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.
There She Goes
Babyface Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know, it's the way that she carries herself
She's just so bad
Ooh, I don't know
Her style, her mind
Compares to nothing on this Earth
She's not the kind to share
I got to show her that I want her
I recognize that she is bad
If I can't have her then I'll go crazy
Spending all my time just chasing
I got to show her that I want her
I recognize that she is bad
If I can't have her then I'll go crazy
Spending all my time just chasing
Her eyes, her smile
Her skin, her smell, her hair
(She's incredible baby, ooh)
Her walk, her talk
Her way her savoir faire
There she goes
(Oh baby)
I hope to find her there
Gotta make some eye contact
She's not the kind to stare
Move quick or lose her fast
I got to show her that I want her
I recognize that she is bad
If I can't have her then I'll go crazy
Spending all my time just chasing
I got to show her that I want her
I recognize that she is bad
If I can't have her then I'll go crazy
Spending all my time just chasing
Her eyes, her smile
Her skin, her smell, her hair
(Ooh baby, she's incredible baby, ooh)
Her walk, her talk
Her way her savoir faire
There she goes
(There she goes)
Her eyes, her smile
Her skin, her smell, her hair
(You're incredible baby)
Her walk, her talk
Her way her savoir faire
There she goes
(There she goes, come on)
Spending all my time watching that girl go
(Dance)
Gotta love her when she moves
(Get down girl)
Spending all my time watching that girl go
(Dance)
Gotta love her when she moves
Her eyes, her smile
Her skin, her smell, her hair
(She's incredible)
Her walk, her talk
Her way her savoir faire
There she goes
(Ooh, there she goes baby)
Her eyes, her smile
Her skin, her smell, her hair
(Ooh baby, you're incredible baby)
Her walk, her talk
Her way her savoir faire
There she goes
(There she goes, baby)
Her eyes, her smile
Her skin, her smell, her hair
(Ooh baby, she's incredible baby, ooh)
Her walk, her talk
Her way her savoir faire
There she goes
(There she goes)
Her eyes, her smile
Her skin, her smell, her hair
(Oh)
Her walk, her talk
Her way her savoir faire
There she goes
(There she goes)
I got to show her that I want her
I recognize that she is bad
If I can't have her then I'll go crazy
Spending all my time just chasing
Spending all my time watching that girl go
(Dance)
Gotta love her when she moves
(Get down girl)
Spending all my time watching that girl go
(Dance)
Gotta love her when she moves
The lyrics of Babyface's song "There She Goes" describe the admiration the singer has for a woman who catches his eye. He is entranced by her mannerisms, style, and confidence. He recognizes that she is not the kind of person who shares herself easily, but he is determined to show her that he wants her. He becomes fixated on chasing her, spending all of his time doing so.
The singer describes various aspects of the woman that he is drawn to, including her eyes, smile, skin, smell, and hair. He feels that she is incredible and has a unique way of carrying herself. He hopes to make eye contact with her and win her over with his admiration. The chorus repeats the singer's determination to catch the woman and his acknowledgement of her desirability.
Line by Line Meaning
There's something about her
She has a certain quality that draws him in.
You know, it's the way that she carries herself
Her demeanor is what makes her attractive.
She's just so bad
She's incredible and amazing.
Ooh, I don't know
He's overwhelmed by how amazing she is.
Her style, her mind
She has a unique way of thinking and expressing herself.
Compares to nothing on this Earth
She's one of a kind and can't be compared to anyone else.
She's not the kind to share
She's not the type of person who readily opens up to others.
Only God knows what she's worth
Her true value can only be truly known by a higher power.
I got to show her that I want her
He needs to express his interest and desire for her.
I recognize that she is bad
He knows she's incredible and amazing.
If I can't have her then I'll go crazy
Not being with her would drive him insane.
Spending all my time just chasing
He's dedicating a lot of time and effort to pursue her.
Her eyes, her smile
He's captivated by her eyes and smile.
Her skin, her smell, her hair
He's also attracted to her physical features.
(She's incredible baby, ooh)
Emphasizing how amazing she is.
Her walk, her talk
He's also drawn to the way she carries herself and speaks.
Her way her savoir faire
Her overall style and grace are what make her stand out.
There she goes
He's watching her as she goes about her life.
(Oh baby)
Affectionate term for the woman he desires.
I hope to find her there
He's searching for her and hopes to cross paths with her.
Gotta make some eye contact
He wants to establish a connection with her through eye contact.
She's not the kind to stare
She's not one to lock eyes with strangers for long.
Move quick or lose her fast
He needs to act fast to show his interest before she disappears from his grasp.
Spending all my time watching that girl go
He's dedicating a lot of time and effort to just watch her.
(Dance)
Possibly referring to watching her dance.
Gotta love her when she moves
He's captivated by her movements and finds her more attractive when she's in motion.
(Get down girl)
Possibly a playful invitation for her to dance.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BRIONY LOUISE C WILLIAMS, MARTIN JOHN CHANTLER WILLIAMS, THOMAS CHARLES CHANTLER WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Rromantiq
It's funny that you can instantly tell what a Neptunes song sounded like back then lol
@djshenks5281
That was beauty of it, each producer had their own sound but everything blended beautifully. Now everyone sounds the same so after playing 5 songs you have to switch it up 🙄
@justinmoore3217
I was listening to that new SZA song from 2020 and I could tell it was The Neptune that was doing the beat
@marquitaevans5320
I know that's right!!!
@lo9437
Everything sound the same but in a different way that fits that artist , such a beautiful job as a producer, composer and writers from The Neptune’s….kelis was the prototype that launched everything. All the girls gaged 🧚🏿♂️
@herricaro754
The drums !!!
@enzigenes
When Pharrell wore his mustache like that, nobody was safe. Him and Chad were giving out hits left and right. The Neptunes owned the early 2000s.
@justinmoore3217
Dude his Mustache always looks like that when he doesn’t shave it off. Why do you say “when” as if he doesn’t have a mustache anymore...he grows it out.😂
@marquitaevans5320
Hell yeah!!!!
@MJizzle32
that one handed clap was something serious lol