LABI SIFFRE - It Must Be Love (1972)

[mcRioRemedy]

timeless

[TheChicadelmar]

played this at our wedding ceremony ..nearly a year ago =}

[whouster]

I've only recently discovered Labi Siffre is gay, and has been together with the same person for several decades. That fact alone, plus the sheer beauty of this song says something about how stupid the people who believe homosexuality is inherently wrong. It's really not a problem whichever sex a person is attracted to, this song is inspired by genuine love, and that's no bad thing.

[glavonjagrob]

@whouster no

[lladsbid]

@whouster I thought literally the same thing. Its really quite sweet isn't it?

[Rubisela20]

<3 !!

[katoness]

Madness did a good job on this, but have to say this is so much better.

[mrwells111]

@katoness I agree

[michaelb3197]

Bruno Mars is a poof.

[R3XzDiiSASTER]

Eredivisie voetbal :p

[robhondenkop2]

@R3XzDiiSASTER eigenlijks niet maar de cover ervan wel! :P

[mcRioRemedy]

PERFECTION

[TheFreemanuk]

i love this song so much !! i did a version, the vid is above please listen say hello x

[shannonperna]

play it loud to really appreciate!!!!!

[benmacca7]

This is a great song to wind two friends up with :)

[robhondenkop2]

woow this sounds great

[nznative77]

Classic!!

[silverfoxzx9]

Brand new

[theslice2]

<3

[TheFreemanuk]

check out my acoustic version above live 2011, thanks Labi x

[superlasonic]

Love it—more than Madness' version, this one is better for me.

[Marlygap]

Que Bella Cancíon!!!!.... Liiiindaaa!!! n.n!

[cwhile]

Ha ha - makes me laugh all those folks talking about Madness' version! It's easy to create a classic out of a classic - I lover their version too, but the original is better IMHO.

[jsdoddy]

madness do it way better, fair play to him for writin it tho

[TheLennyLemon]

I love this song :)

[marynortcliff]

omg brilliant song

[acdclover1231]

wow, madness is much bette lol

[1djaza]

ah Labi sings this the best ever!

[EvilJallaH]

4 people have never experienced true love before.

[lynsey627]

madness are much better x



[belle121able]

This was the first single I ever bought and 2 years ago played it at my wedding !!

[ukgreaterlondon]

keep the romantic ages flowing and say yes to orgasmic ladies .

[1903sch]

i luv this song..this is good,madness' good and Paolo nutini's cover is good too..can't give up on listening

[evsynator]

Proper music played by real musicians were hard to come by in the 60s and 70s on TV .... you had to read the TV mags to find when things were on once a week and if you missed it then you lost out .

[magic201058]

Loved him since the day I saw him in 1971

Drove my Mum & Sister mad playing this tillI wore it out

Thanks Labi for everything

[mcRioRemedy]

sweet

[digitaldowns]

yeah....I never knew any version but the Madness version. I wonder if Bruno is influenced by this guy. I just found a new artist to love!

[madbob5a]

I still find my strumming the guitar that I haven't got. Even after 30 odd years.

[sothiac5]

a quality record

[AbstractClarity1]

Wow it's 2011 and I just discovered Labi Siffre through an RJD2 song and boy do I love his style, grace, guitar playing, lyrics and voice.

[looterish]

Dear Labi, the early 70's were great days, and " it Must Be Love" was one of the records that I remember from that time. Thank you for brightening my life.

[davidhorbor3]

S**t i meant Labi!

[davidhorbor3]

And they say Mr. Mars compeses the best love songs.

Don't think so Bruno this person is the best: Labo Siffre!

[mademoisellepunk777]

@davidhorbor3 hahahaha you misspelled Labi

[Flatlegs]

They should have a 'LOVE' button

[harvey1954]

Must be making some dough if he's playing a Martin.

[MACHAWK123]

Always loved this song, both this and the wonderful Madness version - both are gems.

[djigr21]

is it just me r does bruno mars look like him haha

[EllyMcCormack]

The Black Bob.

[nitrammmah]

Lovely smile, lovely song, lovely man.

[rubberbandman84]

Mazin.

[philipg52]

Here is the genius behind a beautiful ballad.Madness,well they turned it into a plastic take away for the kids.Now they're old enough to feel the shame!

[ragdoll2309]

I love the Madness version, which is more of a feel good song for everybody. This seems to be a more specific version, more of a love song, but no less wonderful

[hiyadroogs]

@ragdoll2309 I prefer Labi's version, as it has lots of minor keys in it, which gives it a thoughtful retrospective sound that helps you to think about your life & the special people in it. Rather than a romantic ballad to one specific person, I like to think of this song as a heartfelt celebration of all the people who have been, or still are very important in our lives. The friend, the relative, the lover, or just the kindly souls we met along the way, who helped to shape who we are today.

[railman01]

@hiyadroogs I know what you mean. When a song as good as this makes you think and feel like that then it has to be musical perfection. I'm sick and tired of all the crap sounds around today. All mysogynistic, violent rap and Cowell manufactured throwaway tat

[hiyadroogs]

@railman01 Thanks Railman! I guess it has something to do with the music we grow up with as a background to our formative years. Songs we identify with as markers to our adolescent yearnings & successes, or regrets. But I will never be able to get my head around what young people today have to listen to as a vehicle for accessing their interior world! Most of it doesn't even have a melody, much less intelligent lyrics which give you pause for thought!

[leamlane36]

just magic

[ronaldosucks1]

briilant--great bass line too

[bondsee]

great song labbi i was 16 at time, great memories

[sonsofelma]

I think Labi makes a cameo in the Madness video, as one of the horn players, taking his shades off toward the end to reveal his identity. Can anyone verify?

[bondsee]

@sonsofelma he sure does !!!

[leggsuk49]

@sonsofelma yes that is Labi he removes his glasses and sings a few words.

[gazzymodo]

For those who may be interested, Labi was inspired to write "It Must Be Love" after listening to Paul McCartney's "Ram On" from the 1971 "RAM" album. Both songs use the Major 6th to Major 7th chord sequence.

[orangeedo]

And there was I, thinking Madness wrote it. I stand corrected =D.

[alisoneales]

Nothing more, nothing less, Labi's the best.

[riotofdablood]

@elderly922 

[wownouser]

wow what a gem! much better than Madness's version

[bondsee]

@wownouser you cant beat the original !!!!

[wownouser]

@bondsee

:))

[gazzymodo]

Here's the Thing.... Nothing More, Nothing Less, Love is the BEST !!!! x

[gazzymodo]

Madness are no doubt a great band, but their version of this gentle & beautiful labi siffre song is far too harsh with it's sledgehammer approach ! Despite labi appearing in the original madness vid, his is easily the BEST version.

[DrMontague]

@gazzymodo Hear Hear

[longstroker68]

Im a massive Madness fan but this original is much better.

[saminsaigon]

When my mother bought this in '71 I was nine years old. This is the first time I've heard it for at least 35 years and I remember it like it was yesterday.

Can't wait to call my sister and play it to her. It reminded my how good life was then.

[215kathleenx]

wot a total proper wicked far out tube labi i love you and the gizza who put it on youtube

[LukeCampion]

<333

[mwardle100]

this brings back so many memeries

[PokePacksTV]

madness is better

[aztec323]

Dedicated to my wifey. I love you.

[glynicus]

Superb song - I remember and loved the original but Madness did a good cover. I still love them both!

[Fuckmyfatassoneeye]

@glynicus Madness did a horrible cover of this song.

[Iluvthosetightp]

@glynicus yes Madness turned it to their own style and made a better song but the original is also nice.

[ronaldosucks1]

great song--reminds me of a time when life was a little simpler

[bondsee]

still a great song labi ! after all these years,brings back lots of good memories

[madbob5a]

@bondsee I was 12 and a little skinhead when I first heard this song. And it's still stuck in my head . Madness's version is just as good.

[bondsee]

@madbob5a I WAS A BIG SKINHEAD !! WITH ME DOC MARTINS AND BRACES GREAT DAYS LONG GONE !!!

[2002elm]

Nice touch from Madness to have Siffre at the end of their video for their cover of this song. The original is pure quality, the Madness cover does it justice

[UKCheeseFarmer]

Dedicated to my adorable girlfriend Samantha. I love you entirely, everyday, always.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Gentleman!! If you like a lady tell her! Do NOT wait.

Sam I love you xxx

[marivor58]

The Madness cover is egregious.This is a great song.

[goldheartbadge]

One of my favourite songs ever.

[UKCheeseFarmer]

I can close my eyes and tingle all over to this.  Makes the hair on the back of my neck raise up like porcupine quills!

Thanks for uploading.

[whouster]

Lovely song. Definitely a case of the original being best, though Madness deserve credit for doing an excellent cover.

[gazzymodo]

I believe Labi wrote "It must be love", after hearing Paul McCartney's song ''Ram on'', from the 'RAM' album in 1971. This is still beautiful song, and i think, much much better than the Madness version.

[MystiffDawn]

Some songs just aren't like all the others.

The memories that this song brings.... oh my God!!

[TheRobintheboywonder]

This is my great uncle! I've only seen him perform once,and I love watching him work.

[lindaronstadt]

simply the very best

[branezg]

great song, but Nutini cover is better for me..;)

[colinjohnlowth]

On behalf of all the over 60s who never stopped loving this man, I must point out that it was his song - Madness did well with it, but the man's sincerity still stops me in my tracks, and many others too I suspect...

[geoac]

@colinjohnlowth

only 53 thank u! heard this when i was in nappies!

[llanbradach]

He had a great voice, and to think I thought this was a Madness song.

[jamesjonesrocket]

I thought this was a madness song as well!

[bubbledick]

He appeared infact,right at the end of the Video Madness did when they covered this :)

[sibionic]

Actually Suggs said he was pissed off with Madness' success with the song - which LS wrote. But maybe the Madness version is superior.

[Stratboy999]

Such a beautiful song. Uplifting.

[stufa1978]

I've been wanting to see the original for ages.

[Emmanuel0Pixie]

Heart broken :(

[no1sgotthisname]

Didn't you guys ever wonder who was the this bloke was, when he took off the sunglasses in the madness video?

[llanbradach]

What a voice, and I thought that this was written by Madness? ignorance in this case wasn't bliss.

[Patsik]

I didn't know it was Labi who did the original.

Only knew his "Something inside so strong...".

But I always loved this version.

[agfagaevart]

Their version (A Top 10 hit in December 1981) was soo good that, when a bank used it in their ads, they only paid royalties to Labi. Until Madness sued them.

[heru1966]

@llanbradach Hi there. Back in 1980, the BBC used to have the test card and this is actually when and where I first heard it. I always liked the song and when I saw Madness live in October 1981, I was surprised when they played it as their encore. They did a great version and Labi laughed all the way to the bank. A win/win. :-)

[johnwsmith5]

@llanbradach i like this song

[field231055]

this was a hit when i was still at school had first girlfriend sung to me by her friends and yes it was love.

[aimeemacdn]

I love the Madness version but knowing that this was the original, it does sound purer. Still enjoy Madness' version though, and love Labi's cameo in the video.

[dom252]

The Paolo Nutini version is my favourite! Might just be because it's the first one I heard, but I like the reggae feel he's used.. kinda hard to be 'better' than an original, but his beats the Madness version in my opinion.

[bobski1976]

this is a qaulity video,

thanks for posting.

[khristinnn]

madness' is better

[02hughesa]

this is sooo much better than the madness version..! love it

[jumbella]

love it

[forestgumpaed]

thanks for posting such a wonderful song.

[rorytors]

didn't realise this was Labi's song.madness version is good but it'd good to hear a song the way it was originally written.he does a grest job.

[catblack10]

I saw him do this song at Southampton University UK around 1970 - he was awesome

[thejock55]

damn how old are you?

[rockinout94]

lovely.

this man has lovely vocals.

[draciel80]

where can i find the bass tabs to this song??? this song is so awesome!!!

[RMCKIE]

This mans voice is terrific he could sing the phone directory and it would soung great. I love this song.

[SlushPile]

I love this song , it's so sweet. Madness' cover is good too.

[CaptainCherryPie]

so this is the original yes?

i wonder how many more great songs i will encounter on utube that are originally from some dude that nobody ever hears from.

[IbrahimovicPoli]

a legend

[mal334455]

superb song and underated,should be played for todays generation

[mrJanneman]

It maker me think about all the love in the world.

It played at my wedding and that was very emotional

[TheFunkeyGibbon]

Great voice. :-) Such a happy song. Makes me think of summer love.

[Russ1367]

This was the first record I ever bought aged 4!! (ok bought for me) apparently I begged my Mum for it. I went up in her loft last weekend and found it! Happy days....

[philipg52]

Pure class is impossible to improve.The man had shedloads of it.

[genia106]

EXCELLENT!

[kirri2003]

my all time favorite record and version

[ThePhunckyOne]

A simple tune. I can't knock it. But listening to it just compels me want to hear Madness's version.

[sunkat76]

miss you so much Davey x

[AWAK187]

Great song

[infernalzen]

i heard this on the radio +it was amazing!

i'd never heard the original before :)

i hope labi can know his song is loved still

[SonicJCG]

This is a lovely version, madness did a great cover of this and it was nice to see Labi siffre in the video! xx

[ALFAGOMMA]

I remember this song when it was a hit, as well as the TV show GTK (Getting To Know). Great stuff.

[Aardvarked88]

Record sales mean nothing, Britney spears has sold more than Miles Davis and John Coltrane put together.

Madness are annoying tosh, if you like them - good on you.

[123HLC]

yeah but shes crap just eye candy thats all

[Aardvarked88]

Thus proving my point about record sales not being the be all and end all factor in analysing music.

[titomufnz]

...fuck the records you sold

cuz if you go platinum, it's got nothing to do with luck

it just means that a million people are stupid as fuck!

-immortal technique

[WalshNo5]

Not many songs that can have such an exceptional original and a brilliant cover version, but Madness definitely came up with an exquisite cover version of this !!

[almightygingey]

what a memory recall, brilliant

[geoac]

OOOOOOH!! Been looking for this since I sold the album to my little sis for 50p!!!!

[junebrady]

love it , love it. back in the 70's i only had 6 records - this was one of them - i played it over and over!

[mosel14]

Check out the Madness version! It's much better in my opinion!

[wingobingo]

Hey kids check out the b side to this song b y labsy - "to find love" amazing bloody amazing!!!!!!!!!

[andyegan5525]

Iv just come back from my friends funeral. She was only 19, but had cystic fibrosis. She picked this version of this song for her service. I love her so much and this song means so much to me. Thanks for putting this song on here xxx

*As soon as i wake up every night, everyday... I know that it's you i need to take the blues away*

RIP Georigia. You're always in my heart in my dreams in my life... Keep shining my gorgeous star xxx

[poopyloo6]

Beautiful and the first song I learned to play on guitar, the intro chords are so simple, all open strings then add a finger 2nd fret E string. I'm just teaching it to my 8 year old daughter.

[gooflafarge]

I had no idea this song was so old. Im older than it! Shit !

[Krzyszczynski]

A measure of the timeless excellence of this song is the frequency with which it still crops up in TV adverts (though this version remains the best). One just hopes LS continues to hold the copyright and thus reap his just rewards.

[Noragirlie63]

This is a wonderful, beautiful yet very simple song (( am not commenting on the technological side just the listening side. Labi Siffre is pure genius - thanks for posting!

[431972]

great song ...!!!!

[taildragger51]

Labi Siffre was perfection both visually & musically. He still is! When i first saw this guy on UK TV in 1970 i just couldn't believe what i was hearing & seeing. Black artists in 1970 were either reggae singers or soul stars but here was a totally unique guy with a voice like an angel. Pure , sincere talent..no posing. This is one of the greatest ever love songs but Labi's human rights songs are greater than Bob Dylans. (for me anyway)

[ilovepepe2]

what a great song...love it

[crewzaa]

guitar.vocals and amazing talent:)

[mimicourt]

tune!

[chaz1394]

luv it :D

[FIREBLADEONE]

Pure magic, lovely lyrics, a great song!!!

[Temorablue]

Brilliant, nice video.

[greencatgo]

Great song! Very interesting to watch him play guitar.

[taildragger51]

greencatgo; Labi was a superb jazz guitarist before becoming a singer. Influenced by Wes Montgomery and Django Reinhardt and Blues. I recall seeing him in an instrumental band called "Safari" (jazz combo trio) in Soho (London/UK) must've been around 1966. I never knew the guy had such a brilliant voice until many yrs later when he appeared on TV. Uniquely pure talent. No pretense. Very rare these days.

[hannerdino]

totally agree i jsut ehard the madness version it ruined it. orignals are the best ;)

[illyasmith]

You 'just heard the Madness version'... wake up and smell the coffee. Have you just climbed out of a time capsule predating the eighties?????

[jokergame]

What irritates is that this song is probably now more famous for the version that Madness murdered. LS made one or two more then disappeared from view but he has a wonderful clear singing voice and really should have been bigger

[taildragger51]

jokergame;  Yes, i agree. "Madness' turned the song into a comical parody whereas it's a wistful, floating ballad. Besides which Labi Siffre was alot nicer to look at. The guy's got film star looks.

[illyasmith]

Same goes with your comment as I have responded to 'jokergame'!

Madness are not ridiculing or mocking the original version, instead they are making it their own with typical Madness antics. It was a formula that worked incredibly well for them at the time, making them one of Britains top bands of the early eighties. They still managed to deal with many serious issues if you actually took notice of their lyrics (eg. 'Embarrassment' dealing with racism). Their latest music has matured like them!

[taildragger51]

illyasmith; It's just my opinion and really our opinions mean very little.(not just mine. YOURS as well) Yes, i'm sure they are a very nice, clever bunch of lads but i'm not into gimmicks although gimmicks rule in the commercial pop industry. Siffre was never into gimmickery therefore got left on his own.

[illyasmith]

Hello 'taildragger51' Our opinions do mean a lot... well to us any way! LOL!

I like Labi's version too so you get no argument from me there!

But Madness' version obviously struck a chord with many people like myself. Enough to sit high in the charts for some time.

But then again... I'm not going to defend a band whose record sales and longevity speak for themselves. They don't need my little voice!

Back to Labi Siffre... great to hear this version again after so many years. Thanks muchly!

[WalshNo5]

Embarrassment, I thought, was dealing with teenage pregnancy??

Madness paid homage to Labi... they certainly did not murder it! You may not have been into ska or Madness but let me tell you, they have many loyal fans, so choose your critisisms wisely. LOL!

Personally, I enjoyed both versions and understand how Madness had