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 of the British single
Single by The Babys
from the album Broken Heart
B-side	"Give Me Your Love"
Released	20 September 1977
Genre	Power pop[1] pop rock[2]
Length	3:23 (single version) 4:03 (album version)
Label	Chrysalis
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. The recording by The Babys begins with piano performed by Michael Corby and moves into a vocal performance by 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.^[3]

Chart performance

Weekly charts Chart (1977–1978) Peak position Australia (Kent Music Report) 1 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[4] 8 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[5] 8 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[6] 4 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[7] 7 UK Singles (OCC)[8] 45 US Billboard Hot 100[9] 13 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[10] 49 US Cashbox Top 100[11] 8 US Record World 11

Year-end charts Chart (1977) Position Canada (RPM)[12] 125 Chart (1978) Position Australia (Kent Music Report)[13][14] 20 Belgium (Ultratop Flanders)[15] 79 Canada (RPM)[16] 154 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[17] 84 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[18] 60

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified 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.