The phrase is most famously associated with the 1971 song by British singer-songwriter Labi Siffre, later popularized by the ska band Madness. While it serves as a quintessential expression of romantic realization, it also functions as a thematic anchor in literature and philosophical discourse. Musical Foundations: Labi Siffre and Madness
: For Siffre , a Black gay artist in the 1970s, the song represented a rare, pure expression of freedom and joy. His lyrics— "I never thought I'd miss you as much as I do" —capture the unexpected weight of affection. It Must Be Love
: In his research into screenwriting, Philip Guy Mathews used an original screenplay titled It Must Be Love to explore the emotional trajectory of characters within the romance genre. His work suggests that "It Must Be Love" is often the climax of a character's internal transformation or "arc". The phrase is most famously associated with the
: Theological analyses contrast "It Must Be Love" with infatuation. While infatuation is described as "burning hot and fast," true love is defined by sacrifice, patience, and the strength of character required to help another person grow. His lyrics— "I never thought I'd miss you
: Caroline Khoury's 2022 novel It Must Be Love uses the phrase to frame a "heart-wrenching story" of fate and destiny, following two lovers, Abbie and Oz, across fifteen years of separation and chance encounters.
The phrase often serves as a conclusion to the "pity vs. love" or "infatuation vs. love" debate:
The title has been used to explore the "character arc" and the complexities of long-term relationships in various media: