If it is n't love - Wikipedia If it is n't love `` If It Is n't Love '' Single by New Edition from the album Heart Break Released June 7, 1988 Format Cassette single, CD single, Vinyl single Recorded November 1987 Genre New jack swing Length 5 : 10 ( album version ) 3 : 48 ( single version ) Label MCA Songwriter ( s ) James Harris, Terry Lewis Producer ( s ) Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis New Edition singles chronology `` Count Me Out '' ( 1985 ) `` If It Is n't Love '' ( 1988 ) `` You 're Not My Kind of Girl '' ( 1988 ) `` Count Me Out '' ( 1985 ) `` If It Is n't Love '' ( 1988 ) `` You 're Not My Kind of Girl '' ( 1988 ) `` If It Is n't Love '' is a 1988 song by American R&B quintet New Edition, and the first single from their fifth studio album, Heart Break. The song became the biggest hit from the aforementioned album, reaching the top ten of the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number seven, and reached the second position on the Hot Black Singles chart. It 's chart performance and well - received music video garnered the quintet their first nomination for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals at the 31st Grammy Awards in February 1989. The song and video is also notable for being the introduction of fellow R&B singer Johnny Gill as a new member of the R&B quintet. Contents 1 Overview 1.1 Release and reaction 2 Track listing 3 Trivia 4 Personnel 5 External links 6 References Overview Written and produced by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, the song spoke of a man who left a troubling relationship because he did n'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 dilemma over it : if it is n'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 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. 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 the top spot of the Hot Black Singles chart by the same person that was voted out of the group just two years prior, Bobby Brown with his # 8 pop hit `` Do n'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. '' Track listing If It Is n't Love ( 12 '' Club Mix ) - ( 7 : 42 ) If It Is n't Love ( Instrumental ) - ( 5 : 10 ) If It Is n't Love ( Low Key Mix ) - ( 4 : 30 ) Trivia Beyoncé 's video for her single `` Love on Top '' was inspired by the music video for `` If It Is n't Love '' 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 Daddy on his song `` Ai n't a Thug '' from his album Thug Matrimony : Married to the Streets. Sung by Romeo, Bullethead and their singing group for a talent show on an episode of The Steve Harvey Show. Sampled by Sevyn Streeter on her song `` Fallen '' ( featuring Ty Dolla $ ign and Cam Wallace ) from her debut studio album Girl Disrupted. Personnel Ronnie DeVoe : background vocals Ricky Bell : background vocals Michael Bivins : background vocals Ralph Tresvant : lead vocals & background vocals Johnny Gill : background vocals. External links Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics References Jump up ^ Josephs, Brian ( July 20, 2012 ). `` The 25 Best New Jack Swing Songs ''. Complex. Retrieved July 26, 2016. If It Is n't Love at AllMusic. Retrieved 14 : 56, 28 April 2015 ( UTC ). New Edition Ricky Bell Michael Bivins Bobby Brown Ronnie DeVoe Johnny Gill Ralph Tresvant Albums Candy Girl New Edition All for Love Christmas All Over the World Under the Blue Moon Heart Break Home Again One Love Singles `` Candy Girl '' ( 1983 ) `` Is This the End '' ( 1983 ) `` Popcorn Love / Jealous Girl '' ( 1983 ) `` Cool It Now '' ( 1984 ) `` Mr. Telephone Man '' ( 1984 ) `` Lost in Love '' ( 1985 ) `` My Secret ( Didja Gitit Yet ? ) '' ( 1985 ) `` Count Me Out '' ( 1985 ) `` If It Is n't Love '' ( 1988 ) `` You 're Not My Kind of Girl '' ( 1988 ) `` Can You Stand the Rain '' ( 1988 ) `` Crucial '' ( 1989 ) `` N.E. Heart Break '' ( 1989 ) `` Hit Me Off '' ( 1996 ) `` I 'm Still in Love with You '' ( 1996 ) `` Something About You '' ( 1996 ) `` One More Day '' ( 1997 ) `` Hot 2Nite '' ( 2004 ) Related articles Discography Bell Biv DeVoe LSG Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis Maurice Starr New Kids on the Block Heads of State The New Edition Story Book : New Edition This 1980s pop song - related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. This 1980s R&B / soul music song - related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=If_It_Isn%27t_Love&oldid=794569741 '' Categories : 1988 singles 1988 songs New Edition songs Songs written by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis Song recordings produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis MCA Records singles 1980s pop song stubs 1980s R&B song stubs Hidden categories : Articles with hAudio microformats All stub articles Talk Contents About Wikipedia Add links This page was last edited on 8 August 2017, at 20 : 12. About Wikipedia

Question: if it isn't love new edition story
Answer: 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 dilemma over it: