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.
Introduction
New Edition Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just as New Edition has been rearranged
Emotionally hurt we shed a tear
But through your love our tears have disappeared
That's why this is dedicated to you
So just sit back and let us entertain you
Yeah! Yeah! We gone have some fun tonight
Come on! Yeah! Boston!
I bring you Ronnie, Johnny, Ricky, Mike and Ralph
The New Edition!
The lyrics to New Edition's song Introduction speaks to the concept of change and how it is a necessary aspect of life. The song acknowledges the emotional pain that change can bring, but through the power of love, that pain can be eased. The dedication of the song is to the fans, who have supported New Edition through various changes. It is a promise to entertain and bring fun to those who have stood by them. The declaration of the band members' names at the end of the song creates a connection between the band and the listener, solidifying the sense of community that this song aims to create.
Line by Line Meaning
In our world all things must change
The world is always changing and things are never the same.
Just as New Edition has been rearranged
Like New Edition's lineup has changed over the years, so has the world.
Emotionally hurt we shed a tear
When we're hurt, we may cry.
But through your love our tears have disappeared
Thanks to the love and support of others, we can heal from our emotional pain.
That's why this is dedicated to you
This song is dedicated to all the fans who have supported New Edition through the years.
So just sit back and let us entertain you
Relax and enjoy the show that New Edition is about to put on for you.
Yeah! Yeah! We gone have some fun tonight
New Edition promises that their performance will be enjoyable and entertaining.
Come on! Yeah! Boston!
New Edition encourages the crowd in Boston to get excited and have a good time.
Ladies and gentlemen, all the way from Boston, Mass
New Edition is from Boston and they are proud to represent their hometown.
I bring you Ronnie, Johnny, Ricky, Mike and Ralph
The members of New Edition that make up the current lineup are introduced by name.
The New Edition!
And finally, New Edition as a group is announced and ready to perform.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID MCLAUGHLIN, JEFF LINN, JOEL KISER, JOSH KING, MATTHEW BOWERS, PHIL BELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind