Inside Tracks #44: Babys, "Isn't It Time" by Ray Kennedy & Jack Conrad, w/Covers by John Waite, Robin Trower, Sisters, Bert Heerink, Michael V. Doane
Taking a shot at recording a song written outside the band, The Babys took a chance on a song by veterans, produced by a proven rock producer, Ron Nevison. "So, this is what chart success looks like!"
Keith R. Higgons (above), creator of
, and I, discovered we shared a love and appreciation for The Babys, and more to the point, their hit song, “Isn’t It Time.” To that end, we collaborated on an “Inside Tracks” to drill down on the song, its writers, and a couple of covers! We hope you enjoy!This is, essentially, a guest post by Keith; FRONT ROW & BACKSTAGE’s Brad Kyle happily served as layout editor.
First, this from Daily Rock History on Facebook: “On Christmas Eve, 1977, the Babys’ single, ‘Isn’t It Time,’ peaked on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 at #13. The song, from their Broken Heart LP, went all the way to #1 in Australia, #4 in the Netherlands, and #8 in Canada and Belgium. It only got to #45 in the UK.
“Songwriters Jack Conrad (session bassist) and Ray Kennedy also co-wrote the Babys’ other big hit, ‘Every Time I Think of You,’ which coincidentally also went to #8 in Canada and #13 in the U.S. in 1978.
“The lyrics for ‘Isn’t It Time’ were motivated by Ray Kennedy’s love for a French woman whom he knew during the writing of the song.
“The song features the distinctive Michael Corby piano intro, and the strong vocals of the three Babettes from Andraé Crouch & The Disciples, Lisa Freeman-Roberts, Myrna Matthews and Pat Henderson.”
The studio recording, with the band synching-to-track on the Dutch TV show, TopPop:
Keith R. Higgons: I first recall hearing The Babys when I was in the 6th grade. A girl I liked was really into them, and since I was beginning to notice girls I, by default, was also into them. Being on the cover of all the teen magazines, The Babys were having a moment with 1980’s “Midnight Rendezvous” (off the Union Jacks album) which had just enough crunch to garner marginal AOR support.
While I like that song, it wasn’t the one that got its hooks in me.
It was hearing “Isn’t It Time” that led me to dive deeper into The Babys. By this time “Isn’t It Time” was a few years old, and had peaked commercially and yet it still sounded both fresh and familiar….something it still does to this day.
The mark of a great song is its ability to transcend the time in which it was released. “Isn’t It Time” is one of those timeless tracks that doesn’t sound effortless, the texture and production of the song denote work, but it’s that work that yields big dividends as the song sounds just about perfect.
Released in 1977 (from their Broken Heart album, produced by Ron Nevison), “Isn’t It Time” has an intimacy to it in the way it begins softly with the piano intro and then slowly builds to the crashing chorus….a masterful blend of rock and soul. The song is driven by singer John Waite’s evocative vocals, and explores themes of love, reconciliation, and vulnerability. The incorporation of a gospel-inspired backing chorus elevates its intensity, creating a dynamic contrast to the rock foundation.
Conveyed through John Waite’s impassioned vocal delivery, which blends longing and vulnerability with a sensual edge, “Isn’t It Time” exudes a subtle but undeniable sexual energy. The backing vocals and swelling instrumentation add a layer of emotional urgency, intensifying the song’s themes of desire and connection.
The lyrical content, while focused on the emotional complexities of love and connection, carries an undercurrent of intimate tension, making the track both heartfelt and powerful. The combination of lush production and Waite’s emotive performance amplifies the song’s romantic and sensual undertones:
Falling in love was the last thing I had on my mind
Holding you is a warmth that I thought I could never findJust trying to decide
(Whether to go all alone) or stay by your side
(Then I stop myself because) I know I could cry
I just can't find the answers to the questions that keep going through my mind
While undeniably heartfelt, some may argue the song is overproduced and that overproduction risks overshadowing its raw emotional core. I say hogwash to that because the song’s timeless appeal lies in its passionate resonance and undeniable melodic strength.
The Babys, live in concert, 2019:
Kennedy’s New Frontier
Ray Kennedy, along with former DJ and former Beach Boys manager (1970-1973), Jack Rieley, wrote the lyrics to The Beach Boys’ “Sail On Sailor,” from their 1973 album, Holland.
A co-composer of that song (with Brian Wilson and Van Dyke Parks), was Tandyn Almer, whose little-known, but gripping life story can be discovered here:
“Isn’t It Time” was written by session bassist, Jack Conrad and singer/songwriter, Ray Kennedy (above). Co-writer Kennedy released it on his self-titled solo album on ARC/Columbia Records in 1980. Kennedy offers a softer, more intimate take on the song, mechanically produced by eventual 16-Grammy-winner, David Foster. Unlike The Babys’ grandiose, gospel-infused version, Kennedy’s interpretation leans into a more reflective tone, emphasizing the song’s vulnerability.
Foster’s production trades bombast for nuance, and therefore strips the song of any feeling. While Kennedy’s version lacks the anthemic power of the original, it can’t be said that it isn’t heartfelt.
The Covers
John Waite, 2007 and 2017
For his 2007 album for Rounder Records (U.S.), Highway: Journey of a Heart (credits, click here), Waite took another stab at “Isn’t It Time,” giving it a solo reading that wasn’t too far away from what his band whelped 3 decades before:
Robin Trower, 1990
Robin Trower’s 1990 rendition of “Isn’t It Time” featured on his album, In the Line of Fire, reimagines The Babys’ classic with a blues-rock sensibility. Trower’s signature guitar work infuses the track with a soulful depth, while Davey Pattison’s lead vocals deliver a compelling performance that complements the song’s emotive core.
The production (by longtime pro, Eddie Kramer), characterized by its polished yet dynamic sound, highlights Trower’s ability to reinterpret existing material through his distinctive artistic lens. While some listeners, myself included, may prefer the original’s pop-rock appeal, Trower’s version offers a nuanced and heartfelt alternative that showcases his musical versatility:
Sisters, 1993
Sisters were Dutch quartet Saskia, Lucette, Gaby, and Rosanna, with Saskia and Gaby taking the lead vocals on this 1993 take:
Bert Heerink, 1995 (Dutch)
Jaap Eggermont and Peter Schön provided the Dutch translation for Bert Heerink, the former lead singer of ‘80s hard rock band, Vandenberg:
Michael V. Doane, 2017
Brad: He had me at the pre-chorus (he should’ve had me with his 8-Track album title and artwork, shown below!), and his chorus is satisfyingly full (with handclaps!). His clever arrangement is different enough from The Babys’ to earn multiple listens:
If you’re in Washington state (or planning to be, late March), plan on taking in FR&B friend, , in concert with Elaine Summers! Ticket info by clicking here!
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