“Love in the First Degree”, a song written by Tim DuBois and Jim Hurt, and recorded by the country-rock band Alabama, the song was recorded on August 30, 1980, in The Music Mill, 1710 Roy Acuff Place, Nashville, TN, with the production of Harold Shedd and Alabama, the song was released on October 2, 1981, reaching # 1 on the charts of US Hot Country Songs, on December 26, 1981, for two consecutive weeks and remaining A total of 16 weeks on the charts. It also reached # 1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks charts on January 16, 1982. It was the fifth consecutive number one in the Alabama career.

The song was included in Alabama’s fifth studio album, Feels So Right (RCA 1981), the album was released in February 1981, and on May 23, 1981, reached # 1 on the US Top Country charts. Albums, for 28 consecutive weeks, and remaining a total of 174 weeks in the charts. The album was certified quadruple platinum in the USA, and platinum in Canada.

About song :

«Love in the First Degree» became Alabama’s biggest crossover hit, peaking at No. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1982.

As 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.

Versions:

Luke Bryan 2013 (Show Dog)

Miquel Batlle Garriga
mbatllegarriga@gmail.com

Alabama – Love In The First Degree Lyrics

I once though of love as a prison
A place I didn’t want to be.
So 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,
But 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’d 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 lovin’ you’s a crime,
I know that I’m as guilty as a man can be.

Baby, you left me defenseless.
But 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.
But 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.
Love in the first degree.
Love in the first degree.
Oh yeah.
Love in the first degree.
Love in the first degree.
Love in the first degree.
Love in the first degree…