Is That Love
"Is That Love" | ||||
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Single by Squeeze | ||||
from the album East Side Story | ||||
Released | 1 May 1981 (UK) | |||
Recorded | 1980 | |||
Genre | Rock, new wave | |||
Length | 2:34 | |||
Label | A&M | |||
Songwriter(s) | Chris Difford, Glenn Tilbrook | |||
Producer(s) | Roger Bechirian & Elvis Costello | |||
Squeeze singles chronology | ||||
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"Is That Love" is a new wave song by Squeeze that was released on the band's fourth album, East Side Story. Written by Glenn Tilbrook and Chris Difford, the song features lyrics about Difford's marriage and features a quick tempo with a piano-based ending.
Released as the first single from the album, the song saw commercial success in the UK. It has since become a live favorite for the band and has seen positive reception from critics.
Background
"Is That Love" was inspired by Squeeze lyricist Chris Difford's then-recent marriage; he explained, "This was written around the time I got married. I remember being in the bathroom and seeing Cindy's wedding ring next to the soap, which inspired me to write the lyric. I don't think it was particularly about our marriage, but it started off a sequence of ideas in my head."[1] Difford also went on to say, "I'm not strapped to the song emotionally but it was a great live number and sums up being on the road and having fun. It's a comfortable pair of jeans as a song."[1]
Glenn Tilbrook stated that the track was originally recorded in mid-tempo but was not coming together, "so we sped it up and it made more sense like that[.]"[1] Tilbrook also said, "I was influenced quite consiously by The Beatles here."[1] Tilbrook noted that the "ending was [Elvis Costello's] idea, and he played the piano part accompanying it."[1]
Reception
Critical reception
AllMusic critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine said that Squeeze's "barbed, bouncy pop" is "best heard on the single 'Is That Love'" and he cited the track as a highlight from East Side Story.[2] Tom Jackson of the Sandusky Register praised the song's "zingers", such as "Beat me up with your letters, your walk out note" and "My assets froze while yours have dropped".[3] Lyndsey Parker of Yahoo Music named the song as one of Squeeze's tracks that are "as clever, tuneful, and instant-classic as anything recorded by the Beatles".[4]
Difford himself was complimentary of the song, saying, "Yes I love this one, great song, wonderful melody and attack, a band on its hind legs".[3]
Chart performance
When the song was released as a single, it peaked at number 35 on the UK Singles Chart,[5] as well as 25 in Ireland. The song also became Squeeze's only number one single, as it topped the charts in Israel.[1]
Covers
In 2007, Scottish group Travis covered the song on their single "Selfish Jean".
Track listing
- "Is That Love" (2:34)
- "Trust" (1:45)
References
- ^ a b c d e f Tilbrook, Glenn; Difford, Chris; Drury, Jim. Squeeze: Song by Song. Sanctuary. pp. 87–89.
- ^ Erlewine, Steven Thomas. "East Side Story". allmusic.com.
- ^ a b Jackson, Tom. "Chris Difford on his new memoir, and his memorable songs". Sandusky Register. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
- ^ Parker, Lyndsey (9 September 2019). "Two side story: Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook reflect on 45 years of Squeeze". Yahoo Music. Archived from the original on 5 September 2022. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. pp. 522/3. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
External links
- Squeeze discography at Squeezenet
- v
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- Chris Difford
- Glenn Tilbrook
- Stephen Large
- Simon Hanson
- Steve Smith
- Owen Biddle
- Melvin Duffy
- Jools Holland
- Gilson Lavis
- John Bentley
- Paul Carrack
- Don Snow
- Christopher Holland
- Keith Wilkinson
- Andy Metcalfe
- Matt Irving
- Pete Thomas
- Kevin Wilkinson
- Ash Soan
- Steve Nieve
- Nick Harper
- Yolanda Charles
- Squeeze
- Cool for Cats
- Argybargy
- East Side Story
- Sweets from a Stranger
- Cosi Fan Tutti Frutti
- Babylon and On
- Frank
- Play
- Some Fantastic Place
- Ridiculous
- Domino
- Spot the Difference
- Cradle to the Grave
- The Knowledge
- "Take Me I'm Yours"
- "Bang Bang"
- "Goodbye Girl"
- "Cool for Cats"
- "Up the Junction"
- "Slap and Tickle"
- "Christmas Day"
- "Another Nail in My Heart"
- "If I Didn't Love You"
- "Pulling Mussels (from the Shell)"
- "Farfisa Beat"
- "Is That Love"
- "Tempted"
- "Labelled with Love"
- "Messed Around"
- "Black Coffee in Bed"
- "When the Hangover Strikes"
- "I've Returned"
- "Annie Get Your Gun"
- "Last Time Forever"
- "No Place Like Home"
- "Hits of the Year"
- "Heartbreaking World"
- "King George Street"
- "Hourglass"
- "Trust Me to Open My Mouth"
- "The Waiting Game"
- "853-5937"
- "Footprints"
- "If It's Love"
- "Love Circles"
- "Sunday Street"
- "Satisfied"
- "Crying in My Sleep"
- "Third Rail"
- "Everything in the World"
- "Some Fantastic Place"
- "Loving You Tonight"
- "It's Over"
- "This Summer"
- "Electric Trains"
- "Heaven Knows"
- "This Summer (Remix)"
- "Down in the Valley"
- Discography
- Band members
- Difford & Tilbrook
- Difford & Tilbrook (album)
- "Love's Crashing Waves"
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