If It Isn't Love
Encyclopedia
"If It Isn't Love" is a 1988 song by R&B/Pop
group New Edition
, and the first single from their fifth studio album, Heart Break
.
over it: if it isn't love/why do I feel this way/why does she stay on my mind? The song has a memorable breakdown similar to that of the The Jackson 5
, where lead singer Ralph Tresvant
admits that he made a mistake and he realizes he does love her though his resolve is crushed as his band mates then retort: You love her, what?! Though he is optimistic that he will get her back.
by the same person that was voted out of the group just two years prior, Bobby Brown
with his hit Don't Be Cruel
. The music video for the song showcased the group (and longtime manager Brooke Payne) going over rehearsal for a concert, which has the band gearing up to hit the stage. The video ended with the group running towards the stage, and transitioned them into their next music video; a concert performance for the follow-up single, "You're Not My Kind of Girl."
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
group New Edition
New Edition
New Edition is an R&B group formed in Boston in 1978. The group reached its height of popularity during the 1980s. They were the progenitors of the boy band movement of the 1980s and 1990s and led the way for groups like New Kids on the Block, Boyz II Men, Backstreet Boys and 'N Sync...
, and the first single from their fifth studio album, Heart Break
Heart Break
Heart Break is the fifth studio album by American R&B and pop group New Edition, released June 20, 1988 on MCA Records. It is the first album to return the Boston-reared band as a quintet after the public exit of original member Bobby Brown, and the first album to feature Johnny Gill as member of...
.
Overview
Written and produced by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, the song spoke of a man who left a troubling relationship because he didn't want to fall in love, only to find out that he was in fact in love with his former girlfriend but is still in a dilemmaDilemma
A dilemma |proposition]]") is a problem offering two possibilities, neither of which is practically acceptable. One in this position has been traditionally described as "being on the horns of a dilemma", neither horn being comfortable...
over it: if it isn't love/why do I feel this way/why does she stay on my mind? The song has a memorable breakdown similar to that of the The Jackson 5
The Jackson 5
The Jackson 5 , later known as The Jacksons, were an American popular music family group from Gary, Indiana...
, where lead singer Ralph Tresvant
Ralph Tresvant
Ralph Tresvant , aka Rizz, is an American tenor singer, best known as one of the lead singers in New Edition.-New Edition:Tresvant sang lead on many of the New Edition lead singles including "Candy Girl", "Cool It Now" and "If It Isn't Love"...
admits that he made a mistake and he realizes he does love her though his resolve is crushed as his band mates then retort: You love her, what?! Though he is optimistic that he will get her back.
Release and reaction
This song returned New Edition to the top ten of both the pop and R&B singles charts, peaking at number seven and two, respectively. Ironically, they would be held off from #1 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop SongsHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...
by the same person that was voted out of the group just two years prior, Bobby Brown
Bobby Brown
Robert Barisford "Bobby" Brown is an American R&B singer-songwriter, occasional rapper, and dancer. After success in pop group New Edition, Brown began his solo career in 1987 and had a string of Top 10 Billboard hits, culminating in a Grammy Award. He was a pioneer of New Jack Swing music, a...
with his hit Don't Be Cruel
Don't Be Cruel (Bobby Brown song)
"Don't Be Cruel" is a song performed by R&B artist Bobby Brown. Taken from his second and most successful album as its title track, the song was written and produced by the R&B production duo Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds and Antonio "L.A." Reid....
. The music video for the song showcased the group (and longtime manager Brooke Payne) going over rehearsal for a concert, which has the band gearing up to hit the stage. The video ended with the group running towards the stage, and transitioned them into their next music video; a concert performance for the follow-up single, "You're Not My Kind of Girl."
Track listing
- If It Isn't Love (12" Club Mix) - (7:42)
- If It Isn't Love (Instrumental) - (5:10)
- If It Isn't Love (Low Key Mix) - (4:30)
Trivia
- Fab 5 Freddy appeared in this video
- Brooke Payne appears as the group's choreographer in the video
- Sampled on rap group Kidz In The Hall 2008 release song "Whattup Wit Me"
- Sampled by Trick DaddyTrick DaddyMaurice Young , better known by his stage name Trick Daddy, is a certified platinum American rapper and producer from Miami, Florida.-Music career:...
on his song "Ain't a Thug" from his album Thug Matrimony: Married to the StreetsThug Matrimony: Married to the StreetsThug Matrimony: Married to the Streets is the sixth studio album by Miami rapper Trick Daddy. The album debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200 with 145,000 copies sold in the first week released.... - Sung by Romeo, Bullethead and their singing group for a talent show on an episode of The Steve Harvey ShowThe Steve Harvey ShowThe Steve Harvey Show is an American sitcom that aired for six seasons from August 25, 1996 to February 17, 2002 on The WB Television Network. It was created by Winifred Hervey and directed by Stan Lathan.-Synopsis:...
.
Personnel
- Ronnie DeVoeRonnie DeVoeRonnie DeVoe, aka R.D., is one of the members of the R&B sextet New Edition....
: background vocals - Ricky BellRicky Bell (singer)Ricky Bell, nicknamed "Slick" is an American R&B singer best known as one of the founding members of New Edition and the lead singer of Bell Biv DeVoe...
: background vocals - Michael BivinsMichael BivinsMichael Lamont Bivins, a.k.a. Biv , is the founder and member of the R&B group New Edition and the hip hop group Bell Biv DeVoe...
: background vocals - Ralph TresvantRalph TresvantRalph Tresvant , aka Rizz, is an American tenor singer, best known as one of the lead singers in New Edition.-New Edition:Tresvant sang lead on many of the New Edition lead singles including "Candy Girl", "Cool It Now" and "If It Isn't Love"...
: lead vocals & background vocals - Johnny GillJohnny GillJohnny Gill is an American R&B singer-songwriter. He is the sixth and final member of the R&B supergroup New Edition, and was also a member of another supergroup called LSG; with Gerald Levert and Keith Sweat. His signature song "My, My, My" has been included on numerous romantic...
: background vocals