Tevin Jermod Campbell (born November 12, 1976) is a five-time Grammy-nomina… Read Full Bio ↴Tevin Jermod Campbell (born November 12, 1976) is a five-time Grammy-nominated American R&B singer-songwriter. Campbell scored a string of R&B chart hits as a teenager in the early to mid-1990s. Campbell transitioned from child singer to adult R&B crooner, and is a recognizable figure in the New Jack Swing genre of music.

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.

Beautiful Thing
Tevin Campbell Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I guess I don't wear them on my sleeve
(The feelings for you I bear)
I don't wanna get all sensitive
But if you don't know, I care
Communication's a strange relation to me
Forgive me, if you can
But the secret
Is that I'm overjoyed inside, you see

And when I pray I tell the Man...
Chorus I:
It never ceases to amaze me,
She's all I dream about
Beautiful thing
Conversations never phase me
She's all I talk about
My beautiful thing
How could you really ever know
If I never extend my hand?
I don't wanna make you run away
So I pray you'll understand
My hesitation with love relations could be
My only doubt and fear
Then, baby you came
Into my life and now you're all I dream
And once again I'm thanking Him...
Chorus I
Chorus II:
Everyday's a new adventure
So happy that I got
A beautiful thing
From November to November
She's all I wanna shout

My Beautiful thing
Darlin', so beautiful

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Tevin Campbell's song Beautiful Thing speak to the singer's hesitancy to express his feelings for the person he cares about. He admits that he doesn't wear his emotions on his sleeve and tries not to come across as too sensitive. However, he wants this person to know that he cares deeply for them. Communication has been difficult for him in the past, but he wants to make sure this person understands how he feels. He prays about his feelings and thanks God for bringing this person into his life. The singer sees this person as a beautiful thing and they are all he dreams and talks about.

The lyrics also reveal that the singer has had doubts and fears about love relationships in the past, but this person has changed his perspective. He sees this relationship as a new adventure and is grateful to have this beautiful thing in his life. However, he still struggles with expressing his emotions and fears scaring this person away. Overall, the lyrics to Beautiful Thing showcase the singer's vulnerability and desire to be open with the person he cares about, while acknowledging his hesitancy and fears.

Line by Line Meaning

I guess I don't wear them on my sleeve
I don't openly show my feelings for you

I don't wanna get all sensitive
I don't want to come off as too emotional

But if you don't know, I care
Just know that I care about you

Communication's a strange relation to me
I struggle with expressing myself

Forgive me, if you can
I apologize if I come off as distant

But the secret
The truth is

Is that I'm overjoyed inside, you see
I'm actually really happy when I'm with you

And when I pray I tell the Man...
I thank God for bringing you into my life

It never ceases to amaze me
I'm constantly blown away

She's all I dream about
I always think about you

Beautiful thing
You're my beautiful thing