It has been reported several places that the New Kids on the Block will be announcing a reunion this Friday on the Today Show (April 4, 2008). The boy band's popularity was at its peak in the late 80s with the release of their album Hangin' Tough in 1988, 20 years ago. That album went 8x Platinum selling 16 million copies and produced five top 10 singles.

They were assembled by producer Maurice Starr, who is the same guy who discovered another 80s boy band New Edition. Though I was never a fan of the New Kids, I was (and still am) a big fan of New Edition. I was happy to read several places that New Edition has also been in the studio and plan to release a new album later this year. It was New Edition who actually paved the way for groups like New Kids, NSYNC and the Backstreet Boys who followed with major success later on.

New Edition released their first album Candy Girl 25 years ago, back in 1983. They have since released 6 more studio albums plus a Christmas album and several greatest hits compilations. They began with a teen pop sound very similar to the Jackson 5, but matured over the years into an amazing R&B soul vocal ensemble. Over the years, they have sold well over 40 million albums. In the late 80s and into the early 90s, the group separated but the individual efforts of the members were hugely successful before they reunited in 1996.

I am going to give you two Top 10 lists regarding New Edition. The first list will be my favorite N.E. songs from the 80s (for all my 80s freaks) and the second will be my favorites from the 90s which will include any solo ventures from its members.

OLD SCHOOL'S TOP 10 FAVORITE NEW EDITION SONGS FROM THE 80s:

10. "Mr. Telephone Man" from New Edition (1984)

9. "Earth Angel" from The Karate Kid Part II Soundtrack (1986) & Under the Blue Moon (1986)

8. "Candy Girl" from Candy Girl (1983)

7. "Lost in Love" from New Edition (1984)

6. "Count Me Out" from All For Love (1985)

5. "Helplessly In Love" from Dragnet Soundtrack (1987)

4. "Cool It Now" from New Edition (1984)

3. "My Secret (Didja Get It Yet?)" from New Edition (1984) - Performed by the group during their appearance in the film Krush Groove - here is a link to watch that scene from the movie

2. "If It Isn't Love" from Heart Break (1988)

1. "Can You Stand the Rain" from Heart Break (1988) - this is one of my all time favorite songs - link to the video

OLD SCHOOL'S TOP 10 SONG BY NEW EDITION & ITS MEMBERS FROM THE 90s:
Honorable Mention. The entire Don't Be Cruel album by Bobby Brown - This album was released in 1988, so it technically does not qualify for the list but it carried into the 90s. Brown was the first to leave the group to pursue a solo project and this album produced the hits "Don't Be Cruel," "Rock Wit'cha," "Roni" and "Every Little Step."

10. "Poison" by Bell Biv Devoe from Poison (1990)

9. "Something About You" by New Edition from Home Again (1996)

8. "Good Enough" by Bobby Brown from Bobby (1992)

7. "Home Again" by New Edition from Home Again (1996)

6. "Sensitivity" by Ralph Tresvant from Ralph Tresvant (1990)

5. "Something In Your Eyes" by Bell Biv Devoe from Hootie Mack (1992)

4. "My, My, My" by Johnny Gill from Johnny Gill (1990)

3. "When Will I See You Smile Again" by Bell Biv Devoe from Poison (1990)

2. "Word To The Mutha!" by New Edition from WBBD-Boot City! The Remix Album (1991) - it has to be the version from this remix album which includes all of the members of N.E. - link to the video 

1. "I'm Still In Love With You" by New Edition from Home Again (1996) - link to the video (shot on location in Venice, Italy)

Those are my favorites from New Edition, but I can listen to all of their music because I just enjoy the sound they create. They were the first "boy band" but developed into so much more and that which ultimately cost them a spot in mainstream popularity. That was a spot that New Kids on the Block gladly assumed and all of the "boy bands" since then owe N.E. a debt of gratitude for the blueprint. I did not feel their 2004 album One Love was as great as it should have been, so I am really hoping this new project re-kindles some of the magic. I couldn't really care less about the NKOTB reunion, but I am looking forward to hearing New Edition back together later this year.

That will do it for another issue of Kickin' it Old School. Thanks for reading and please be sure to click on the Archive buttons in the upper left hand column to be sure you have not missed any past articles of interest. Peace and much love.

Check this out: I ask you all to go back and check out a back issue of Kickin' it Old School. Here is the link to my issue that included my Top 50 Movie Songs from the 80s. It has been recently updated adding additional details to the top 10 and includes video links for 25 of the 50 songs. Remembering the songs/movies and watching some of these videos bring back fond memories for me. Please check it out again and let me know what you think. Thanks!

Quote of the day: "It's faith in something and enthusiasm for something that makes a life worth living." -Oliver Wendell Holmes

Download this: I'm going to go with the #1 songs from both of the above lists... "I'm Still In Love With You" and "Can You Stand the Rain" both by the incomparable New Edition