Written by: M. Barson / J. Hasler
Lead Vocal: Graham “Suggs” McPherson
Backing Vocals: Chas Smash
Guitar: Chris Foreman
Keyboards: Mike Barson
Saxophone: Lee Thompson
Bass: Mark Bedford
Drums: Dan Woodgate
Foreign titles: Creeme
One Step Beyond, 2023 CD reissue
Woody: I remember ‘Believe Me’ from the early days. And while old songs like ‘Sunshine Voice’ had fallen off the setlist, this song, which John Hasler co-wrote, stayed in. I just think it’s a lovely song.
Mike: I wrote ‘Believe Me’ with John Hasler. John had a spurt of songwriting in the early days, when we were still rehearsing in my mum’s house in Crouch End. That was one of the very earliest songs that we wrote. At the start, Madness got a name for a certain kind of music, you know, ska and reggae. But there was a lot of different stuff on this first album. There was a Billy Swan song, ‘I Can Help’, around back then that I remember really liking. There was a lot of rock’n’roll about at the time – rock’n’roll was making a resurgence, it was cool again, and it had always been one of our influences.
Bedders: ‘Believe Me’ wasn’t ska, it wasn’t reggae. It was just a good tune. Upbeat.
Chris: A few years ago, in 2019, we did some shows where we did all these old songs. Playing it again, 40 years later, I thought it’s just such a nice little song. It’s not amazing, but it’s charming.
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Lyrics:
Everything that I tell you girl
Every word that you hear
Every little whisper
Let me make myself clear
There ain’t no lies to deceive you
I love you too much for that
Every word that I say is true
You can believe me on that
My friends tell me jealous lies
Now I’m getting my goodbyes
Life without you my dear
Was dull as dull as can be
I’m asking my love why not take me now
Not to leave me in misery
Saxophone!
solo – saxophone
If you take in all they say
I guess I’ll be on my way
Please my darling it’s not true
I don’t know this girl called Sue
Sue’s a name I have not heard (no no no no)
I lost my girl from that one word (no no no no)
Will she come back I just don’t know
And I’m taking a heavy blow-ho
I’ve got myself together (no no no no)
I can’t go on in this cold weather (no no no no)
Christmas comes but once a year
It’s a time of love and cheer
Your friends tell you jealous lies
Now I’m getting my goodbyes
No no no no
No no no no
No no no no
No no no no
The song first appeared on the ‘One Step Beyond…’ LP (Stiff)
Recorded at Eden Studios, Chiswick & T.W. Studios, Fulham
Producer: Clive Langer / Alan Winstanley
Length: 2:30
Key: C
Tempo: ~150 bpm
Rehearsal tape version from ‘Fab Toones!’ cassette, 1979
Included on ‘One Step Beyond…’ 35th Anniversary CD+DVD (2014)
Also appears on:
Live recordings:
‘Believe Me’ was played regularly in 1979 and 1980, then again between 2014 and 2019
‘MISTAKES’ 2LP – The Paradise Ballroom, Boston, Massachusetts, USA 24 Feb 1980