THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

732-Joan Armatrading-Love and Affection.

1976-Number 10 single.Best Bit-At 1.42. Discerning listeners will realise that Joan Armatrading doesn’t actually possess a male baritone voice, in fact it belongs to American actor Clark Peters.

Joan Anita Armatrading MBE was born in Basseterre, on the Caribbean Island of Saint Kitts, on December 9th, 1950. When she was three years old, her parents, and two older brothers emigrated to Birmingham, England, sending Joan to live with her grandparents, she joined them in Hockley, Birmingham when she was seven.

‘Love and Affection’ is taken from Joan Armatrading’s self titled third studio Album, and was her first hit single.As well as Clark Peters providing backing vocals, she was backed on the song by former members of the British Folk band Fairport Convention, the alto sax was performed by Jimmy Jewell, and this song, and it’s parent Album, were produced by the legendary producer/engineer Glyn Johns.

On the subject of ‘Love and Affection’ Armatrading has said,’It’s just deeply, deeply personal, and I can’t talk about it without talking about the other person I wrote it for, which I never, ever do.’

‘I am not in love, but I’m open to persuasion. East or West, where’s the best for romancing.’