Love in the First Degree
Bananarama Lyrics


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Last night I was dreaming
I was locked in a prison cell
When I woke up I was screaming
Calling out your name

Whoa and the judge and the jury
They all put the blame on me
They wouldn't go for my story
They wouldn't hear my plea

Only you can set me free
'Cause I'm guilty
Guilty as a girl can be
Come on baby can't you see
I stand accused of love in the first degree
Guilty
Of love in the first degree

Someday I believe it
You will come to my rescue
Unchain my heart you're keeping
And let me start anew, ooh
The hours pass so slowly
Since they've thrown away the key
Can't you see that I'm lonely
Won't you help me please

Only you can set me free
'Cause I'm guilty
Guilty as a girl can be
Come on baby can't you see
I stand accused of love in the first degree
Guilty
Of love in the first degree

Guilty of love, guilty of love in
Guilty of love, guilty of love in
Guilty,
Of love in the first degree

Whoa and the judge and the jury
They all put the blame on me
They wouldn't go for my story
They wouldn't hear my plea

Only you can set me free
'Cause I'm guilty
Guilty as a girl can be
Come on baby can't you see
I stand accused of love in the first degree
Guilty
Of love in the first degree

Only you can set me free
'Cause I'm guilty
Guilty as a girl can be
Come on baby can't you see
I stand accused of love in the first degree
Guilty
Of love in the first degree

Only you can set me free
'Cause I'm guilty
Guilty as a girl can be
Come on baby can't you see
I stand accused of love in the first degree




Guilty
Of love in the first degree

Overall Meaning

In "Love in the First Degree," Bananarama sings about a woman who is hopelessly in love with someone, so much so that she is likening her love to a guilty verdict in a court of law. The lyrics suggest that she is imprisoned as a result of her love – the judge and the jury have found her “guilty as a girl can be” for “love in the first degree.” The woman pleads for her lover to set her free, to “unchain her heart” and “let her start anew.” The song ends on a hopeful note, with the woman believing that someday her lover will come to her rescue.


The lyrics can be interpreted in several ways. Some have suggested that the song is about falling in love with someone who is unavailable or who doesn’t reciprocate your feelings. Others believe it may be about a relationship that is considered taboo or disapproved of by society. The theme of being “imprisoned” by love is a common one in romantic songs, and Bananarama’s “Love in the First Degree” certainly fits into this trend.


Line by Line Meaning

Last night I was dreaming
The singer recollects a past experience where they were dreaming.


I was locked in a prison cell
The singer was locked in a prison cell in their dream.


When I woke up I was screaming
The singer woke up from their dream and immediately screamed.


Calling out your name
The artist called out the name of the person they were addressing in their dream.


Whoa and the judge and the jury
The artist is referring to the legal system in their dream.


They all put the blame on me
The singer is being blamed by the legal system in their dream.


They wouldn't go for my story
The legal system in the singer's dream did not believe their defense.


They wouldn't hear my plea
The artist's appeal to the legal system in their dream was rejected.


Only you can set me free
The artist believes that the person they are addressing is the only one who can help them.


'Cause I'm guilty
The artist admits to being guilty of something, likely related to their dream.


Guilty as a girl can be
The singer emphasizes that they are guilty to the fullest extent possible.


Come on baby can't you see
The artist implores the person they are addressing to understand their plight.


I stand accused of love in the first degree
The singer is metaphorically comparing their love to a crime for which they are being accused.


Someday I believe it
The singer maintains hope for the future.


You will come to my rescue
The singer believes that the person they are addressing will save them.


Unchain my heart you're keeping
The artist wants the person they are addressing to release them from emotional captivity.


And let me start anew, ooh
The artist wants a fresh start with the person they are addressing.


The hours pass so slowly
The singer is feeling time move at a slower pace.


Since they've thrown away the key
The singer feels as though they are trapped and will not be able to escape without help.


Can't you see that I'm lonely
The artist is feeling lonely and is asking the person they are addressing for help.


Won't you help me please
The artist is pleading with the person they are addressing for help.


Guilty of love, guilty of love in
The artist reiterates their guilt related to their love.


Guilty of love, guilty of love in
The singer repeats their guilt, emphasizing it more.


Guilty,
The artist ends their repetition, ultimately accepting their guilt.


Only you can set me free
The singer repeats their plea for help, acknowledging that only the person they are addressing can save them.


'Cause I'm guilty
The singer acknowledges their guilt again.


Guilty as a girl can be
The singer emphasizes their guilt again.


Come on baby can't you see
The artist repeats their plea for help again.


I stand accused of love in the first degree
The artist repeats their metaphorical comparison of their love to a crime.


Guilty
The singer ends the song with a final admission of guilt.


Of love in the first degree
The singer emphasizes the specific crime for which they are guilty, being love at an intense level.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Mike Stock, Siobhan Fahey, Keren Woodward, Sarah Dallin, Matt Aitken, Peter Waterman

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

fktl2002

Bananarama - Love In The First Degree

Last night I was dreaming
I was locked in a prison cell
When I woke up I was screaming
Calling out your name (whoa)

And the judge and the jury
They all put the blame on me (the blame on me)
They wanna tell from my story
They want to hear my plea

Only you can set me free
'Cause I'm guilty (guilty)
Guilty as a girl can be
Come on baby, can't you see
I stand accused
Of love in the first degree

(Guilty) Of love in the first degree

Someday I'm believing
You will come to my rescue
Unchain my heart, you'll keep him
Let me start a new (you)

The hours passed so slowly
Since they've thrown away the key (away the key)
Can't you see that I'm lonely
Won't you help me please

Only you can set me free
'Cause I'm guilty (guilty)
Guilty as a girl can be
Come on baby, can't you see
I stand accused
Of love in the first degree

(Guilty) Of Love in the first degree

(Guilty)
Of Love

(Guilty)
Of Love in

(Guilty) Of Love

(Guilty) Of Love in

(Guilty)
Of love in the first degree

And the judge and the jury
They all put the blame on me
They wanna tell from my story
They wanna hear my plea

Only you can set me free
'Cause I'm guilty (Guilty)
As a girl can be
Come on baby, can't you see
I stand accused
Of love in the first degree



All comments from YouTube:

N N

Who else loves 80's music? ❤️❤️❤️

N N

Ashley Smith that's great 👍

Shaun Clarke

Your mum

N N

@Shaun Clarke she does actually, bet yours does too!

80s&YMOfan

Ohh,me😊

271 More Replies...

Chris Pines

Great tune, great lyrics, great voice...great memories of the 80s...such a wonderful time growing up with wonderful music

JB9000x

The lyrics were better 30 years ago when I thought it was "GUILTY AS A DRUNKEN FLEA"

Claudia Diaz Castillo

Todavia estan vigentes

Richard Guarascia

The 80’s was one of the best decades for pop music 🎶

Heiswise

70' disco music was good too. And 90' eurodance.

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