Paul Weller and Suggs join forces for new single

Virgin Radio

5 May 2022, 10:21

Madness frontman Suggs and the Modfather Paul Weller have teamed up for a belting new single, called Ooh Do U Fink U R.

The collaboration sees the pair revisit their 1970s comprehensive school lives in London and Woking, with Suggs explaining: “I think teachers are the best people in the world, I love them with all my heart. But you know all those great teachers you read about who dragged their pupils up, and encouraged them and made them into the best possible version of themselves they could be? Well, unfortunately, I didn’t have one of those!”

Explaining the song’s title, the Madness man continued: “Ooh Do U Fink U R was a phrase I heard more often than I wished and sums up my school years – constantly being told to know my place and keep in my box, being given no encouragement but still never giving in, and never giving up.”

He added: “Chatting to Paul reminded me of those experiences. We both found enthusiasm and a purpose in music, and that pulled us through.”

Paul Weller - who was recently the special guest at Madness’ London Teenage Cancer Trust show - said: “Me and Suggs have been talking about doing something together for the last few years so to see it finally happen is amazing! I love the tune and working with him.”

The ex-Jam musician added: “He’s truly a man of many talents. We wanted to do something special and I really think this track is.”

Check out the video, created by longtime Madness collaborator DNO, for Ooh Do U Fink U R here:

Having known each other on-and-off over the last four decades, the pair sowed the seeds of this collaboration in 2019, when Weller joined Suggs on his Radio Four series Love Letters To London. 

When lockdown hit, the two music legends began to chat more frequently about music, clothes and football, and started exchanging half-finished songs, demos and lyrics. And so, Ooh Do U Fink U R was born.

The song was recorded at Weller’s Black Barn Studio in Surrey. A limited-edition numbered 7″ vinyl has already sold-out through pre-sales, but the single is available on the usual streaming platforms.