1.0.0 Hospital Radio: One Step Beyond Madness

Good morning, and welcome to the programme. We’ll start off with something a bit zany to set the tone.

The nuttiest sound around
So if you’ve come in off the street
And you’re beginning to feel the heat
Well, listen, buster
You better start to move your feet

That was the 1979 ska hit One Step Beyond by Madness, from their debut studio album of the same name.

The song was originally recorded by Jamaican ska pioneer Prince Buster and released in 1964 as the B-side to Al Capone. Madness took his largely instrumental original, added a characteristically manic introduction courtesy of Chas Smash, and turned it into one of the records that helped launch the British ska revival.

One Step Beyond.

Which seems as good a place as any to begin.

We’ve had a special request from a listener who wishes to remain anonymous. He describes himself as a longtime listener, first-time caller . . . which is strange as this will be only the second song we’ve played.

He said our previous song struck the right note as he stepped out of bed and felt as though his foot had shattered into a million pieces.

We suggested he should probably call an ambulance, but he assured us he was fine. It was just how he felt while he was lying on the floor like Natalie Imbruglia.

I’m all out of faith, this is how I feel
I’m cold and I am shamed
Lying naked on the floor

That was Torn, the 1997 hit by Natalie Imbruglia, from her debut album Left of Middle.

Thanks for that, caller. There’s an image in my mind I’m going to struggle to get rid of now.

If you’re like our last caller, and don’t ask for help when you clearly need it, No Doubt this song is for you . . .

Don’t speak, I know just what you’re sayin’
So please stop explainin’
Don’t tell me ’cause it hurts

That was Don’t Speak by No Doubt, from their 1995 album Tragic Kingdom.

The song was originally written by Eric Stefani as an upbeat love song, but was extensively rewritten as a break-up song by his sister and lead singer Gwen Stefani following the end of her relationship with the band’s bass player, Tony Kanal.

As we all know, accidents happen and sometimes we don’t know why. If you’re in that situation, this song’s for you.

I bought you drinks, I brought you flowers
I read your books and talked for hours
Every day so many drinks
such pretty flowers, so tell me
What have I, what have I, what have I done to deserve this?

That was What Have I Done to Deserve This? by The Pet Shop Boys with Dusty Springfield.

If you’re in pain right now, you’re probably screaming the title of this 2008 UK singles chart number one . . .

I’m begging you for mercy
You look at me and think we’re the same kind
‘Cause you don’t know what I got and
Yes, why won’t you release me?

That was Mercy by Duffy. Released in 2008, it became her first UK number one single and topped the charts in several other countries.

If you think you’ve got something seriously wrong, contact your doctor before it’s too late. We don’t want you thinking about this song . . .

“Shoulda woulda coulda” means I’m out of time
‘Cause “shoulda woulda coulda” can’t change your mind
And I wonder, wonder, wonder what I’m gonna do
“Shoulda woulda coulda” are the last words of a fool

That was Shoulda Woulda Coulda by Beverley Knight.

Released in 2002, the song was inspired by the end of Knight’s long-term relationship. She has explained that the relationship broke down after she chose to pursue her career rather than settle down.

And remember: shoulda woulda coulda are the last words of a fool. If you’re worried about something, get it checked.

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