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.
Been so long
New Edition Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ladies and Gentlemen it's about that time
The newest addition to the Bad Boy Family
Ralph, Ronnie, Ricky, Mike, Johnny
New Edition
[Ricky]
Oh baby, yeah
No, no, no, no, no
[Ralph]
And it feels like it was yesterday but now we're here to stay
See we rock this way every time we hit the stage
Ain't nothing changed
See it's all the same when we start the show
[Ricky]
Everywhere we go people show us love just can't get enough in 2003
It's only a new gain come around our way all we want to do is spread love
[Chorus]
It has been so long
And we can't let you down
It has been so long
[Johnny]
We won't ever stop doing what we do
And that's giving you something that you can feel
So don't you ever doubt cause we gon turn it out
And bring down the house and we've only just begun
We rock from town to town we always put it down
We only want to see you out your seats no sitting down
So people gather round to hear that NE sound
We got love for all of you
[Chorus]
[Bridge]
How can we let why'all know, know that we
we just can't let this go
Music is our love
Can't stop it now, ain't no other way
Way for us to go
Keep on giving love
Put your hands in the sky if you want to fly on a natural high
It's been so long since we got on
Can't you see we're in it for the long run
[Chorus x3]
The song "Been So Long" by New Edition is a classic R&B love song released in 2003. The lyrics express the feeling of nostalgia and the passage of time. It talks about how much they've grown and developed since their previous successes, yet the love and support from their fans remained constant. While reflecting upon the past, the group assures their fans that they will always remain dedicated to providing quality music and making their fans feel good.
Throughout the song, the group proclaims their love for their fans and assures them that they will always strive to provide the best experience possible while performing. They reference the fact that they have been making music for so long, yet they still have an innate passion for it. The group mentions that while music is changing, they will always remain true to their unique sound, and will continue to rock the stage whenever they perform.
Interestingly, "Been So Long" was written and produced by P. Diddy, and it is the first single featuring all six members of the group since their 1985 self-titled album. The song is included in the group's eighth studio album, One Love, and it became a commercial success, peaking within the top 20 on various music charts. Furthermore, the song was performed by the group during their reunion tour in 2017.
Line by Line Meaning
Ladies and Gentlemen it's about that time
P. Diddy is addressing the audience and letting them know that something exciting is about to happen.
The newest addition to the Bad Boy Family
P. Diddy is introducing New Edition as the latest addition to his record label.
Oh baby, yeah
Ricky is expressing excitement and enthusiasm.
No, no, no, no, no
Ricky is rejecting something or someone.
Say it's been so long
Ricky is acknowledging that it's been a while since they've released new music or performed together.
And it feels like it was yesterday but now we're here to stay
Ralph is saying that even though it's been a long time, it feels like no time has passed at all, and they plan on staying in the music industry for a long time.
See we rock this way every time we hit the stage
Ralph is saying that their style and performance has remained consistent over time.
Ain't nothing changed
Ralph is saying that despite time passing, they haven't changed who they are and what they stand for.
See it's all the same when we start the show
Ralph is saying that their performances are consistent and reliable.
Everywhere we go people show us love just can't get enough in 2003
Ricky is saying that in the year 2003, they are still receiving a lot of love and support from their fans.
It's only a new gain come around our way all we want to do is spread love
Ricky is saying that they welcome new fans and want to share their love of music with them.
It has been so long and we can't let you down
The chorus is acknowledging that it's been a while, but they still want to impress and entertain their fans.
We won't ever stop doing what we do
Johnny is saying that they will continue to make music and perform for as long as they can.
And that's giving you something that you can feel
Johnny is saying that they want to create music that has an impact on their listeners.
So don't you ever doubt cause we gon turn it out
Johnny is saying that their performance will be impressive and they will exceed expectations.
And bring down the house and we've only just begun
Johnny is saying that there's still so much more to come from New Edition.
We rock from town to town we always put it down
Johnny is saying that they travel and perform frequently, and they always give their best performance.
We only want to see you out your seats no sitting down
Johnny is saying that they want their audience to dance and have a good time at their shows.
So people gather round to hear that NE sound
Johnny is saying that people are drawn in by New Edition's unique sound and style.
We got love for all of you
Johnny is expressing appreciation for their fans and wants them to know that they value their support.
How can we let why'all know, know that we we just can't let this go
The bridge is saying that they can't let go of their music and they want their fans to know that.
Music is our love
The bridge is saying that music is what they're passionate about and what they love doing most.
Can't stop it now, ain't no other way way for us to go
The bridge is saying that they can't stop making music and there's no other direction for them to go in.
Keep on giving love
The bridge is saying that they want to keep producing music that is full of love and positivity.
Put your hands in the sky if you want to fly on a natural high
The bridge is encouraging the audience to have a good time and enjoy themselves.
It's been so long since we got on
The chorus is acknowledging that it's been a while since they've released new music or performed together.
Can't you see we're in it for the long run
The chorus is saying that they're committed to their music and will continue to make music and perform for a long time.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: KANDICE LOVE, M. JONES, STEVEN A. JORDAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind