Unraveling the Tale: “Love In the First Degree” by Alabama
Crafted by the brilliant minds of songwriters Tim Dubois and Jim Hurt, Alabama’s iconic hit “Love In the First Degree” is a testament to the band’s unwavering commitment to their country roots. In a candid interview with Billboard Magazine’s Robyn Wells, Teddy Gentry, Alabama’s bass player, emphasized their dedication to being country first and crossover second, expressing a preference for a #1 country song over getting lost in the midst of diverse charts.
Despite their country-centric approach, Alabama managed to make waves on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Love In the First Degree,” claiming the #15 spot and marking their most significant foray into the pop scene. This success followed their previous entries on the Hot 100, including “Take Me Down” (#18), “Feels So Right” (#20), and “The Closer You Get” (#38), all of which garnered respectable positions.
While the pop audience was just getting acquainted with Alabama, the band had already solidified their status as a country staple. “Love In the First Degree” became their fifth number one record, achieving this milestone a mere 17 months after their initial chart-topper, “Tennessee River.”
The song, featured as the third single from the “Feels So Right” album, had already captured the hearts of many listeners in various cities where radio stations boldly played it as an album cut. In an era before radio consultants and rigid playlists, such spontaneity by program directors set stations apart, allowing them to develop unique identities—a far cry from the homogeneous sound prevalent in today’s radio landscape.
The genesis of “Love In the First Degree” traces back to song plugger Ben Hall, who presented it to producer Harold Shedd on behalf of House of Gold Publishing Company and the visionary songwriters, Tim Dubois and Jim Hurt. Tim vividly recalls the inception of the song, sparked by a news story on WSM about a murder conviction in the first degree. This seemingly routine news item ignited Tim’s creative spark, leading him to craft the song’s basic structure during his commute to House of Gold.
Upon arriving at the office, Tim collaborated with Jim Hurt, who had been toying with a musical piece. In just an hour and a half, they birthed the first verse and chorus, with Tim completing the rest at home that very night. Surprisingly swift in its creation, “Love In the First Degree” left the songwriters feeling almost guilty for the ease with which it came together.
December 26, 1981, marked the pinnacle of success for “Love In the First Degree” as it claimed the top spot on Billboard’s country singles chart. This triumph not only solidified Alabama’s standing in the country music realm but also contributed to the “Feels So Right” album’s remarkable feat—27 weeks at #1 on the Billboard country album chart, a record that stood briefly before Alabama surpassed it within a year. The legacy of “Love In the First Degree” endures, a testament to the timeless allure of Alabama’s musical journey.
- Album: Feels So Right
- Released: 1981
- Artist: Alabama
- Nominations: Academy of Country Music Award for Song of the Year, Country Music Association Award for Single of the Year
Lyrics
I once thought of love as a prison
A place I didn’t want to be
But long ago I made a decision
To be footloose and fancy free
But you came and I was so tempted
To gamble on love just one time
I never thought that I would get caught
It seemed like a perfect crime
Baby, you left me defenseless
I’ve only got one plea
Lock me away inside of your love
And throw away the key
I’m guilty of love in the first degree
I thought it would be so simple
Like a thousand times before
I take what I wanted and just walk away
But I never made it to the door
Now babe I’m not begging for mercy
Go ahead and throw the book at me
If loving you’s a crime
I know that I’m as guilty as a man can be
Baby, you left me defenseless
I’ve only got one plea
Lock me away inside of your love
And throw away the key
I’m guilty of love in the first degree
(Love in the first degree) Oh yeah, oh yeah
Baby, you left me defenseless
I’ve only got one plea
Lock me away inside of your love
And throw away the key
I’m guilty of love in the first degree
Love in the first degree oh yea
Love in the first degree
Love in the first degree oh yea
Love in the first degree
Love in the first degree
