"Love in the First Degree" is a song written by Jim Hurt and Tim DuBois, and recorded by American country music band Alabama. It was released in October 1981 as the third single from the band's album Feels So Right. It became the group's fifth straight No. 1 single (and second multi-week No. 1) on the Billboard magazine Hot Country Singles chart.[1]
| "Love in the First Degree" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Alabama | ||||
| from the album Feels So Right | ||||
| B-side | "Ride the Train" | |||
| Released | October 2, 1981 (U.S.) | |||
| Recorded | August 30, 1980 | |||
| Genre | Country pop | |||
| Length | 3:19 | |||
| Label | RCA Nashville 12288 | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Tim DuBois, Jim Hurt | |||
| Producer(s) | Harold Shedd and Alabama | |||
| Alabama singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Love in the First Degree" became Alabama's biggest crossover hit, peaking at No. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1982.[2]
Background
editAs with the previous single, "Feels So Right," the song's pop "love ballad" style — along with the country rock style of its other songs — became the cornerstone of Alabama's sound throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Today, "Love in the First Degree" remains one of Alabama's most popular songs.
Content
editThe song, a mid-tempoed song with a strong country-pop beat, uses the analogy of being found guilty of a crime (this time, of love) and the perpetrator throwing himself on the mercy of the object of his affection.
Cover versions
editCountry music singer Jason Aldean covered the song from the television special CMT Giants: Alabama. Country music singer Luke Bryan covered the song from the album Alabama & Friends.
Charts
edit| Chart (1981–1982) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100[3] | 15 |
| US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[4] | 5 |
| US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[5] | 1 |
| Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary Tracks | 1 |
| Canadian RPM Country Tracks | 1 |
| Year-end chart (1982) | Rank |
|---|---|
| US Top Pop Singles (Billboard)[6] | 55 |
References
edit- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book Of Top 40 Country Hits: 1944-2006, Second edition. Record Research. p. 18.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits: Eighth Edition. Record Research. p. 22.
- ^ "Alabama Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ "Alabama Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard.
- ^ "Alabama Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
- ^ "Talent in Action : Top Pop Singles". Billboard. 94 (51): TIA-20. December 25, 1982.
Works cited
- Morris, Edward, "Alabama," Contemporary Books Inc., Chicago, 1985 (ISBN 0809253062)
- Allmusic — Feels So Right by Alabama.
 | This 1981 country song-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |