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.
Is This the End
New Edition Lyrics
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It seems to me, you ought to be free.
You used to be mine when the chips were down.
You used to be mine when I weren't around.
Girl, can't you see how I feel? All these feelings that I feel are real.
Oh, girl, can't you see I need you?
It seems to me you ought to be free.
You used to be mine when the chips were down.
You used to be mine when I weren't around.
Girl, can't you see how I feel? All these feelings that I feel are real.
Oh, girl, can't you see I need you?
Aw, baby, is this the end?
Aw, baby, is this the end?
Mama told me one day it was gonna happen
But she never told me when.
She told me it would happen when I was much older.
Wish it would've happened then.
Mama told me one day it was gonna happen
But she never told me when.
She told me it would happen when I was much older.
Wish it would've happened then.
Is this the end?
I want to know, I want to know, I want to know.
Is this the end?
I gotta know, I gotta know, I gotta know.
Is this the end?
The lyrics of New Edition's song "Is This the End" express the despair of a man who feels that his relationship with a woman is coming to an end. The repeated question "Is this the end?" hints at the singer's desperation, as he is trying to come to terms with the fact that his romance could be over. He asks "Are you my friend?" because he is uncertain about the state of their relationship and wonders if they can still maintain a friendship. The line "It seems to me, you ought to be free" suggests that the man believes that the woman should be free to choose whether to continue in their relationship or not.
The second verse of the song features the singer lamenting that the woman used to be his, but now he feels as if he's losing her. He tries to communicate his feelings and expresses that his need for her is real. The bridge of the song reveals that the man's mother warned him that his relationship would end one day, but he wishes that it had happened when he was older.
Overall, "Is This the End" is a poignant and bittersweet song that captures the pain of heartbreak and the desperate need for answers that come with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Is this the end?
Asking if the current situation, likely a relationship, is coming to an end.
Are you my friend?
Wondering if their partner is still their friend or if their relationship has changed.
It seems to me you ought to be free.
Thinking that their partner deserves to be free and not tied down in a relationship if it's not working out.
You used to be mine when the chips were down.
Reminding their partner that they used to be there for them when they were going through tough times.
You used to be mine when I weren't around.
Acknowledging that their partner was faithful even when they weren't physically present in the relationship.
Girl, can't you see how I feel? All these feelings that I feel are real.
Expressing their emotions and hoping their partner can see that they're genuine.
Oh, girl, can't you see I need you?
Asking their partner to see that they still need them in their life.
Aw, baby, is this the end?
Expressing their sadness and asking if this is truly the end of their relationship.
Mama told me one day it was gonna happen
Remembering their mother's advice that relationships can end.
But she never told me when.
Acknowledging that their mother didn't give a timeline for when this could happen.
She told me it would happen when I was much older.
Recalling their mother saying that relationships often end when you're older.
Wish it would've happened then.
Feeling regretful that their relationship didn't end when they were older as it would've been easier to handle.
I want to know, I want to know, I want to know.
Expressing their desire for answers about the state of their relationship.
I gotta know, I gotta know, I gotta know.
Further emphasizing their need to know what's going on in their relationship.
Is this the end?
Repeating the opening question to drive home their uncertainty about the future of their relationship.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LARRY CURTIS JOHNSON, MICHAEL EDWIN JOHNSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind