NW5


"NW5" is a song by the band Madness, which was debuted live at the Brixton Academy in December 2006. The single was released in January 2008 on the band's own label, Lucky 7 Records, and entered the chart at no.24 on Sunday 20th Jan 2008, going to no.1 on the UK Independent Label Chart on Sunday 20th Jan 2008. It was very well received by fans and critics alike.
The song was subsequently included on their critically acclaimed 2009 album, The Liberty of Norton Folgate and has become a regular at Madness concerts.
The song's title is a reference to the UK postal code area for the north London district of Kentish Town, from where the band originated. It was written by saxophone player Lee Thompson and pianist Mike Barson, who also wrote some of the band's other hits including "House of Fun".
The b-side "Bittersweet" is a cover of a song by The Undertones, recorded for the Dangermen Sessions.

Formats and track listings

These are the formats and track listings of major single releases of "NW5".
  1. "NW5" – 4:14
  2. "Bittersweet" – 2:43
  1. "NW5 " – 3:49
  2. "NW5" – 4:14
  3. "Bittersweet" – 2:43
  4. "NW5 " – 3:29
  1. "NW5 " – 3:49
  2. "Night Boat to Cairo " – 2:38
  3. "My Girl " – 2:43
  4. "It Must Be Love " - 2:21
  1. "NW5 " – 3:49
  2. "NW5" – 4:14
  3. "NW5 " – 3:29
  4. "NW5 – 4:14

    German release

The track "NW5" was originally released as a single in Germany after appearing in the film "Neues Vom Wixxer". The 2007 version of NW5 is different to the 2008 Lucky Seven Record's version, with the earlier recording having a darker tone. That version also featured guitarist Kevin Burdette instead of original Madness guitarist Chris Foreman who had left the group in mid-2005. Foreman re-joined Madness later in 2007 and can be heard on the 2008 release.
The B-side for the German release was a new recording of "It Must Be Love".
Two promo videos were made for "NW5" and the new "It Must Be Love", starring Suggs, Carl Smyth, Daniel Woodgate, stand-in guitarist Kevin Burdette, and members of the film's cast. The new video for "It Must be Love" featured in the film's credits.

German track listing

  1. "NW5 " – 3:34
  2. "It Must Be Love" – 4:00
  3. "NW5" – 4:14
  4. "NW5 " - 3:54
  5. "It Must Be Love Video"
  6. "NW5 Video"
  7. "Making of NW5 Video"

    Chart performance