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.
Tears On My Pillow
New Edition Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I remember you,
Was not so long ago,
You broke my heart in two
Tears on my pillow
Pain in my head
Caused by you, you
I wouldn't hesitate,
I'd gladly take you back
And tempt the hand of fate
Tears on my pillow
Pain in my heart
Caused by you, you
love is not a gadget
Love is not a toy
When you find the one you love
She'll fill your heart with joy
If we could start a new
I wouldn't hesistae
I'd gladly take you back
And tempt the hand of fate
Tears on my pillow
Pain in my heart
Caused by you, you
Hey man, who was that
Hey I know who that was
It was Little Richard
Nah, come on Rick you
know who that was
That was Little Anthony
Little Anthony? Are you serious?
Wait, wait, wait a minute
Ronnie, Ricky, Mike and Ralph, right
Yeah, he knows our names
Oh yea I know your name
And you cats ain't bad
Oh wow thank you
You're trying to take over this
song with, that run you just
did
Oh, no, I'm not
If anybody can do that man
you can do it
Really you think so?
I know you can
Man why don't you make it
the New Edition ?
I think you can do it
Well I'm gonna try
Listen to this right here
(Oh, Oh)
That was nice,
But keep trying
Oh thanks
In the meantime
Why don't the five of us
just blow so harmony
you mean me too?
sure listen
(Oh, Oh)
If we could start a new
I wouldn't hesitate
I'd gladly take her back
And temp the hands of fate
Oh
The lyrics of Tears On My Pillow by New Edition tell the story of someone who was left heartbroken by their lover. It opens with the singer acknowledging that the person who hurt them, doesn't remember them and how their actions had left them with a broken heart. They express their anguish as tears on their pillow, and pain in their head caused by the person they loved. The song then transitions into their willingness to start anew with their lover, despite the pain they caused. They are ready to take a chance on their love again and even tempt the hand of fate. The lyrics emphasize that love isn't a toy or gadget and when found with the right person, fills one's heart with joy. The song's ending features Little Anthony of Little Anthony and the Imperials' fame, whom the band members stumble upon and who briefly takes over the song before they all join in harmony to uplift the spirit of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
You don't remember me,
I recall you, but you do not remember me.
But I remember you,
I still hold memories of you.
Was not so long ago,
It wasn’t a long time ago when we met and fell in love.
You broke my heart in two
You shattered my heart into two pieces.
Tears on my pillow
I've cried a lot because of you.
Pain in my head
My head aches, and I'm in immense pain.
Caused by you, you
You're the source of my misery.
If we could start a new,
If we had another chance to start over,
I wouldn't hesitate,
I would not waste time or overthink things.
I'd gladly take you back
I'd be happy to reunite with you.
And tempt the hand of fate
We would take a chance despite the possibility of negative consequences.
love is not a gadget
Love is not something you can control or manipulate.
Love is not a toy
Love is a serious, genuine emotion.
When you find the one you love
When you discover someone that you fall in love with.
She'll fill your heart with joy
She will make you incredibly happy.
Hey man, who was that
Who was just singing?
Hey I know who that was
I'm familiar with the singer.
It was Little Richard
That was Little Richard.
Nah, come on Rick you know who that was
I don't think that was Little Richard, Rick.
That was Little Anthony
It was actually Little Anthony.
Little Anthony? Are you serious?
Really, Little Anthony was the one singing?
Ronnie, Ricky, Mike and Ralph, right
The members of New Edition are Ronnie, Ricky, Mike, and Ralph.
Yeah, he knows our names
He's familiar with our band members.
Oh yea I know your name
Yes, I know your name.
And you cats ain't bad
You guys are pretty good musicians, in a positive sense.
Oh wow thank you
Oh, thank you for the compliment.
You're trying to take over this song with, that run you just did
You are attempting to steal the spotlight with that impressive vocal range.
Oh, no, I'm not
No, I wasn't intentionally trying to take over the song.
If anybody can do that man you can do it
You’re really talented, and you’re capable of showcasing your skills.
Really you think so?
Do you genuinely believe that?
I know you can
I'm confident that you have the talent.
Man why don't you make it the New Edition ?
Why not include him in the band?
I think you can do it
I believe you have the ability to do it.
Well I'm gonna try
I'll give it a go.
Listen to this right here
Check out what I'm singing right now.
(Oh, Oh)
The singer belts out a few 'ohs'.
That was nice,
That sounded pretty good.
But keep trying
Keep working on the vocals to make it even better.
Oh thanks
Thanks for the feedback.
In the meantime
For now,
Why don't the five of us just blow so harmony
Why don't we create some beautiful harmonies as a group?
you mean me too?
Are you including me in the group?
sure listen
Of course, let's listen to each other and make beautiful music together.
(Oh, Oh)
The group sings a few 'ohs' together in unison.
If we could start a new
If only we had a chance to start again
I wouldn't hesitate
I would seize the opportunity immediately
I'd gladly take her back
I would joyfully welcome her presence again
And temp the hands of fate
Take a risk with our future together
Oh
An exclamation of general emotion in this case disappointment
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Sylvester Bradford, Al Lewis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
bandit skunk
this is real music, i wish people would keep making this type o music but well everything changes.
Christopher Bishop
This song also had a cameo appearance from the original singer Little Anthony.
iluvmyboba
Dag, I remember when this came out. I also remember being a die-hard NE fan, and disgusted with this album 'cause I knew nothing about doowop, and I just wanted them to keep making music I was familiar with. What can you say about my actions. It was 1986 and I was 12.
Ronald Hargrove
I got tears on my pillow
Middle-Aged & Crazy
@iluvmyboba You know they only did this album because, after firing Bobby, they still had an album to put out. With this one, all they had to do was learn the words. Ever seen NE: Behind The Music?
38106chick
@rokhamdagamer81 You're absolutely right...I'm updating my description now.