Labi Siffre: The Soulful Voice of British Folk and Protest

Labi Siffre is a British singer-songwriter, poet, and activist whose career spans several decades. While his 1970s work blended folk, soul, and pop, he is perhaps best known globally for the 1972 single It Must Be Love, later a major hit for Madness.

Early career

Born in 1945 in London, Labi Siffre began his professional music career in the late 1960s. He released his debut album, Labi Siffre, in 1970 on the Pye label, establishing his signature style of intricate guitar work and thoughtful, personal lyrics.

Breakthrough

Siffre's commercial breakthrough in the UK came with his third album, 1972's Crying, Laughing, Loving, Lying. The album featured the timeless love song It Must Be Love, which reached the UK Top 20 and became his signature tune, later certified Silver for sales.

Key tracks

It Must Be Love - This 1972 ballad remains his most famous composition, popularized for a new generation by the ska band Madness in 1981.

(Something Inside) So Strong - A powerful 1987 anti-apartheid anthem that won an Ivor Novello Award and became a global protest standard.

Cannock Chase - A 1975 track notable for its distinctive bassline, which was later sampled by numerous hip-hop artists, most famously by Eminem.

Throughout the 1970s, Siffre released a series of acclaimed albums, including Remember My Song in 1975. After a hiatus from recording in the early 1980s, he returned with renewed political focus, writing (Something Inside) So Strong, which became a top 5 UK hit in 1987.

Labi Siffre's influence extends beyond his own recordings, with his music being sampled by prominent hip-hop and R&B acts like Kanye West and Jay-Z. His work consistently combines melodic folk-soul with profound lyrical content, addressing love, identity, and social justice.

Listeners who appreciate the lyrical depth and melodic craftsmanship of Labi Siffre might also enjoy the work of Nick Drake, who shared a similar introspective folk style. The soulful pop of Joan Armatrading offers a comparable blend of genres and emotional resonance. For another British songwriter with a sharp political edge, explore Billy Bragg.