Isn't It Time (The Babys song)

"Isn't It Time" is a song that was performed by the English group The Babys in 1977 and was released on their album Broken Heart.

"Isn't it Time"
side-A label by Chrysalis Records
One of side-A labels of the British single
Single by The Babys
from the album Broken Heart
B-side"Give Me Your Love"
ReleasedSeptember 20, 1977
Genre
Length3:23 (single version)
4:03 (album version)
LabelChrysalis
Songwriter(s)Jack Conrad, Ray Kennedy
Producer(s)Ron Nevison
The Babys singles chronology
"If You've Got the Time"
(1977)		 "Isn't it Time"
(1977)		 "Silver Dreams"
(1978)

Background

"Isn't It Time" was not written by members of the group but by bass guitarist Jack Conrad along with Ray Kennedy and was presented to the public as a song with a distinctive piano introduction performed by Michael Corby which moves into an opening vocal performance by lead singer John Waite.

The strong vocals of the three Babettes from Andraé Crouch & The Disciples, Lisa Freeman-Roberts, Myrna Matthews and Pat Henderson, balance the tone of the song which moves through the decisions a lover has to make "I just can't find the answers to the questions that keep going through my mind" and "losing this love could be your mistake." The lyrics were motivated by Ray Kennedy's love for a French woman whom he knew during the writing of the song.

The drum work of Tony Brock heralds the chorus featuring the Babettes and the guitar of Walt Stocker brings the song to a close with the Babettes chorus heard alternatively in the left and right channels "isn't it time", "don't have to wait" a result of the production work of Ron Nevison. The song peaked at position No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 but hit No. 8 on Cash Box's Top 100. It was a #1 hit in Australia in March 1978.

On 7 December 1977 a video of the Babys' "Isn't It Time" was aired on the ABC program American Bandstand.[2]

Chart performance

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[19] Gold 50,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Cover versions
  • The song's co-writer Ray Kennedy recorded "Isn't It Time" for his 1980 self-titled album.[20]
  • English guitarist Robin Trower also recorded a cover of "Isn't It Time" for his 1990 album In the Line of Fire.
  • Franco-Belgian singer Johnny Hallyday recorded a cover in 1978, Le cœur comme une montagne for the album Hollywood. (fr)
  • Belgian singer Udo Mechels had a number one hit in 2006 with his cover.

References
  1. Eddy, Chuck (22 March 1997). "The Power Ballad Revolution". The Accidental Evolution of Rock 'n' Roll: A Misguided Tour Through Popular Music. Da Capo Press. p. 56. ISBN 0-306-80741-6.
  2. "Isn't It Time by The Babys Songfacts". www.songfacts.com. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  3. "The Babys – Isn't It Time" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  4. "Top Singles - Volume 28, No. 15 & 16, January 14 1978". www.collectionscanada.gc.ca. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  5. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 3, 1978" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  6. "The Babys – Isn't It Time" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  7. "Babys: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  8. "The Babys, HSI". Billboard. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  9. Whitburn, Joel (1993). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–1993. Record Research. p. 21.
  10. "Archives files". cashboxmagazine.com. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  11. Canada, Library and Archives (17 July 2013). "Image : RPM Weekly". Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  12. Whitburn, Joel (1999). Pop Annual. Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research Inc. ISBN 0-89820-142-X.
  13. "Kent Music Report No 236 – 1 January 1979 > National Top 100 Singles for 1978". Kent Music Report. Retrieved 8 January 2022 – via Imgur.com.
  14. "ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts - 1970". Australian-charts.com. Archived from the original on 2 June 2016. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  15. "Jaaroverzichten 1978". Ultratop. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  16. Canada, Library and Archives (17 July 2013). "Image : RPM Weekly". Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  17. "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1978". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  18. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1978". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  19. "Cash Box Newspaper" (PDF). Cash Box. 20 May 1978. p. 20. Retrieved 13 November 2021 – via World Radio History.
  20. Charlotte News 4 September 1980 "Off the Record: Kennedy talented singer-songwriter" by Chris Jones p.7C
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