B-side "Help Yourself" Recorded 1974/1975 Length 4:28 | Released October 1976 Genre Folk, Pop Label A&M | |
"Love and Affection" is a song by Joan Armatrading. Her fourth single, and her third for A&M Records, it was her first chart success. It reached number 10 in the UK Singles Chart in November 1976. One of her best-known recordings, it has been described as a "deceptively feisty ballad ... an instant classic." It appeared on her eponymous third album. The song has twice been used as the title track of compilation albums, for 1999's Love and Affection: The Best of Joan Armatrading and 2003's Love and Affection: Classics 1975–1983.
The male backing vocal, which has been described as a "honeyed baritone", was performed by American actor and singer Clarke Peters. The alto saxophone was by Gallagher and Lyle session player Jimmy Jewell.
Cover versions
Sheena Easton covered "Love and Affection" on her 1984 Platinum album A Private Heaven.
Martha Davis (of the Motels) and Sly Stone perform a duet of the song which appeared on the 1986 soundtrack for Soul Man.
In 1990 American singer Sinitta covered the song. It was produced by Barry Anthony Andrews and released as a non-album single. The single peaked at #62 in the UK.
Melissa Etheridge performed the song in 1996, live on the VH1 channel, with Joan Osborne, Paula Cole, Jewel and a backing band.
Kate Ceberano recorded a version for her 1996 album Blue Box. It was released as the third single from that album.
The song was covered by Two Nice Girls in a medley with the Velvet Underground's "Sweet Jane" and later by Courtney Pine and Kele Le Roc.
Daley covered "Love and Affection" (retitled "Love + Affection") for his 2014 album Days & Nights.