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 LaFace—1992's Ooooooohhh... On the TLC Tip and 1994's CrazySexyCool—combined 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. “I’m Your Baby Tonight,” 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, Beyoncé, 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, Sisqó, Dru Hill, Fall Out Boy, Céline Dion, Honeyz, Katharine McPhee, Mariah Carey, Vanessa L. Williams, Chanté 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 1995–1997.
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 Céline 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.
Simple
Babyface Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mm, mm-hmm, mm, mm
Mm-hmm
I wanna believe in us
I wanna be cool, I wanna be chill
But baby, I've seen to much
Just bein' real, can I be honest?
The more that you give, the more that you get
Don't wanna feel unsure
I ain't doin' that no more
Yes, I've been jaded
So go 'head and say it
Got my guard to high (mm)
And you know, and you know why
So complicated
But that's how we made it
I got my ways and you got your ways too
Remember back when we had nothin' in between
Before we had these issues
it's nothin' like it used to (nothin' like it used to)
They way it used to be when love was so easy
I know it's sentimental (yeah)
I wish it was that simple (yeah), simple
The thing about love (mm)
It ain't always simple (mm-hmm, mm)
Don't try to be smart, playin' your cards
Put 'em all on the table (woo)
Oh, why is it so complicated?
Maybe 'cause that's how God made it
He's got his ways but you got your ways too
Remember back when we had nothin' in between
Before we had these issues (yeah, yeah)
It's nothin' like it used to (nothin' like it used to)
They way it used to be when love was so easy
I know it's sentimental (yeah)
I wish it was that simple (yeah), simple
On some puppy love (puppy love)
Like who gon' hang up first (oh-oh, oh-oh)
And now I'm so caught up on how it was
They way it used to be when love was so easy
I wish it was that simple (I wish it was that simple)
I wish it was that simple (I wish it was), simple
Mm, mm
Mm, mm-hmm, mm, mm
Mm-hmm
Simple, simple
The lyrics to Babyface's song "Simple" explore the complexities and challenges of love and relationships. The song begins with the desire to believe in love and to maintain a cool and chill attitude. However, the singer admits to having seen too much and being jaded, making it difficult to truly believe in love. There is a fear of feeling unsure and a reluctance to give more because of the potential for getting hurt. The singer acknowledges their own guardedness, which may be a result of past experiences.
The chorus reflects on a simpler time when love was easy and uncomplicated. There is a longing for a return to that simplicity and a sentimentality associated with it. The singer recognizes that love is not always simple and straightforward but rather complicated. The bridge mentions "puppy love" and reminisces about the early stages of a relationship when it was all about playful interactions and the innocent excitement of who would hang up the phone first. The repeated phrase "I wish it was that simple" serves as a yearning for a return to that uncomplicated love.
Line by Line Meaning
Mm, mm
Expressing a humming sound, indicating contemplation or hesitation.
Mm, mm-hmm, mm, mm
Continued humming sound, showing deep thought or reflection.
Mm-hmm
Confirmation or agreement with the previous statement or thought.
I wanna believe in us
Desire to have faith and trust in the relationship.
I wanna be cool, I wanna be chill
Aspiration to maintain a relaxed and composed demeanor.
But baby, I've seen too much
Acknowledging past experiences that have affected the ability to believe easily.
Just bein' real, can I be honest?
Expressing the desire for openness and honesty in communication.
I don't believe in love
Identifying a lack of belief or trust in the concept of love.
The more that you give, the more that you get
Understanding the reciprocity of emotions and effort in relationships.
Don't wanna feel unsure
Aversion to uncertainty and doubt in the relationship.
I ain't doin' that no more
Commitment to avoiding previous negative patterns or behaviors.
Yes, I've been jaded
Admitting to being emotionally worn out or disappointed.
So go 'head and say it
Encouraging the partner to express their thoughts or concerns.
Got my guard to high (mm)
Having strong defenses or barriers against emotional pain or vulnerability.
And you know, and you know why
Acknowledging that the partner understands the reasons behind the guardedness.
So complicated
Acknowledging the complexity and intricacy of the relationship.
But that's how we made it
Accepting that the challenges are a fundamental part of the relationship's history.
I got my ways and you got your ways too
Recognizing and respecting individual differences and approaches within the relationship.
Remember back when we had nothin' in between
Recalling a time when there were no barriers or conflicts in the relationship.
Before we had these issues
Referring to the problems or difficulties that have arisen in the relationship.
It's nothin' like it used to (nothin' like it used to)
Highlighting the significant changes that have occurred compared to the past.
The way it used to be when love was so easy
Nostalgia for a time when love was simpler and less complicated.
I know it's sentimental (yeah)
Understanding that the reminiscing brings forth nostalgic emotions.
I wish it was that simple (yeah), simple
Expressing a longing for a return to the simplicity of the past.
The thing about love (mm)
Reflection on the nature of love.
It ain't always simple (mm-hmm, mm)
Acknowledging that love comes with complexities and challenges.
Don't try to be smart, playin' your cards
Advising against manipulative tactics or games in the relationship.
Put 'em all on the table (woo)
Encouraging complete honesty and transparency in communication.
Oh, why is it so complicated?
Expressing frustration or confusion about the complexity of love.
Maybe 'cause that's how God made it
Speculating that the intricacy of love is part of its divine design.
He's got his ways but you got your ways too
Recognizing that both individuals have their unique perspectives and approaches in the relationship.
On some puppy love (puppy love)
Comparing the early stage of the relationship to innocent and naive puppy love.
Like who gon' hang up first (oh-oh, oh-oh)
Recalling playful interactions and competitions in the initial stages of the relationship.
And now I'm so caught up on how it was
Feeling preoccupied or fixated on the nostalgic memories of the past.
They way it used to be when love was so easy
Describing the simplicity and ease of love in the past.
I wish it was that simple (I wish it was that simple)
Expressing a strong desire for a return to the uncomplicated nature of love.
I wish it was that simple (I wish it was), simple
Reiterating the longing for simplicity and ease in the current relationship.
Mm, mm
Closing hum, indicating continued contemplation or introspection.
Mm, mm-hmm, mm, mm
Final hum, emphasizing the ongoing thought process or reflection.
Mm-hmm
Final confirmation or agreement with previous sentiments.
Simple, simple
Summary of the desired state of the relationship: simplicity.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Courtney Jones, Kenneth Edmonds, Kenneth Paryo, Milton Adams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@therealsiyaa
We’re literally witnessing Coco Jones in her winning breakout era! She’s been dropping perfection back to back! Here for it and love this album!
@Taylorgangodoms
Yes and I’m here for it!!❤
@MultiAugust10
Definitely Here for it n READYYY!!!
@YouKnowItsVal
So true. Happy to see this for her ‼️ it’s her time
@debragrassette1264
Gordon this is me and you will all ways love you💯🙏💗💋💓💓💓💓😘💕😗😙😚😽😍
@istimulateu
very much this!!! 🙌🏾🙌🏾
@jayymorris5285
This woman is EXACTLY what RnB needs right now. Unapologetic takes on modern love and what it means to simply FEEL
@eddiemajor8878
YEP!!! LISTEN TO COCO’S ALBUM!!! IT GIVES WHAT NEEDS TO BE GAVE!!!!!
@youreacrackhead8887
I never heard this song til now
@stealthstar4
If Babyface does a song with you, you are now officially approved.