Madness

Madness' cover of Labi Siffre's "It Must Be Love" percolates with goofy self-awareness as a delightfully dopey love song with an irresistible hook. British pop fans seem to be unable to resist it. The song has become the Brigadoon of popular music, reappearing on the charts every ten years. The original Siffre version peaked at number 14 in 1971, only to be beaten a decade later by the number four performance of the 1980 Madness edition. The cover returned to the fourth spot in 1992 when it was re-released on one of a series of EPs sold in support of the greatest hits compilation Divine Madness. It has also gained popularity among film producers, popping up in comedies like The Tall Guy and The Bachelor. Virgin filled the 1992 EPs with an unpredictable hodgepodge of material from its Madness archives. "It Must Be Love" was mated (for no particular reason) with the popular album track "Bed and Breakfast Man" and two early-'80s era B-sides. Both are reasonably catchy, though Carl Smyth's "dumb guy" vocals on "Don't Quote Me on That" get a little tiresome by the end of the song. Fans should beware before purchasing the single: All of these tracks are available on the three-disc box set The Business. ~ Evan Cater, All Music Guide