Hit Me Off

"Hit Me Off" is a song by American R&B group New Edition, released in July 1996, by MCA Records, as the first single from the group's sixth studio album, Home Again (1996), as well as their first single in seven years. Featuring lead vocals from all six New Edition members, it samples "Storm King" by Bob James, "I Got Cha Opin" by Black Moon, and "One Nation Under a Groove" by Funkadelic.

"Hit Me Off" debuted and peaked at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100 while topping the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart for three weeks, their fifth number-one hit on the listing. It sold 600,000 copies domestically and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America. It was also certified gold in New Zealand, where it reached number two.

Critical reception

Larry Flick from Billboard magazine described the song as "a smoker". He added, "Vocally, time has treated the lads extremely well. The high-pitched squeak and tenor harmonies have been replaced by swarthy machismo and mature baritone. Despite the individual styles developed via solo careers, the act's chemistry is well intact, and the members appear to have fallen into group mode with ease. They make excellent use of Silky's chilled jeep/funk groove (which pops with a cool sample from Blackmoon's 'I Gotcha Opin') and seductive chorus chant. Needless to say, this is a smash. Jam on it."^[2]

Track listing

1. "Hit Me Off" (N.E. Spyder and Shaq D) – 6:00
2. "Hit Me Off" (The Trackmasters E.C. Joint) – 4:27
3. "Hit Me Off" ("G" Formulated mix)(version) – 5:01
4. "Hit Me Off" (Franktified club version) – 7:34
5. "Hit Me Off" (LP version) – 4:21

Personnel

• Ronnie DeVoe – rap, background vocals
• Bobby Brown – lead and background vocals
• Ricky Bell – lead and background vocals
• Michael Bivins – rap, background vocals
• Ralph Tresvant – lead and background vocals
• Johnny Gill – lead and background vocals

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Release history

See also

• List of number-one R&B singles of 1996 (U.S.)

References

1. ^ "Inside New Edition's Overdue Renaissance". Rolling Stone. January 23, 2017. Retrieved October 24, 2019.
2. ^ Flick, Larry (July 20, 1996). "Reviews & Previews: Singles". Billboard. p. 57. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
3. ^ "Hits of the World". Billboard. Vol. 108, no. 49. December 7, 1996. p. 48. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
4. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles". Music & Media. Vol. 13, no. 34. August 24, 1996. p. 12. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
5. ^ "European Dance Radio Top 25". Music & Media. Vol. 13, no. 41. October 12, 1996. p. 19. Retrieved February 26, 2026.
6. ^ "EHR Top 40". Music & Media. Vol. 13, no. 40. October 5, 1996. p. 27. Retrieved December 28, 2024.
7. ^ Fernando Salaverri (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002. 1st ed. Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
8. ^ "RPM Year End Dance Top 50". RPM. Retrieved September 15, 2020. – via Library and Archives Canada
9. ^ "End of Year Charts 1996". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
10. ^ "Billboard Top 100 – 1996". Archived from the original on March 1, 2009. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
11. ^ "The Year in Music: Hot R&B Singles". Billboard. Vol. 108, no. 52. December 28, 1996. p. YE-40.
12. ^ "The Year in Music: Hot Dance Music Maxi-Singles Sales". Billboard. Vol. 108, no. 52. December 28, 1996. p. YE-45.
13. ^ "Airplay Monitor Best of '96: Top 40/Rhythm-Crossover Titles". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 4, no. 53. December 27, 1996. p. 32.
14. ^ "Selected New Releases". Radio & Records. No. 1154. July 12, 1996. pp. 36, 42. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
15. ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. July 27, 1996. p. 43. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
16. ^ "ヒット・ミー・オフ | ニュー・エディション" [Hit Me Off | New Edition] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved September 26, 2023.