Heart Break
Encyclopedia
Heart Break is the fifth studio album
by American R&B
and pop
group New Edition
, released June 20, 1988 on MCA Records
. It is the first album to return the Boston-reared band as a quintet after the public exit of original member Bobby Brown
, and the first album to feature Johnny Gill
as member of the group.
multi-platinum Control
album) to help steer their music into a new direction, they also recruited Washington, D.C.
-based baritone/tenor Johnny Gill
—who, in 1984, had scored a hit with R&B singer Stacy Lattisaw
on "A Perfect Combination." The New Edition members (including Bobby Brown) had actually known Gill since they released their hit "Candy Girl" in 1983 and Gill released his R&B Top 30 hit "Super Love" that same year. They had joked that they would let him in the group if he could improve his dancing skills. Prompting Gill’s entrance into the group was when lead singer Ralph Tresvant considered recording a solo album. To circumvent New Edition being left without a lead singer, Michael Bivins
suggested bringing in 20-year-old Gill to replace him. Gill accepted the invitation, joining the group in the spring of 1987. Tresvant, however, wasn’t ready to leave — resulting in New Edition, inadvertently, becoming a quintet again as they began production on their fifth album, Heart Break.
While most of Heart Break features principal vocals by Tresvant, with occasional solos by Ricky Bell
, Gill’s voice is significantly displayed as the secondary lead throughout the album. Gill took the lead on the track “Boys to Men” (a song in which the singer initially resisted and resented recording, feeling it too juvenile), which became one of the albums most eminent numbers, despite its never being officially released as a single. Another standout album track was “Competition,” a song written by Tresvant that addresses the disappointment felt over the departure of Bobby Brown, two years earlier.
and R&B Albums Chart
respectively, selling 500,000 copies by August 19, 1988. On September 28, 1988, it was certified platinum
in sales by the Recording Industry Association of America
(RIAA), following sales in excess of 1 million copies in the United States. After sales of 2 million, it earned double platinum certification from the RIAA in July 1994. The album has also earned international sales of four million copies. Heart Break spun off five hit singles: "If It Isn't Love
," "You're Not My Kinda Girl," "Can You Stand the Rain
," "Crucial
," and "N.E. Heart Break
."
in particular were inspired by one of the songs on the album. Ironically, "Boys to Men", the song that Johnny Gill hated recording, ended up becoming the name of the group who changed their name to Boyz II Men
. The group would end up being managed and mentored by Michael Bivins. Boyz II Men names New Edition as one of their most influential bands. The album also saw a successful concert tour for the group as well. Through 1988 and 1989, New Edition toured all over the world with opening acts, ex-New Edition member Bobby Brown
(who had also found big time success with his breakthrough album, Don't Be Cruel
) and Al B. Sure!
.
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
by American R&B
Contemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...
and pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
group New Edition
New Edition
New Edition is an R&B group formed in Boston in 1978. The group reached its height of popularity during the 1980s. They were the progenitors of the boy band movement of the 1980s and 1990s and led the way for groups like New Kids on the Block, Boyz II Men, Backstreet Boys and 'N Sync...
, released June 20, 1988 on MCA Records
MCA Records
MCA Records was an American-based record company owned by MCA Inc., which later gave way to the larger MCA Music Entertainment Group , of which MCA Records was still part. MCA Records was absorbed by Geffen Records in 2003...
. It is the first album to return the Boston-reared band as a quintet after the public exit of original member Bobby Brown
Bobby Brown
Robert Barisford "Bobby" Brown is an American R&B singer-songwriter, occasional rapper, and dancer. After success in pop group New Edition, Brown began his solo career in 1987 and had a string of Top 10 Billboard hits, culminating in a Grammy Award. He was a pioneer of New Jack Swing music, a...
, and the first album to feature Johnny Gill
Johnny Gill
Johnny Gill is an American R&B singer-songwriter. He is the sixth and final member of the R&B supergroup New Edition, and was also a member of another supergroup called LSG; with Gerald Levert and Keith Sweat. His signature song "My, My, My" has been included on numerous romantic...
as member of the group.
Background
By 1987, New Edition was a group in transition. The band members were aging out of their teens into their young twenties, and sought for their image and sound to reflect their coming of age. In addition to employing the famed production team of Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis (who just the year before had masterminded Janet Jackson’sJanet Jackson
Janet Damita Jo Jackson is an American recording artist and actress. Known for a series of sonically innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows, television and film roles, she has been a prominent figure in popular culture for over 25 years...
multi-platinum Control
Control (Janet Jackson album)
Control is the third studio album by American recording artist Janet Jackson, released on February 6, 1986 by A&M Records. Her collaborations with songwriters and record producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis resulted in an unconventional sound: a fusion of rhythm and blues, funk, disco, rap vocals,...
album) to help steer their music into a new direction, they also recruited Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
-based baritone/tenor Johnny Gill
Johnny Gill
Johnny Gill is an American R&B singer-songwriter. He is the sixth and final member of the R&B supergroup New Edition, and was also a member of another supergroup called LSG; with Gerald Levert and Keith Sweat. His signature song "My, My, My" has been included on numerous romantic...
—who, in 1984, had scored a hit with R&B singer Stacy Lattisaw
Stacy Lattisaw
Stacy Lattisaw is an American R&B, dance, and gospel singer. Since the 1990s, she has exclusively sung gospel music, as a callback to her Christian roots.-Career:...
on "A Perfect Combination." The New Edition members (including Bobby Brown) had actually known Gill since they released their hit "Candy Girl" in 1983 and Gill released his R&B Top 30 hit "Super Love" that same year. They had joked that they would let him in the group if he could improve his dancing skills. Prompting Gill’s entrance into the group was when lead singer Ralph Tresvant considered recording a solo album. To circumvent New Edition being left without a lead singer, Michael Bivins
Michael Bivins
Michael Lamont Bivins, a.k.a. Biv , is the founder and member of the R&B group New Edition and the hip hop group Bell Biv DeVoe...
suggested bringing in 20-year-old Gill to replace him. Gill accepted the invitation, joining the group in the spring of 1987. Tresvant, however, wasn’t ready to leave — resulting in New Edition, inadvertently, becoming a quintet again as they began production on their fifth album, Heart Break.
While most of Heart Break features principal vocals by Tresvant, with occasional solos by Ricky Bell
Ricky Bell (singer)
Ricky Bell, nicknamed "Slick" is an American R&B singer best known as one of the founding members of New Edition and the lead singer of Bell Biv DeVoe...
, Gill’s voice is significantly displayed as the secondary lead throughout the album. Gill took the lead on the track “Boys to Men” (a song in which the singer initially resisted and resented recording, feeling it too juvenile), which became one of the albums most eminent numbers, despite its never being officially released as a single. Another standout album track was “Competition,” a song written by Tresvant that addresses the disappointment felt over the departure of Bobby Brown, two years earlier.
Commercial performance
Heart Break peaked at numbers twelve and three on the Billboard 200Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
and R&B Albums Chart
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums is a chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks R&B and hip hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The name of the chart was changed from Top R&B Albums in 1999...
respectively, selling 500,000 copies by August 19, 1988. On September 28, 1988, it was certified platinum
RIAA certification
In the United States, the Recording Industry Association of America awards certification based on the number of albums and singles sold through retail and other ancillary markets. Other countries have similar awards...
in sales by the Recording Industry Association of America
Recording Industry Association of America
The Recording Industry Association of America is a trade organization that represents the recording industry distributors in the United States...
(RIAA), following sales in excess of 1 million copies in the United States. After sales of 2 million, it earned double platinum certification from the RIAA in July 1994. The album has also earned international sales of four million copies. Heart Break spun off five hit singles: "If It Isn't Love
If It Isn't Love
"If It Isn't Love" is a 1988 song by R&B/Pop group New Edition, and the first single from their fifth studio album, Heart Break.-Overview:...
," "You're Not My Kinda Girl," "Can You Stand the Rain
Can You Stand the Rain
"Can You Stand the Rain" is a ballad by R&B/Pop group New Edition. Released in 1988, it is the third single from their fifth studio album, Heart Break.-Overview:...
," "Crucial
Crucial (song)
"Crucial" is New Edition's fourth single from the Heart Break album. The single featured production from Jellybean Johnson, Spencer Bernard, and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Despite failing to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, "Crucial" hit #4 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, making it one of New...
," and "N.E. Heart Break
N.E. Heart Break (song)
"N.E. Heart Break" was New Edition's fifth and final single from their studio album, Heart Break. "N.E. Heart Break" peaked at number 13 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The music video for the song depicts the group members riding mopeds after finishing their Heart Break tour...
."
Influence
Many have called this particular album the most seminal New Edition album. Four fans from PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
in particular were inspired by one of the songs on the album. Ironically, "Boys to Men", the song that Johnny Gill hated recording, ended up becoming the name of the group who changed their name to Boyz II Men
Boyz II Men
Boyz II Men is an American R&B vocal group best known for emotional ballads and a cappella harmonies. They are the most successful R&B group of all time, having sold more than albums worldwide. In the 1990s, Boyz II Men found fame on Motown Records as a quartet, but original member Michael McCary...
. The group would end up being managed and mentored by Michael Bivins. Boyz II Men names New Edition as one of their most influential bands. The album also saw a successful concert tour for the group as well. Through 1988 and 1989, New Edition toured all over the world with opening acts, ex-New Edition member Bobby Brown
Bobby Brown
Robert Barisford "Bobby" Brown is an American R&B singer-songwriter, occasional rapper, and dancer. After success in pop group New Edition, Brown began his solo career in 1987 and had a string of Top 10 Billboard hits, culminating in a Grammy Award. He was a pioneer of New Jack Swing music, a...
(who had also found big time success with his breakthrough album, Don't Be Cruel
Don't Be Cruel (album)
Don't Be Cruel is the second album by American R&B singer Bobby Brown, released in 1988 on MCA Records. It includes four hit singles "Don't Be Cruel", "My Prerogative", "Roni" and "Every Little Step." All were #1 R&B singles except "Roni," which peaked at #2, while "My Prerogative" became Brown's...
) and Al B. Sure!
Al B. Sure!
Albert Jason Brown III is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. He grew up in Leonia, New Jersey and Mount Vernon, New York. During the late 1980s under the stage name Al B...
.
Track listing
- "Introduction" (1:04)
- "That's the Way We're Livin'" (Bell/Bivins/DeVoe/Gill/Tresvant) (4:02)
- "Where It All Started" (Harris/Lewis) (3:31)
- "If It Isn't LoveIf It Isn't Love"If It Isn't Love" is a 1988 song by R&B/Pop group New Edition, and the first single from their fifth studio album, Heart Break.-Overview:...
" (Harris/Lewis) (5:09) - "Skit #1" ( :35)
- "N.E. Heart BreakN.E. Heart Break (song)"N.E. Heart Break" was New Edition's fifth and final single from their studio album, Heart Break. "N.E. Heart Break" peaked at number 13 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The music video for the song depicts the group members riding mopeds after finishing their Heart Break tour...
" (Harris/Lewis) (5:44) - "CrucialCrucial (song)"Crucial" is New Edition's fourth single from the Heart Break album. The single featured production from Jellybean Johnson, Spencer Bernard, and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Despite failing to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, "Crucial" hit #4 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, making it one of New...
" (Johnson/Keith) (4:33) - "Skit #2" ( :44)
- "You're Not My Kind of GirlYou're Not My Kind of Girl"You’re Not My Kind of Girl" is a 1988 song by R&B/Pop group New Edition, and the second single from their fifth studio album, Heart Break.-Overview:...
" (Harris/Lewis) (4:01) - "Superlady" (Bell/Bivins/DeVoe/Gill/Tresvant) (5:01)
- "Can You Stand the RainCan You Stand the Rain"Can You Stand the Rain" is a ballad by R&B/Pop group New Edition. Released in 1988, it is the third single from their fifth studio album, Heart Break.-Overview:...
" (Harris/Lewis) (4:57) - "Competition" (Tresvant) (4:28)
- "Skit #3" ( :38)
- "I'm Comin' Home" (Harris/Lewis) (5:06)
- "Boys to Men" (Harris/Lewis) (4:10)
Personnel
- James Harris, III: producer
- Terry LewisJimmy Jam and Terry LewisJames Samuel "Jimmy Jam" Harris III and Terry Steven Lewis are an American R&B and pop-music songwriting and record production team...
: producer - Jellybean Johnson: producer
- Steve Hodge: engineer, mixing
- New EditionNew EditionNew Edition is an R&B group formed in Boston in 1978. The group reached its height of popularity during the 1980s. They were the progenitors of the boy band movement of the 1980s and 1990s and led the way for groups like New Kids on the Block, Boyz II Men, Backstreet Boys and 'N Sync...
: producer - Ricky BellRicky Bell (singer)Ricky Bell, nicknamed "Slick" is an American R&B singer best known as one of the founding members of New Edition and the lead singer of Bell Biv DeVoe...
: lead and background vocals - Michael BivinsMichael BivinsMichael Lamont Bivins, a.k.a. Biv , is the founder and member of the R&B group New Edition and the hip hop group Bell Biv DeVoe...
: rap and background vocals - Ronnie DeVoeRonnie DeVoeRonnie DeVoe, aka R.D., is one of the members of the R&B sextet New Edition....
: rap and background vocals - Johnny GillJohnny GillJohnny Gill is an American R&B singer-songwriter. He is the sixth and final member of the R&B supergroup New Edition, and was also a member of another supergroup called LSG; with Gerald Levert and Keith Sweat. His signature song "My, My, My" has been included on numerous romantic...
: lead and background vocals - Ralph TresvantRalph TresvantRalph Tresvant , aka Rizz, is an American tenor singer, best known as one of the lead singers in New Edition.-New Edition:Tresvant sang lead on many of the New Edition lead singles including "Candy Girl", "Cool It Now" and "If It Isn't Love"...
: lead and background vocals
External links
- Heart Break at DiscogsDiscogsDiscogs, short for discographies, is a website and database of information about audio recordings, including commercial releases, promotional releases, and bootleg or off-label releases. The Discogs servers, currently hosted under the domain name discogs.com, are owned by Zink Media, Inc., and are...