Labeled With Love

Album: East Side Story (1981)
Charted: 4
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Squeeze guitarist and lyricist Chris Difford got the idea for this song after looking at a photograph of an old lady sitting in a bar in Paris in 1936. Says Difford: "'Labeled With Love' was an adult lyric in a way that the older generation could latch on to and understand. My mother absolutely loved it. The story is about the end of a relationship after the war. I'd been reading about American soldiers in Britain during the war who married English girls and whisked them off their feet to the States."
  • Elvis Costello produced this track, which has a distinctly Country sound. Glenn Tilbrook, who is Squeeze's other guitarist and writes their music, wrote this in a Country style and Costello pushed it in that direction. Says Tilbrook: "I had been listening to some Hank Williams before, but Elvis really broadened my knowledge of Country music. It was one of those barriers you cross when you think something is square and horrible but then discover it has a heart beating inside. I discovered there were loads of great artists who I'd avoided listening to because I lumped all Country music together."
  • Tilbrook wasn't going to include this on the album, as it didn't fit the band's style, but when Elvis Costello heard the demo, he loved it and had them record it. (Read more in our interview with Glenn Tilbrook and Chris Difford of Squeeze. The Squeeze site is squeezeofficial.com.)

Comments: 2

  • Womarcman from CornwallI don't know why I love this song, I have to hear it at least a couple of times a week. I feel so sorry for this lady, she'd be welcome in my house any time.
  • Rebecca Dale from Cedartown Ga When I heard that song it sounded like country I thought that a british rock band singing country it was very shocking
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Johnette Napolitano of Concrete Blonde

Johnette Napolitano of Concrete BlondeSongwriter Interviews

The singer/bassist for Concrete Blonde talks about how her songs come from clairvoyance, and takes us through the making of their hit "Joey."

Bands Named After Real People (Who Aren't In The Band)

Bands Named After Real People (Who Aren't In The Band)Song Writing

How a gym teacher, a janitor, and a junkie became part of some very famous band names.

Paul Stanley of Kiss, Soul Station

Paul Stanley of Kiss, Soul StationSongwriter Interviews

Paul Stanley on his soul music project, the Kiss songs with the biggest soul influence, and the non-make-up era of the band.

Artis the Spoonman

Artis the SpoonmanSong Writing

Even before Soundgarden wrote a song about him, Artis was the most famous spoon player of all time. So why has he always been broke?

Pam Tillis

Pam TillisSongwriter Interviews

The country sweetheart opines about the demands of touring and talks about writing songs with her famous father.

Bob Daisley

Bob DaisleySongwriter Interviews

Bob was the bass player and lyricist for the first two Ozzy Osbourne albums. Here's how he wrote songs like "Crazy Train" and "Mr. Crowley" with Ozzy and Randy Rhoads.