Crucial (song)
Encyclopedia
"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 Edition
's more popular singles from the post-Bobby Brown
era. It was used in the License to Drive
soundtrack.
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...
's fourth single from the Heart Break
Heart Break
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...
album. The single featured production from Jellybean Johnson
Jellybean Johnson
Jellybean Johnson is an American drummer, guitarist, songwriter, producer and musician based out of Minneapolis, Minnesota...
, Spencer Bernard
Spencer Bernard
Spencer Bernard is a long-time associate of hitmakers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and a well-known songwriter/record producer/musician that was a part of the Flyte Tyme Productions crew. Throughout his career, he has done session work for Janet Jackson, Cherrelle, Nona Hendryx, New Edition...
, and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis
Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis
James Samuel "Jimmy Jam" Harris III and Terry Steven Lewis are an American R&B and pop-music songwriting and record production team...
. Despite failing to chart on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
, "Crucial" hit #4 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...
chart, making it one of 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...
's more popular singles from the post-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...
era. It was used in the License to Drive
License to Drive
License to Drive is a 1988 teen adventure film starring Corey Haim, Corey Feldman, Heather Graham, Carol Kane, Richard Masur, Michael Manasseri and Nina Siemaszko. The screenplay was written by Neil Tolkin and directed by Greg Beeman....
soundtrack.
Track listings
- Crucial (12" Dance Remix) - 8:00
- Crucial (12" Dub) - 5:10
- Crucial (Acapella) - 4:30
Personnel
- Ronnie DeVoeRonnie DeVoeRonnie DeVoe, aka R.D., is one of the members of the R&B sextet New Edition....
: background vocals - 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...
: 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...
: 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 - 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...
: background vocals