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.
The Christmas Song
Babyface Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Jack Frost nipping at your nose
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir
And folks dressed up like Eskimos
Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe
Help to make the season bright
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow
They know that Santa's on his way
He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh
And every mother's child is gonna spy
To see if reindeer really know how to fly
And so, I'm offering this simple phrase
To kids from one to ninety-two
Although its been said many times, many ways
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas to you
The lyrics to Babyface's Christmas Song are a nostalgic celebration of Christmas traditions and the holiday spirit. The opening lines set the scene with an idyllic winter image of chestnuts roasting on an open fire and Jack Frost nipping at your nose. The second line is a clever way of describing the chilly winter air. The third line is a nod to the joyous holiday music being sung by a choir who are spreading goodwill during this festive season. The final line of the verse describes people bundled up in their winter clothes, much like the way Eskimos dress.
The chorus captures the essence of the holiday season with a mix of family, friends and festivities. Everyone knows that a turkey and mistletoe make the season bright, giving a sense of warmth and togetherness. The image of happy children with their eyes all aglow adds a touch of innocence and wonder to the song. The anticipation builds with the arrival of Santa Claus in his sleigh, bringing toys and goodies for every child. This evokes the magical and festive spirit of the holiday season. The chorus concludes with a simple and heartwarming message of "Merry Christmas" to all.
Line by Line Meaning
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
The comforting warmth of a fire is both a literal and figurative representation for the nostalgic feeling of Christmas.
Jack Frost nipping at your nose
The cold winter weather is both a reality of the season and an opportunity for snuggling up and feeling cozy.
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir
The songs of Christmas are a unifying force that brings together people of all walks of life to celebrate this special time of year.
And folks dressed up like Eskimos
Though the tradition of dressing up in heavy winter clothing may not truly represent Eskimos, the image conjures up feelings of warmth and togetherness.
Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe
Christmas has many staples, and these two items are a quintessential part of the holiday experience for many people.
Help to make the season bright
The traditions and rituals of Christmas, like putting up decorations and exchanging gifts, bring light and joy to the darkest time of the year.
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow
Children are the epitome of wonder and innocence, and the excitement they have for Christmas is contagious.
Will find it hard to sleep tonight
The thrill of Christmas is so intense that even children can't contain their excitement and anticipation, making it difficult for them to fall asleep.
They know that Santa's on his way
The myth of Santa Claus is an integral part of Christmas, and the idea of him coming to deliver presents adds to the magic of the season.
He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh
Santa Claus is the personification of generosity and kindness, with his sleigh full of presents symbolizing the spirit of giving that is so important during Christmas.
And every mother's child is gonna spy
The anticipation of Christmas and the arrival of Santa Claus is so great that even children who weren't necessarily good all year eagerly await his arrival.
To see if reindeer really know how to fly
The myth of Santa Claus and his flying reindeer adds to the whimsy and wonder of Christmas, and children eagerly wait to see what magic they will witness on Christmas Eve.
And so, I'm offering this simple phrase
The joy and goodwill of Christmas can often be captured in simple words and gestures, and this song is Babyface's way of expressing his joy and spreading the holiday spirit.
To kids from one to ninety-two
No matter your age, Christmas has the power to bring people together and evoke a sense of childlike wonder and happiness.
Although its been said many times, many ways
The sentiment of Merry Christmas is expressed in countless ways throughout the holiday season, but it never loses its power to bring people together and spread joy.
Merry Christmas
A simple way of expressing holiday well wishes and acknowledging the special meaning that Christmas holds for so many people around the world.
Merry Christmas
A simple way of expressing holiday well wishes and acknowledging the special meaning that Christmas holds for so many people around the world.
Merry Christmas to you
A heartful and sincere wish for happiness and joy during the holiday season, directed towards the listener of the song and anyone else who may be experiencing the warmth and togetherness of Christmas.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Mel Torme, Robert Wells
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind