Isn't It Time (The Babys song)

"Isn't it Time"
side-A label by Chrysalis Records
Side-A label of the British single
Single by The Babys
from the album Broken Heart
B-side"Give Me Your Love"
Released20 September 1977
Genre
Length3:23 (single version)
4:03 (album version)
LabelChrysalis
SongwritersJack Conrad, Ray Kennedy
ProducerRon Nevison
The Babys singles chronology
"If You've Got the Time"
(1977)		 "Isn't it Time"
(1977)		 "Silver Dreams"
(1978)

"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. It was a number-one hit in Australia in March 1978, and peaked at No. 13 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and No. 8 on the US Cash Box Top 100. It was the group's first of three US Top 40 hits.

Background

"Isn't It Time" was written by bass guitarist Jack Conrad, who performed and recorded with The Doors after the death of Jim Morrison, along with Ray Kennedy, noted for co-writing The Beach Boys' "Sail On Sailor" and performing and singing songs from the film "Phantom of the Paradise"[3].

"Isn't It Time" is recognizable for its piano work performed by Michael Corby, its lead vocal performance by John Waite, and the vocal chorus is by the three Babettes from Andraé Crouch & The Disciples, Lisa Freeman-Roberts, Myrna Matthews and Pat Henderson. Their chorus frames the song, which moves through the decisions a lover has to make through its lyrics "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 Babettes' refrain ("isn't it time you don't have to wait, falling in love could be your mistake") is heard alternating between the left and right channels later in the song, a technique by producer Ron Nevison.

Although the band was from England, the song only reached #45 in the UK, despite its performance on the BBC's flagship music show Top of the Pops on 5th January 1978. It was The Babys' only UK charted single.

On 7 December 1977 a video of the Babys' "Isn't It Time" was aired on the ABC program American Bandstand.[4]

Chart performance

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[20] 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.[21]
  • 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. ↑ Sendra, Tim. Various Artists - Sounds of the Seventies: 1977 - Take Two (1991) Review at AllMusic. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
  3. ↑ Giles, Jeff (18 February 2014). "Musician Ray Kennedy dies at 67". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 25 July 2026.
  4. ↑ "Isn't It Time by The Babys Songfacts". www.songfacts.com. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  5. ↑ "The Babys – Isn't It Time" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  6. ↑ "Top Singles - Volume 28, No. 15 & 16, January 14 1978". www.collectionscanada.gc.ca. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  7. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 3, 1978" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  8. ↑ "The Babys – Isn't It Time" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  9. ↑ "Search results for "Babys" | Official Chart". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  10. ↑ "The Babys, HSI". Billboard. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  11. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (1993). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–1993. Record Research. p. 21.
  12. ↑ "Archives files". cashboxmagazine.com. Archived from the original on 2 November 2018. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  13. ↑ Canada, Library and Archives (17 July 2013). "Image : RPM Weekly". Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  14. ↑ "Kent Music Report No 236 – 1 January 1979 > National Top 100 Singles for 1978". Kent Music Report. Retrieved 8 January 2022 – via Imgur.com.
  15. ↑ "ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts - 1970". Australian-charts.com. Archived from the original on 2 June 2016. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  16. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 1978". Ultratop. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  17. ↑ Canada, Library and Archives (17 July 2013). "Image : RPM Weekly". Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  18. ↑ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1978". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  19. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1978". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  20. ↑ "Cash Box Newspaper" (PDF). Cash Box. 20 May 1978. p. 20. Retrieved 13 November 2021 – via World Radio History.
  21. ↑ Charlotte News 4 September 1980 "Off the Record: Kennedy talented singer-songwriter" by Chris Jones p.7C
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