It’s No Crime – Babyface | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning

Chart Performance: Pop (#7), R&B (#1 for 2 weeks) and Hot Dance (#5); 1989

Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne

Technically, It’s No Crime was Babyface’s first #1 record, if, that is, you’re only talking about his solo recording career. In fact, as writer/producer his efforts had resulted in previous #1’s for The Whispers (Rock Steady), Pebbles (Girlfriend), the Mac Band (Roses Are Red), Bobby Brown (Don’t Be Cruel; Every Little Step; On Our Own), Karyn White (The Way You Love Me; Superwoman; Love Saw It), and The Boys (Dial My Heart; Lucky Charm).

When Babyface released his first album, the closest he got to #1 as a singer was with I Love You Babe, which rose to #8 R&B in 1987. Perhaps he and partner L.A. Reid had given away their “A” material to others or perhaps it was just a matter of timing.

Whatever the case, his sophomore album led off with a #1 right out of the gate. With its industrial-sounding percussion, It’s No Crime was harder than anything Babyface had created to date. Fans and deejays couldn’t get enough of it, giving Babyface his sixth chart topper of 1989.

This content and all Song Meaning articles were created and written by Top 40 Contributing Editor Ed Osborne. © 2024 Ed Osborne. All Rights Reserved. In addition to these song meaning articles, Ed has written our “Year in Music 1960s-1990s” articles.

Produced by:

• L.A.
• Babyface

Lyrics Written by:

• Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds
• Antonio “L.A.” Reid
• Daryl Simmons

Awards:

• The music video for “It’s No Crime” was nominated for an award at the 1989 MTV Video Music Awards