New Edition - "Mr. Telephone Man" - Live (1996)

[@hollabklyn7]

Say what you want about Bobby voice crackin, but I LOVE how he sounds throughout the song. His voice was mad gritty and had soul to it.

[@ladygemini5967]

Yessss hollabklyn7 people always tryna dog Bobby B

[@gaetanocorigliano2479]

I think instead that out of tune to the great and also a lot......

[@KEYBEATZ]

After all Bobby was 14-15 when he recorded it, at that point he was in his 30s

[@mr.majesty1920]

@@KEYBEATZ No he wasn't. He was still in his 20's

[@dassehmc]

Hell yeahhh

[@andrewleejones]

his voice was still warming up in the verse..afterwards he was killin it! he has HARD ass notes

[@adoremya4479]

Andrew jones lol he was warming up

[@shaz4045]

Andrew Jones I've gotta agree with u there, at the end of the song Bobby sounded good

[@cressidatroylus1522]

He probably missed the sound check.

[@andrewleejones]

yeah listen at 1:51-1:53 when he hit that LOVE and affection..hits it perfect

[@lwj24]

Andrew Jones He also killed that last note..." I get a click every time"

[@brown14suga]

In the movie, somebody said Bobby wouldn't show up for any promos, but MADE SURE to show up for Oprah. This has to be the show they were talking about.

[@mscourt]

Jessica Williams Yep lol

[@TruthSerum830]

Jessica Williams Ronnie said that.

[@bettymillz3178]

Jessica Williams LMAO

[@LifeIsNotorious]

Yes and she made it all about him too. Which was wrong as hell.

[@MysticGenius_]

Jessica Williams Ronnie said it

[@MatheusRodrigues-tp9kd]

This perfectly shows why Bobby was as successful as he was. He did not give a fuck. He didn't sound nearly as good as Ralph or Ricky but he's still up there singing with the most confidence by far and he dominated that stage. He didn't compare himself to no one or care about how anyone else sounded.

[@walteisoul7958]

Really he was better/ his vocals stood out/ its the sing along part. He puts his heart into it/ yes he needs to take his time on certain parts/ but thats what made him Bobby. Ralph didn't blow up solo. Bobby did.

[@Kalinbuggs]

@@walteisoul7958 yeaaahhh but he’s the reason Bobby was able to go solo

[@devanteswing701]

ricky voice is hella smooth .. wouldve loved to hear a 1996 studio version of this song

[@kevincunningham734]

Mr. Telephone man is definitely a Bobby song. He kills it every time

[@user-tn6fg2du6v]

Ricky has such a good voice . Love his tone

[@brandonlawler8708]

He is the most underrated in the group I think he was so good

[@Payne_Inc.]

Love seeing the original 5 members perform their classics from the original recording. I can dig it 🎶🎵

[@piscesinadream]

Don't sleep on JG now! He's just as much apart of the group as the rest of the gentlemen. He definitely contributed to the overall sound.

[@Payne_Inc.]

Spot on 🎯 Pisces fam! 😉

[@dlothedoctorpromo]

Bobby skipped going to everything else but made sure he got to oprah lol.

[@PrimeTime95]

Demonte Morton lol made sure of that

[@rayrobinson6982]

Demonte Morton and filling in for Ricky when he got his occasional "cold" 😂

[@Bishop000]

He probably could've slept around with Oprah if he wanted to

[@Papi.Pharaoh]

I literally have to come back to this every single time because of Bobby, his voice was still warming up, but afterwards he just start killing it, and I love how instead of saying “Suga” like album he replaces it with “Whitney”.

[@user-fx2og9ch8l]

Right

[@ronniebobbyedition993]

Ricky's voice saved and made this performance a classic.

[@user-fx2og9ch8l]

Right

[@TheGabagoolGuru]

Ralph and Ricky held it down for this one lmao

[@walteisoul7958]

They sound nice/ Bobby had more soul. That gritty soul. He just sings with passion. Ricky and Ralph stays in the pocket. Which is great for a group. Can't have everyone all over the place

[@exyaviles869]

@@walteisoul7958 I think you're confusing soul with enthusiasm.
Bobby's not giving me soul if anything Ricky gives me more soul than Bob especially on this specific performance

[@walteisoul7958]

@@exyaviles869 I never thought Ricky or Ralph ever had soul. Ricky and Ralph is always solid. Their in the pocket. Their voices are clear and clean. Soulful singers push harder/ so it comes out gritty alot. Like Fantasis Johnny Gil Jasmine Sullivan Mary J...they got soul

[@MichaelMixerMasonGASS]

@@walteisoul7958Check Out Love Hurts from Ralph’s first solo album, his voice definitely had soul there.

[@user-bu3gp3us8q]

Ralph adult voice adujuts well to the song but Ricky sounds dam near the same as before

[@princednice0703]

1:55 Awwwwww He mentioned Whitney Houston :D

[@shaz4045]

DNICE0703 I just noticed he said Whitney 😀

[@chattyash]

shit sounded good!

[@dejaneradavis4954]

DNICE0703 I noticed

[@sonjabethay2277]

Wow

[@dontrellpoindexter2347]

Soon as Bobby said aww Whitney, Ronnie in the background smiling his tale off.

[@tcbmo5565]

If Bobby hadn't been messing with all that cocaine and heroin back in the day, his voice wouldn't have cracked.

[@smforlife3486]

TCB MO lol 😂

[@IsaiahJohnsoncocoinc]

TCB MO He was messing with Heroin too? Jesus Christ.

[@kevan1700]

it had been like 13 years. and he was only like 13 to begin with on the original track. give bob a break

[@donaldwalker4834]

Donald Walker
YesSir, That's why his speaking is different, had a stroke Da whole ya dig

[@CheroLynnBSharp]

Zaklee what I was bout 2 say

[@nayiahboyd4708]

Why is Ricky so slept on?

[@KEYBEATZ]

@@nonenone5525 But he can sing though

[@nonenone5525]

@@KEYBEATZ Barely. He can never stay on key. That's why they call him pitchy Ricky. Plus he's unattractive.

[@observatorgai5154]

@@nonenone5525 dude just shut up your comments about ricky are everywhere oh my god

[@nonenone5525]

@@observatorgai5154 I didn't tell not ONE lie. He's BORING and unattractive.

[@unapologeticallyme2060]

None None why do you hate this man so much. He must’ve done something to you personally.

[@RetroDimeDiva]

I miss these days.... Lol @ Bobby saying "Oh Whitney". Classic moment.

[@mashondasmith5738]

Im a new Edition fan 4 life

[@snapcrackle4077]

Oprah disrespected these brotha's. She spent the entire hour talking to Bobby, that FOUL. Ignored the rest of the group

[@Sweet_dreamz]

Wow

[@tgirl1762]

Yeah talking to Bobby about Whitney

[@khalidrashid6645]

The voice can crack all it likes, bobby’s irreplaceable in new edition

[@jasondawson92]

Yep and there wouldn’t be a new edition without Bobby B

[@julezjohn5785]

Some of u geniuses to realize Bobby was a young child when he originally recorded this song? Of course his voice is going to be different

[@JPitamus]

Bobby voice cracked tryna sing that high note....he sung that high note when he was still in high school, voice changed since then, he got older, NO MAN SING THE HIGH NOTES THEY SUNG AS KIDS

[@kinglarrylog]

no1mjdolo tell that to stevie wonder and Charlie Wilson lol

[@prscillahenderson6611]

no1mjdolo its cause he started doing drugs

[@JPitamus]

SUGARFOOT MILLS that's not fair, their range was naturally higher than Bobbys lol

[@JPitamus]

prscilla henderson nahhh, even without drugs, he's still not hittin that note very clean, especially while dancing unless he falsetto it lol

[@ejfreeman7]

no1mjdolo Ralph could

[@KAMALAISHERNAME]

Bobby need to quit, trying to act like he wanted crowd participation. Negro yo ass couldn't hit them notes like you used to.... lmfaoooo

[@shaz4045]

MELANIN GODDESS 😂 comment was spot on

[@adoremya4479]

Hell yea that nigga pointing the mic towards them cus he knew he sounded terrible lmao

[@dmac6295]

MELANIN GODDESS lol yeah but he recovered pretty good and held his own and finished strong.

[@KAMALAISHERNAME]

D MAC I don't recall asking you. Stay the fuck off my thread. Thanks for playing....

[@teejones8279]

🤡 He Got it together at the end

[@BornToBeFamed]

Ralph and rick always sound good. Bobby could get his voice back he just gotta get in shape now .

[@curtisjohnson1103]

They had to tune the key down for bobby because the drugs and puberty hit at the same time

[@trelsingz355]

Back ?? Bobby could never sing 💀 he was just a great a performer. In the movie he could but in real life not so much

[@trelsingz355]

@Emontre waters the difference between David Ruffin and Bobby is David could always sing even all the drugs couldn’t affect his voice that’s a good given talent. Bob could barely sing before the drugs and after he couldn’t sing at all 🤷🏽‍♂️
New edition did just fine without him. Can’t compare no Bobby brown to no David Ruffin

[@trelsingz355]

@Emontre waters you don’t know what you talking about. David Ruffin was before Bobby brown. Bobby brown was in the 80s -90
David Ruffin was in the 1960s- 70s please know your musical history before you comment. Do your research. Auto tone was established in like the late 80s around the same time bobby went solo and had his success

[@trelsingz355]

@Emontre waters it was auto tune in Bobby’s time bobby was around during zap and Rodger and all them people who used auto tune. That’s when auto tune first started.

[@allesharagston7383]

OHH WHITNEY!!! HA CUTE PRICELESS, I BET HE STILL SAYING WHITNEY!!! Say what cha want to say Whitney will alwayz and forever be the love of his life... R'I'P' ANGEL

[@livebreatheeatfitnessco.4146]

Bobby is off the chain for that extra Woo-oOh oh I almost fell out my chair😂😂😂.. like that wasn’t in the original 😂and you can tell he wanted to break down in a James Brown like solo dance in the middle of the stage..but overall this my jam

[@deborahyisrael5258]

They all sounded very good!

[@dontesanders1218]

Bobby Brown had as much talent as anyone that ever lived, and that includes James Brown, Sammy Davis Jr, Prince and even Micheal Jackson, a shame that he let his lifestyle get out of control after his diamond selling hit album in 1989.

[@paoloalfante3801]

+Donte Sanders Are you kidding me? All those guys performed their entire lives, I love Bobby's old stuff but his carrier was about 12 years tops.

[@juniorchandler4669]

Paolo Alfante he's still performing bro

[@FreeRoyalPowerHour]

Donte Sanders this has to be one of the funniest comments I have ever seen

[@Donlkickzz]

Don't compare anyone to michael Jackson pls

[@ButterscotchCloud]

Oh, you got jokes!

[@iwillmusic6090]

Everybody getting on Bobby in this performance but forgetting that he not had the hardest notes to hit out of all the lead parts, but he also had to sing a song from 12 yrs back in which he was a teen w/ different vocal range lol. Other than that, I think he did well. On another note, when Ralph came on though. Fire!

[@eriq54321]

Did bobby say "oh Whitney " at 1:56

[@aubreytaylor7942]

I don't care no one says but BOBBY will ALWAYS be my favorite New Edition member

[@damonrussell2016]

We all have our flaws as humans we fall short of the GLORY GOD BLESS NEW EDITION BROTHERS LEGENDARY BAND

[@akechetalahpay5333]

Couldn't help but smile while watching this. MAN, so many memories this brought back. Thanks for sharing...👍

[@TheJalen1222]

Y’all do know that the reason Bobby cracked was because of puberty they were 13-14 years old boys when they recorded this song

[@lesterluis1426]

True, but there is an early 90’s performance during the mini NE reunion where they sang this at the original key and he actually sounded the same.
I think drugs was taking over by this time, it made his voice grittier but he couldn’t hit them high notes anymore

[@donnabrooks12]

I never got to c them I would love to c all of them perform

[@honeykissesw.9260]

That Ralph 🥰if I was born during their time all of them talented Ralph , Bobby , Ricky voices . Mike , Ronnie too!

[@Mr.cladmaniac]

Also not forgotten Johnny

[@JaSam4EverAlways]

😢😢😭😭 Bobby's struggle voice tho. Them damn drugs.

[@curtisjohnson1103]

Puberty and drugs hit at the same time

[@user-bu3gp3us8q]

To be fair when he said help me out he sounded like himself again

[@queenslyric800]

Once again Ricky killed the notes. 😁🎶🎶🎶

[@sparkletutson656]

Bobby's always been my favorite. IDC, IDC! LOL!

[@phoenixredd5111]

Ricky sounds exactly the same

[@shivery3821]

Exactly and he’s the oldest of the group

[@sonjabethay2277]

Ralphhh, sounded amazing on that intro

[@yasminvaughn2975]

I love New Edition's songs! You guys still got it!

[@sozuruQ2]

Very good performance

[@jefferykincey3907]

I remember watching this episode. Loved it. NE4LIFE!!!

[@lawrenceworrell8474]

this performance was only subpar because they didn't have their band and it was totally impromptu. on the "Home Again" tour, Bobby sang the shit out of this when the band lowered the key to fit where his voice was

[@marquespowell2578]

Great to me

[@jasperguitaring3673]

not that this isn't too bad, but after they hit puberty, they should've brought this song down to a lower key so they could perform it good more consistently, it could also give it a new feel

[@angelkila]

🔥🔥🔥best live of mr telephone man bobby went in

[@sexykia231]

This video is jammin love these guys

[@sozuruQ2]

Ricky sounds the best lmao

[@Monique-im2wg]

nope

[@scottypimpinentertainment7160]

Crisscross bobby got injured in a car accident and he had strep throat

[@nonenone5525]

Crisscross Ricky is pitchy per usual.

[@nonenone5525]

icecreambeats101 lol. Get it girl, but my boo Ralph has NEVER been light skinned. Lol. I don't like my men light. Ralph is chocolate too. I love me a slimmy trimmy with a BIG ole Jimmy I guess. Plus those eyes and cheekbones.

[@nonenone5525]

icecreambeats101 she's right. He's Brown. He was chocolate as a child but grew up to be more Brown.

[@mr.madmanswiss1235]

Like I said before Bobby was the heart and soul of the group, big mistake letting him go.

[@adoremya4479]

Antoine cox no it wasn't a mistake at the time that was the best thing to do for the group they gave him a little time out he was outta control and kinda bringing them down but he got it together

[@mr.madmanswiss1235]

Danica Coleman yea you're right.

[@sozuruQ2]

Antoine Cox Ricky sounds the best here and bobby sounds like death can't do high notes bc of drugs

[@dlothedoctorpromo]

if he would've never got kicked out of the group, he never would have got to see his success as a solo artist. it was a great idea to let him be on his own. plus we never would have got the adult and maturity of ne heartbreak without johnny gill.

[@shlyanth]

love this!

[@user-zp4xw2no5q]

当時のあの かわいい声がよかったなあ〜
I miss the cute singing voice of those days

[@doccentral6003]

Bobby killed that shit...

[@magicman2474life]

bobby was blowin this

[@ejfreeman7]

magicman2474life blowin what? Air?

[@marquespowell2578]

Ralph Tresvant new song"All Mines" is a banger ,Stream,Purchase, like, Share and Request on All Radio Stations

[@christopherdrakeford6258]

johnny gill sitting down. he should've been singing with them.

[@juniorchandler4669]

Bobby brown is the man

[@72768487912002]

Thanks for posting this brings back great memories.

[@angelheaven6096]

I WAS ONLY 11 YEARS OLD THEN BUT STILL LOVE IT

[@flynntaylor5459]

Did bobby give a nod to whitney??? I thought I heard him sing oh whitney!!!

[@truthseeker4460]

Bobby is a mess why he got the cane😂 he was so cute though

[@laciewilson3700]

In an interview it said Bobby was the only one who could hit the notes for the chorus
Stop playing on Bobby top😂😂😂

[@cressidatroylus1522]

They should have brought the song down a few keys.

[@luckyshow98]

Cressida Troylus Yeah arrange it around their voice. They're not prepubescent boys anymore.

[@ejfreeman7]

Hannah Obsiye Ralph could do it

[@bye230]

The Human Durag Flap #STEELERSSUPERBOWL51CHAMPS Rickey too, it was only bobby yelling in the dam mic

[@Monique-im2wg]

Ralph's singing voice is naturally higher though.

[@iluha29]

There's something wrong with my voice..

[@godzillakaijugkalt3358]

...

[@flynntaylor5459]

Back in the day this was Bobby's song with new edition. Rick well he couldn't have had a solo career but I think he wanted to kick it with ronnie and mike... they are all so close. But dawn when I hear him in that tiny part in can you stand the rain I just lose it... no pressure no pressure from me baby.... cause I lllooovveee you girl🤩😱💝 he is the total package ladies. Ricky makes me sweat 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Ace-lx6nd]

People do drugs because they did not have the correct guidance they were supposed to get from their parents. It is important not to excessively abuse your children under the pretext of discipline like how Michael Jackson's father abused his children, but at the same time you should not give them too much leeway either. Causing physical pain to your kids is not the way to raise them let alone keep them away from drugs. I am sure Bobby Brown always was a good person. He just happened to be with bad company and was dealing with a lot of negativity in his life. Regardless, to me Bobby was a great entertainer and an even better family man at present, with someone who really does care for him this time round(unlike Whitney), who loved his fans as much as Michael Jackson did his own. His voice cracking during this performance may not be due to drugs alone but simply because of his age as well. After a certain age you just won't be able to reach those high notes. Even Michael Jackson's voice got deeper as he matured. I loved the performance. Nice.

[@sinjin4563]

Asce Shivkummar Bobby Brown is one of the most natural, God gifted performers in history, the Jackson brothers said they agreed with their father and however it was called discipline but I don't believe it is the correct form of raising kids.

[@mickiedeezable1]

That man really loved Whitney. Idgaf what anyone else say yo

[@OfficialRebel]

This my jam

[@bremarie1742]

1:54 🥰🥰

[@snackasmversion2752]

Ralph sounded amazing...Bobby sounded like shit.

[@sozuruQ2]

Jack Hammer don't forget Ricky Ricky sound the best here

[@kierractaylor]

Jack Hammer Drugs vs. No drugs. BUT STILL.... BOBBY IS AMAZING

[@tdb3039]

Jack Hammer ..thats your opinion. bobby .b will always be the beast. people always be quick to point out the negative.. Bobby got talent.can't take that away from bobby.

[@snackasmversion2752]

Sundae j I agree Bobby is talented, but he sounded so off-key here.

[@shaz4045]

Crisscross exactly Ricky was seriously underated

[@shivery3821]

This man bobby😂 1:47

[@mariamyupperz7614]

poor Bobby hahahah change the dang key if you can't hit those notesss

[@icecreambeats101]

0:50 did anyone here Ricky’s voice cracked when he said man? lol still sounds cute

[@robinlight]

Ralph😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@SILKTEEN46]

Girl, he looking real Yummy and SEXY!!!

[@elijahisaac1577]

It's really sad for bobby. He had great talent in his voice. He didn't have to do all those drugs and mess it up for himself

[@shaz4045]

Ricky looks like John B from jls..Ricky vocals👌

[@dancinbreezyful]

The Bobby brown story was kool but it never acknowledge the decline in Bobby's voice....he knew he was fuckin up tho he saved himself by the end of the song

[@yazmeenpetersen2871]

Ralph 😭💖💖💖💖💖💖

[@dustinsmith7259]

Here’s my question: this is 1996, so Bobby is 27, and Ralph is 28 (my age). Both WELL past puberty. Why, oh WHY is the song in the same key as it was when they were still kids??? That’s literally setting them up to sound a hot mess 😡. I know this is 25 years ago, but gah that still makes me hot

[@DallasSniper]

Did you notice that Ronnie and Mike were lip syncing the entire song?

[@michaelpapelman1132]

It was a very last minute decision to include Mr. Telephone Man from what I heard, so they couldn’t lower the key in time

[@paginini]

Boby brown tone was uniqe

[@jahmadgolden2427]

At least he tried

[@COBStudios]

What was wrong with Bobby? He was using the cane while performing

[@DJAWOBBZ1]

+Matt Write he got into a car accident week or so b4 this

[@paoloalfante3801]

+Matt Write Crack.

[@marcellusstokes1904]

It was right after the car accident he had that year

[@christiancharles309]

@@paoloalfante3801 u idiot. He got into an accident.

[@dearlyband7715]

Ralphie looking like 2Pac.

[@kwameaboagye940]

Bobby Brown is the man that our girls so out of control because he was rough and tough.

[@shigiz]

I love bobby but my mans was struggling, still love his voice

[@NicoleAliyah]

who came here after seeing New Edition and the Bobby Brown Story and the Ricky Bell interview to see if Bobby was really gonna be extra and carry on the song way longer than he is suppose to lol

[@jaym1894]

So did Ralph tresvant had as much talent that's the man ,now that's real talent not saying that Bobby didn't have talent but, the different between him an Bobby, bobby have a better solo career, because he left first if Ralph whould left first it whould be err n differents story, but all Ralph song solo is good just no great as he's first song

[@ta4life27]

Jay M no bobby s album would of still smash Ralph s shit. don t be cruel was so damn good it could not be touch unless the album was thriller

[@shaz4045]

Travis Augustine u know that, don't be cruel album was👌 I liked most of the tracks on it especially don't be cruel,rock wit'cha prerogative,roni, every lil step.

[@brokeneye27]

Jay M bottom line is bobby, johnny, and bbd all went to laface who ruled the 90's. If Ralph would have done the same he would have been a solo legend.

[@markiegreen5265]

shaz Dont be Cruel..was a great album...

[@dwaynethagreat8083]

If Ralph would have left first his solo career still wouldn't have been really big cause he really didn't have the edge of being a solo artist he was always for the group

[@travisthompson4775]

Ricky did cocaine too but not as much as bobby

[@scottypimpinentertainment7160]

Ricky bell looks like cole from martin

[@chopper3843]

Bobby brown: puberty
MR.TeLEPhOnE mAN

[@JJDPROMEDIAPRODUCTION]

Nice jobs guys..

[@wiltisdabest]

well its his song that he sings lead on but they all struggle here maybe just a bad day for them or they should have tranposed the key down a bit

[@MrKingzSpeak]

Bobby is probably the most favorite for fans but I cant blame the rest of them for feeling some ways because a lot of people talking would have handled things in the music industry/show biz environment WAYY worse especially being like 10/11 comin out the projects straight to the stage.

[@TRELL3132]

Bobby just had to warm up. After that first run through he was good

[@ir489]

Whys everybody coming for Bobby I think he did okay but he was a little extra , but that's typical Bobby for ya

[@dominiquejones937]

Bobby's vocie has ofcoursed changed since he was 15 but damn man. I guess like Rick James said, cocaine is a hell of a drug.

[@Bilbobagem]

those voice cracks though bobby.

[@curtisjohnson1103]

Thats funny, ricky is okder than bobby and his voice didn't age

[@mistahmst]

Bobby is also the youngest in the group.

[@angelagraham5547]

Cocaine is one hell of a drug...

[@blackreign351]

Well drugs does that. Especially considering Bobby was the heaviest users out of the group. His voice has drastically changed compared to the others

[@angelagraham5547]

Ralph's voice is a little shaky, but he is a falsetto and their voices usually don't have much longevity unless they take extremely good care of their voices.

[@trelsingz355]

@@angelagraham5547 Rick did cocaine too 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@Marz742]

Anybody else notice Bobby up there with a cane??

[@maurice8424]

He was in a car accident

[@wiltisdabest]

he came out for hit me off he left on the songs he was not on on that tour i think and even today thats how it goes

[@uniquea8079]

ricky sounds so good bobby over doing it