If It Isn't Love

"If It Isn't Love" is a song by American R&B quintet New Edition, and the first single from their fifth studio album, Heart Break (1988). The song became the biggest hit from the aforementioned album, reaching the top ten of the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number seven becoming their first top 10 hit following the departure of Bobby Brown, and reached the second position on the Hot Black Singles chart. Its chart performance and well-received music video garnered the quintet their first, and to date, sole nomination for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals at the 31st Grammy Awards in February 1989. The song and video is also notable for being the introduction of fellow R&B singer Johnny Gill as a new member of the R&B quintet.

"If It Isn't Love"
Single by New Edition
from the album Heart Break
ReleasedJune 9, 1988
RecordedNovember 1987
StudioFlyte Tyme Studios (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
Genre
Length5:10 (album version)
3:48 (single version)
LabelMCA
Songwriter(s)
  • James Harris III
  • Terry Lewis
Producer(s)Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis
New Edition singles chronology
"Count Me Out"
(1985)		 "If It Isn't Love"
(1988)		 "You're Not My Kind of Girl"
(1988)
Music video
"If It Isn't Love" on YouTube

Overview

Written and produced by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, the song spoke of a man who left a troubling relationship because he didn't want to fall in love, only to find out that he was in fact in love with his former girlfriend but is still in a dilemma over it: if it isn't love/why do I feel this way/why does she stay on my mind? The song has a memorable breakdown similar to that of The Jackson 5, where lead singer Ralph Tresvant admits that he made a mistake and he realizes he does love her, though his resolve is crushed as his bandmates then retort: You love her, what?! Though he is optimistic that he will get her back.

Release and reaction

This song returned New Edition to the top ten of both the pop and R&B singles charts, peaking at number seven and two, respectively. They were held off from the top spot of the Hot Black Singles chart by the same person that was voted out of the group just two years prior, Bobby Brown with his #8 pop hit "Don't Be Cruel". The music video for the song showcased the group along with their manager, Brooke Payne, going over rehearsal for a concert which has the band gearing up to hit the stage. The video ended with the group running towards the stage, and transitioned them into their next music video; a concert performance for the follow-up single, "You're Not My Kind of Girl."

Track listing
  1. If It Isn't Love (12" Club Mix) - (7:42)
  2. If It Isn't Love (Instrumental) - (5:10)
  3. If It Isn't Love (Low Key Mix) - (4:30)

Personnel

Charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[9] Platinum 1,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Trivia

References
  1. Josephs, Brian (July 20, 2012). "The 25 Best New Jack Swing Songs". Complex. Retrieved July 26, 2016.
  2. "New Edition Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
  3. "New Edition Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
  4. "New Edition Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
  5. "New Edition Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
  6. "Official Singles Chart Results Matching: If It Isn't Love". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
  7. "1988 The Year in Music & Video: Top Pop Singles". Billboard. 100 (52): Y-20. December 24, 1988.
  8. "Billboard Top 100 – 1988". Retrieved October 3, 2016.
  9. "American single certifications – New Edition – If It Isn't Love". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  10. Seahawks break out New Edition ‘If it Isn’t Love’ touchdown dance'
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