"Cool It Now"
Single by New Edition
from the album New Edition
ReleasedAugust 27, 1984
Recorded1984[1]
GenrePost-disco[2]
Length5:47 (album version)
4:12 (single version)
3:37 (video version)
LabelMCA
Songwriter(s)
  • Vincent Brantley
  • Rick Timas
Producer(s)
  • Vincent Brantley
  • Rick Timas
New Edition singles chronology
"Popcorn Love"
(1983)		 "Cool It Now"
(1984)		 "Mr. Telephone Man"
(1984)
Music video
"Cool It Now" on YouTube

"Cool It Now" is a 1984 hit single by American group New Edition, and 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.[3] The song peaked at number 4 in January 1985 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Lyrically, the song depicts a guy professing his love for a girl, despite growing concerns from his friends.[4]

Overview

With 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 lead singer 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".

Ralph Tresvant provided lead vocals, singing about wanting to let himself fall in love despite his friends telling him to "cool it now." There are two rap interludes in this song. The first finds Michael Bivins and Ronnie DeVoe trading lines, telling Ralph Tresvant to take it slow. Later in the song, Tresvant raps his retort, letting them know he appreciates their input but will ignore it at his own risk.

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

Charts

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[12] Gold 1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ↑ 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.
  2. ↑ 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.
  3. ↑ "Hot Black Singles". Billboard. December 15, 1984. p. 56.
  4. ↑ "Hot 100". Billboard. September 12, 2008. Retrieved June 15, 2012.
  5. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942–2004. Record Research. p. 428.
  6. ↑ Matthew Solarski (November 19, 2008). "My Brightest Diamond, Frightened Rabbit Do Covers". Pitchfork. Retrieved June 11, 2009.
  7. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 9577." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
  8. ↑ "New Edition Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
  9. ↑ "New Edition Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
  10. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2014). Cash Box Pop Hits 1952-1996. Sheridan Books, Inc. ISBN 978-0-89820-209-0.
  11. ↑ "1985 The Year in Music & Video: Top Pop Singles". Billboard. Vol. 97, no. 52. December 28, 1985. p. T-21.
  12. ↑ "American single certifications – New Edition – Cool It Now". Recording Industry Association of America.
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