Candy Girl (New Edition song)

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"Candy Girl" is an upbeat R&B song released by R&B quintet New Edition on the Streetwise label in 1983. Their first single ever, it was the first release off their simply-titled debut album and became an instant hit.

Contents 1 Overview 1.1 History 1.2 Release and reaction 1.3 Legacy 2 Credits

[edit] Overview

[edit] History

After forming as New Edition in 1980, members Bobby Brown, Ralph Tresvant, Ronnie DeVoe, Ricky Bell and Michael Bivins participated in talent shows hoping to get recognized. Finally after entering a big-time contest in Boston around December 1982 where they won second prize, they were spotted by the showcase's host, Maurice Starr, who opted to take the boys to the studio the next day to record a song he had co-wrote called "Candy Girl" envisioning the 1980s answer to The Jackson 5. Assembling Ralph Tresvant in the lead singer section because he thought his high tenor was closest to the younger Michael Jackson and having members Ricky Bell and Bobby Brown sharing alternate leads similar to when in Jackson 5 records like "I Want You Back" and "The Love You Save, Michael often shared leads with brothers Jermaine and Jackie pitting Ricky in Jermaine's position and Bobby in Jackie's position.

[edit] Release and reaction

Released as a single in January 1983, the song eventually took off reaching number forty-six on the US pop singles chart, number one on the R&B singles chart and unbelievably hitting number one on the UK pop singles chart. The song established New Edition for years to come as they went on to score more hit singles such as "Cool It Now", "Mr. Telephone Man" and "Count Me Out". The success of the single and the arrival of New Edition brought out a series of black teen groups such as Five Star.

[edit] Legacy

The song has taken a liking of its own thanks to the song being heavily sampled by several hip-hop acts. Much notably, the song's chorus was lifted for hip-hop group D4L's crossover hit, "Laffy Taffy". The song was also one of the first songs that mix hip-hop and R&B with all five band members sharing raps in the song.

[edit] Credits

• Ralph Tresvant: lead and background vocals; rap
• Ricky Bell: lead and background vocals; rap
• Bobby Brown: lead and background vocals; rap
• Michael Bivins: rap and background vocals
• Ronnie DeVoe: rap and background vocals

Preceded by "True" by Spandau Ballet

UK number one single (New Edition version) May 22, 1983

Succeeded by "Every Breath You Take" by The Police