Bell Biv DeVoe is a successful spin off group of New Edition that consisted… Read Full Bio ↴Bell Biv DeVoe is a successful spin off group of New Edition that consisted of three previous members, Ricky Bell (also known as Slick), Michael Bivins (also known as Biv), and Ronnie DeVoe (also known as R.D.). Bell Biv DeVoe began to take shape in the late '80s, but not until completing the tour in support of Heart Break did the threesome decide to make the break from New Edition official. At the suggestion of producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, they chose to chart their own course.
Bell Biv Devoe's debut album Poison has a variety of producers, including Dr. Freeze and Spyderman, Wolf & Epic (Richard Wolf & Bret "Epic" Mazur), Guy's Timmy Gatling, and Public Enemy's Hank Shocklee and Keith Shocklee. As a result, Bell Biv DeVoe's first album "Poison" has a larger new jack swing composition as compared to New Edition releases. BBD was a pioneering group that was the first to successfully combine hip-hop with R&B & pop. The CD was released in 1990, and its title track became a #1 hit on the R&B chart. The singles that followed were "Do Me!", "B.B.D. (I Thought It Was Me)?", "When Will I See You Smile Again", and "Dope!" (the latter was retitled "She's Dope!" upon release due to the rising drug abuse among children). Poison sold over three million copies. The remix album WBBD-Bootcity! The Remixes, with the Wolf & Epic produced "Word To The Mutha!" as accompanying single, was released the next year and was certified gold.

Bell Biv Devoe sold in excess of 4 million albums, prompting performances on the 1990 American Music Awards and other such ceremonies.

Bivins took time off from recording to search for new talent and bring together the East Coast Family, discovering and producing debut albums for the groups for Another Bad Creation and Boyz II Men, and little known Sudden Impact. They had two name changes, first to Whytguys and then to The Outsiderz. Bell Biv DeVoe's second album, Hootie Mack, was released in 1993 and spawned the singles "Gangsta", "Above The Rim", "Something In Your Eyes" and "Show Me the Way".

In 1996, Bell, Bivins, and DeVoe participated in the reunion of New Edition and toured in support of the CD Home Again on the MCA record label. In 2001, Bell Biv DeVoe's third album, B.B.D., was released. This latest effort saw Bell Biv Devoe exploring a more, hardcore rap style/R&B approach. It received mixed reviews. "BBD" was marginally successful peaking at #62 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.

Ronnie DeVoe is now a real estate agent in the Atlanta, Georgia area but still remains with New Edition.[1] He is very passionate about nutrition, especially healthy eating, and is currently collaborating with the group Viking Pimps on their up-coming album.

In October 2008, Bell, Biv, and Devoe were on the radio with V103 (Atlanta) where they played a sneak peak at a new track entitled, "That Girl." Another sneak peak is also available for valentines day called "welcome to my heart." See link below.

In February 2009, Bell Biv Devoe dropped 2 new tracks on itunes. " Welcome to My Heart " and " You ". They are working on a new album.

In June 2009, Bell Biv Devoe performed with Ne-Yo at the 2009 BET Awards. Visit http://www.myspace.com/officialbellbivdevoe their official MySpace.

I Do Need You
Bell Biv DeVoe Lyrics

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Hey baby, I've been clockin' it for a while and
Now's about time I tell you how I feel

I know for sure
That you'll never change mmmm mmm mmmm
Why I continue to love you
The answer remains the same

Why do I?
Do I cry?
When I know
Nothing will ever change.
But if I
Keep holding on
Just maybe
You'll see
That
I do need you
(oh oh oh oh oh oh oh)
I do want you
(I need you and I want you)
I do need you
(Woah oh oh oh oh)
I do want you
(I need you Hoo Hoo)

Deep in my heart
I feel that you really do care oh
Is it true what they say?
That uh actions speak louder than words?
And your's just isn't there oh

Why do I?
Do I cry?
When I know
Nothing will ever change.
But if I
Keep holding on
Just maybe
You'll see
That
I do need you
(I oh)
I do want you
(I need you I do)
I do need you
(I know for sure that I need)
I do want you
(need Lord have mercy)

Mmm mmm mmm

Oh

Mmm mmm mmm

Feels so good

Hoo!

I do need you
I do want you

I do need you
I do want you

Overall Meaning

The song "I Do Need You" by Bell Biv DeVoe deals with the complicated emotions of a person who loves someone who they know won't change or reciprocate their feelings. The opening lines of the song indicate that the singer has been aware of their feelings for some time and wants to express them. However, they are aware that their love interest is unlikely to change, and this raises questions about their motivations for continuing to love this person.

The chorus of the song features the singer questioning why they cry when they know that nothing will ever change. This is a common experience for people in one-sided relationships, where they continue to hold on to hope despite knowing that the other person is unlikely to feel the same way. The repetition of the phrase "I do need you, I do want you" indicates that the singer is trying to convince themselves of their own feelings, even though they may know deep down that they need to move on.

The second verse of the song explores the possibility that the singer's love interest does care for them, but that their words don't match their actions. This is another common experience in relationships where one person may say all the right things but fail to back them up with actions. The song ends with an upbeat chorus, suggesting that the singer is hopeful that things might change, even though they know this is unlikely.

Line by Line Meaning

Hey baby, I've been clockin' it for a while and
I've been paying close attention to you for some time now and

Now's about time I tell you how I feel
It's time for me to express my feelings to you

I know for sure
I am certain

That you'll never change mmmm mmm mmmm
That you will always remain the same

Why I continue to love you
I question why I still have feelings for you

The answer remains the same
But the answer is always the same

Why do I?
Why do I feel this way?

Do I cry?
Do I shed tears?

When I know
Even though I am aware

Nothing will ever change.
Nothing will probably be different

But if I
However, if I