Motownphilly

In the US, this was Boyz II Men's first single, an expression of their Philadelphia roots and Motown influence. It confused DJs for a few reasons: Many didn't know how to pronounce the band name, and some thought the song was called Boyz II Men and the group was named Motownphilly, since the words "Boyz II Men" are in the lyrics and the chorus states, "Motownphilly back again."

The song tells of the group's dreams and how they were discovered: backstage at a New Edition concert where they met Michael Bivens, a former member of New Edition and was part of Bell Biv DeVoe, who were a very popular group at the time. Boyz II Men sang him an a cappella version of their song "Can You Stand the Rain," and Bivens, who was an aspiring record producer, got them signed to Motown Records. Bivens shows up in "Motownphilly" doing a rap interlude about the experience.

The lyrics talk about the "East Coast Family." "ABC" is the group Another Bad Creation and "BBD" is Bell Biv Devoe. ABC and BBD weren't around a few years later, but Boyz II Men were wildly successful.