They were a family group from Luton, Bedfordshire, originally comprising Jeff Mudd (born 1935), Fred Mudd (1937–2007), and Mary Mudd (born 1939). According to press releases at the time, they all had jobs at the Vauxhall motor plant in Luton, and spent their spare time singing together. In 1958 they attracted the attention of BBC Radio music presenter David Jacobs, who won them an appearance on the Six-Five Special TV show, and a recording contract with EMI's Columbia label.
The Mudlarks' first release "Mutual Admiration Society" was unsuccessful, but their second, a cover of the American novelty song "Lollipop", originally recorded by the duo Ronald and Ruby, and more successfully by The Chordettes, rose to #2 in the UK Singles Chart. They followed this with another UK Top 10 hit, a cover of The Monotones' "Book of Love". At the end of 1958, the Mudlarks were voted top British vocal group by readers of the New Musical Express. Jeff Mudd then left the group as he was called to do National Service. He was replaced by David Lane (born David Burgess, 1938–2010), a compere and entertainer on the Manchester club circuit. The Mudlarks continued to release records until 1964, but had only one more hit – "The Love Game", a minor #30 success in 1959.
Fred Mudd married Leila Williams, who was Miss Great Britain in 1957 and from 1958 until 1962 co-hosted the BBC children's programme Blue Peter. He died in Marbella, Spain in 2007, leaving a widow, daughter and three grandsons.
In 1962, Mary Mudd and David Lane married in Newton Abbot. Lane died at his home in Hattersley, in 2010 after battling with cancer for eight years.
Book of Love
The Mudlarks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everything that you say
So I don't get lonely
When you are away
I've got a book of love
If you should
I'll add your book to my
Lovelorn library
I've got a book of love
I know you'd never try
To leave me
'Cause I've got a chain
Around your heart
And you'll never be free
I've got a book of love
The Mudlarks' song "Book of Love" is all about wanting to hold onto the memories of a loved one even when they are physically away. The lyrics describe how the singer writes down everything their significant other says in a book so as to not feel lonely when they are not around. The book is their source of comfort and hope. The fear of abandonment is evident in the line "If you should ever happen to leave, I'll add your book to my lovelorn library." Through this, the singer is hinting at how the book has become more of a necessity than a mere collection of thoughts. It symbolizes their love and relationship, and losing the book would mean losing their love.
Furthermore, there seems to be a sense of possessiveness as the singer mentions, "I know you'd never try to leave me 'cause I've got a chain around your heart, and you'll never be free." This line can be interpreted in two ways- as a metaphorical expression of how committed their love is, or on a darker note, it could be construed as emotional manipulation. The song ends with the singer reiterating how they have "a book of love" and how it is the most precious thing they own, something that they would never let go of.
Line by Line Meaning
I write down
I take notes on everything you say
Everything that you say
Every word you speak, I capture it
So I don't get lonely
To keep me company when you're away
When you are away
When you're not here with me
I've got a book of love
I have a collection of our memories
If you should
In the event that
Ever happen to leave
You decide to go away forever
I'll add your book to my
I will place our memories in my
Lovelorn library
Collection of heartbreaks
I know you'd never try
I am confident that you wouldn't attempt
To leave me
To abandon me
'Cause I've got a chain
Because I hold you tightly
Around your heart
Close to your emotions
And you'll never be free
And you will never lose me
I've got a book of love
I have collected memories of our love
Lyrics © HIPGNOSIS SONGS GROUP, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Lindsey Buckingham, Richard Dashut
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind