Crying Laughing Loving Lying cover

Crying Laughing Loving Lying

Labi Siffre · 1972

64 min · 18 tracks · pop music

A soulful blend of poignant lyrics and melodic pop, underscored by Siffre's rich vocals and reflective storytelling.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    It Must Be Love — This track became a defining song for Siffre, showcasing his ability to convey deep emotion through simple yet evocative lyrics paired with an infectious melody.
  • →
    Crying, Laughing, Loving, Lying — The title track encapsulates the album's themes of emotional complexity and vulnerability, reflecting Siffre's introspective songwriting style.
  • →
    Fool Me a Good Night — This song stands out for its playful narrative and catchy chorus, illustrating Siffre's knack for blending humor with heartfelt sentiments.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

53 /100
Foothills
Higher than 40% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong songwriting and vocal delivery but lacks some cohesion due to its length and varied tempos.

What we noticed

  • The album features a consistent use of rich vocal harmonies, particularly in the choruses, which enhance the emotional weight of the lyrics.
  • The tempo varies significantly across the album, with tracks like 'It Must Be Love' maintaining an upbeat feel while others slow down to reflect more introspective themes.
  • The last three tracks create a gradual descent in tempo and mood, allowing for a reflective conclusion to the album.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
6/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
5/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • soulful reflections on love
  • short tracks for quick enjoyment
  • uplifting melodies with warmth
  • poignant storytelling through song

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer extended musical explorations
  • seek high-energy dance tracks

Where this album fits

Career context
Released in 1972, Crying Laughing Loving Lying marks Labi Siffre's third album, following his critically acclaimed debut. At this point in his career, Siffre was beginning to establish himself as a distinctive voice in British pop music, known for blending personal narratives with social commentary.
Stylistic neighbors
Bill Withers· Nina Simone· Donny Hathaway

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Saved 2:10
  • 2 Cannock Chase 4:06
  • 3 Fool Me a Good Night 3:44
  • 4 It Must Be Love 3:56
  • 5 Gimme Some More 2:54
  • 6 Blue Lady 5:05
  • 7 Love Oh Love Oh Love 4:27
  • 8 Crying, Laughing, Loving, Lying 3:03
  • 9 Hotel Room Song 2:54
  • 10 My Song 4:44
  • 11 Till Forever 1:15
  • 12 Come On Michael 2:57
  • 13 You Make It Easy 4:11
  • 14 Good Old Days 3:12
  • 15 Pristine Verses 3:03
  • 16 You’ll Let Me Know 3:50
  • 17 Oh Me Oh My Mr. City Goodbye 3:51
  • 18 For the Lovin’ 4:30

What to play next

For the Children
Listen next

For the Children

1973
The Singer and the Song
Go back to

The Singer and the Song

1971
Full Labi Siffre discography Artists like Labi Siffre
pop music

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata