Uhh Ahh
"Uhh Ahh" is an R&B song by the American vocal group Boyz II Men, released on November 26, 1991, as the third single from their debut studio album Cooleyhighharmony.[1] The track, written by group members Nathan Morris and Wanya Morris along with Michael Bivins of New Edition, and produced by Dallas Austin, features a signature countdown intro leading into layered harmonies that exemplify the group's early new jack swing style.[2] Upon release under Motown Records, "Uhh Ahh" achieved significant commercial success, topping the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart for one week and peaking at number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100.[3] The song's romantic lyrics and smooth production helped propel Cooleyhighharmony to nine-times platinum certification in the United States, solidifying Boyz II Men's breakthrough in the early 1990s R&B scene.[3] A sequel version with additional verses was later included on expanded editions of the album, further showcasing the group's vocal versatility.Background and recording
Writing and inspiration
"Uhh Ahh" was written by Michael Bivins, Nathan Morris, and Wanya Morris in 1990, forming part of the early material developed for Boyz II Men's debut album, Cooleyhighharmony.[4][5] The song's creation drew inspiration from the group's immersion in the New Jack Swing genre, which shaped their sound during the late 1980s and early 1990s, while seeking to merge their multi-layered harmonious R&B vocals with lighthearted, flirtatious themes to capture intimate romantic tension.[6][7] Initial demo concepts emphasized a countdown motif—counting from ten to one—to heighten anticipation and build rhythmic suspense, an approach that echoed Boyz II Men's a cappella origins as a high school vocal ensemble founded in 1988 at Philadelphia's High School for Creative and Performing Arts.[8][9]Production and personnel
The song "Uhh Ahh" was produced by Dallas Austin at Doppler Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, as part of the recording sessions for Boyz II Men's debut album Cooleyhighharmony, which took place from late 1990 through early 1991.[10][3] Key personnel included lead and harmony vocals performed by the group's members—Nathan Morris, Wanya Morris, Michael McCary, and Shawn Stockman—with background vocals by Nakia Keith, programming and sampling by Rick Sheppard, and mixing engineered by Dallas Austin.[11][12][10] The production emphasized the group's vocal abilities through extensive use of layered harmonies, particularly in the a cappella countdown introduction, which was recorded prior to layering in the instrumental beats and rhythm track.[8][10]Release and formats
Single release
"Uhh Ahh" was released on November 26, 1991, by Motown Records as the third single from Boyz II Men's debut album Cooleyhighharmony, which had been issued earlier that year on April 30.[4][13] The single's B-side featured an acapella version of the track, highlighting the group's vocal harmonies without instrumental backing.[14] Initial promotion emphasized the song's alignment with the burgeoning new jack swing sound, capitalizing on the genre's popularity in early 1990s R&B to build anticipation following the album's success.[15] This release formed part of Motown's broader strategy to establish Boyz II Men as rising stars, building directly on the momentum from their breakthrough debut single "Motownphilly," which had introduced the group to mainstream audiences earlier in 1991.[16]Track listings
The single "Uhh Ahh" was released in multiple formats, including vinyl, cassette, and CD, with variations in track inclusions across regions. The core album version maintains a runtime of 3:50 and is composed in D major throughout its official releases.[14][17]US 12" Single
The US 12" promo single features the LP version on Side A and an instrumental rendition on Side B.[18][14]| Side | Track | Version | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Uhh Ahh | LP version | 3:50 |
| B | Uhh Ahh | Instrumental | 3:33 |
German Maxi-CD
The German maxi-CD edition focuses on remix variations, including the album version, instrumental, and several remixes tailored for radio and pop audiences.[19]| Track | Title | Version | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Uhh Ahh | Remix (Radio Edit, Sequel Version) | 4:13 |
| 2 | Uhh Ahh | Remix | 4:50 |
| 3 | Uhh Ahh | Remix (Pop Version) | 4:06 |
| 4 | Uhh Ahh | Remix (Sequel Version With French Girl) | 4:50 |
2009 Expanded Edition of Cooleyhighharmony
The 2009 expanded reissue of the album Cooleyhighharmony incorporates additional "Uhh Ahh" content as bonus tracks, featuring the sequel version with a French girl and other remixes not found on the original single formats.[20][21]| Track | Title | Version | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Uhh Ahh | Remix | 4:50 |
| 11 | Uhh Ahh | Sequel Version w/ French Girl | 4:50 |
| 12 | Uhh Ahh | Sequel Version (Acapella) | 4:50 |