Ray Parker Jr. wrote this back in the '70s when he was a member of the funk/R&B vocal group Raydio, but he never recorded it. It debuted in 1983 when it was covered by teenage Jamaican reggae singer Junior Tucker, but didn't become a hit until New Edition released their version the following year.
The subtle additions of synthesizers, cleaner harmonic delivery, the verbal narrative, AND the accompanying video sold New Edition's version of this song... making it tons more memorable. Ray Parker and Raydio would have done just as well had they performed it themselves.
Oh yes, most Jamaican music lovers shared the same opinion as you but we found out the reason why it wasn't an hit by the singer when he decided to returned home.Nuff stated.
Me neither, I thought new Edition was the first to sing it ,he sounds just as good as new edition, that's fuc,ked up it didn't blow up for him like new edition
Bruh….I’ve been on this earth for 42 years and didn’t know about this version of one of my favorite songs of all time 😫😫😫😫😫 What is real in the universe 😫😫😫🤣😂🤣😂
Its just the politics of the music industry why Junior Tucker original version never became a hit,him being a Jamaican at that time never got the big promotion that New Edition got and they were a hot new group at the time there not much differences in both versions .I can remember how we Jamaicans where so proud of him when he met up with Ray Parker Jr to make this record after being a big child star in Jamaica
I like both this version and New Edition's. Sometimes it's a matter of timing when a certain song becomes a hit or not. The only difference is he sung all the parts. Props to Ray Parker Jr for writing this great song.
You are so right. There are so many artist who originally did a song and it may not have reached expectations. This happens a lot in music. A great example is Connie Stevens, Keep Growing Strong. And The Stylistics Betcha You By Golly Wow. The exact same song written by Tom Bell and Linda Creed.
It was only recently i found out Ray Parker Jr wrote Mr Telephone Man...which makes sense to me know because i always thought it had a sound of 'Raydio - Jack & Jill' to it
All this time I always thought New Edition were the original artist of this song. I never knew about this version of the song or this singing artist. WOW 😲😲😲😲
I bought this album back in 1983, every cut was nice , I knew the entire song when New Edition's version came out, and my friends were in awe. Jr Tucker also did a remake of Raydio's "Going through school and love" on this album with a strip down bass line. Been a fan since 1978 when he did a remake of the Jackson's " Enjoy yourself", in which I am sure Ray Parker saw him perform as a child prodigy. The states slept on Mr. Leslie Tucker but in Jamaica Junior was a musical giant !
I was today years old when I found out NE's version was a cover! I love both versions though! BTW, this dude looks like and sounds like Jermaine Jackson! Looks like Jermaine has a secret love child
@@LUEOTTI3 I wasn't making a comparison. I was giving him recognition for a job very well done...in my opinion. I like the New Edition version, too. 🤷🏾♀️
@@sujoy9220 Key word is vocalist. Shaggy is a DJ is not a singer. Bob Marley is a musical genius but not the purest vocalist. Jamaica has produced many amazing musicians who dont all get International acclaim but are beloved by Jamaicans. People who grew up in Jamaica will understand what I mean.
@@Moreluv78 Gregory Isaacs, Alton Ellis, Slim Smith, Peter Tosh, Freddie McGregor, Sugar Minott, Ken Boothe, Delroy Wilson, Beres Hammond, Bunny Waller, ....just to name a few
@@stonedog23 this guy sings better like you said Bobby isn’t know for Johnny gill like vocals but for what Bobby had he did pretty good with what he had
I heard Ray Parker Jr. Sing a version of Mr. Telephone before it nice! I never heard of this guy singing his version. When Ray song it smooth, I like Ray and NE version better.
It's rare that a cover is better than the original, such as Lala Hathaway's cover of Anita Baker's Angel (in my opinion)l but I like it,, well done young man and even better New Edition 👏
From r and b to reggae to Christian reggae Jr Tucker has range tictok bought me here
This version should have been a major hit. Great vocals.
Agreed!
Ray Parker Jr. wrote this back in the '70s when he was a member of the funk/R&B vocal group Raydio, but he never recorded it. It debuted in 1983 when it was covered by teenage Jamaican reggae singer Junior Tucker, but didn't become a hit until New Edition released their version the following year.
Did Tucker get paid
@hildadavid9181 only the original creator receive it, a singer is considered a performer.
The subtle additions of synthesizers, cleaner harmonic delivery, the verbal narrative, AND the accompanying video sold New Edition's version of this song... making it tons more memorable. Ray Parker and Raydio would have done just as well had they performed it themselves.
Wow! I had no idea that New Edition remade this song. The original is really good. I am surprised it did not become a hit for this artist.
Oh yes, most Jamaican music lovers shared the same opinion as you but we found out the reason why it wasn't an hit by the singer when he decided to returned home.Nuff stated.
Me neither, I thought new Edition was the first to sing it ,he sounds just as good as new edition, that's fuc,ked up it didn't blow up for him like new edition
@@anclark2063 well he did a great job, shout out to Jamaica, I'm going to check more oof his music now
@@anthonybaker7433 I’d recommend checking out his biggest tune Don’t Test and his gospel songs. The man is a pastor now
yup he even wrote the ghostbusters theme
You can hear the Ray Parker Junior influence in the song.....classical ❤
Ray Parker is my childhood idol and legend! A true masterpiece indeed!
Yeah I definitely hear the Ray Parker in it
Ray Parker produced this song for Junior Tucker. The he wrote the version for New Edition - so Ray Parker had his hand in both versions of the song!
It's absolutely correct. This song sounds a lot like Ray Parker's "A woman needs love (just like you do)".
The Ray Parker plagiarism touch 😂
Straight outta Kingston Jamaica 🇯🇲 Jr Tucker.
44 years old and NEVER knew New Edition remade this😳👀! Respect to Junior but N.E.'s version is what I grew up with❤️.
The Genius of the LEGENDARY Iconic Mr Ray Parker Jr
I love that mane so much, I have "Raydio" on my forearm. I got to show him in November 2021 at a show he had here in Memphis. He is AMAZING.
Yesssssssss
I just a chill listening to this song
Yes indeed....Ray Parker, Jr. Is a GENIUS!!!
Junior Tucker....A major Jamaican pop star in the 80's
Beautiful song 10/10 respect junior tucker. 🥰🥰🥰🥰
My mind is blown!!! I had no idea this was a remake!!!
I'm almost 53 yrs old and did not know this was a cover. My favorite N.E. song too!!
Same here....this threw me
I am a 51 year old Jamaican man and I am just finding out that Junior Tucker did this song and New Edition did the cover.
I just found out TODAY!!!! WTF!
@@tonyb685 It was Ray Parker, Jr who wrote the song.
@@JLJ504HD True . Nice song.
I thought all the time this was new edition’s song. Respect Junior🙏
Yeah, the record company did the dirty on Junior! This could have broken Junior big in the USA.
There’s this weird breezy, tropical element to this track I dig.
Ray Parker Jr's signature sound at the time. It's on his own records then too.
Junior and I went to the same high School in Jamaica.
I just said that
Hes jamaican
@@damonreynolds6775 He gave this song away because he didn't like it. He did like the groove and chords so he reused them on A Woman Needs Love
They need to play this original tune on all the radio stone Hit wow
Bruh….I’ve been on this earth for 42 years and didn’t know about this version of one of my favorite songs of all time 😫😫😫😫😫 What is real in the universe 😫😫😫🤣😂🤣😂
Did you also know that the Jackson 5 sang All I do is think of you. Troop made it famous.
@@steven1811 yes I did know that.
Jus found this out from Facebook .....wow 2023
Big singer Junior tucker str8 outta 🇯🇲💯👊🏽
Okay, nothing new about Jamaican signing FBA songs
Just brought this album for a Fiver in todays world that was a bargain 🔥🔥🔥
You did a great job mr Tucker wow
Low key he kinda killed it! I like it!
He doesn't have great range but it could pass for Pop
Yesssssssss He did
Hi key
This is deadass his song 😭
And did
Its just the politics of the music industry why Junior Tucker original version never became a hit,him being a Jamaican at that time never got the big promotion that New Edition got and they were a hot new group at the time there not much differences in both versions .I can remember how we Jamaicans where so proud of him when he met up with Ray Parker Jr to make this record after being a big child star in Jamaica
MR JR Tucker great remix of this classic tune they need 2 play this on the radio Jr tucker try n do a remix with New Edition wow
I love this original song. ❤❤❤❤❤❤😊😊😊😊😊😊
I like both this version and New Edition's. Sometimes it's a matter of timing when a certain song becomes a hit or not. The only difference is he sung all the parts.
Props to Ray Parker Jr for writing this great song.
This is so true
You are so right. There are so many artist who originally did a song and it may not have reached expectations. This happens a lot in music. A great example is Connie Stevens, Keep Growing Strong. And The Stylistics Betcha You By Golly Wow. The exact same song written by Tom Bell and Linda Creed.
@@mwizard45 I went years without knowing Girls Just Want to Have Fun was a cover.
It was only recently i found out Ray Parker Jr wrote Mr Telephone Man...which makes sense to me know because i always thought it had a sound of 'Raydio - Jack & Jill' to it
You said it perfectly, timing is everything sometimes
Bass is dope in this version
He sounds great … love them both
They need 2 play this tune on the radio alot of people never knew NEW Edition did a remix Junior Tucker do a remix 2 gether wow
I agree a back to back ....
This is his song. Of course he killed it. Great history lesson. Never knew it was a cover when NE released it.
All this time I always thought New Edition were the original artist of this song. I never knew about this version of the song or this singing artist. WOW 😲😲😲😲
I never knew this was the original. He has a beautiful 😍 voice.
🙄 I sing better than him
He does!
Jr Tucker's feels more apple crisp, New Edition's feels more savoury. both delish in their own ways
Junior Tucker became a solid, Reggae/Dancehall singer.
All these years i did not know this song existed. I never heard it on the radio back then. Love it love it!!!
I bought this album back in 1983, every cut was nice , I knew the entire song when New Edition's version came out, and my friends were in awe. Jr Tucker also did a remake of Raydio's "Going through school and love" on this album with a strip down bass line. Been a fan since 1978 when he did a remake of the Jackson's " Enjoy yourself", in which I am sure Ray Parker saw him perform as a child prodigy. The states slept on Mr. Leslie Tucker but in Jamaica Junior was a musical giant !
Facts 💯
Junior Tucker could have made it huge in the US
He had the voice
WOW! You learn something everyday. This is just a classic Ray Parker Jr. song!
It definitely is Ray
I’m 50 and did not know this was a cover song
This is really good!!! Can't believe I never heard of Jr. Tucker.
Jr was a Jamaican child star. He now sings gospel
Me too I never heard of Junior Tucker.
@@gordonmckenzie2920So proud of Jr. Turner a Jamaican kid singing gospel.
@tameriajones593 well he NOW sings gospel. Mr Telephone Man was released in 1983
R&B Money Podcast 009 brought me here.
Found this the other day. A friend of mine mentioned on a Facebook post. I like it, but new edition SMOKED this song!
Facts
No lie
Wow, I had no idea this song was sung by someone else before New Edition! Learn something new everyday!
I was today years old when I found out NE's version was a cover! I love both versions though! BTW, this dude looks like and sounds like Jermaine Jackson! Looks like Jermaine has a secret love child
Wow. I never heard of him or this version...🤯
Why isn’t this on Spotify
I like this one!!!!! I'm sorry he didn't get the recognition for this. He sounds good!
Naw he singing like he’s shy . Ralph got that kick to his vocals . More feeling in it . Especially when Bobby hit it
@@LUEOTTI3 I wasn't making a comparison. I was giving him recognition for a job very well done...in my opinion. I like the New Edition version, too. 🤷🏾♀️
First time hearing this rendition. I like that it's slower. P.S. I never thought Ralph Tresvant could sing. My opinion.
🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲 Arguably one of the best Jamaican vocalist of all time
Bro I think shaggy and marley are best.
@@sujoy9220 Key word is vocalist. Shaggy is a DJ is not a singer. Bob Marley is a musical genius but not the purest vocalist. Jamaica has produced many amazing musicians who dont all get International acclaim but are beloved by Jamaicans. People who grew up in Jamaica will understand what I mean.
Madness....Over Dennis Brown and John Holt.
@@Moreluv78 Gregory Isaacs, Alton Ellis, Slim Smith, Peter Tosh, Freddie McGregor, Sugar Minott, Ken Boothe, Delroy Wilson, Beres Hammond, Bunny Waller, ....just to name a few
Dennis Brown is the greatest Jamaican vocalist of all time. Even Bob Marley gave him his props.
He's song sound great tooo❤
Big ups to the legendary Junior Tucker! This song was really good!
Wow I’m surprised this didn’t blew up but instead New Edition blew up with this song.
Amazing, had no idea
New Edition's version is good but this is WAY BETTER. A true masterpiece.
Never knew that this was the original. WOW . you learn something new everyday
I just learned this.
This song first time I hear it play on JBC i immediately fall in love with Mr tucker ,,,,❤❤❤❤❤❤❤this song is indeed amazing
Spent most of my 40+ years in Jamaica and was a fan of Jr Tucker growing up and didn't know he (A Jamaican) sang this first.....LOL.....wow
Only Ray Parker knew this guy sang this first
Jamaican superstar Jr Tucker
R&B Money Podcast bought me here!
If you listen closely, you can hear the record button being played.
I like this version.😍😍😍. Ray parker. production.
Never heard of this kid, wow this is the original.
Bobby Brown brought this song to life.
Bobby killed it.
Hell nawl bobby brown can’t sing. He was just a good dancer and entertainer the movie version he could but in real life was a huge disappointment
@@trelsingz355 you’ve obviously never watched bob sing live 85-96 😂
This guy actually sings better than Bobby. But Bobby is not terrible. His vocals improved from Girlfriend to Roni.
@@stonedog23 this guy sings better like you said Bobby isn’t know for Johnny gill like vocals but for what Bobby had he did pretty good with what he had
@@lorshmev8146 🔥🔥🔥especially something In common and pretty little girl
This man sang this song all by himself and NEW EDITION 4 YOUNG MEN.... Like this song, but I love all of my generation songs including this 1...😊😊😊
SIX MEN IN NEW EDITION... LOVE 4 A
Original the best❤❤❤❤❤
I would love to hear Ray Parker, Jr. sing this song. He composed it and wrote the lyrics.
th-cam.com/users/shortsQ4g4YXbeyYA
I heard Ray Parker Jr. Sing a version of Mr. Telephone before it nice! I never heard of this guy singing his version. When Ray song it smooth, I like Ray and NE version better.
Never knew this existed but love it! It’s a great track and done here too. RPJ wrote a smash any way you look at it!!!!
This is one of them rare grooves
Dayum! This sounds almost better than the remake. I'm a sucker for originals, especially from the full analogue era.
Wow! Learn something new everyday. I never knew this. It's actually pretty good.
Ray parker jr. wrote this song. you can hear hus signature tone and groove in the music and lyrics..
✌🏽🏃🏿♂
The two juniors combining to make a classic. LOVE IT MAN, LURRRV IT
It's rare that a cover is better than the original, such as Lala Hathaway's cover of Anita Baker's Angel (in my opinion)l but I like it,, well done young man and even better New Edition 👏
I love this version better!
What?!?! My whole childhood has been a lie...
Aww🥺 Don’t feel bad
At the very beginning, I didn’t know that Jr Tucker had Recorded this song before New Edition had did. :)
Yeah don't feel bad. We all were fooled. But it feels like a totally different song... That's special.
The catch-22, the writer to the song Mr telephone Man was the one & only Ray Parker jr. From raydio..... If you didn't know now you know....... 2:09
Wow im just finding this out today that he sang this first.WoW i like it.
I know Ray Parker wrote Mr. Telephone man, but I also thought he song a version of it too. I had never heard this before the version by Jr.
Ray parker Jr (hit song Ghostbusters) wrote this song then came Tucker and New edition 👍🏾💯
I love both versions new edition’s and junior
Wow didn't know this!!!
i bought this album! it wasnt bad!
Jamaica representing
I prefer this version TBH!
1st time hearing the original😘 & I love it!
Same here.
foh
The original is always 👌 it tells the real story
It's actually a song written by Ray Parker Jr. for him.
Although Parker was the producer of the NE recording as well.
This is nice
Ray was in the group Raydio in the 70's and wrote Mr. Telephone man back then but never recorded it.
Guitar tone on this is some of the best I’ve ever heard
How can new edition have more view than the original 😮
I prefer the cover
I had no idea. I figured it was Ray Parker Jr who wrote it, sounds like his other hits but I never knew it was a remake. I like it Wow! Wow.
How many of y’all filled in Mike’s talking part at 2:31? 😆
Me! 🙋🏾♀️😂
FACTS!
😂😂😂😂
Here from Teach Dem
Dammmmmm this joint nice...
Ray Parker gave this song to Jr Tucker first. A year later, New Edition would make it a hit
NE
Didn't do shit
Ray Parker actually wrote this 10 years before NE sang it. There’s a video on TH-cam where he tells the whole story.
I'm a DJ but I was today years old when I learned this was a remake. I knew it was Ray Parker Jr but didn't know someone else had recorded it before.
Heard NEs version my entire life. Never knew it was a cover!
Both are good
This is some great music history thank you to whoever uploaded it.ray probably could have made this a hit himself in the 80s
Imagine 1983 Michael Jackson singing this with his brothers doing the backline!
You would have been the only one to imagine it, they left Motown by then to do grown up music.
Im not saying i knew..but "partyline" reference always threw me off knowing we didn't use those in late 80's...now i know why it was used
JR TUCKER HAS MANY GREAT TUNES
Junior tucker did the original version of this song then Bobby brown's group the new edition covered it
Beautiful