Listen to Your Father

"Listen to Your Father" is pop vocalist Feargal Sharkey's first single as a solo artist, released in 1984. The single's two tracks did not feature on Sharkey's self-titled 1985 debut album Feargal Sharkey.

Contents

• Formats
• Personnel
• References

The single was the first release of Zarjazz Records, owned by ska/pop band Madness. Zarjazz was a sub-label of Virgin Records who released the single through themselves outside of the UK. Zarjazz was also the label that released the last singles from Madness until the band originally split by 1986. When "Listen to Your Father" became a hit, Feargal Sharkey left the label to sign Virgin, as Madness had not required Sharkey to sign a contract with their label.

The a-side of the single "Listen to Your Father" was written by Madness's trumpeter and backing vocalist Carl Smyth. The b-side "Can I Say I Love You" was written by Smyth and Feargal, remaining exclusive to the single. The b-side is also known as "For Without You".

The single peaked at #23 in the UK upon release.

A promotional video was created for the song. Sharkey performed the song on popular UK music show Top of The Pops along with members of Madness as backing musicians. Madness members Smyth and Mark Bedford appeared with Sharkey on UK show "Saturday Starship" to promote the single and the Zarjazz label. They were interviewed by Tommy Boyd.

On 24 November 1985, the song was performed live at the Hammersmith Odeon, London, during Madness' tour to promote their "Mad Not Mad" album. Sharkey performed lead vocals, with Madness singer Suggs introducing Sharkey as "Mr Teenage Kicks" which referred to the hit song from Sharkey's ex-band The Undertones. This was the only time the song was played live.