Isn’t It Time (The Babys song) 1977
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Released October 1977
Format 7-inch single
Genre Rock, R&B
Length 3:23 (single version)
4:03 (album version)
Label Chrysalis
Writer(s) Jack Conrad, Ray Kennedy
Producer(s) Ron Nevison
“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 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 are motivated by Ray Kennedy’s love for a French woman whom he knew during the writing of the song. The lyrics alone would have a wide appeal, but because they were matched with well established musicianship the song still enjoys popularity and numerous recordings can be seen on YouTube.
The drum work of Tony Brock heralds the chorus featuring the Babettes and the slowhand 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 December 7, 1977, a video of the Babys’ “Isn’t It Time” was aired on the ABC-TV program American Bandstand.