Love Is The Law

We lived in a dogfish egg case
you could barely call it home
Sorry little lot no roof on top
But the fish left us alone
Try a little more said the girl next
door it's time to roam

Mad Lizzy Crumbs blind cobblers
thumbs were a sight to behold
She was a rum old slapper and we always
tried to get her pants off when she phoned
Left her cap by the sink it's not what you think
Oh take me home

Now we know where we are going baby
We can lay back and enjoy the ride
Take in the sights and drown in our senses
Love is the law so take me deep inside

Strap on Sally chased us down the alley
We feared for our behinds
Oasis was a shop with shoes so hot
They were sure to blow your mind
Running so fast I can taste the past
oh take me home

These waters run deep it's clear my little one
Blue velvet star sky not a sound
The light in your eyes the smile on your ruby lips
Tells me my lost soul is found

Lyrics by:
Squire

Format:
Released April 1997:
Love Is The Law (Geffen, WGFS 22243, Promo CD)
Love Is The Law (Single Edit) / Love Is The Law (Rock Edit) / Love Is The Law (LP Version) (Geffen, PRO-CD-1091, US Promo CD)
Love Is The Law / Dreamer / Sale Of The Century (Geffen, GEFDS-9789, Canadian Promo CD)

Released 28th April 1997:
Love Is The Law / Dreamer / Sale Of The Century (Geffen, GFSTD 22243, CD)
Love Is The Law / Dreamer (Geffen, GFS 22243, 7")
Love Is The Law / Dreamer (Geffen, GFSC 22243, cassette)

Released 21st May 1997:
Love Is The Law / Dreamer / Sale Of The Century (Geffen, MVCF-12002, Japanese CD)
Love Is The Law / Dreamer / Sale Of The Century (Geffen, MVCF-12002, Japanese Promo CD)

UK Chart position:
#3

Also available on:
Do It Yourself (7.43)

Artwork details:
The Love Is The Law artwork is from 'Love Is The Law' (acrylic on calico with clay and epoxy resin, 28" x 28", 1996).

Details:
On Love Is The Law, the first single from Do It Yourself, Squire joins a distinguished list of artists to have delved into the work of Aleister Crowley (1875 - 1947) and occultism. David Bowie’s Quicksand’ (from the album ‘Hunky Dory’) makes the reference "I'm closer to the Golden Dawn, immersed in Crowley's uniform of imagery…". Squire's inspiration for investigating his work may have stemmed from his interest in Jimmy Page. The Led Zeppelin guitarist had a great interest in Crowley and owned his Loch Ness estate, Boleskine House, from 1971 to 1992. Asked about the song in an NME interview from 26 April 1997, Squire replied:

"I'm not a Satanist, if that's what yer thinkin'. I'm aware of Aleister Crowley's slogans and a bit about him, but I don't agree with that much of it. But 'Love Is The Law' is a worthy sentiment, and I identify with the thrust of his philosophy that's opposed to organised religion and Christianity. But to treat him as a great figure, or to replace organised religion with worshipping the devil is just as much nonsense."

Crowley's Law of Thelema forms the song's chorus. Thelema puts forward the idea that everyone has their own destiny and is responsible for finding out that destiny. It states that "the only sin is Restriction". Thus the author and his female companion in Love Is The Law are able to 'lay back and enjoy the ride'. The opening and closing statements of most Thelemic documents espouse this theory in saying, "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law" and "Love is the Law, Love under Will".

The riff may be influenced by 'What Is Life' by George Harrison, from his 'All Things Must Pass' album. The guitar workout is a homage to Jimmy Page. Compare 5.09 - 5.18 of LITL to 3.05 - 3.18 of 'Whole Lotta Love' from 'Led Zeppelin II'. This section of LITL comprises three drum beats and then some guitar (repeated), like that section of WLL (two drum beats). Squire's guitar in this section of the coda is similar to the scraping noises of Page throughout the 'breakdown' section of WLL. The ending of LITL then diverts to the riff from 'How Many More Times' from 'Led Zeppelin I'. And there's a bit of 'Heartbreaker', from 'Led Zeppelin II', thrown in for good measure !

This is John Squire speaking about the 'Love Is The Law' cover artwork (which also adorned the front of Andy Watts' bass drum on tour):

"It is what it is. Fairly literal. Sherriff's badge and hearts. I took an old bike frame my Dad had renovated for my Mum - but she doesn't like cycling or staircases and it turned into a rusting hulk. So I threw it outside my house, put the wheel in a vice on a bench, put a board on top of that. Lots of cranking round. Very time consuming." (John Squire speaking to Select Magazine, November 1997).

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