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.
Break of Dawn
Tevin Campbell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With the way I love you?
Are you satisfied?
'Cause I just can't deny
That the way you love me
Makes me melt inside
I'm a gonna give it all up, my baby
As long as you want it
Down, and all around
Until the break of dawn
Until the break of dawn
What's your fantasy?
Maybe we could play it out
Just you and me
In my wildest drams
I couldn't have imagined
Such intensity
No, I'm never gonna give you up, my baby
As long as you want me
My kiss is gonna cover your body
Up and down, and all around
Until the break of dawn
Until the break of dawn
I wish that I could extend
The little time that we spend
And so I hope that you intend
To stay with me at least until the break of dawn
Until the break of dawn
Until the break of dawn
In "Break of Dawn," Tevin Campbell sings about his love for someone and his desire to give them everything they want. He asks if they're satisfied with the way he loves them and admits that the way they love him makes him feel so intensely alive that he feels like melting inside. He promises to give everything up for his lover's satisfaction and to kiss their body all around, up and down until the break of dawn. He's curious about their sexual fantasies and suggests they play them out together so that they can reach a level of intensity that he's never imagined before. He wishes he could extend their time together and hopes that his lover intends to stay with him until the break of dawn.
The song is a beautiful ode to the passion and intensity of love. Tevin Campbell's lyrics illustrate how powerful and unrelenting love can be, and how it can lead to a desire to make the person you love happy even at the cost of your own happiness. The song also touches on sexual desire and the potential for two people to truly explore and push the limits of their intimacy together. Ultimately, the song expresses the singer's longing for his lover to stay with him through the night and explore their love together.
Line by Line Meaning
Are you satisfied
Tevin poses a question to his lover, asking if they are content with the way he loves them.
With the way I love you?
Tevin clarifies that he is asking if his lover is satisfied with the way he expresses his love towards them.
Are you satisfied?
Tevin repeats his question to emphasize the importance of his lover's satisfaction towards their relationship.
'Cause I just can't deny
Tevin acknowledges his inability to hide the fact that his lover's love towards him has a significant effect on him.
That the way you love me
Tevin praises his lover's way of expressing their love towards him.
Makes me melt inside
Tevin reveals that his lover's love has a powerful effect on him, causing him to feel overwhelmed with emotions.
I'm a gonna give it all up, my baby
Tevin declares his readiness to commit and give his all to his lover.
As long as you want it
Tevin emphasizes that his willingness to give his all is based on his lover's desire for it.
My kiss is gonna cover your body up and
Tevin promises his lover that his affection will be all-encompassing.
Down, and all around
Tevin elaborates on the extensive and enveloping nature of his affection.
Until the break of dawn
Tevin assures his lover that his love and affection will last until the early morning.
What's your fantasy?
Tevin expresses his desire to fulfill his lover's deepest desires.
Maybe we could play it out
Tevin suggests that they can act out his lover's fantasies together.
Just you and me
Tevin proposes that they experience their fantasies in a private setting.
In my wildest drams
Tevin admits that even in his most elaborate fantasies, he could not imagine such an intense love and affection from his lover.
I couldn't have imagined
Tevin reiterates his prior statement about not being able to envision such a powerful connection with his lover.
Such intensity
Tevin highlights the unmatched strength of the bond he shares with his lover.
No, I'm never gonna give you up, my baby
Tevin confirms his commitment to his lover and the persistence of their love.
As long as you want me
Tevin reiterates that his devotion to his lover is based on their desire for each other.
My kiss is gonna cover your body
Tevin promises that his affection will cover every inch of his lover's body.
Up and down, and all around
Tevin repeats his prior statement, emphasizing the all-encompassing nature of his love.
Until the break of dawn
Tevin repeats his assurance that their love will last until the early morning.
I wish that I could extend
Tevin expresses his desire to prolong the time spent with his lover.
The little time that we spend
Tevin refers to the limited amount of time he and his lover have together.
And so I hope that you intend
Tevin expresses his hope that his lover plans on spending more time with him.
To stay with me at least until the break of dawn
Tevin reiterates his desire for his lover's presence until the early morning.
Until the break of dawn
Tevin concludes the song by repeating his promise of love until the early morning.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JAMEY HEATH, MARTIKA DAWSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tevin Campbell friends TerriusTaylor YouTube video music
on Dandelion
Tevin Campbell friends TerriusTaylor YouTube video music
Tevin Campbell friends TerriusTaylor
on Dandelion
Tevin Campbell friends TerriusTaylor YouTube
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