Formed in 1984, New Kids on the Block achieved stardom in 1989, an achievement listed as number 16 on Rolling Stone's "Top 25 Teen Idol Breakout Moments." The group disbanded in 1994.
In 2007, the group reunited to record an album and mount a concert tour in 2008. From 2010 to 2012, they performed with the Backstreet Boys as NKOTBSB.
The group received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2014.
Studio albums
New Kids on the Block (1986)
Hangin' Tough (1988)
Merry, Merry Christmas (1989)
Step by Step (1990)
Face the Music (1994)
The Block (2008)
10 (2013)
Are You Down?
New Kids on the Block Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hey Danny! what's happening?
Oh, here comes little Joey Joe down the street
Ho! what's happenin' fellas?
Yo, there's Jon, but has anyone seen Donnie?
I don't know, but I thought I saw him walking towards the corner store.
Nah, he's at the park playing ball
Oh, here he comes now
Hey guys!
Where have you been?
Man, I've got a story to tell!
Hit it!
Saw a homegirl at the corner store
Eyes started bugging, mouth fell to the floor
She had a miniskirt and a sexy pose
I tried to rap to her, but I just froze
Tell me now fellas, what can I do?
To make a girl like me, like a girl likes you?
Well homeboy get ready!
'cause you want correcting
'cause a girl needs love
And plenty of affection
If a girl were mine, I'd give her the world
I'd buy her diamonds and pearls just to make her my girl
That might work with your girl, but not with mine.
She's not the type of girl to fall for any line
I'd take her out to dinner, treat her like a winner
I may be young, but I'm no beginner
All your ways are good, but not as good as mine
You have to be sincere for a girl that fine!
[Chorus]
Baby, won't you please be mine?
Are you down?
Baby, won't you please be mine?
Are you down? ho!
Alright then, d., since you gave it a try
Tell us about the girl who caught your eye
It was after school and I was feeling cool
'til I saw that girl and I started to drool
So I thought to myself, take it easily
I couldn't let peer pressure get the best of me
I thought to myself, what should I do?
That's when she came up on me and said 'I love you'
Who me?
Yeah, you!
Couldn't be!
But it's true!
So I rushed back home to tell you guys,
But not before I got a quick kiss goodbye!
Did you meet her friends?
Yeah, they looked def.
Yo, that was fresh!
Word! let's go left.
So here goes the keys
On which it depends
She's got
One!
Two!
Three!
Four!
Fresh girlfriends!
[Chorus]
[Repeat: x5]
Are you down?
Are you down?
[Chorus]
Are you down?
Are you down?
Are you down?
Are you down?
Joey Joe!
Nimble and quick.
You have to be def to be down with my clique
Jon!
Jon:you know I've got the style
When I go into a party all the girls go wild
Danny d!
The prince! make no mistake.
I'm the mc devastating. so cool and I break.(dance)
Don-nie! that's me, don't give me no slack!
I get loose with the juice, 'cause I got it like that
Here we go!
Boston!
Are you down?
New york!
Are you down?
L.a.!
Are you down?
Detroit!
Are you down?
Philly!
Are you down?
Dorchester!
Are you down?
J.p.!
Are you down?
Maurice star!
Are you down?
Michael Jonzun!
Are you down?
Mary Ann!
Are you down?
Mr. frank!
Are you down?
Sidney peach!
Are you down?
Phaedra!(the girl who sings on don't give up on me)
Are you down?
Everybody!
Are you down?
Are you down?
Are you down?
Rock!
The first verse of the song Are You Down? serves as an introduction to the members of New Kids on the Block. It's essentially the boys' conversation, with each of them asking and/or informing each other about their whereabouts. Joey comes along and shares his story about meeting a girl and wanting to impress her but is struggling to know how. The verse is then followed by the chorus where they collectively ask the girl if she's down to be with one of them. In the second verse, Danny provides some advice on how to win the girl over, but Jordan and Donnie have their own ways. Later, Donnie reveals that he met a girl after school and got a kiss from her. The song ends with all members calling out different names and cities, asking if they're down.
The lyrics to "Are You Down?" depict young love and the struggles to understand and win over a girl's heart. It illustrates the pursuits of adolescent boys, showing the different approaches they have to attract a girl's attention. The chorus serves as a collective question for the girl - asking if she's interested in any one of them. The song's upbeat tempo and energetic rap verses make it sound like the perfect jam during a teenage house party or while hanging out with friends.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo, Jordan! what's up?
Jordan, how are you doing?
Hey Danny! what's happening?
Danny, what are you up to?
Oh, here comes little Joey Joe down the street
Joey Joe is approaching us.
Ho! what's happenin' fellas?
What's going on guys?
Yo, there's Jon, but has anyone seen Donnie?
I see Jon, but does anyone know where Donnie is?
I don't know, but I thought I saw him walking towards the corner store.
I'm not sure, but I thought I saw Donnie heading to the corner store.
Nah, he's at the park playing ball
Donnie is at the park playing basketball.
Oh, here he comes now
Donnie is approaching us.
Saw a homegirl at the corner store
I saw a girl at the corner store.
Eyes started bugging, mouth fell to the floor
I was shocked by her beauty.
She had a miniskirt and a sexy pose
She was dressed in a revealing outfit and stood in a seductive posture.
I tried to rap to her, but I just froze
I attempted to talk to her, but I got too nervous and couldn't speak.
Tell me now fellas, what can I do?
Guys, can you give me some advice?
To make a girl like me, like a girl likes you?
How can I make a girl like me as much as girls like you?
Well homeboy get ready!
Get ready, my friend.
'cause you want correcting
Because you need correcting.
'cause a girl needs love
Because a girl craves love and attention.
And plenty of affection
And plenty of tender care.
If a girl were mine, I'd give her the world
If I had a girl, I'd give her anything she wants.
I'd buy her diamonds and pearls just to make her my girl
I'd purchase diamonds and pearls to win her affection.
That might work with your girl, but not with mine.
Your approach could work for your girl, but not for mine.
She's not the type of girl to fall for any line
My girl is not easily impressed by words alone.
I'd take her out to dinner, treat her like a winner
I'd take her to dinner and treat her like a queen.
I may be young, but I'm no beginner
Even though I'm young, I'm experienced in the art of romance.
All your ways are good, but not as good as mine
Your methods are fine, but mine are better.
You have to be sincere for a girl that fine!
You must be genuine to win over a girl as stunning as mine!
Baby, won't you please be mine?
Will you be my girl?
Are you down?
Are you interested?
Alright then, d., since you gave it a try
Okay then, Danny, as you experimented...
Tell us about the girl who caught your eye
Please share details about the girl you were impressed with.
It was after school and I was feeling cool
It was after school, and I was confident.
'til I saw that girl and I started to drool
Until I saw the girl and became entranced by her beauty.
So I thought to myself, take it easily
I told myself to not become overwhelmed and anxious.
I couldn't let peer pressure get the best of me
I refused to let my friends intimidate me.
I thought to myself, what should I do?
I asked myself what I should do to approach her.
That's when she came up on me and said 'I love you'
That's when she approached me and told me she loved me.
Who me?
Me?
Yeah, you!
Yes, you!
Couldn't be!
Really?!
But it's true!
But it is true!
So I rushed back home to tell you guys,
I hurried home to share the news with you all.
But not before I got a quick kiss goodbye!
But before I left, I got a kiss goodbye!
Did you meet her friends?
Did you meet her associates?
Yeah, they looked def.
Yes, they appeared amazing.
Yo, that was fresh!
Wow, that was cool!
Word! let's go left.
For sure! Let's go this way.
So here goes the keys
Here are the following names...
On which it depends
Who are an important part of all this.
She's got
She has
One!
One person
Two!
Two people
Three!
Three people
Four!
Four people
Fresh girlfriends!
Great girlfriends!
Are you down?
Are you interested?
Rock!
Rock on!
Joey Joe!
Joey Joe!
Nimble and quick.
Agile and fast.
You have to be def to be down with my clique
You must be skilled and cool to join our group.
Jon!
Jon!
Jon: you know I've got the style
Jon: You know that I have great taste.
When I go into a party all the girls go wild
Whenever I attend a party, I attract the attention of many girls.
Danny d!
Danny D!
The prince! make no mistake.
I am the ruler! Do not mistake that.
I'm the mc devastating. so cool and I break.(dance)
I'm the Master of Ceremonies. So calm and amazing. (dance)
Don-nie! that's me, don't give me no slack!
Donnie! That's who I am. Don't underestimate me!
I get loose with the juice, 'cause I got it like that
I dance and move freely because I have the talent for it.
Boston!
Boston!
Are you down?
Are you interested?
New york!
New York!
Are you down?
Are you interested?
L.a.!
Los Angeles!
Are you down?
Are you interested?
Detroit!
Detroit!
Are you down?
Are you interested?
Philly!
Philadelphia!
Are you down?
Are you interested?
Dorchester!
Dorchester!
Are you down?
Are you interested?
J.p.!
J.P.!
Are you down?
Are you interested?
Maurice star!
Maurice Star!
Are you down?
Are you interested?
Michael Jonzun!
Michael Jonzun!
Are you down?
Are you interested?
Mary Ann!
Mary Ann!
Are you down?
Are you interested?
Mr. frank!
Mr. Frank!
Are you down?
Are you interested?
Sidney peach!
Sidney Peach!
Are you down?
Are you interested?
Phaedra!(the girl who sings on don't give up on me)
Phaedra! (the girl who sings on Don't Give Up on Me)
Are you down?
Are you interested?
Everybody!
Everyone!
Are you down?
Are you interested?
Are you down?
Are you interested?
Are you down?
Are you interested?
Are you down?
Are you interested?
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ANDRE CYMONE, DONALD EDMOND WAHLBERG, ERIKA F NURI, KIRK DOUGLAS BANKS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind