New Edition — Where It All Started

[Intro: Michael Bivins + (New Edition)] Picture this: Where it all started Was back in Boston, Massachusetts some time ago (Believe that!) And by reopening the doors to all youth A little salt was thrown on me and my boys (You know what I'm sayin'?) But now we're back Picking up where we left off (Ah yeah!) And through this song, process of elimination will be done (You better believe that!) Ronnie, Bobby, Ricky, and Mike Ronnie, Bobby, Ricky, and Mike [Verse 1: Ralph Tresvant & (Ricky Bell)] The beginning of a dream Where our ideas were born Tell 'em, Ricky (To understand what this really means) Let's set the record straight once and for all I'll tell you 'cause [Chorus 1: New Edition] Other people imitate And try their best to recreate This is where it all started from So they only perpetrate But they can never duplicate This is where it all started from (Yo, it's on you Ron) [Verse 2] (Ronnie DeVoe: It's nice to be the original) (Ralph: That all the counterfeits like to bite off) (Ricky: We only take it as a compliment) (Johnny Gill: When they copy some of our material) [Chorus 2: New Edition] To stay the best among the rest We work to keep our movements fresh This is where it all started from (Yo, listen up! Uh!) Instead of being clones (Why don't ya—) Think of something on your own This is where it all started from (Now there's one more thing we think you should know) Don't be a victim to the wannabe This is where it all started from (A fake, a fake) 'Cause no other's ever gonna be (like us) This is where it all started from (Take that) [Breakdown: New Edition & (vocal samples)] (Ronnie, Bobby, Ricky, and Mike Ronnie, Bobby, Ricky, and Mike) We're coolin' (Cool it, coo—, coo—, coo-coo—, cool it now) Let's sweeten it up (Candy girl) Count it off — one, two, one, two But you better not, better not (Count me out) [Chorus 3: New Edition] Other people imitate And try their best to recreate This is where it all started from So they only perpetrate But they can never duplicate This is where it all started from To stay the best among the rest We work to keep our movements fresh This is where it all started from (Yo, listen up! Uh!) Instead of being clones (Why don't ya—) Think of something on your own This is where it all started from [Outro: Ricky Bell] Yo, wait a minute! Hold up! Wait! Stop! Wait a minute! Pause! You didn't know we was coming back like this on 'em, my brother!