Released February 24, 1983 Recorded November 6, 1982 Length 3:52
6:58 (12') | Format Vinyl record (7") Genre R&B Label Streetwise, Warlock | |
"Candy Girl" is an R&B song by boy band New Edition. Released in 1983, it was the first single from their debut album of the same name. It hit number one in the UK Singles Chart in May 1983, becoming the 31st best selling single of the year there.
Contents
History
New Edition was first discovered and mentored by their manager Brooke Payne. He entered them in a local talent show where they met songwriter/producer Maurice Starr who wrote "Candy Girl" for the group, envisioning them as a 1980s answer to The Jackson 5. Ralph Tresvant was positioned as the lead singer, because Starr considered his high tenor as reminiscent of a younger Michael Jackson, while having members Ricky Bell and Bobby Brown sharing alternate leads.
The 12" version features producers Starr and Michael Jonzun doing some additional instrumentation in the outro.
Release and reaction
Released as a single in 1983, the song netted a slow ascent up the charts. but It eventually peaked at number forty-six on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart singles chart, and number one on the R&B singles chart; it also reached No. 1 in the UK Singles Chart for one week in May 1983.