Madness’ cover of Labi Siffre’s It Must be Love is among the most famous love songs of all time. Saxophonist in the ska band Lee Thompson who lives in High Barnet, is a self-confessed romantic and this Valentine’s Day, as well as showering wife Debbie with affection, he will be dedicating some time to his second love – music – and playing a gig in Barnet with his son Daley on vocals. He speaks to Hannah Worrall about romance, purple catsuits and his new band.

Do you celebrate Valentine’s Day?

Yes, almost religiously if I’m not touring. I was in Australia in the ‘80s on Valentine’s Day, so I phoned my wife Debbie and told her to go to the post office where I’d sent her an all-in-one purple catsuit, with a gold trinket-type belt. Well it was that time, in that era and I was into the Nolan sisters at the time. In my mind I felt that she’d love it, but this was not so and looking back she was right! Not sure what happened to it, but it was not her style and it made its way straight to some charity shop.

Will you be spending Valentine’s Day with Debbie this year?

This year Valentine’s Day will be spent performing with my son in my latest musical venture – The Silencerz – in Colindale on the Barnet borders, in the company of my dear wife. We’re also at The Black Horse on Wood Street on Saturday February 21.

Do you consider yourself a romantic? Why?

Not as much as I should. I used to be – once I anonymously left a giant silk padded Valentine’s card outside my then girlfriend’s house. I’d filled it with hand-written poems and Bryan Ferry’s then recently released album These Foolish Things.

What’s the most romantic thing you’ve ever done?

The above comes close, but you should ask my wife – she’s good at remembering those sort of things. Valentine’s Day is our time, although I’m not as romantic as I used to be. In fact, I’m a little like Victor Meldrew but my wife generally books us a weekend in Paris or a meal in town and we’ll sing love songs to each other, then have a verbal punch up the following day!

Have you ever serenaded anyone special, or used your music to win someone over? When and what song?

Yes, around three or four million punters over the years – I can’t recall which particular song, possibly My Girl.

Lee's top five love songs to smooch to

1. I Just Can’t Stop Loving You, by Ray Charles
Originally written by country singer Don Gibson, I Can't Stop Loving You was covered by Ray in 1962 and featured on his album Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music. The album is credited with helping to break down racial barriers in popular music through its blend of soul and country styles. The romantic track was the number one in the American charts for five weeks.

2. Wake Up (and Make Love with Me), by Ian Dury and the Blockheads 
Lee was a close friend of Ian Dury and greatly admired his work. This track features on Ian’s debut album New Boots and Panties!! which, at the time, was a controversial piece of work due to its graphic lyrical content embodying the ethos of the punk movement.

3. It’s a Lover’s Question, by Clyde McPhatter
American R&B singer Clyde McPhatter was an influential artist in the 1950s and 1960s. Formerly of The Drifters, Clyde enjoyed his greatest success with this record which reached number six in the US charts. The single was written by American songwriters Brook Benton and Jimmy T Williams.

4. Love Potion No 9, by The Clovers
 The lyrics of this song, released in 1959, are steeped in mysticism. The song follows a man who seeks help in love from a gypsy who advises him to take a love potion, causing him to fall in love with everything he sees.

5. Honey Love, by The Drifters 
Featuring vocals from one of Lee’s earlier choices, Clyde McPhatter, this 1954 track was The Drifters’ third single release and reached the top spot in the US R&B chart. It catapulted the band to fame and the song also featured on the Atlantic Records-signed band’s debut album, Clyde McPhatter and the Drifters.

The Silencerz will play at Chandos Arms, Colindale Avenue, Barnet on Saturday, February 14 from 8pm. Details: 020 8200 0032, thechandosarms.com