015.
  2. ^ Newman, Melinda (1 October 2012). "Album Review: Muse holds nothing back on 'The 2nd Law'". HitFix. Retrieved 8 January 2015.
  3. ^ a b "NME Track Reviews – Muse – 'Madness'". NME. 21 August 2012. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  4. ^ Sutherland, Mark (1 October 2012). "Muse Fill London Show With Songs From 'The 2nd Law'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
  5. ^ "The 2nd Law – Album Summary – News". Muselive. Archived from the original on 2 November 2012. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  6. ^ "Muse : on a écouté The 2nd Law en avant-première". Musique.jeuxactu.com. Archived from the original on 24 June 2016. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  7. ^ "Muse reveal new single Madness inspired by fight with Kate Hudson". Metro. 17 August 2012. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  8. ^ Balfe, John (22 August 2012). "Muse speak about new single 'Madness'". entertainment.ie. Retrieved 22 October 2015.
  9. ^ Coplan, Chris (5 September 2012). "Video: Muse – "Madness"". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  10. ^ ""Neutron Star Collision (Love Is Forever)" by Muse". VH1. 20 May 2010. Archived from the original on 24 May 2010. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  11. ^ a b Gottlieb, Steven (5 September 2015). "Watch It: Muse "Madness" – Anthony Mandler, dir". Videostatic. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  12. ^ "Muse : Sunset Edit – 323.467.8550". Sunset Edit. Archived from the original on 21 March 2015. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  13. ^ Chen, Anna (20 December 2012). "Muse music video: "madness" on the subway". The Source. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  14. ^ "Muse – Madness (2012)". Internet Music Video Database. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  15. ^ a b "Muse – Madness (File)". Discogs. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  16. ^ Daw, Robbie (20 August 2012). "Muse Premiere "Madness" Lyric Video". Idolator. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  17. ^ Macbain, Hamish (28 June 2012). "Have Muse Jumped The Shark With Their Olympics Track?". NME. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  18. ^ Shetler, Scott (20 August 2012). "Muse, 'Madness' – Song Review". Diffuser.fm. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  19. ^ "Muse Unveil Subtle New Single 'Madness'". Rolling Stone. 20 August 2012. Archived from the original on 22 August 2012. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  20. ^ Myers, Robert (30 August 2012). "Hot 100 Roundup: Eric Church And Luke Bryan Milk It, Eminem Gets Silly, And More". The Village Voice. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  21. ^ "Muse, 'Madness' – 50 Best Songs of 2012". Rolling Stone. 5 December 2012. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  22. ^ Bychawski, Adam (22 August 2012). "Chris Martin: 'Muse's new single 'Madness' is their best song ever'". NME. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  23. ^ a b "Portugal. The Man's 'Feel It Still' Breaks Record for Most Weeks at No. 1 on Alternative Songs Chart".
  24. ^ Trust, Gary (11 February 2013). "Muse's 'Madness' Rewrites Record For Longest-Reigning Alternative Songs No. 1". Billboard. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  25. ^ Rutherford, Kevin (7 September 2023). "Alternative Airplay Chart's 35th Anniversary: Foo Fighters Remain No. 1 Act, 'Monsters' New Top Song". Billboard. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
  26. ^ "Greatest of All Time Alternative Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on 6 October 2023. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
  27. ^ "Muse – Madness (CD)". Discogs. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  28. ^ "Chartifacts". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 30 August 2012. Retrieved 30 August 2012.
  29. ^ "Muse – Madness" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  30. ^ "Muse – Madness" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  31. ^ "Muse – Madness" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  32. ^ "Muse Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  33. ^ "Muse Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  34. ^ "Muse Chart History (Canada Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  35. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – RADIO – TOP 100 and insert 201248 into search.
  36. ^ "Muse – Madness". Tracklisten.
  37. ^ "Muse – Madness" (in French). Les classement single.
  38. ^ "Muse – Madness" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
  39. ^ "Icelandic Singles Chart". Tónlist (via Internet Archive). Archived from the original on 16 October 2012. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  40. ^ "Top 100 Singles – Week ending 23rd August 2012". Irish Recorded Music Association. Archived from the original on 26 August 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  41. ^ "Media Forest Week 46, 2012". Israeli Airplay Chart. Media Forest.
  42. ^ "Muse – Madness". Top Digital Download.
  43. ^ "Muse Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  44. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Muse" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
  45. ^ "Muse – Madness" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  46. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  47. ^ "Search: Gaon International Download Chart – Issue date: 2012.08.19 – 2012.08.25". Gaon Chart. Archived from the original on 25 August 2012. Retrieved 31 August 2012.
  48. ^ "Muse – Madness" Canciones Top 50.
  49. ^ "Muse – Madness". Swiss Singles Chart.
  50. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
  51. ^ "Muse Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
  52. ^ "Muse Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
  53. ^ "Muse Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
  54. ^ "Muse Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
  55. ^ "Muse Chart History (Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
  56. ^ "Nuevas Esta Semana". Record Report (in Spanish). R.R. Digital C.A. 2 February 2013. Archived from the original on 16 January 2013.
  57. ^ "Annual 2012 – Singles". Ultratop.be. Retrieved 24 December 2012.
  58. ^ "Top de l'année Top Singles 2012" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  59. ^ "Classifica annuale 2012 (dal 02.01.2012 al 30.12.2012)" (in Italian). FIMI. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
  60. ^ "Hot Rock Songs: Year End 2012". Billboard. Retrieved 22 December 2014.
  61. ^ "Adult Pop Songs: Year End 2013". Billboard. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  62. ^ "Hot Rock Songs: Year End 2013". Billboard. Retrieved 22 December 2014.
  63. ^ "Rock Airplay Songs: Year End 2013". Billboard. Retrieved 22 December 2014.
  64. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Muse – Madness". Music Canada.
  65. ^ "Italian single certifications – Muse – Madness" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Select "Tutti gli anni" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "Madness" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
  66. ^ "Certificaciones" (in Spanish). Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Retrieved 19 December 2019. Type Muse in the box under the ARTISTA column heading and Madness in the box under the TÍTULO column heading.
  67. ^ "Portuguese single certifications – Muse – Madness" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  68. ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Madness')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien.
  69. ^ "British single certifications – Muse – Madness". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
  70. ^ "American single certifications – Muse – Madness". Recording Industry Association of America.

External links[edit]

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