Born in Dallas, Texas, Campbell was introduced to the R&B by Quincy Jones in August 1989. Campbell's debut single was "Tomorrow (A Better You Better Me)" which reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip hop Singles chart in June 1990. It was the lead single from Quincy Jones' critically acclaimed ensemble LP Back on the Block which won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1991. After working with Jones and writers and producers including Siedah Garrett, Campbell worked with producers Narada Michael Walden, Al B. Sure, Babyface, and others to record additional music.
Campbell's first solo hit was "Round and Round", which charted at #3 on R&B charts in November 1991 and #13 on the Billboard Hot 100 in April 1991 was produced by Prince and was featured in Prince's film Graffiti Bridge. Campbell followed the success of his first two singles by releasing his debut album, T.E.V.I.N., in November 1991 which featured the R&B hit singles and Campbell's only #1 Adult Contemporary hit: "Tell Me What You Want Me To Do" followed by:, "Alone With You", and "Goodbye". His second album, I'm Ready released October 1993, yielded the #1 R&B hit and #9 pop single "Can We Talk" in December 1993, "I'm Ready", "Always in My Heart" which charted at #3 on the R&B chart. He also scored a Top 30 hit with "Don't Say Goodbye Girl" on the R&B charts. In September 1994, Campbell also scored an R&B hit with the single "U Will Know" as part of the R&B supergroup Black Men United, a group that also included singer Usher.
The year 1996 saw the release of his third album, Back to the World (#11 R&B). The title track was a success (hitting the R&B Top 20), but additional singles failed to make an impact on the chart. His early 1999 self-titled album was found Campbell venturing into the neo-soul venue. The project was rushed, and as a result charted below the R&B Top 30, with only one single charting, a Top 30 song called "Another Way".
Campbell was nominated for five Grammy Awards and two American Music Awards.
In December 2005, Campbell made his Broadway debut in the role of Seaweed J. Stubbs in the hit musical Hairspray. Campbell is currently still playing in Hairspray.
Campbell returned to the studios in 2006, working with producers Scott Storch, The Underdogs, Krucial Keys, Bryan Michael Cox, Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, and Ryan Leslie. The comeback album is waiting to be published and will be released in 2008.
Back To The World
Tevin Campbell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've been better off without you by my side
But, baby, this season
I don't want another cold rainy July
You would think that I'd be better now
But I'm not
'Cause I don't have you
But I'm not!
'Cause I don't have you
[Chorus]
Come back to the world, come back to the world
Baby, back to my world
Come back to the world, come back to the world
Baby, back to my world
And I still remember
The way you used to gently touch my face
And since last December
I've discovered that no one can take your place
Don't be thinking that I'm better now
'Cause I'm not!
'Cause I don't have you
Don't be thinking that I'm better now
'Cause I'm not!
'Cause I don't have you
[Chorus]
And when the nights get lonely
I think of what you told me
Saying that I was the one
Tell me you can feel it once again
I know that we can love like we did then, so
Bring it on home
[Chorus]
The lyrics to "Back to the World" by Tevin Campbell express the artist's longing for a lost love. The song is a plea to the person who left him to come back into his life, to come back to his world. The song is full of nostalgia, with Campbell remembering the soft touches of his lover's face and the love they used to share. He is unable to move on, and the rolling on of seasons and time does nothing to ease the pain of their absence.
At its core, "Back to the World" is about the universal experience of heartbreak and the desire for reconciliation. It captures the feelings of regret and loss that come with the end of a relationship, and the hope that love can be rekindled. The song's melody, with its soulful inflections and aching wails, underscores the emotional depth of the lyrics.
Ultimately, "Back to the World" is a touching portrait of love lost and a powerful expression of the human heart's capacity for resilience and renewal.
Line by Line Meaning
I know you're thinking
I understand your thoughts about me
I've been better off without you by my side
You believe my life is better without you
But, baby, this season
Right now, in this moment
I don't want another cold rainy July
I don't want to go through another unhappy time
You would think that I'd be better now
Perhaps you assume I'm doing well now
But I'm not
But that's not the case
'Cause I don't have you
Because I am missing you
Come back to the world, come back to the world
Return back to society, come back to life
Baby, back to my world
Return to my life as my partner
And I still remember
I still remember the good times we had
The way you used to gently touch my face
I fondly recall your tender touch on my face
And since last December
Since the last December we were together
I've discovered that no one can take your place
I realize that no one else can replace you
Don't be thinking that I'm better now
Don't assume that I've moved on
'Cause I'm not!
...because I have not
And when the nights get lonely
When I feel sad and alone at night
I think of what you told me
I remember the words you said to me
Saying that I was the one
You saying that I am the person for you
Tell me you can feel it once again
Say that you feel the same way again
I know that we can love like we did then, so
I'm sure we can love like we used to
Bring it on home
Come back to me, return to our love
Baby, back to the world, come back to the world
My world is incomplete without you
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JAMEY HEATH, MIKELYN RODERICK, RAHSAAN PATTERSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@seunda
Soo disrespected, soo underrated, so undervalued, but soo talented. Bro is an ALL TIME GREAT...
@Keepit1kPodcast23
💯🔥💯🔥💯🔥💯🔥💯🔥💯🔥💯🔥💯🔥💯🔥💯🔥💯🔥💯🔥
@livedavid2
I don’t know where you were, but dude was highly praised and enjoyed, and then it was over like it is for many who have that success. No tragic story, just life.
@YChromosome99
@@livedavid2 2 successful albums and 2 not so successful. It's even and its not bad.
@turtlexice473
TELL EM AGAIN 🗣🗣🗣
@rahsaanthomas7030
When Ed Lover was working the morning drive at 92.3 The Beat in Los Angeles, he disrespected Tevin on the regular. He called him a butt pirate and a few other names. Tevin did not deserve any of that..
@tajmacameron1693
Wonderful song written by the amazing Rahsaan Patterson and delivered effortlessly by the incredible Tevin Campbell.
@lb8471
Totally agree. I LOVE Rah!!
@Mistermay531
And Rah KILLED the demo and those BGs 🔥🔥
@iemevrywoman1358
Totally sounds like a Rahsaan Patterson vibe ❤ my favorite TC song!