Kenneth Edmonds was born on April 10, 1958, in Indianapolis, Indiana, to Marvin and Barbara Edmonds. Barbara was a pharmaceutical plant manager. Edmonds, who is the fifth of six brothers (including future After 7 band members Melvin and Kevon Edmonds, the latter of whom went on to have a modestly successful solo career), attended North Central High School in Indianapolis, Indiana, and as a shy youth, wrote songs to express his emotions.
When he was in eighth grade, Edmonds's father died of lung cancer, leaving his mother to raise her sons alone. At this stage, Edmonds became determined to have a career in music.
Edmonds later played with funk performer Bootsy Collins, who tagged him "Babyface" because of his cute face while he was still a teen.
He also played in the groups Manchild (which had a 1976 hit "Especially for You" with band member Daryl Simmons), as he was a guitarist for the band. Then, as a keyboardist in the light-funk and R&B group The Deele (which also included drummer Antonio "L.A." Reid, with whom he would later form a successful writing and producing partnership).
One of his first major credits as a songwriter for outside artists came when he wrote the tune "Slow-Jam" for the R&B band Midnight Star in 1983. The tune was on Midnight Star's double-platinum No Parking on the Dance Floor album, and while it never hit the charts, the song is still played on quiet storm shows. Babyface remained in The Deele until 1988, when both he and Reid left the group.
In the late 1980s, he contributed to the creation of new jack swing, writing and producing music for the likes of Bobby Brown, Karyn White, Pebbles, Paula Abdul and Sheena Easton.
In 1989, Edmonds co-founded LaFace Records with Reid. Three of the label's early artists TLC, Usher, and Toni Braxton were successful, the former becoming one of the best selling female groups in music history.
Braxton's eponymous 1993 debut album went on to sell over eight million copies, and earned her the 1994 Grammy Award Best New Artist. TLC's first two albums on LaFaceโ1992's Ooooooohhh... On the TLC Tip and 1994's CrazySexyCoolโcombined to sell more than 15 million copies in the U.S. CrazySexyCool won the 1996 Grammy Award for Best R&B album.
Babyface helped form the popular late-90s R&B group Az Yet.
Edmonds works with many successful performers in contemporary music. โIโm Your Baby Tonight,โ produced for Whitney Houston, was his first #1 Top 40 hit in the US.
He also wrote and produced Boyz II Men's "End of the Road" and "I'll Make Love to You," both of which established records for the longest stay at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
He co-wrote, co-produced, and provided backing vocals on Madonna's 1994 Bedtime Stories, which featured the 7-week #1 hit "Take a Bow," and shared billing with Eric Clapton on the chart-topping Grammy winner "Change the World" from the Phenomenon soundtrack.
He also wrote and produced the #1 hit "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" for Whitney Houston as well as the rest of the critically acclaimed 10 million selling Waiting to Exhale soundtrack in 1995, which spawned additional hits for Houston, Brandy and Mary J. Blige.
Additionally, Edmonds has produced and written music for many artists including Carole King, Patti LaBelle, Chaka Khan, Aretha Franklin, Madonna, Janet Jackson, Faith Evans, Al Green, Beyoncรฉ, Diana Ross, Sheena Easton, Toni Braxton, Michael Jackson, Michael Bolton, Paula Abdul, Pebbles, Tevin Campbell, Bobby Brown, Whitney Houston, Brandy, Mary J. Blige, Tamia, Shola Ama, 3T, Sisqรณ, Dru Hill, Fall Out Boy, Cรฉline Dion, Honeyz, Katharine McPhee, Mariah Carey, Vanessa L. Williams, Chantรฉ Moore, En Vogue, Kenny G, Kristinia DeBarge, Lil Wayne, Japanese singer Ken Hirai, P!nk, Marc Nelson, TLC, and Phil Collins among others.
He received three consecutive Grammy Awards for Producer of the Year in 1995โ1997.
In 1994, he appeared and performed on an episode of Beverly Hills, 90210 entitled "Mr. Walsh Goes to Washington (Part 2)".
In the mid-1990s, Edmonds and his then wife Tracey Edmonds expanded into the business of motion pictures, setting up Edmonds Entertainment Group and producing films such as Soul Food (1997), Josie and the Pussycats (2001), and also the soundtrack for the film The Prince of Egypt, which included contributions from numerous artists, including Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston.
They are the current executive producers of the hit BET reality series College Hill. Edmonds also worked with David Foster to compose "The Power of the Dream," the official song of the 1996 Summer Olympics, performed by superstar Cรฉline Dion. Linda Thompson provided the lyrics.
Babyface also participated as a duet partner on the Fox reality show Celebrity Duets.
Babyface was in the studio for about two years with Ashanti to produce her album The Declaration.
His album Playlist consists of eight cover songs and two original works. It was released on September 18, 2007. It was the first album on the newly re-launched Mercury Records label.
He worked on the Lil Wayne album Tha Carter III, on the Kanye West-produced "Comfortable." He also worked with R&B singer Monica for her sixth studio album Still Standing.
He has written and produced over 26 #1 R&B (many of which hit the pop charts at either #1 or the top ten) hits throughout his career.
I'll Make Love To You
Babyface Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And blow out the candlelight
For tonight is just your night
We're gonna celebrate, all through the night
Pour the wine, light the fire
Girl your wish is my command
I submit to your demands
I'll do anything, girl you need only ask
I'll make love to you
Like you want me to
And I'll hold you tight
Baby all through the night
I'll make love to you
When you want me to
And I will not let go
Till you tell me to
Girl relax, let's go slow
I ain't got nowhere to go
I'm just gonna concentrate on you
Girl are you ready, it's gonna be a long night
Throw your clothes on the floor
I'm gonna take my clothes off too
I made plans to be with you
Girl whatever you ask me you know I'll do
[Hook]
Baby tonight is your night
And I will do you right
Just make a wish on your night
Anything that you ask
I will give you the love of your life
[Hook]
In the song "I'll Make Love To You" by Babyface, the singer is addressing his love interest to assure her of his willingness and readiness to fulfill her deepest desires. He urges her to close her eyes, make a wish and blow out the candlelight indicating that it is a special night for just the two of them, going further to imply that they will celebrate all through the night.
He draws her closer and tells her that he is submitting to all her demands, and is ready to do anything she asks of him. He promises to make love to her in the way she wants him to, holding her tight throughout the night and refusing to let go until she asks him to.
Babyface goes on to tell his lady to relax, ensuring her that he is there for her and they can take things slow. He emphasizes that he has made special plans to be with her and that he will do anything she asks of him. In conclusion, he emphasizes that it's her night, and he will do everything in his power to make it a night she will remember forever.
Line by Line Meaning
Close your eyes, make a wish
Take a moment to focus on your desires, imagine what you want and put it out into the universe.
And blow out the candlelight
Bring an end to one chapter and usher in a new one.
For tonight is just your night
This night belongs to you and you alone, it's time to relax and enjoy it.
We're gonna celebrate, all through the night
Let's revel in this moment, enjoy every second and make memories to last a lifetime.
Pour the wine, light the fire
Create a comforting and intimate atmosphere, make this moment special.
Girl your wish is my command
You are in control, tell me what you want and I will make it happen.
I submit to your demands
I am here for you, whatever you need, I will give it to you.
I'll do anything, girl you need only ask
I am ready and willing to fulfill your desires, no matter what they may be.
I'll make love to you
I want to express my love and desire for you physically.
Like you want me to
I want to give you pleasure in the way that you desire.
And I'll hold you tight
I want to embrace you and make you feel safe and secure.
Baby all through the night
I want to be with you and give you love and affection all night long.
When you want me to
I am here for you whenever you are ready.
And I will not let go
I will stay with you and be by your side throughout it all.
Till you tell me to
I will listen to your needs and only stop when you are satisfied.
Girl relax, let's go slow
Take a deep breath, be in the moment and let us take things at your pace.
I ain't got nowhere to go
I am here for you and don't have any other priorities, you are my sole focus.
I'm just gonna concentrate on you
You have my undivided attention, and I am fully invested in making you happy.
Girl are you ready, it's gonna be a long night
Get ready for an amazing experience, that will last all night long.
Throw your clothes on the floor
Let go of your inhibitions and be free, in this moment you can be yourself.
I'm gonna take my clothes off too
I am exposing myself to you as well, let's be vulnerable together.
I made plans to be with you
I have been looking forward to this moment and preparing for it.
Girl whatever you ask me you know I'll do
You are in charge, and I am committed to fulfilling your needs and meeting your desires.
Baby tonight is your night
This night is all about you, I want to make it special and memorable.
And I will do you right
I will treat you with love, respect and care.
Anything that you ask
You have the power to make this experience exactly what you want it to be.
I will give you the love of your life
I want to shower you with affection and create an experience that you will never forget.
Lyrics ยฉ Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Kenneth Edmonds, Kenneth B Edmonds
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Axean V.
Close your eyes, make a wish
And blow out the candlelight
For tonight is just your night
We're gonna celebrate,
All through the night
Pour the wine, light the fire
Girl your wish is my command
I submit to your demands
I will do anything,
Girl you need only ask
I'll make love to you
Like you want me to
And I'll hold you tight
Baby all through the night
I'll make love to you
When you want me to
And I will not let go
Till you tell me to
Girl relax, let's go slow
I ain't got nowhere to go
I'm just gonna concentrate on you
Girl are you ready?
It's gonna be a long night
Throw your clothes on the floor
I'm gonna take my clothes off too
I made plans to be with you
Girl whatever you ask me you know I can do
I'll make love to you
Like you want me to
And I'll hold you tight
Baby all through the night
I'll make love to you
When you want me to
And I will not let go
Till you tell me to
Baby tonight is your night
And I will do you right
Just make a wish on your night
Anything that you ask
I will give you the love of your life
I'll make love to you
Like you want me to
And I'll hold you tight
Baby all through the night
I'll make love to you
When you want me to
And I will not let go
Till you tell me to
I'll make love to you
Like you want me to
And I'll hold you tight
Baby all through the night
I'll make love to you
When you want me to
And I will not let go
Till you tell me to
Julian Schwertfeger
Babyface would have to be the greatest R&B songwriter of all time. So much talent.
Pamela Ward
He is definitely is!!!
Jason Chadwick Muska
Definitely top 10
Tiara Anderson
I agree!
Patrick Tinashe
R Kelly is up there too.. If we still talking talent
Aburas Osman
@Patrick Tinashe
Big different
Baby face
Is more talented
And a decent man
HulkVahkiin
Babyface wrote so many great songs, can't help but worship him.
smash dre
Niashe lol Babyface wrote 95% of 90s r&b
G.Gainey
Niashe babyface wrote alot tracks for people
Falana Jerido
Don't worship him worship God but God has bless him