You may not recognize the name Labi Siffre, but his songs have been covered by the likes of Olivia Newton-John and Rod Stewart, as well as sampled by Eminem, Kanye West and Jay-Z. Siffre released this song about homophobia and racism as an openly gay man in 1972 London, and as Guster's Ryan Miller says, "I’m a sucker for simple, powerfully delivered, delicate undiscovered 70’s jams. What I DIDN’T anticipate was how much this quiet protest song would crawl into my skin. Labi, raised as a Catholic but outspoken as both an atheist and as a gay man, manages to convey the struggle of identity and romance and longing in a few short bars." Listen to their beautiful take on "Crying, Laughing, Loving, Lying"...
While you're at it, check out Labi Siffre's version, too!
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