Lee Thompson: Embarrassment

Taken from The One Show, broadcast 15/9/17. Lee Thompson discusses the history behind one of Madness' hits, "Embarrassment".
Please help pledge to help fund Lee's film, "One man's madness" click here: www.pledgemusic.com/projects/...

[@ThornyLittleFlower]

This was always my favourite Madness song. I first had the 7" single and played it alot as a kid. I related to it completely even without knowing the cause of the embarrassment in the song. I myself was an embarrassment to my natural family and this song always reminded me of that. I was born in London 1975. My white mother was a Rolling Stone groupee from Canada whose family had disowned her over her pregnancy with me, a mix race baby. My mother struggled to cope then returned home without me, leaving me in London when i was 4. I am blown away to discover, by watching your video, that this song was much closer to home than I had ever realised! I genuinely never knew its backstory!! Thankyou for this. I love the song even more now ! 😮❤

[@urglefloggahthethird1202]

This lady is great! She's proud, she's elloquent, and she can stand up for herself! As the father of a mixed ethnic girl I can only salute her and hope the world keeps moving towards tolerance and away from prejudice.

[@FinnishHalford]

Almost in tears here. It's great that the BBC dug deep with this one. Great song, strong lyrics.

[@3niknicholson]

"tearfully proud"...known this song for years...just found out today the story and the happy ending, no kid is a mistake, big love and I think I've got something in my eye...

[@brokensilence6790]

Find out what Razor Blade Alley is about.

[@Sandwich13455]

@@brokensilence6790 a fighting place in Glasgow or abortions anywhere else

[@scotsmanic7783]

@@Sandwich13455 It's about visiting a whore in London and getting an STD, bugger all to do with Glasgow.

[@skyloungers]

This is a great piece,seeing the real people in the story of 'Embarrassment'- one of their best ,if not THE Best song..

[@Paulchafer]

It's the one sigle of theirs that I bought at the time, as I was into heavier stuff, but this track I felt.

[@stuartroberton6190]

This should have reached No1!..And many other Madness tracks......Lee Thompson Best Sax player I've ever heard.

[@JC-om6vk]

Not ashamed to say I absolutely (no pun intended) welled up when Lee's sister said she was "tearfully proud" of him. What a lovely lady and a great clip. My only complaint is four and a half mintutes simply wasn't long enough.

[@joemack1965]

i was 15 when this came out. My best friend was gay and he and 1 loved this song. The reaction some people had to him was really summed up with the lyrics. I never knew the real story til today. Thank you Lee. Embarrasment still rocks

[@Reizermo]

Always wondered what happened to the baby this song was about. There you go.....all is well!

[@gymrachel]

great story, so moving. Always loved Madness.

[@loquayrocks]

I was very young when this song came out and it was hard for me to understand what was going on. As I grew older, the song made me so sad about the poor mother and child. Glad it turned out ok

[@Howiedewitt123]

Imagine being the reason for one of the best songs on planet earth. A sad situation yet turned into a positive one

[@jasonrushton5991]

One of all time fav tune's, deff fav Madness record. I totally know what the lyric's are about, but to me as a 13ish year old little Essex Boy. It got me in a diff way, realising I was gonna be Gay. Was I gonna be alone all me life, would Family & Friend's wanna know me? Lyric's can hit people in different way's, this one certainly did. Gr8 Tune Fella's!!

[@jimholloway615]

Totally made up to see this video, always loved Madness and the meaning of this song, so heartwarming to see that anger and embarrassment mellowed out, and that supposed embarrassment of a baby looks a fine young woman.

[@11matt11]

I loved Madness as a kid, but this is the song that made them the #1 band for me and so many others. One of the great anti-hate songs of the generation, and a great message of reflection. Going to a Madness concert these days is like going to a festival of love from ages 6 to 96. Everybody dances and sings. The world's #1 band and #1 live show. Going to my tenth gig in New York next year.

[@Keith-zu4tz]

Wonderful and heartwarming to see the love and support. Thank you Lee and Madness.

[@celineellalheen9723]

This song IS so infinitly awesome. As well as Lee :)

[@sirslice7531]

It's one of my favorite Madness song. Everything about it is spot on. It really waved the two-tone flag!

[@farmbrough]

Nice that the story has a happy ending, reflecting changing attitudes in Britain.

[@gerrywatson261]

Thanks for sharing your story. Love the song and love the Band.

[@pennypay1]

I'd only recently heard this story, because I've only lately been obsessed with the 2 Tone bands. Madness enjoyed major success here in the US, but nowhere near as much as much airplay or hits as in the UK. And a decade after 'Embarrassment', I was about Tracy Thompson's age and could have easily found myself in the same situation, likely with the same reaction from family, so the song and story are really moving. The lyrics needed to be harsh to have an impact, and they did. I'm so happy that Hayley's family reconciled.

[@kessmarl]

pennypay1 ... As a lifelong Madness fanatic from 1979 to the day I die, welcome to the exciting world of 2 Tone and Ska, and congratulations on your impeccable taste. It must be incredibly different for you than what it was for us British teenagers in the 70s/80s, cos we had 2 Tone on national radio, in the charts, on the TV shows, in the discos, and we went to the concerts. So we were surrounded by it, surrounded by like-minded fans, we danced to it and we “lived” it; whereas you have found the joy in this music all on your own. I moved to Australia in 1987 and Madness hadn’t been all that successful over here but they’re still such a massive part of my life and always will be. Two years ago, I finally got to meet them and spend time with them over a couple of days when they did two sell-out concerts in Fremantle, Western Australia. Literally a dream come true. I hope you have, or will, familiarise yourself with not only all of their music but also go deeper into who they are and what they do, their history etc. Oh and their videos as well, of course! You won’t regret it, they are darlings. Enjoy!! Love, Nuttygirl xx

[@varanchio]

@@kessmarl you're so cute :)

[@kessmarl]

@@varanchio .... Always excited to come across a fellow Mad-head. Enjoy!

[@bikerdretje]

I knew and read a little bit about the song back in the day of no internet when it first came out, but it's great to see the persons behind the lyrics. Powerful song, strong lyrics which put the nutty boys on the map of serious musicians when it came out. By the way, I did my share in pledging to Lee's film and hopefully as a fan I might pop up in the film. ;) Thanks for sharing.

[@subculture-records]

Embarrassment, my favourite Madness track. So good to know the details behind the song. Great video.

[@herseem]

Having originally commented a couple of years ago, I'm now living and working in South East London again, dealing directly with the public, and there are SO MANY families where the parents have clearly diverse racial origins that it is completely normal. It's good to see.

[@Gamefeedvids]

And there are now thousands with mixed marriages and mixed race kids. Me being one :) Thanks to guys like you it was made easier for us all :) Well done :)

[@anthonyaylmer1704]

But it must have been tough pressured by the older generation to share their thoughts. Thank god we more at ease now.

[@andyreynolds8117]

I always get a tear in my eye,everytime i watch this clip😢

[@UncleBooBoo]

Wonderful people! Tearfully proud gets me every time!

[@user-eo2oz2tf4q]

I grow up with them... Jumping trains...real people and great mates.

[@madhatter217]

This is brilliant, I was a fan of Madness right from the start, 1980 I was 12 in my Trilby, I knew what this song was about but I didn't know it was about Lee's sister.

[@gally9188]

Great to get the back story to this iconic song, I have been a fan of Madness since I saw Baggy Trousers on Top of The Pops when I was 9 years old.

[@georgewhyte6110]

Perfect song with perfect sentiment. Great family.

[@tor7292]

A masterpiece of 20th Century popular music. Brimful of brilliant musicianship, context and urgency, it's a hugely courageous composition - the optimism implies it's a family squabble to be all worked out and, as we see from this mini-doc, it was.

[@forddude1976]

That man is the best muisan, I can't tell you just how fantastic he was in Newcastle This year 24.

[@TheFakeyCakeMaker]

Absolutely beautiful! Hayley I away wondered about you and I am so glad things turned out well for you, I knew you were probably spoiled by your grandparents they usually end up being the most loving when theyve been the most harsh. Loved watching this. 🙂

[@stephenmead7296]

Be proud live your life,thank you for the Fantastic Truthful Lyrics.God Bless

[@stevedrew9857]

Grew up around deptford at the time of the song(madness was my band) many black and mixed raced friends, always found the mixed raced kids was the nicest of people lucky enough to have a mixed race girlfriend at the time very loyal SMILE

[@herseem]

Absolutely delighted to see this video. I knew the basic story years ago, and it's so great that you, the 'cause' of the song, have made the video. Am pleased it turned out well and that your mum didn't give in to pressure. My kids are also black / white mix, and I'm pleased to say, there hasn't been any pushback from anyone.

[@dixgun]

Had no idea about this. The song’s been in my head quite often, especially lately. Thanks for setting me right. 🙏 Very nice and informative clip. Great photos!

[@firminofire9895]

Brilliant!!!

[@weepingwillow-ud6xl]

Have always admired Madness especially '...Embarrassment ' it's really good to discover the song's origin, so glad you've made & uploaded your story.

[@caneandabel]

Wow what a great film. I loved this song!

[@modernidiot9124]

This song is in my all time top ten,I often thought it had a deeper meaning then I found out the background to it giving the song even more of a feel. I'm going to see madness in December and I can't wait.

[@jasonlyonsjl72]

My favourite Madness tune ❤️

[@jaceygilbert6135]

This song was amazing.. I was 15 and pregnant in 1985 this could off been a million off girls song back in the day and I was one off them ...

[@lynnisstrange]

Very special for a fan to see this. Thanks x

[@varanchio]

Gosh, so heartwarming.

[@fireyflower6643]

Its great to see the story behind one of their very pertinent and fantastic tracks

[@markallen6543]

What a fantastic uncle.

[@NewRootsHairUK]

Fascinating. Thanks

[@rachelkaraoke7461]

My friend Michelle had half Greek parents and she was to afraid to say her baby was gonna be mixed race she said nothing at all and that was nearly the end of the 80s it was just that family pressure thing and My friend was 17 too my favourite madness song ever and we felt proud to know the message was that too two tone forever

[@malco7421]

Thanks for sharing 🙏🏽

[@andrewkoastephens210]

I don’t really remember when I didn’t know this song since Madness stormed into my world when I was like 12. I never knew the back story. I just applied my own story to it. The truth hits even harder.

[@user-eo2oz2tf4q]

One of there best.

[@dmcfcthiscityisblue1]

Received a letter just the other day don't seem they wanna know u no more They've laid it down given u their score within the first 2 lines it bluntly READ.. Classic Classic lyrics from the very 1st line to the very last line, Your uncle Lee is the MAIN MAN...

[@mrbosh0115]

Cheers for this.

[@gordon13brucemacleod]

What a beautiful piece of footage.

[@butlincat1507]

classic...and a vital part of so many fan's paths + lives

[@jimbyrne1844]

Lovely piece - informative, educational and uplifting! Thank you!

[@Sandwich13455]

They're a blessed family!🤩😍

[@Catboxxxxx]

Embarrassment is my favourite song

[@Purewalite]

This is great to watch. I always assumed that the lyrics were a true reflection of a very divided family rather than a dig at societal attitudes. My favourite Madness track.

[@fredericboeuf9308]

Merci beaucoup !

[@wetherall1968]

anything but an embarrassment ure an absolute gem xx brilliant story love this real people real stories had the pleasure of meeting the guys many years ago in glasgow what a concert thay put on xx

[@garrychivers4807]

Well said

[@deletebilderberg]

Imagine if London had never got that magical Caribbean culture? Music would never have evolved the way it did in the U.K. BTW. What a wonderful family.

[@nicolaszyx3120]

Love it

[@davidharrison441]

You hold your head up , my grand daughter is black and the most beautiful child I have ever seen . Mixing is the way this world is going to stop it racist crap .

[@sirandrelefaedelinoge]

Good old Dublin Castle... ❤

[@declanmcdermott]

Thanks for this Adam,

[@davidowenwinter3111]

What do u mean thank u adam? He didn't make this bloody video !! It was on the one show ffs!! Hes just trying to nick the glory again!!

[@carlosa9298]

Love Madness!!!

[@mod69]

Their best song

[@badgermcspoon11]

Thanks for sharing that good luck to all in the vid.

[@hydra1894]

Brilliant

[@user-zd7nr7ez1t]

Very moving. X

[@robadams8691]

Yeah man ,,,,,!!!!!!!! Respect !!

[@jayseabie215]

I'd be embarrassed to have that as well

[@bodmor9926]

Being annoyed at your daughter for deleting your Briton or Celtic blood-line Forever, has nothing to do with Embarrassment. Social pressure brings Embarrassment.

[@ParaBellum2024]

Never knew the story behind this song. How things have changed since then!

[@TomTremayne]

Hoodwinked by the film 'Take it or Leave it', I believed that Lee was from Luton (& perhaps originally he was) but he grew up in the flats, just north of the railway bridge, opposite the Southampton Arms on Highgate Road.

[@user-eo2oz2tf4q]

And we all went to the Aldenham which was a club in highgate road, which really waz the start of everything you see now. More kentish town than camden town.

[@TomTremayne]

Yes Garry, and there always seems to be some debate around where exactly the Aldenham Club stood. I say it was demolished to build the flats below which the parade of shops where the Post Office, the carpet shop & the doctor's surgery now stands but a girl recently told me it was in that big house, flats, office type building which is set back from the road just before you come to that parade of shops, dead opposite the other big carpet shop....anyway, yes, I know about the Aldenham Club. Do you have any old photos of it maybe?.........@@user-eo2oz2tf4q

[@ericcoudrill8776]

good on you Lee,politics were less subtle then.it literally was black and white,and the shock treatment of the 'harsh' lyrics needed to question where you stood.baring in mind the controversy around madness' early bogus racial affiliations this put that codswallop into touch.I'm proud to be a madness fan,and its lovely to see your niece wearing the badge of honour.cultural tolerance is needed now more than ever.unite the world with love for every fellow human,and let's highlight the real disgraces of the human race,namely Trump and this mindless right wing reemergence in Europe

[@fireyflower6643]

Eric Coudrill still has relevancy today, with the rise in racism right now

[@frankyw8803]

Wow ..I never had any idea ...Dublin Castle and the Camden Arms , saw Suggs quite a lot in the mid 2000s

[@michaelsnow7252]

wow.....never knew what this song was was about.... fairplay to those involved..

[@stuartwilliams3104]

I remember my mum buying the album for Christmas and it was my favourite present.Those days you had to wait until Christmas or your birthday for what you wanted not getting what you want all year round so when Christmas or birthdays come around they don't know what they want because they have got everything,anyway I knew what the song was about and it sent out a strong message to Madness's skinhead following. Slightly changing the subject but I always thought apart from One step beyond Madness albums had 2 great songs,2 not bad songs and the rest were weak fillers.They were definitely a singles band and they didn't make a bad one.

[@alexgreen5064]

'Tearfully proud'😮‍💨

[@brianclaridge7695]

Everyone's favourite Madness song, Absolutely 😉

[@Hellwyck]

This is good but my favourite's Michael Caine.

[@raghdaghonaim3068]

🥺♥️🙏

[@zoo2263]

Lee me old mucker, dumped a kwaker in a skip lately? Lovely Vid mate

[@herseem]

I'm going to add that I don't think the lyrics are too harsh at all, they really state it well. Better not toned down, some things need to be put bluntly.

[@user-eo2oz2tf4q]

Spot on.

[@MrCardinal1965]

Welling up here😢

[@msladytsunade777]

Same here!!😭 GOD BLESS the group and this lovely lady!!

[@jimholloway615]

@@msladytsunade777 both lovely ladies...

[@mrtulipeater]

Good on you mum!!!

[@spencerleec]

Lee Thompson is the best sax player ever, living legend, love you bruv

[@thislife3655]

Where’s Hayley’s dad? Why isn’t he in this video? 🤔

[@david31162]

Not many relationships survive for 17 year olds. Sad little racist wankers don't like Madness so why you in here?

[@slyestfox935]

Did she say my mum was a "Mrs bouquet "???? Wasn't her husband in and out of prison ( as mentioned in madness documentaries) I'm sure she had the neighbours talking many a time ... and let them ..who cares what they think 🎶🎼

[@dmcfcthiscityisblue1]

Fair play to ya as my girl Donna from Ireland would say, and even though it's no big deal but still 4 the record she's white Irish i'm black born in England with Jamaican parents, Anyway we're SOULMATES and we've had this connection from day one in the year of the New Millennium summer 2000, Donna is a Special girl who i am very protective of the same way she's very protective of me WE R 1 ONE 1 of the same type people OH tell a lie cause there is a difference between me and Donna and that difference is she's a female and i'm a male so yeah that's the only thing that makes us different, haha, And so getting back to the subject of the matter and like i said earlier fair play to u Harley and obviously your uncle Lee for writing this hit song and truth is even though i didn't know what it was about at the time when it came out it was one of my all time favorite songs not just from Madness but from my whole music collection period but now i know exactly what it was about i've gotta say it's my joint NUMBER 1song of all time and through hearing this story from u Harley and uncle Lee and I've gotta say your mum is a DIAMOND OF A MOTHER and not only that she's a brave woman because i can imagine what she had to go through in those times when having a mix-race child would be like a big NO NO i've seen things on the tele from back in the day about how hard it was for a white woman who had a mix-race child so yeah a woman like ur mum gets my ultimate respect for standing strong throughout them times and to tell u the truth maybe me and Donna might never of been together if it wasn't for the likes of your uncle Lee and ur mum and dad and so now i know what the song is about i'm gonna spread the word 4the people who don't know already, and now to finish off it's no wonder i became a MOD back then because as soon as i heard the band Madness i was a fan and so yeah through that i turned into a MOD because i knew that it wasn't about colour or anything like that that's why everybody all over the world became a fan of Madness and still to this day i still play madness on utube, so from here in MANCHESTER much love and respect goes out to you the girl Harley the niece of the LEGENDARY SAXOPHONE PLAYER NAMED LEE FROM THE LEGENDARY BAND WE ALL KNOW AS MADNESS, P.S If u ever get to read this can u please say hello to your uncle Lee for being the LEGEND that he is from me Dennis and from Donna too, Thanks once a gain 4 ur story, Peace out...

[@lewisgreen1633]

Hayley is lovely!

[@ianblack7006]

Does anybody know what lee has tattooed on his left forearm( inner) 1:40 thanks

[@thislife3655]

“Vote BNP”

[@silversteel6312]

There’s no such thing as mixed race, just humans mixing.

[@Autopsy6]

While known for nuttiness, many Madness songs are profound and serious.

[@carldyson9342]

MADNESS NORTH LONDON AND ENGLANDS FINEST

[@jasonlindsey9946]

Was it Lee doing the fancy dance in One Step Beyond video?

[@oldfatbastad6053]

that was Chalky :) who, according to Cameron McVey couldnt tell a 13amp plug from a fucking hole in the ground 🤣🤣🤣

[@jotapecu]

El Thomo!