"Candy Girl" by New Edition

Song#:  1439
Date:  05/07/1983
Debut:  88
Peak:  46
Weeks:  11
Genre:  R&B, Teen Pop



Pop Bits:  This vocal group of young teens was formed by childhood friends from the Boston suburb of Roxbury. After settling on a line-up that included Bobby Brown, Michael Bivens, Ricky Bell, Ralph Tresvant, and Ronnie DeVoe, the group took part in a Boston talent show put on producer/R&B artist Maurice Starr. The quintet placed second, but Starr though the group had potential and signed them to his label. With Starr co-writing/producing, the group recorded their debut album "Candy Girl." This title-track first single hit it big at R&B where the song reached #1. Pop was a bit reluctant to accept the teens and the song peaked short of the Top 40.

ReduxReview:  This is one of those songs that I thought for sure was a pop hit. I didn't realize that it totally missed the Top 40. I'm not sure why either. The video was popular and its Jackson 5-meets-bubblegum pop sound seemed like a sure bet to conquer pop radio. Perhaps the rap kept it off of pop radio? Not sure, but I remember hearing this song quite a bit. I didn't bite into it back then, but now I realize that it is a sweet teenybopper confection, even though it totally rips off the Jackson 5 (but not as good...)

ReduxRating:  7/10

Trivia:  Double Shot!  1) The group got its name from their first manager, Brooke Payne. Payne saw the boys as a new edition of the Jackson 5 and therefore titled them New Edition. The comparison with the Jackson 5 led to Starr writing this song in the style of the Jackson's hit "ABC" (#1, 1970). Starr also chose Tresvant to lead the song due to his strong vocal resemblance to Michael Jackson.  2) This song was a major hit in the UK where it reached #1. In doing so, it became the first song that featured a rap section to hit #1 in the UK.

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