“Absolutely” Madness album cover location

When I was at secondary school Madness was a popular group. They weren’t too soft like Duran Duran or Spandau Ballet or too hard like Black Sabbath or Deep Purple. They were somewhere in the middle and you weren’t embarrassed to say you bought their albums (that were so expensive – sometimes £5!) I think my friend Ste had “Absolutely”. I didn’t have it but probably taped it. I can still remember the front cover now. There were two big hits on the album if I remember - Baggy Trousers and Embarrassment.

The hotel I was staying in was just a ten minute walk away from Adelaide Road where Chalk Farm Station is so I went to have a look at the doorway where the album cover was shot. It doesn’t seem to have changed much since 1980 when the album was released. I didn’t go up too close as there was a lad sat begging. When anyone passed he’d hold up his hand and put the palm of his other hand across his heart.

Looking up Adelaide Road…

…and down…