"Cool It Now" is a 1984 hit single by American group New Edition, is the first single from their eponymous second album, New Edition. In the US, the song entered the Hot Black Singles chart on September 1, 1984 and reached number 1.[3] In January 1985 the song peaked at number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song was Produced by Vincent Brantley and Rick Timas. The lyrics depict a guy professing his love for a girl, despite growing concerns from his friends.[4]
| "Cool It Now" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by New Edition | ||||
| from the album New Edition | ||||
| Released | August 27, 1984 | |||
| Recorded | 1984[1] | |||
| Genre | Post-disco[2] | |||
| Length | 5:47 (album version) 4:12 (single version) 3:37 (video version) | |||
| Label | MCA | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) |
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| New Edition singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Cool It Now" on YouTube | ||||
Overview
editWith the group now signed to MCA Records, "Cool It Now" (and the album from which it came) was given more extensive and widespread promotion than any single from their previous album (which had been released through a smaller, independent label), and helped bring the group a bigger fan base. The song was the group's first top 10 pop single, peaking at number four on the pop chart, and their second number one R&B hit.[5]
The song is notable for a midsection rap recited by Ralph Tresvant, which calls out the rest of the group: "Ronnie, Bobby, Ricky, and Mike." In later years, the rap was changed to include "Johnny" for the last member to join, Johnny Gill, either including his name as a fifth name called out or replacing "Bobby".
Robbers on High Street recorded a cover of the song for Engine Room Recordings' compilation album Guilt by Association Vol. 2, which was released in November 2008.[6]
Personnel
edit- Engineer – John Wood, Taavi Mote, Vincent Brantley
- Producer, Bass, Guitar, LinnDrum – Rick Timas
- Producer, Keyboards – Vincent Brantley
- Remix – Louil Silas, Jr.
- Ronnie DeVoe – vocals, rap
- Bobby Brown – vocals
- Ricky Bell – vocals
- Michael Bivins – vocals, rap
- Ralph Tresvant – vocals, rap
Charts
editCertifications
edit| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[12] | Gold | 1,000,000^ |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
edit- ^ Dart Adams (June 20, 2013). "Where It All Started: 25th Anniversary Retrospective Of Bobby Brown's "Don't Be Cruel" & New Edition's "Heart Break"". The Urban Daily. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
- ^ One Hit Wonder Center – One-Hit Wonder Music of the 50s~90s: "There are also tracks to represent the rise of post-disco club/dance trend, such as Laid Back's "White Horse", New Edition's "Cool It Now", and Timex Social Club's " Rumors" ". Retrieved on August 12, 2009.
- ^ "Hot Black Singles". Billboard. December 15, 1984. p. 56.
- ^ "Hot 100". Billboard. September 12, 2008. Retrieved June 15, 2012.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942–2004. Record Research. p. 428.
- ^ Matthew Solarski (November 19, 2008). "My Brightest Diamond, Frightened Rabbit Do Covers". Pitchfork. Retrieved June 11, 2009.
- ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 9577." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
- ^ "New Edition Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
- ^ "New Edition Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2014). Cash Box Pop Hits 1952-1996. Sheridan Books, Inc. ISBN 978-0-89820-209-0.
- ^ "1985 The Year in Music & Video: Top Pop Singles". Billboard. Vol. 97, no. 52. December 28, 1985. p. T-21.
- ^ "American single certifications – New Edition – Cool It Now". Recording Industry Association of America.