"(Waiting For) The Ghost Train" is a single by the English ska and pop band Madness. Released in 1986 shortly after the band announced they were to split, it was their last single prior to reforming in 1992. It spent nine weeks in the

UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart (currently titled Official Singles Chart, with the upper section more commonly known as the Official UK Top 40) is compiled by the Official Charts Company (OCC), on behalf of the British record industry, listing the top-s ...

, peaking at number 18. The song first appeared on an album on the band's 1986's ''

Utter Madness ''Utter Madness'' is a greatest hits album by the British pop band Madness, released on their own Zarjazz label through Virgin Records on 24 November 1986 shortly after the group's original split. It picks up from where the band's first greates ...

'' greatest hits compilation, issued one month after its single release. The song was written by

Suggs Graham McPherson (born 13 January 1961), known primarily by his stage name Suggs, is an English singer-songwriter, musician, radio personality and actor from Hastings, England. In a music career spanning 40 years, he came to prominence in the ...

about

apartheid Apartheid (, especially South African English: , ; , "aparthood") was a system of institutionalised racial segregation that existed in South Africa and South West Africa (now Namibia) from 1948 to the early 1990s. Apartheid was ...

South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring countri ...

, with its chorus "It's black and white, don't try to hide it" and the line "The station master's writing with a piece of orange chalk / One hundred cancellations, still no one wants to walk" (in reference to the South African flag).

Mike Barson Michael Barson (born 21 April 1958) is a Scottish-born multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and composer. In a career spanning more than 40 years, Barson came to prominence in the late 1970s as the keyboard player for the band Madness (band), Ma ...

reunited with the other members of the band to record this song, although he did not appear in the music video. A Christmas flexi-disc record containing the 'band demo' of the song was sent out to Madness fan club (M.I.S.) members, featuring farewells and thanks from each member of the band (except Barson).

Critical reception

Upon its release, Anna Martin of ''

Number One Number One most commonly refers to: * 1 (number) Number One, No. 1, or #1 may also refer to: Music Albums * ''Number 1'' (Big Bang album), and the title song * ''No. 1'' (BoA album), and the title song * ''No.1'' (EP), by CLC * ''n.1 ...

'' stated: "Reminiscent of the classic sound of "

Grey Day "Grey Day" is a 2-Tone song written by Mike Barson and recorded by British pop/ska band Madness. Retrieved 21 July 2007. The song was the first single released from the band's third studio album '' 7''. Retrieved 21 July 2007. It was a big de ...

" and "

The Sun and the Rain "The Sun and the Rain" is a single by Madness. It was released in 1983 as a stand-alone single and in 1984 it was included on the American/Canadian version of their album '' Keep Moving''. The single spent 10 weeks on the UK Singles Chart, peaki ...

", the chorus follows in the great tradition of sing-a-long-ability and ends in a big, sweeping crescendo that signals the end." Simon Mills of ''

Smash Hits ''Smash Hits'' was a British music magazine aimed at young adults, originally published by EMAP. It ran from 1978 to 2006, and, after initially appearing monthly, was issued fortnightly during most of that time. The name survived as a brand fo ...

'' related the song to the band's recent material of that time: "Their "farewell single" is more of the same doomy stuff about an unfortunate bunch of folk who are all waiting for this train that never comes. Life's like that isn't it?"

Track listing

7": Virgin / JAZZ 9 (UK)

* Side one # "(Waiting For) The Ghost Train" – 3:41 * Side two # "Maybe in Another Life" – 3:00

12": Virgin / JAZZ 9 12 (UK)

* Side one # "(Waiting For) The Ghost Train" – 3:41 # "Maybe in Another Life" – 2:59 * Side two # "Seven Year Scratch" – 8:39

Charts

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Waiting For The Ghost Train 1986 songs 1986 singles Madness (band) songs Songs written by Suggs (singer) Song recordings produced by Clive Langer Song recordings produced by Alan Winstanley Zarjazz singles