Unveiling the Enchanting Tale Behind Don Williams’s “It Must Be Love”
Written by Bob McDill
Don Williams, a legend in the realm of country music, experienced a significant turning point in his career with the release of the “Expressions” album. This transformative moment was made possible by the addition of Garth Fundis as a co-producer. Fundis, initially an engineer for Jack Clement Studios, had been a part of Williams’ journey from the very beginning, working on his first two albums produced by Allen Reynolds. However, it was during the making of “Volume III” that Garth’s path diverged temporarily from Williams’, only to be reunited as the engineer for every subsequent album.
In the studio, it was often just Don Williams and Garth Fundis, with Williams singing his heart out in the recording booth and Fundis manning the control room. Fundis possessed a musical background, having been a music education major in college with a focus on voice. His musical expertise allowed him to offer guidance to Williams during the recording process, helping him fine-tune his vocals, addressing issues like pitch. Eventually, it became clear that Fundis was more than just an engineer; he was an essential collaborator in the production process. Don Williams extended an invitation to Garth to join him in co-producing his music.
The “Expressions” album marked Fundis’s debut as a producer, and it was a resounding success. Hits like “Tulsa Time,” reaching number one, and “Lay Down Beside Me,” climbing to number three, showcased their incredible musical chemistry. However, the pinnacle of their collaboration was “It Must Be Love,” a song that soared to the top of Billboard’s Country Singles chart on September 29, 1979. This chart-topper marked Don Williams’ ninth out of seventeen number one hits.
On “It Must Be Love,” Fundis and Williams meticulously overdubbed all the harmony vocals. This captivating track was penned by Bob McDill, a prominent songwriter whose songs had already provided the soundtrack to seven of Williams’ hits. From the inception of Williams’ career, whenever a recording session was on the horizon, he would reach out to Bob McDill, eager to know what new creations he had in store. Even during periods when Williams wasn’t actively recording, McDill would send his latest compositions directly to him, seeking his interest before sharing them with anyone else.
Billboard Magazine recognizes Bob McDill as the second most prolific songwriter in country music history, trailing only Harlan Howard. McDill boasts an astounding 152 songs on Billboard’s country charts, just slightly surpassing Howard’s 147. McDill’s induction into The Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame in 1985 is a testament to his remarkable contribution to the country music genre.
A noteworthy twist to the tale came twenty-one years after Don Williams’s rendition of “It Must Be Love.” In 2000, Alan Jackson included the song in his “Under The Influence” project, an album of covers. Among the six singles released from this album, “It Must Be Love” shone brightest, reaching the coveted number one spot on the charts. This achievement marked one of those rare moments in country music history when a song ascended to the top position twice, underscoring the enduring magic of this timeless composition.
Artist: Don Williams
Released: 1978
Album: Expressions
Genre: Country
Lyrics
First, I get cold, then hot
Think I’m on fire, but I’m not
Oh, what a pain I’ve got, it must be love
There’s nothing I can do, all that I want is you
Look what I’m going through, it must be love
It must be love, it must be love
I fall like a sparrow, fly like a dove
You must be the dream I’ve been dreaming of
Oh, what a feeling, it must be love
Something is wrong, alright, I think of you all night
Can’t sleep ’til morning light, it must be love
Seeing you in my dreams, holding you close to me
Oh, what else can it be? It must be love
It must be love, it must be love
I fall like a sparrow, fly like a dove
You must be the dream I’ve been dreaming of
Oh, what a feeling, it must be love
It must be love, it must be love
I fall like a sparrow, fly like a dove
You must be the dream I’ve been dreaming of
Oh, what a feeling, it must be love
It must be love, it must be love
I fall like a sparrow, fly like a dove
You must be the dream I’ve been dreaming of
Oh, what a feeling, it must be love
