Like the Jackson 5 before them, New Edition became a pop phenomenon, and were big enough to have Madonna as an opening act during their early days.
The group parted company with Starr in 1984; Starr responded by promptly creating the group New Kids on the Block, essentially New Edition with Caucasian teenagers. After the split the boys still received success from singles such as "Cool It Now, Mr. Telephone Man", and "Count Me Out". Around 1986, Bobby Brown was voted out of the group, due to behavioral problems during concerts, He went on to pursue a solo career in 1987 but did not find success in his solo ventures until 1988. Brown was replaced by former solo child star Johnny Gill who would become an official member that same year. The group's sound also evolved at this time from bubblegum pop-styled R&B to smoother, more adult music. The new material, primarily produced by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, had a strong new jack swing feel. The first album recorded with Gill, Heart Break, had numerous R&B hits, including "If It Isn't Love", "Can You Stand The Rain", "N.E. Heart Break", and "Boys To Men" (which later lent its name to the Philadelphia-based group Boyz II Men).
New Edition essentially broke up in 1989, with Bell, Bivins, and DeVoe forming the popular hip hop group Bell Biv DeVoe, Ralph Tresvant beginning his solo career and Gill restarting his solo career, with more success this time. In 1991, the group had a semi-reunion of sorts when they recorded a remix of the Bell Biv DeVoe track "Word To The Mutha!" in which all six members performed and appeared in the music video.
In 1996, the reunion became complete, as all six former members reunited for the Home Again album. Although the album featured the hit singles "Hit Me Off" and "I'm Still In Love With You", the ensuing tour would prove disastrous for the group. By the middle leg of the tour in 1997, Bobby Brown and Mike Bivins left, due to egos clashing and a less-than-harmonious time with the other members. The band canceled the tour and went on indefinite hiatus soon afterward.
The band reformed again in 2002 without Bobby Brown and released an album on Bad Boy Records entitled "One Love". They are currently working in the studio with plans to release another album with all six members in 2008.
Boys To Men
New Edition Lyrics
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You're not an man until you come of age
We've given up our teenage years
In the effort to pursue our career
Who assumes responsibility
Of having to support our families
Who's protecting us from harm
Is there anyone around
That we can trust
So we search for answers to our questions
Looking for answers
No answers but we're taught a lesson everytime
Through mistakes we've learned to gather wisdom
Life's responsibility falls in our hands
Keep on learning
Keep on growing
'Cause wisdom helps us understand
We're maturing
Without knowing
These are the things that change boys to men
Oh the goals we set may exceed reality
'Cause failure always a possibility
Who can tell us that we're wrong
It's up to us to figure out
What life is all about
So we search for answers to questions
Looking for the answers
No answers but we're taught a lesson everytime
Through mistakes we've learned to gather wisdom
'Cause wisdom helps us see our responsibility.
In "Boys to Men," New Edition shares their journey of growing up and taking on the responsibilities of adulthood. The opening lines set the tone for the song, stating that the process of growing up can be painful and that true adulthood only comes after a certain age. The band explains that they have sacrificed their teenage years to pursue their careers, highlighting the responsibilities of supporting themselves and their families. The members of New Edition express their vulnerability, wondering who is protecting them and if they can trust others during this transitional phase.
The song suggests that answers are not always readily available, but the mistakes made along the way bring wisdom and teach valuable lessons. New Edition urges their audience to continue learning, growing, and gathering wisdom even if it means experiencing failure. They recognize that they may set goals that exceed their reality, and nobody can tell them when they're wrong. Instead, they must figure life out for themselves and take responsibility for their own choices. Through their experiences, they have learned that wisdom helps them understand and mature without realizing, the things that change boys into men.
Line by Line Meaning
Growing up can be a pain
Adolescence can be difficult and distressing
You're not an man until you come of age
An individual is not an adult until they have attained maturity
We've given up our teenage years
We've relinquished our teenage self to chase what we desire the most, including our careers
In the effort to pursue our career
We've put in a lot of work, effort, and effort to achieve the goal of our profession
Who assumes responsibility
Who would assume responsibility
Of having to support our families
To financially support our families
Who's protecting us from harm
Who will keep us from harm
Is there anyone around
Do we have anyone to trust and confide in
That we can trust
Who we can rely upon
So we search for answers to our questions
We seek explanations to our queries and doubts
Looking for answers
Searching for solutions
No answers but we're taught a lesson everytime
Often we don't get answers, however, we learn something useful every time
Through mistakes we've learned to gather wisdom
We have learned from our errors and collected wisdom
Life's responsibility falls in our hands
We are entirely accountable for our lives
Keep on learning
Keep acquiring knowledge
Keep on growing
Continue enhancing your abilities and experiences
'Cause wisdom helps us understand
Wisdom aids us in comprehending
We're maturing
We're evolving and growing up
Without knowing
Without being aware of it
These are the things that change boys to men
These are the experiences and lessons that help boys grow up and become mature adults
Oh the goals we set may exceed reality
Our objectives often surpass what we can accomplish in actuality
'Cause failure always a possibility
Because failure is always a possibility
Who can tell us that we're wrong
Who has the audacity to inform us that we are mistaken
It's up to us to figure out
It is our responsibility to work out the solution
What life is all about
What is the meaning of life
'Cause wisdom helps us see our responsibility.
Because wisdom helps us understand our obligation and duty.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JAMES HARRIS III, JAMES SAMUEL III HARRIS, TERRY LEWIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind