Introduction:
Alabama’s “Love in the First Degree,” released on October 2, 1981, marked the band’s third single from Feels So Right. Written by Jim Hurt and Tim DuBois and brought to life with producer Harold Shedd, the track delivered a perfectly crafted blend of pop and country — a smooth, radio-ready anthem that became Alabama’s fifth consecutive No. 1 hit on the country charts.
The song reigned atop Billboard’s Hot Country Singles for two weeks as the year drew to a close, while also making impressive crossovers — reaching No. 15 on the Hot 100 and No. 5 on Adult Contemporary. North of the border, it claimed the top spot on both Country and AC charts in Canada.
But its legacy extends far beyond chart positions. With its early-’80s radio glow, heartfelt courtroom metaphors, and Alabama’s signature harmonies, the song captured a pivotal moment when country music was stepping fully into the mainstream.
For countless fans, it remains the soundtrack of late 1981 — the hum of AM radios on winter night drives, when Alabama turned heartache into something dignified, hopeful, and endlessly singable.