Mike Barson

This article is about the musician. For the footballer, see Mike Balson.

Mike Barson
Barson performing live with Madness in 2013
Background information
Born	Michael Barson (1958-04-21) 21 April 1958 Edinburgh, Scotland
Genres	Ska pop new wave 2-tone
Occupations	Multi-instrumentalist songwriter composer
Instruments	Keyboards piano organ harmonica vibraphone guitar saxophone
Years active	1976–1984 1986 1989–present
Labels	2 Tone Stiff Virgin V2 Go! Discs Lucky 7
Member of	Madness
Website	madness.co.uk

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Michael Barson (born 21 April 1958) is a British multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and composer. In a career spanning more than 45 years, Barson came to prominence in the late 1970s as keyboard player for the band Madness. He is often known by the nicknames "Monsieur Barso" or "Barzo".

Barson was the primary lyricist and composer for the band, writing such hits as "My Girl", "Night Boat to Cairo", "The Return of the Los Palmas 7", "Driving in My Car", "The Sun and the Rain", and the band's only UK number one, "House of Fun". Barson left the band in 1984, shortly after completing the recording of their Keep Moving album. Barson has been with the band since their reformation in 1992.