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.
As the King of Pop’s biopic continues to perform well at the box office, I wanted to revisit one of Michael Jackson’s overlooked solo albums, “Forever, Michael”, released in 1975, for my first Second Listen Sunday of 2026.
As Joe prepares for his upcoming Tiny Desk performance, it’s a fitting time to revisit “U Should Know Me,” one of the hidden gems in his catalog. This song, which he wrote and produced himself, first appeared in 1998 on the soundtrack for “Caught Up”, a hood drama starring Bokeem Woodbine and Cynda Williams.
As fans look forward to his upcoming co-headlining “Nights Like This” tour with Akon, Ne-Yo is smoothly transitioning into country music while still maintaining his R&B roots with his latest single, “Ms. Tundra.” This infectious track is the third release from his forthcoming tenth studio album, “Highway 79,” set for release on July 10 via Compound Entertainment.