It Must Be Love
Encyclopedia
"It Must Be Love" is a song written and originally recorded in 1971 by Labi Siffre
. However, the best known version was recorded by ska/pop band Madness
in 1981.
The song was featured in the 1989 movie, The Tall Guy
starring Jeff Goldblum
, Rowan Atkinson
and Emma Thompson
. Suggs
also appeared in the movie whilst singing this song. The single was reissued to tie in with the film but was not a hit on that occasion.
A version with altered lyrics was used to advertise Midland Bank
in 1994, and Madness' version was also used to advertise LoveFilm
in 2009. Siffre's original version also appeared in a 2007 UK television advertisement for Vodafone
.
The singer of the Belgian group Arid
, Jasper Steverlinck, also released a cover of this song
. It also appeared on his 1972 album Crying Laughing Loving Lying
.
Madness' version was originally issued as a standalone single in 1981 and appeared on their UK number one compilation album Complete Madness
the following year, and on many other Madness compilations since. In 1983, it peaked in the US Billboard Magazine chart at #33.
The video mostly shows band members playing in a white room and standing over a grave. It also features guitarist Chris Foreman
and saxophonist Lee Thompson playing their instruments underwater. Foreman appears at the start of the video warning viewers not to attempt the "very dangerous stunt" they are about to see, presumably referring to the swimming pool sequence. Labi Siffre makes a cameo appearance as a violin player.
Madness' recording was re-issued in 1992
, and this time reached #6 in the UK charts. A slightly remixed version with a definite ending instead of the original fade-out, appeared on the 2002 compilation Our House: the Best of Madness. More recently, in 2007
, a remixed version of the song appeared in the German
Edgar Wallace
spoof movie Neues vom Wixxer, along with a new recording called “NW5”. As well as the remix to the song, a new video was filmed, including the band and members of the cast.
Also in 2007, Paolo Nutini
covered the song for BBC Radio 1
's cover compilation album, Radio 1 Established 1967
.
Two other UK issues of the Madness version appeared but did not chart. In 1987 "It Must Be Love" was released on the re-issue label Old Gold Records, backed with "My Girl
", and in 1988 Virgin released a 7" to coincide with the song's appearance in The Tall Guy
, backed with "Return of the Los Palmas 7".
Labi Siffre
Labi Siffre is a British poet, songwriter, musician and singer most widely known as the writer and singer of " So Strong", "It Must Be Love" and "I Got The", the sampled rhythm track which provides the basis for a number of well-known hip hop tracks such as Eminem’s breakthrough hit single, "My...
. However, the best known version was recorded by ska/pop band Madness
Madness (band)
In 1979, the band recorded the Lee Thompson composition "The Prince". The song, like the band's name, paid homage to their idol, Prince Buster. The song was released through 2 Tone Records, the label of The Specials founder Jerry Dammers. The song was a surprise hit, peaking in the UK music charts...
in 1981.
The song was featured in the 1989 movie, The Tall Guy
The Tall Guy
The Tall Guy is a 1989 romantic comedy and the feature film debut of screenwriter Richard Curtis and director Mel Smith. It was produced by London Weekend Television for theatrical release and stars Jeff Goldblum, Emma Thompson, and Rowan Atkinson...
starring Jeff Goldblum
Jeff Goldblum
Jeffrey Lynn "Jeff" Goldblum is an American actor. His career began in the mid-1970s and he has appeared in major box-office successes including The Fly, Jurassic Park and its sequel Jurassic Park: The Lost World, and Independence Day...
, Rowan Atkinson
Rowan Atkinson
Rowan Sebastian Atkinson is a British actor, comedian, and screenwriter. He is most famous for his work on the satirical sketch comedy show Not The Nine O'Clock News, and the sitcoms Blackadder, Mr. Bean and The Thin Blue Line...
and Emma Thompson
Emma Thompson
Emma Thompson is a British actress, comedian and screenwriter. Her first major film role was in the 1989 romantic comedy The Tall Guy. In 1992, Thompson won multiple acting awards, including an Academy Award and a BAFTA Award for Best Actress, for her performance in the British drama Howards End...
. Suggs
Suggs (singer)
Graham McPherson , better known as Suggs, is an English singer, actor, former radio DJ, TV personality, and most famous as the frontman of the band Madness.-Early life:...
also appeared in the movie whilst singing this song. The single was reissued to tie in with the film but was not a hit on that occasion.
A version with altered lyrics was used to advertise Midland Bank
Midland Bank
Midland Bank Plc was one of the Big Four banking groups in the United Kingdom for most of the 20th century. It is now part of HSBC. The bank was founded as the Birmingham and Midland Bank in Union Street, Birmingham, England in August 1836...
in 1994, and Madness' version was also used to advertise LoveFilm
LoveFilm
LoveFilm is a UK-based provider of home video and video game rental through DVD-by-mail and streaming video on demand in the UK, Germany and Scandinavia...
in 2009. Siffre's original version also appeared in a 2007 UK television advertisement for Vodafone
Vodafone
Vodafone Group Plc is a global telecommunications company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the world's largest mobile telecommunications company measured by revenues and the world's second-largest measured by subscribers , with around 341 million proportionate subscribers as of...
.
The singer of the Belgian group Arid
Arid (band)
Arid is a Belgian rock band, formed in the mid-1990s, made up of four members: Jasper Steverlinck , David Du Pré , Filip Ros and Steven Van Havere .-History:...
, Jasper Steverlinck, also released a cover of this song
Releases
The original Labi Siffre recording was released as a single in 1971, and reached number 14 in the UK singles chartUK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
. It also appeared on his 1972 album Crying Laughing Loving Lying
Crying Laughing Loving Lying
Crying Laughing Loving Lying is the 1972 release by Labi Siffre.All songs written, performed and produced by Labi Siffre. The album was recorded at Chappells in London....
.
Madness' version was originally issued as a standalone single in 1981 and appeared on their UK number one compilation album Complete Madness
Complete Madness
Complete Madness is the first greatest hits album by ska/pop group Madness. It was released in 1982 and included Madness' biggest hits from their first three studio albums and all the stand-alone singles. Complete Madness spent 99 weeks on the UK charts peaking at number 1...
the following year, and on many other Madness compilations since. In 1983, it peaked in the US Billboard Magazine chart at #33.
The video mostly shows band members playing in a white room and standing over a grave. It also features guitarist Chris Foreman
Chris Foreman
Chris Foreman , nicknamed Chrissy Boy, is an English guitarist, best known as a member of a second wave ska band, Madness.Foreman started Madness with Mike Barson and Lee Thompson in 1976...
and saxophonist Lee Thompson playing their instruments underwater. Foreman appears at the start of the video warning viewers not to attempt the "very dangerous stunt" they are about to see, presumably referring to the swimming pool sequence. Labi Siffre makes a cameo appearance as a violin player.
Madness' recording was re-issued in 1992
1992 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1992.-January–February:*January 11**Nirvana's Nevermind album goes to #1 in the US Billboard 200 chart, establishing the widespread popularity of the Grunge movement of the 1990s....
, and this time reached #6 in the UK charts. A slightly remixed version with a definite ending instead of the original fade-out, appeared on the 2002 compilation Our House: the Best of Madness. More recently, in 2007
2007 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 2007.-January:*January 1 - George Shearing is knighted for services to music in the Queen's New Year Honours List. Evelyn Glennie becomes a Dame...
, a remixed version of the song appeared in the German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
Edgar Wallace
Edgar Wallace
Richard Horatio Edgar Wallace was an English crime writer, journalist, novelist, screenwriter, and playwright, who wrote 175 novels, 24 plays, and numerous articles in newspapers and journals....
spoof movie Neues vom Wixxer, along with a new recording called “NW5”. As well as the remix to the song, a new video was filmed, including the band and members of the cast.
Also in 2007, Paolo Nutini
Paolo Nutini
Paolo Giovanni Nutini is a Scottish singer, songwriter and musician from Paisley. His father is of Italian descent, from Barga, Tuscany, although both his parents are Scottish, his family having been in Scotland for three generations....
covered the song for BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
's cover compilation album, Radio 1 Established 1967
Radio 1 Established 1967
The compilation album Radio 1 Established 1967 is a collection of covers especially recorded for Radio 1 by a number of artists. The album celebrates the 40th anniversary of BBC Radio 1. There are 40 songs recorded by 40 different artists . Each artist was given a year, and were allowed to cover a...
.
Madness version, 1992 reissue
- "It Must Be Love" - 3:19
- "Bed and Breakfast Man" - 2:33
Two other UK issues of the Madness version appeared but did not chart. In 1987 "It Must Be Love" was released on the re-issue label Old Gold Records, backed with "My Girl
My Girl (Madness song)
"My Girl" is a song by British ska/pop group Madness from their debut album, One Step Beyond.... It was written by Mike Barson. The song was released as a single on 21 December 1979 and spent 10 weeks on the UK Singles Chart peaking at number 3....
", and in 1988 Virgin released a 7" to coincide with the song's appearance in The Tall Guy
The Tall Guy
The Tall Guy is a 1989 romantic comedy and the feature film debut of screenwriter Richard Curtis and director Mel Smith. It was produced by London Weekend Television for theatrical release and stars Jeff Goldblum, Emma Thompson, and Rowan Atkinson...
, backed with "Return of the Los Palmas 7".
External links
- It Must Be Love entry on BBC Radio 2BBC Radio 2BBC Radio 2 is one of the BBC's national radio stations and the most popular station in the United Kingdom. Much of its daytime playlist-based programming is best described as Adult Contemporary or AOR, although the station is also noted for its specialist broadcasting of other musical genres...
's Sold on Song site