Love in the First Degree

Bananarama

About Love in the First Degree

"Love in the First Degree" is a song written and recorded by English girl group Bananarama. It is included on their fourth studio album Wow! and was released in 1987 as its second single except in the U. S., where it was released in 1988 as the album's third single (following "I Can't Help It"). The track was co-written and produced by the Stock Aitken Waterman (SAW) trio. The song is an uptempo pop tune similar to many hits produced by SAW during this time period. The surreal lyrics, composed by Siobhan Fahey and built upon by SAW and Bananarama members Sara Dallin and Keren Woodward, describes a dream in which they find themselves being tried in court for love. The musical structure could be compared to that of Pachelbel's Canon. "Love in the First Degree" is Bananarama's biggest-selling single in their native UK. It holds a three-way tie for their highest UK singles chart placing (number three). The single also became a top-ten success in Australia and earned a top-twenty placing in New Zealand. In the United States the song just missed the top-forty, but was a top-ten club hit. The B-side was Mr. Sleaze in which Bananarama member Sara Dallin not only sang on that track but also played bass guitar like she did on "Love in the First Degree". 


Year:
2004
3:28
36 
#1

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Last night I was dreaming
I was locked in a prison cell
When I woke up I was screaming
Calling out your name

Whoa and the judge and the jury
They all put the blame on me
They wouldn't go for my story
They wouldn't hear my plea

Only you can set me free
'Cause I'm guilty
Guilty as a girl can be
Come on baby can't you see
I stand accused of love in the first degree
Guilty
Of love in the first degree

Someday I believe it
You will come to my rescue
Unchain my heart you're keeping
And let me start anew, ooh
The hours pass so slowly
Since they've thrown away the key
Can't you see that I'm lonely
Won't you help me please

Only you can set me free
'Cause I'm guilty
Guilty as a girl can be
Come on baby can't you see
I stand accused of love in the first degree
Guilty
Of love in the first degree

Guilty of love, guilty of love in
Guilty of love, guilty of love in
Guilty,
Of love in the first degree

Whoa and the judge and the jury
They all put the blame on me
They wouldn't go for my story
They wouldn't hear my plea

Only you can set me free
'Cause I'm guilty
Guilty as a girl can be
Come on baby can't you see
I stand accused of love in the first degree
Guilty
Of love in the first degree

Only you can set me free
'Cause I'm guilty
Guilty as a girl can be
Come on baby can't you see
I stand accused of love in the first degree
Guilty
Of love in the first degree

Only you can set me free
'Cause I'm guilty
Guilty as a girl can be
Come on baby can't you see
I stand accused of love in the first degree
Guilty
Of love in the first degree

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Bananarama

Bananarama are an English female pop band who have had success on the pop and dance charts since 1982. Rather than relying on harmony, the band generally sings in unison, as do their background vocalists. Although there have been line-up changes, the group enjoyed most success as a trio made up of lifelong friends Siobhan Fahey, Keren Woodward and Sara Dallin. In The 1980s, Bananarama were listed in the Guinness World Records as the all female group with the most chart entries in the world, a record which they still hold. Since 1992, Woodward and Dallin have continued Bananarama as a Duo. more »

1 fan

Written by: Mike Stock, Siobhan Fahey, Keren Woodward, Sarah Dallin, Matt Aitken, Peter Waterman

Lyrics © A SIDE MUSIC LLC D/B/A MODERN WORKS MUSIC PUBLISHING, Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Origin of the Song
"Love in the First Degree" is a song by English girl group Bananarama from their fourth studio album, "Wow!".
Songwriters
The track was written and produced by Mike Stock, Matt Aitken, and Pete Waterman, widely known as the English songwriting and record producing trio Stock Aitken Waterman.
Release Date
The song was released as the album’s second single on 28th September 1987.
Song Chart Performance
The song peaked at number three in the UK Singles Chart, a position it held for two weeks, and it remains one of the group's highest charting hits.
Song Genre
It is categorized under the musical genres of pop and dance-pop.
Music Video
The music video for "Love in the First Degree" features the girls "on trial" for "love in the first degree", presided over by drag queen Lionel Blair. The choreography was quirky and is often remembered with affection.
1988 Brit Awards
It earned them a nomination for Best British Single at the 1988 Brit Awards.
Pop Success
It was the group's biggest Australian hit, reaching number five and spending 22 weeks on the singles chart.
Billboard Chart Performance
In the U.S., it performed modestly on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at #48.
Continuing Popularity
The song remains one of Bananarama's most popular and is often included in their live performances and compilation CDs.
Cover Version
The British pop group Almighty covered the song in their 2006 dance album "We Love Stock Aitken Waterman".

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    "Love in the First Degree Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Mar. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/9574931/Bananarama/Love+in+the+First+Degree>.

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    Love in the First Degree

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1988

    Billboard #48


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