"Cool It Now" is a 1984 hit single by American group

New Edition New Edition is an American Contemporary R&B, R&B/Pop music, pop group from the Roxbury, Boston, Roxbury neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, formed in 1978 by singer/rapper Bobby Brown. Their name is taken to mean a new edition of the Jackson ...

, is the first single from their eponymous second album, ''

''. In the US, the song entered the Hot Black Singles chart on September 1, 1984 and reached number 1. 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.

Overview

With the group now signed to

MCA Records MCA Records was an American record label owned by MCA Inc. established in 1972, though MCA had released recordings under that name in the UK from the 1960s. The label achieved success in the 1970s through the 1980s, often by acquiring other ...

, "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. The song is notable for a midsection rap recited by

Ralph Tresvant Ralph Edward Tresvant (born May 16, 1968) is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer, best known as the lead singer of R&B group New Edition. As a solo artist, Tresvant released his double platinum-selling debut album '' Ralph Tres ...

, 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 Johnny Gill Jr. (born May 22, 1966) is an American singer and songwriter. He is the sixth and final member of the R&B/ pop group New Edition and was also a member of the supergroup called LSG, with Gerald Levert and Keith Sweat. Gill has rel ...

, 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 Engine Room Recordings is an independent record label with a roster of indie rock and alternative rock musicians. Beyond marketing and distribution for its artists, the label does booking and artist management. Engine Room Recordings is part of th ...

' compilation album '' Guilt by Association Vol. 2'', which was released in November 2008.

Personnel

*Engineer – John Wood, Taavi Mote, Vincent Brantley *Producer, Bass, Guitar,

LinnDrum The LinnDrum, often erroneously referred to as the LM-2, is a drum machine manufactured by Linn Electronics between 1982 and 1985. About 5,000 units were sold. Development The LinnDrum was designed by the American engineer Roger Linn. It was ...

– Rick Timas *Producer, Keyboards – Vincent Brantley *Remix – Louil Silas, Jr. *

Ronnie DeVoe Ronald Boyd DeVoe Jr. (born November 17, 1967), is an American singer and rapper known as one of the members of the R&B/ pop group New Edition, and the R&B/ hip hop group Bell Biv DeVoe. He was born in Roxbury, Massachusetts. Career DeVoe wa ...

– vocals, rap *

Bobby Brown Robert Barisford Brown Sr. (born February 5, 1969) is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, and dancer. Alongside frequent collaborator Teddy Riley, he is recognized as a pioneer of new jack swing: a fusion of hip-hop and Contemporary R&B, R ...

– vocals * Ricky Bell – vocals *

Michael Bivins Michael Lamont Bivins (born August 10, 1968) is an American singer, rapper, manager, and producer, and a founding member of New Edition and Bell Biv DeVoe. Biography Bivins was born and still lives in Boston. He and his wife, Teasha, have four ...

– vocals, rap *

– vocals, rap

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

References

{{authority control 1984 singles New Edition songs Post-disco songs 1984 songs MCA Records singles