Song: It Must be Love
Artist(s): Madness
Original artist: Labi Siffre
The co-founder of Stiff Records was ready to put his money where his mouth was when he
suggested to the group Madness that they do a cover version of the Labi Siffre hit, It Must be
Love.
Dave Robinson of Stiff said he would give the record company to the group if the song didn’t at
least make the top five in the UK charts. It peaked at No 4 so the record label did not have to
change hands. We also have Stiff to thank for artists such as The Damned, Lene
Lovich, Wreckless Eric , Elvis Costello, Ian Dury, The Pogues, The Belle Stars and Kirsty MacColl.
As you might gather from the above Madness members were not exactly sold on the idea of
covering the song. They said they were done with doing covers. Nothing against Siffre, indeed
he would end up having a role in the official video (Siffre is the one on the far right of the
violinists who takes his glasses off at the end of the video below).
When you listen to the two versions, there are marked differences, which maybe is the best
approach to doing a cover version.
For those unfamiliar with Labi Siffre he is perhaps best known for writing the anti-apartheid
anthem, Something Inside so Strong. This song has since become a staple for many a choir.
