Mott the Hoople formed when Silence, a not-too-successful group from the Welsh borders, was joined by session pianist and rock and roll hopeful Ian Hunter along with musicians Mick Ralphs, Verden Allen, Pete Overend Watts, and Dale Griffin . They developed from Dylan obsessives to their own character over the course of four albums for Island. They were a very popular live act but only achieved brief commercial success.
In 1971, the band was close to splitting up but continued to record track "All the Young Dudes", a song written for them by up and coming pop star and fan David Bowie. Three more albums and several pop hits later, the group fell apart after Ian Hunter left in 1974. The remaining members mutated into Mott, an 'also-ran' band which released two albums before disbanding in 1976. Original guitarist Ralphs had a massive boost in his fortunes as a member of rockers Bad Company.
Griffin died in his sleep on 17 January 2016 at the age of 67 and Watts died, almost exactly a year later, on 22 January 2017, from throat cancer.
It Must Be Love
Mott the Hoople Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You can call on me whenever you need me
Hanging around never did any good
And I want you to know the way that I feel
Is good inside
Oh oh oh oh oh it must be love
Cursin' in songs from those evergreen trees (? )
And no one can say I'm a natural fool
For walkin' this way
Oh oh oh oh oh it must be love
Love love love
Love love love
Love love love
It must be love
When you smile at me I can see all the stars at night
Succulent moonlight is stroking your hair
And I want you to know the way that I feel
Is good inside
Oh oh oh oh oh it must be love
Love love love
Love love love
Love love love
It must be love
Love love love
Love love love
Love love love
It must be love
(that one's for you, brian)
The song "It Must Be Love" is a testament to the power of love and how it can make us feel. The opening lines of the song suggest that the singer is always there for the person who needs him. He is committed to helping them whenever they call upon him. The second line says "Hanging around never did any good," which could be interpreted as the idea of waiting around for love to happen, rather than going out and actively seeking it.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "Love love love, it must be love," suggesting that the singer has found true love and that it's a feeling unlike any other. The verse about the "garden of light" and "cursin' in songs from those evergreen trees" is open to interpretation, but it seems to suggest a feeling of freedom and being in a natural setting. The line "no one can say I'm a natural fool for walkin' this way" suggests that the singer is confident in his choices and is not afraid to be himself.
The second verse describes the image of stars at night and moonlight stroking hair, which is a romantic and beautiful image that evokes the feelings of being in love. The final chorus repeats the phrase "Love love love, it must be love," and the final line of the song is a dedication to someone named Brian.
Line by Line Meaning
You can call on me whenever you need me
I am always here for you, ready to help whenever you need me.
Hanging around never did any good
Just waiting around doesn't accomplish anything productive or helpful.
And I want you to know the way that I feel / Is good inside
I want you to know that my feelings for you are genuine and make me happy.
Oh oh oh oh oh it must be love
My strong emotions for you are proof that this is love.
I can see the garden of light all around me / Cursin' in songs from those evergreen trees (?)
I am surrounded by beauty and nature, and even the trees seem to be singing or celebrating with me.
And no one can say I'm a natural fool / For walkin' this way
I am not ashamed of my feelings, even if others might view them as foolish or naive.
When you smile at me I can see all the stars at night / Succulent moonlight is stroking your hair
Your smile and presence make the world around us seem more magical and romantic.
Love love love / Love love love / Love love love / It must be love
Love is the only way to describe these intense emotions and feelings.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind