Labi Siffre -

Labi Siffre is an English singer/songwriter, poet, and playwright who released six albums between 1970 and 1975 on Pye/EMI. He scored UK hits with the 1971/72 singles “It Must Be Love” (later covered by Madness) and “Crying Laughing Loving Lying.” After twelve years away from music, he returned with the 1987 hit “(Something Inside) So Strong.”

Background

He was born Claudius Afolabi Siffre on June 25, 1945, in Hammersmith and raised in Hampstead with his four siblings by their Nigerian father and English/Barbadian mother. He got his formal education at St Benedict’s School, a Catholic private day school in Ealing. He then attended the Eric Gilder School of Music in London’s Soho district.

Post-college, Siffre worked as a cab driver and played guitar in the house band at Annie Ross’s jazz club.

Labi Siffre

Labi Siffre released his self-titled debut album in May 1970 on Pye International.

The album introduces Siffre’s early songwriting voice across a sequence of soul-tinged ballads and bittersweet pop numbers centered on acoustic guitar, gentle piano, and tender vocal delivery. Most tracks follow a minimal core arrangement enriched—often conservatively—by orchestral and brass overlays conducted by Ian Green. Siffre’s acoustic framework remains most direct and affecting on self-arranged numbers like “Too Late” and “Love Song for Someone,” while select reissue bonus tracks showcase a leaner, more intimate aesthetic that foregrounds his lyrical sincerity.

Siffre composed all tracks apart from the Bee Gees cover “Words” and the Harry Nilsson number “Maybe.” He plays acoustic guitar throughout and adds piano on “I Love You.” Ian Green arranged and conducted most material, with Siffre arranging the Gibb and Nilsson covers.

A1. “Too Late” (3:14)
A2. “Words” (2:12) — composed by Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb
A3. “Something on My Mind” (2:34)
A4. “Maybe Tomorrow” (3:15)
A5. “You and I Should Be Together” (2:54)
A6. “I Don’t Know What’s Happened to the Kids Today” (3:12)

B1. “I Love You” (2:24)
B2. “Make My Day” (2:55)
B3. “A Little More Line” (3:35)
B4. “Maybe” (2:38) — composed by Harry Nilsson
B5. “You and I Should Be Together” (2:54)
B6. “Love Song for Someone” (2:41)

Sessions took place in London under producer Ian Green, with orchestral and rhythm arrangements recorded in tandem. Siffre’s original compositions were published by Abigail and Groovy; the covers were sourced via Sunbury and other rights holders.

Labi Siffre features cover photography by Marc Bicker and was printed by Garrod & Lofthouse Ltd. The album was issued in mono and stereo editions.

“Too Late” backed with “Make My Day” appeared as a single (Pye International 7N 25528) on July 10, 1970.

The 2006 CD reissue adds six Siffre-arranged demos: “Why Did You Go, Why Did You Leave Me” (3:16), “I Just Couldn’t Live Without Her” (2:38), “Last Night Tonight” (4:06), “Maybe When We Dance” (4:04), “Ask Me to Stay” (3:53), and “Here We Are” (2:40).

The Singer and the Song

Labi Siffre released his second album, The Singer and the Song, in 1971 on Pye.

The album presents a concise, largely acoustic set built on spare arrangements and introspective lyrics, shifting between short transitional sketches and fully developed ballads. Siffre alternates between 6- and 12-string acoustic guitar and employs piano and kazoo on select tracks. Intimate in tone and minimalist in texture, the album favors gentle pacing and lyrical self-reflection. Musical directors Gordon Beck and John Bell provide subtle harmonic support while engineers Damon Lyon-Shaw and John Timperley capture the album’s warm, unembellished atmosphere.

Siffre wrote all fifteen tracks and performs all guitars, backing vocals, and additional instruments.

A1. “Nothing In the World Like Love” (3:17) — with piano by Labi Siffre
A2. “You’re Lovely” (0:26)
A3. “A Number of Words” (2:19)
A4. “Who Do You See” (2:50)
A5. “Not So Long Ago” (1:56)
A6. “The Shadow of Your Love” (3:28)
A7. “When I’m On My Own You Are On My Mind” (1:17)

B1. “Rocking Chair” (2:23)
B2. “Interlude” (2:57)
B3. “Thank Your Lucky Star” (2:55)
B4. “Talkabout” (2:58)
B5. “Relax” (2:26)
B6. “Bless the Telephone” (1:36)
B7. “Summer Is Coming” (3:10)
B8. “Goodbye” (0:32)

Sessions took place at Chappell Studios and IBC Studios with production by Ian Green and Labi Siffre. Greville Litho Ltd. handled printing and pressing.

“Thank Your Lucky Star” backed with “When You Find You Need a Friend” appeared in February 1971 on 7″ (Pye International 7N 25542). A non-album single, “Get to the Country” backed with “A Feeling I Got,” followed on July 9 (7N 25560).

The 2006 CD reissue on EMI adds six bonus tracks: “Get to the Country” (3:01), “Till Nighttime Comes Along” (3:35), “Fallin’ for You” (2:39), “Oh What a Day” (2:25), “Just a Face” (2:06), and “Seasons Come, Seasons Go” (2:11).

Crying Laughing Loving Lying

Labi Siffre released his third album, Crying Laughing Loving Lying, in October 1972 on Pye.

The album refines Siffre’s blend of soul-tinged pop and orchestrated balladry with increased stylistic range and a more personal lyrical tone. Sparse piano-led sketches alternate with elaborately scored chamber pop; horn, woodwind, and string parts heighten the dynamic scope of several tracks. Siffre’s vocals maintain their intimate presence throughout, supported by subtle jazz touches and restrained rhythmic backing. Highlights include the warm, uke-framed “It Must Be Love” and the tender title track, both issued as UK singles. Multiple guest musicians appear in rotational units shaped by Siffre’s own production and arrangements.

Siffre wrote, arranged, and produced all 12 tracks. He plays acoustic guitar, electric piano, celesta, and piano.

A1. “Saved” (2:00)
A2. “Cannock Chase” (3:57) — piano by Siffre; rhythm section with Les Hurdle (bass), Brian Bennett (drums); flute, bassoon, French horn, and strings conducted by Nick Ingman
A3. “Fool Me a Good Night” (3:30)
A4. “It Must Be Love” (3:42) — celesta and ukulele by Siffre; electric piano by Francis Monkman; drums by Barry DeSouza; flutes and bassoon arranged for soft chamber contrast
A5. “Gimme Some More” (2:50) — electric piano by Peter Robinson; bass by Dave Richmond; drums by Bennett
A6. “Blue Lady” (5:00) — celesta by Monkman; electric piano by Siffre; rhythm by Bennett and Richmond

B1. “Love Oh Love Oh Love” (4:22) — organ by Monkman; rhythm by Richmond and Bennett; electric piano by Siffre
B2. “Crying, Laughing, Loving, Lying” (2:50) — Siffre plays bass, organ, and electric piano; drums by DeSouza
B3. “Hotel Room Song” (2:50) — celesta by Siffre; bass by Hurdle
B4. “My Song” (4:30) — piano by Siffre and Vanessa Poole; wind and brass arranged by Ingman
B5. “’Till Forever” (1:08)
B6. “Come On Michael” (2:50) — electric piano by Siffre

Sessions took place at Chappell Studios, London, with engineering by John Luard Timperley and assistance from Colin MacLiesh, Gordon Edge, and Robert Golding. Hipgnosis provided the sleeve photography.

“It Must Be Love” backed with “To Find Love” appeared as a single on November 5, 1971 (Pye International 7N 25572), reaching No. 14 on the UK Singles Chart. “Crying, Laughing, Loving, Lying” followed on March 3, 1972, backed with “Why Did You Go, Why Did You Leave Me” (7N 25576), peaking at No. 11.

Two non-album singles appeared in 1972–73: “Watch Me” / “Here We Are” (7N 25586, July 14) and “Give Love” / “Last Night Tonight” (7N 25602, Jan. 19).

The 2006 CD reissue includes six bonus tracks: “You Make It Easy” (4:12), “Good Old Days” (3:12), “Pristine Verses” (3:03), “You’ll Let Me Know” (3:50), “Oh Me Oh My Mr City Goodbye” (3:52), and “For the Lovin’” (4:30).

For the Children

Labi Siffre released his fourth album, For the Children, in November 1973 on Pye.

The album deepens Siffre’s turn toward socially aware lyricism and slow-paced introspection, with arrangements that range from spare piano-and-voice to layered, meditative compositions stretching beyond the six- and eight-minute mark. He uses length and repetition to explore themes of inherited struggle (“Children of Children”), moral erosion (“Entertainment Value”), and belief (“If You Have Your Faith”), framed by a quietly urgent delivery and simple harmonic patterns. Orchestration is used with restraint, emphasizing tone over texture and giving each track space to breathe.

Siffre wrote, arranged, and produced all ten songs. He recorded the album at EMI Studios with engineers Peter Vince and Tony Clark, assisted by John Barrett.

A1. “Somesay” (3:50)
A2. “Children of Children” (6:17)
A3. “Entertainment Value” (4:05)
A4. “Odds and Ends” (4:52)
A5. “Prayer” (1:50)

B1. “Let’s Pretend” (8:45)
B2. “Someday” (4:25)
B3. “If You Have Your Faith” (3:58)
B4. “For the Children” (3:35)
B5. “Give Love” (3:17)

All titles were published by Groovy Music Ltd. and issued under the international licensing of Polydor International GmbH. Allan Burrows Ltd. designed the cover art and packaging.

“If You Have Your Faith” backed with “Oh Me Oh My Mr. City Goodbye” appeared as a single on October 19, 1973 (Pye International 7N 25629).

Remember My Song

Labi Siffre released his fifth album, Remember My Song, in early 1975 on EMI.

The album introduces a band-centered format built around electric piano, bass, and drums with added horn and string arrangements. Siffre plays electric piano on four tracks and acoustic guitar on three others, supported by rhythm players Chas Hodges, Dave Peacock, Ian Wallace, and Brian Bennett. The Dean Street Brass contribute horn parts, and The Rock and Roll Gypsies provide string accompaniment.

Big Jim Sullivan arranged the material and plays lead guitar. Tracks range from extended ensemble numbers to mid-tempo pieces with layered instrumentation. Siffre wrote all tracks except “Old Time Song” (Hodges/Peacock). He shares co-writing credits on “Dreamer” (with Hill) and “Turn On Your Love” (with Russell). He plays electric piano on four tracks and acoustic guitar on three.

A1. “I Got The” (6:36) — electric piano by Siffre; percussion by Alan Branscombe; drums by Ian Wallace
A2. “Another Year” (4:12) — acoustic guitar by Siffre; electric piano by Branscombe
A3. “Down” (5:45) — electric piano by Siffre; percussion by Branscombe
A4. “Old Time Song” (4:48) — written by Chas Hodges and Dave Peacock; drums by Brian Bennett; electric piano by Branscombe

B1. “The Vulture” (3:43) — electric piano and percussion by Siffre
B2. “Dreamer” (4:01) — co-written with Hill; acoustic guitar by Siffre
B3. “Sadie and the Devil” (3:51) — alto sax by Branscombe; electric piano by Siffre
B4. “Turn On Your Love” (3:42) — co-written with Russell; acoustic guitar and percussion by Siffre
B5. “Remember My Song” (5:59) — electric piano by Branscombe

Sessions took place at The Music Centre in Wembley with engineering by Dick Plant, assisted by Annie Plant and Mike Pela. Arrangements were handled by Big Jim Sullivan, who co-produced the album with Derek Lawrence. Strings were performed by The Rock and Roll Gypsies. Original UK copies appeared in textured sleeves pressed in March 1975.

“Dreamer” backed with “Turn On Your Love” was issued as a single on August 30, 1974 (EMI 2204), followed by “Another Year” backed with the non-album “Some Say” on January 31, 1975 (EMI 2260). “I Got The,” originally issued as an album track, reappeared as a single in 2003 (Stateside), decades after being sampled by Eminem on “My Name Is.”

The 2006 reissue adds three bonus tracks: “You’ve Got a Hold on Me” (3:54), “Hot and Dirt in the City” (3:11), and “Solid Love” (2:37).

Happy

Labi Siffre released his sixth album, Happy, in late 1975 on EMI.

The album continues Siffre’s engagement with soul-pop and romantic introspection, framed by crisp production and restrained instrumentation. He balances uptempo, syncopated numbers like “Love-A-Love-A-Love-A-Love-A-Love” and “Supaluvva” with torchy ballads and mid-tempo soul tracks that foreground his layered vocal harmonies and understated melodic phrasing. “You Hurt Me” recalls 1950s boogie woogie with a sax/piano arrangement reminiscent of Fats Domino.

Electric piano and light funk motifs recur throughout, but the focus remains on Siffre’s phrasing and lyrical nuance. The material moves fluidly between laidback vibes and reflective slow-burners, reinforcing his position as a self-contained writer, arranger, and producer.

Siffre wrote, arranged, and produced all ten tracks. The album was engineered by Dick Plant and recorded at De Lane Lea Music Centre in Wembley.

A1. “Love-A-Love-A-Love-A-Love-A-Love” (2:59)
A2. “You Hurt Me” (4:50)
A3. “Doctor Doctor” (4:20)
A4. “Second Time Around” (4:06)
A5. “Would You Dance?” (3:45)

B1. “Supaluvva” (5:50)
B2. “Staride to Nowhere” (4:20)
B3. “You’ve Done Something to My Heart” (3:28)
B4. “Sally Come to Stay” (4:30)
B5. “La-De-Da-De-Da (Lost Without Your Love)” (3:36)

Original UK pressings were manufactured by EMI Electrola GmbH and printed by 4P Nicolaus GmbH.

“Love-A-Love-A-Love-A-Love-A-Love” backed with “Goodbye to Love” was issued as a single on October 10, 1975 (EMI 2357). “Staride to Nowhere” backed with “Sally Came to Stay” followed on February 6, 1976 (EMI 2394).

1976–1982 Non-Album Singles

“You’ve Got a Hold on Me” / “La-De-Da-De-Da (Lost Without Your Love)”
Released: October 22, 1976 (EMI 2526)
A-side exclusive; B-side taken from Happy (1975).

“Do the Best You Can” / “Hot and Dirty in the City”
Released: January 28, 1977 (EMI 2577)
Both tracks are non-album; later reissued on CD.

“Solid Love” / “You Hurt Me”
Released: April 7, 1978 (EMI 2750)
A-side exclusive; B-side taken from Happy (1975). “Solid Love” placed fifth out of twelve entries in the Song For Europe selection for UK entry in the 1978 Eurovision Song Contest.

“One World Song” / “We Got Love”
Released: January 4, 1980 (EMI 5023)
Both tracks are non-album, billed as Labi and Jackie and produced by Brian Bennett.

“Run to Him” / “The Love Thing”
Released: January 16, 1981 (Polydor POSP 215)
Both tracks are non-album.

“Nightmare” / “The Love Thing”
Released: August 6, 1982 (Polydor POSP 486)
A-side exclusive; B-side repeated from prior single.

So Strong

Labi Siffre released his seventh album, So Strong, in 1988 on Polydor.

The album contains ten tracks written by Siffre and recorded with multiple producers and collaborators across both sides.

David Kershenbaum produced six tracks, including “All I Wanna Do,” “Lovers,” and “I’m Alright,” with co-production from Bob Marlette, Darren D’Lavance Sullivan, and Michael Wells on selected cuts. Glyn Johns produced “(Something Inside) So Strong,” while Christopher Neil handled production on “Nothin’s Gonna Change,” which appears here in a remix by Kevin W. Smith.

A1. “Listen to the Voices” (4:26)
A2. “Nothin’s Gonna Change” (3:43) — remix by Kevin W. Smith
A3. “I Will Always Love You” (5:24)
A4. “All I Wanna Do” (5:01)
A5. “And the Wind Blows” (4:48)

B1. “(Something Inside) So Strong” (5:35) — remix by Kevin W. Smith
B2. “Lovers” (3:38)
B3. “Hard Road” (3:52)
B4. “I’m Alright” (5:06)
B5. “When You’re Lonely” (2:10)

“(Something Inside) So Strong” was released as a single in February 1987 on China Records, backed with “I’m Alright.” It reached No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart, No. 2 in Ireland, and No. 3 in the Netherlands. Siffre wrote the song in 1984 in response to apartheid-era footage of racial violence in South Africa. It won the 1987 Ivor Novello Award for Best Song Musically and Lyrically and has since been used in human rights campaigns. Kenny Rogers covered the song as the title track to his 1989 album.

“Nothin’s Gonna Change” followed as a second single in 1987.

Discography: