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.
Kinda Girls We Like
New Edition Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh.
Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh.
We came out before.
Now we're back again.
Singin' the kinda girls we like
Now is this the end
So hold on real tight.
While Michael tells you
The kinda girl he likes.
Hey, I like a girl who likes to tease
Not the kinda girl who's always there to please
The kinda girl who makes up her mind
When she (I never knew this part) her given time.
The kinda girl whom you always think about.
That's the kinda girl whom you can't be without.
I'm Michael B. That's the girl for me.
She's the only girl I could never leave.
You've heard one description
Now listen to this.
Because this one for sure
You can't afford to miss.
So turn up the volume
And open your ears.
Because this next description
Is for you my dear.
Well, my friends call me flash be
And here's the kinda girl that's just for me.
I like a girl that is right on time.
She's also sweet and she's oh so fine.
I like a nice young lady with beautiful hair
So if you want to be with Bob you gotta care
She give me her love.
She give me her time.
This kinda girl is mine all mine.
You've heard two descriptions
Now here comes the third.
And it's flyer than anything
That you've ever heard.
We love all you girls without any doubt.
And as long as you know this,
You won't feel left out.
I like a nice young lady with class and style
And when I'm with her she makes it worth my while.
You know that has to be
Just the right girl for Ricky.
I like a nice young lady who likes to have fun
So if you fit this description
I said, "Hey girl, don't hesitate.
If you want me, I'll be your playmate."
I'm Ronnie D and I'd love to meet.
A girl that would knock me off my feet.
A girl that's fine and divine.
A girl that wants to be all mine.
A girl that can grant my every wish
Is the girl I want to love and cherish.
I promise you that if you are true.
Tell me girl if it could be you.
You've heard the last.
We're running out of time.
But wait just a minute there's one last line.
Now listen to this
And keep that in mind.
And we're sure that this next rap
Will blow your mind.
Yes, I like a girl that will stay with me.
A girl that's a pretty sight to see.
A girl with style and much finesse.
A girl that's smart and wants the best.
I like a girl with a pretty smile.
A girl that stands out in a pile.
But most of all on top of all above.
Ralph needs a girl that he can love.
We came out before.
Now we're back again.
Singin' the kinda girls we like
Now is this the end
Now I'm sure you'll agree
Our deep words are divine.
But if you fit the description ,
You'll do just fine fine fine fine fine fine
The lyrics to New Edition's song Kinda Girls We Like is an ode to their ideal type of women. The song features each member of the group, Michael, Bob, Ricky, Ronnie, and Ralph, describing the features and characteristics of the perfect girl for them. The song starts with Michael's description of a girl who likes to tease and make up her own mind, rather than just always trying to please others, and then moves on to Bob, who likes a girl that is sweet, on time, and has beautiful hair. Ricky prefers girls with class and style who also know how to have fun, while Ronnie is looking for a girl who can grant his every wish, knock him off his feet, and whom he can love and cherish. Finally, Ralph wants a girl who is smart, has finesse, and a pretty smile.
The group's preference for different kinds of girls shows that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to finding the perfect partner. Personal preferences differ from one person to another. Michael and Bob's preferences are more about a girl's personality and punctuality, while Ricky and Ronnie's are more about her attitude and charm. Ralph, on the other hand, is looking for a girl who is intelligent and has a certain level of grace, so it is evident that the members of the group have different priorities when it comes to the qualities they want in a girl.
Overall, the song Kinda Girls We Like is a fun and upbeat dedication to the different qualities and features that the members of New Edition are looking for in their perfect girl. The song also highlights that everyone has their unique preference when it comes to the kind of partner they want.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, I like a girl who likes to tease
I prefer a girl who is not always eager to please but rather one who creates some space for challenge and excitement.
Not the kinda girl who's always there to please
I don't want a girl who automatically says yes to everything I want or agrees to my every opinion.
The kinda girl who makes up her mind When she (I never knew this part) her given time.
I want a girl who knows what she wants, takes the time to decide, and sticks to her choices.
The kinda girl whom you always think about. That's the kinda girl whom you can't be without.
The girl who is always on my mind, who I can’t imagine my life without, is the one who captures my heart.
I'm Michael B. That's the girl for me. She's the only girl I could never leave.
I am Michael B and the girl who fits the description I mentioned before, is the one I truly love and cannot consider leaving.
I like a girl that is right on time.
I like a girl who respects punctuality and values time management.
She's also sweet and she's oh so fine.
The girl that appeals to me must possess a sweetness in her personality that complements her attractive appearance.
She give me her love.
She give me her time.
This kinda girl is mine all mine.
The girl I long for must possess generosity in love and time as she will be only for me.
I like a nice young lady with class and style
I like a girl who is graceful, poised, and has a distinct fashion sense.
And when I'm with her she makes it worth my while.
The girl I am with should make my time worthwhile and enjoyable.
I like a nice young lady who likes to have fun
I like a girl who has an adventurous and social personality, who enjoys fun times together.
So if you fit this description
I said, "Hey girl, don't hesitate.
If you want me, I'll be your playmate."
If you relate with the characteristics I seek, then don't hesitate to express interest in me as I am ready to be your companion.
A girl that would knock me off my feet.
I am Ronnie D and I am looking for a girl who would captivate and impress me.
A girl that's fine and divine.
A girl that wants to be all mine.
I desire a girl who is stunning and heavenly and wants to be with me alone.
A girl that can grant my every wish
Is the girl I want to love and cherish.
The girl I seek should be able to fulfill my desires and wishes, and to whom I can give my love and care.
I promise you that if you are true.
Tell me girl if it could be you.
If you possess the qualities and values that I seek, I promise to reciprocate with honesty and loyalty. Do let me know if it's you.
Yes, I like a girl that will stay with me.
I want a girl who would stick with me through thick and thin and not leave me alone.
A girl that's a pretty sight to see.
A girl with style and much finesse.
A girl that's smart and wants the best.
The girl I want should be visually appealing, stylish, and intelligent, with a desire for the best things in life.
I like a girl with a pretty smile.
A girl that stands out in a pile.
I am Ralph and I like a girl with an attractive smile who stands out and is unique in a crowd.
But most of all on top of all above.
Ralph needs a girl that he can love.
Above everything else, I need a girl to love and build a relationship with.
Now I'm sure you'll agree
Our deep words are divine.
But if you fit the description,
You'll do just fine fine fine fine fine fine
We believe that the qualities and values we have identified are important in a girl worth pursuing, and if you possess them, you will fare well with us.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BOBBY BROWN, MICHAEL BIVINS, RALPH TRESVANT, RICARDO BELL, RONALD DE VOE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind