Today marks the 40th anniversary of the iconic R&B group New Edition in the music industry. As a fan, I couldn’t resist giving a shout-out to my all-time favorite music group for Slow Jam Saturday. Let’s take a trip down memory lane to 1983 with their album “Candy Girl,” which kickstarted their career, and their debut slow jam, “Is This The End.”
“Is This the End” is a heart-wrenching ballad that delves into the themes of heartbreak and the possible termination of a romantic relationship. The lyrics portray young love agony and bewilderment as they ponder whether their love has hit a dead end. The song highlights the exceptional vocal talents of the group members, with lead singers Ralph Tresvant and Ricky Bell delivering soulful and sentimental performances.
The track’s opening features the soulful and emotive tenor voice of Ralph Tresvant, who poses a poignant and straightforward question, “Is This The End?” Tresvant’s lyrics speak to his deep pain and anguish in his romantic relationship, and his vocal performance exudes raw emotion and vulnerability. The talented Ricky Bell seamlessly takes over the song’s bridge, adding another layer of depth and complexity to this powerful and moving musical composition.
The release of “Is This the End” helped solidify New Edition’s status as a successful R&B group in the 1980s. The song reached number 85 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and became one of their early hits. It also showcased the group’s ability to deliver soulful ballads in addition to their more upbeat, dance-oriented tracks.
Final Grade: A
“Is This The End” from Candy Girl is available on all streaming platforms.
Growing up in the nineties, movies aimed at a melanin audience often featured soundtracks that had to be just as flavorful as the films themselves. This week, for Slow Jam Saturday, I want to take a trip back to 1993 and highlight one of the slow jams from the soundtrack of “Menace II Society”.
Last week marked two significant anniversaries for one of the greatest artists of all time, Mr. Prince Rogers Nelson. It’s only fitting that I show him some love for Second Listen Sunday. The first anniversary was on the 21st, commemorating nine years since his passing. The second anniversary was on the 22nd, celebrating the 40th anniversary of his seventh studio album, “Around the World in a Day.”
One of my most significant decisions late last year was to pledge to Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. At the time of this writing, I am in Atlantic City for my fraternity’s Regional Conference, where I will represent my chapter, Beta Alpha Omega. In that regard, I believe the perfect song for this week’s Slow Jam Saturday is “The Best Man I Can Be.”