It Must Be Love • Reliable & Legit

: 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: It Must Be Love

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 : Caroline Khoury's 2022 novel It Must Be

The song "It Must Be Love" was originally a soulful folk-pop track by Labi Siffre that reached number 14 on the UK charts in 1971. love" debate: The phrase is most famously associated

: In 1981, the band Madness released a version with a "roots reggae slant" that became an even larger hit, peaking at number 4 in the UK. Interestingly, the music video featured Siffre in a cameo, and the opening lines were sung into an open grave, adding a layer of bittersweet longing to the otherwise upbeat track.

: 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".

: In practical applications, counselors use the phrase as a question— "It Must Be Love, but Let's Be Sure" —challenging couples to look past initial feelings toward long-term compatibility and stability. It Must Be Love by Caroline Khoury - Karen K is reading