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.
Don't Say Goodbye Girl
Tevin Campbell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With all your bags ready to go
Baby sit down, and let's talk it over
Oh I need to know
What do you think you're gonna find?
A man that treats you sweeter
What are you looking for?
The world is cold out there
I'm the one who really cares
Don't say goodbye girl
Take a look inside and read my mind girl
Everything I do, I do for you
Don't leave me crying, crying
Maybe my crime was caring 'bout you
Wanting you close by my side
Maybe you need some space around you
Some room to fly
Don't ever think I'll hold you back
My love will lift you higher
And when you call my name
I'll be there right beside you
Together we'll get by
Give this love another try
Don't say goodbye girl
Take a look inside and read my mind girl
Everything I do, I do for you
Don't leave me crying, crying
Baby you know you mean the world to me
(You mean the world to me)
I never loved nobody the way that I love you
(Never loved nobody)
The way it feels when I'm close to you
(Feels so good baby)
When I'm holding you touching you
What do you think you're gonna find?
No man could treat you sweeter
Just wait and you will see
We'll make the grass grow greener
The world is cold out there
I'm the one who really cares
Don't say Don't say goodbye girl
Take a look inside and read my mind girl
Everything I do, I do for you
Don't leave me crying, crying
Don't say goodbye girl
Take a look inside and read my mind girl
Everything I do, I do for you
Don't leave me crying, crying
In the song "Don't Say Goodbye Girl" by Tevin Campbell, the singer pleads with his lover not to leave him. The song addresses the issues that arise in relationships when one person wants to leave while the other is still deeply committed. He asks her to sit down and talk it over, hoping that he can convince her that he is the true love she is searching for. He recognizes that his love may have been too controlling and that she may need space, but he pledges to care for her and lift her higher instead of holding her back. The lyrics paint a picture of someone who is desperate to salvage their relationship and promises to make the grass greener on their side.
Throughout the lyrics, the singer demonstrates his deep devotion and love for his partner. He is confused and lost, unsure of how to convince her to stay with him. He recognizes the love they share and tries to convince her that there is nothing to gain from leaving him. The chorus "Don't say goodbye girl, take a look inside and read my mind, girl, everything I do, I do for you, don't leave me crying, crying" demonstrates his desire to work things out and to restore their fractured relationship.
Overall, "Don't Say Goodbye Girl" expresses the desperation that arises when one person is trying to hold on to a relationship that might be coming to end. The lyrics are emotional and deeply heartfelt, capturing the complexity of romantic relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby, don't stand there in the doorway
Please don't leave just yet.
With all your bags ready to go
I can see you're all packed and ready to leave.
Baby sit down, and let's talk it over
Can we please have a conversation before you walk out that door?
Oh I need to know
I need to understand where this sudden decision is coming from.
What do you think you're gonna find?
What is it that you're looking for out there?
A man that treats you sweeter
Do you think you'll find someone who loves and treats you better than I do?
What are you looking for?
Is there something missing from our relationship that you're trying to find elsewhere?
A place where the grass grows greener
Are you hoping to find a better life outside of our relationship?
The world is cold out there
Remember that the world can be harsh and unforgiving.
I'm the one who really cares
I hope you know that I care deeply about you.
Don't say goodbye girl
Please don't leave me.
Take a look inside and read my mind girl
Try to understand my feelings and perspective.
Everything I do, I do for you
I want you to know that everything I do, I do out of love for you.
Don't leave me crying, crying
I don't want to be left heartbroken and alone.
Maybe my crime was caring 'bout you
Perhaps I loved you too much and it pushed you away.
Wanting you close by my side
All I ever wanted was to be with you.
Maybe you need some space around you
I understand that you may need some time alone for yourself.
Some room to fly
You deserve the freedom to pursue your own dreams and ambitions.
Don't ever think I'll hold you back
I would never want to limit or constrain you.
My love will lift you higher
I want my love to inspire and motivate you to be your best self.
And when you call my name
I'll always be here for you if you need me.
I'll be there right beside you
I'll support and stand by you through thick and thin.
Together we'll get by
As long as we're together, we can overcome any obstacle.
Give this love another try
Let's try to work through our problems and rebuild our love.
Baby you know you mean the world to me
I hope you know how much you mean to me.
(You mean the world to me)
I never loved nobody the way that I love you
You're the only one I've ever loved this much.
(Never loved nobody)
The way it feels when I'm close to you
Being close to you is an indescribable feeling.
(Feels so good baby)
No man could treat you sweeter
I honestly don't think you'll find a man who loves and cherishes you more than I do.
Just wait and you will see
I hope you'll realize this sooner rather than later.
Don't say Don't say goodbye girl
Please don't leave me.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: NARADA MICHAEL WALDEN, SALLY JO DAKOTA, BURT BACHARACH, BURT F. BACHARACH, N.M. WALDEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
khazelgirl
This song has slowly crept up as one of my favorite Tevin songs ever. Decades later, it’s value has increased. Burt Bacharach can sure pen a song!
Mychael Johnson
And yasss B.B did this !
Mychael Johnson
This always been it!!
K M
I had no idea he did this. it is a beautiful song.
Keyshia Wilson
Still love this song l was 15 years old when it first came out I'm 41 now still sounds beautiful
Mychael Johnson
Yassss maam
Riri Highclass
I'm 35 and still loving it
Bruno Francisco
imagine!!! im 46....just 1976 just like Tevin.....miss this times!!!
André Mulligan
You were 13 not 15 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Trent Rama
I was 4 now 32