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.
I Need You
Tevin Campbell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Memories of you always creep up into my head
And baby if there was any such a thing as wishin'
I'd wish for you to be right next to me instead
Well, I don't blame you if you don't wanna give it another try
You probably found some other guy to dry your eyes
This situation has got me unattached within
Judgin' all the places that I've been baby
I need you, you need me
Can't you see I'm goin' crazy for you baby?
I need you, you need me
Can't you see I'm goin' crazy for you baby?
I don't want you to think that I've been desperate
I've just been dreamin' about your tender tender kiss
Sometimes I sit and think about how you used to work it
The love you give to me baby you know I miss
Oh, I don't blame if you don't wanna give it another try
You probably found some other guy to dry your eyes
This situation has got me unattached within
I don't know where my life is goin'
Judgin' all the places that I've been baby
I need you, you need me
Can't you see I'm goin' crazy for you baby?
I need you, you need me
Can't you see I'm goin' crazy for you baby?
I need you baby
Oh, I need you baby
Oh yeah
I want you, you want me
You got me goin' crazy
I want you, you want me
You got me goin' crazy
I need you, you need me
Can't you see I'm goin' crazy for you baby?
I need you, you need me
Can't you see I'm goin' crazy for you?
I want you, you want me
You got me goin' crazy
I want you, you want me
You got me goin' crazy
I need you, you need me
Can't you see I'm goin' crazy for you baby?
I need you, you need me
Can't you see I'm goin' crazy for you baby?
The song "I Need You" by Tevin Campbell is an emotional plea to a former lover. The lyrics describe the singer's longing for the person, who has been on their mind constantly, even after a long break from thinking about them. The singer wishes that the person was next to them, and even though they understand that the other person may have moved on and found someone else, they still can't help but think about them. The singer is also aware that they may come across as desperate, but insists that they have only been dreaming of the other person's touch and the love they used to share.
The chorus "I need you, you need me" is a representation of the singer's desire to reconcile with their former lover. They are going crazy without this person, and the repetition of this line emphasizes the urgency and intensity of their emotions. The singer admits to judging all the places they have been, suggesting that their life has been incomplete without the other person.
Overall, the lyrics convey the complexity of the singer's emotional state. They are torn between wanting to move on and wanting to reconnect with their ex-lover. The song's slow tempo and powerful vocals add to the emotional weight of the lyrics, making it a powerful ballad about love and longing.
Line by Line Meaning
It's been a while since I have had a break from worryin'
I haven't been able to relax and stop worrying in a long time.
Memories of you always creep up into my head
I keep remembering things about you, and those thoughts won't go away.
And baby if there was any such a thing as wishin'
If I could make a wish and have it come true...
I'd wish for you to be right next to me instead
...I'd wish for you to be with me right now.
Well, I don't blame you if you don't wanna give it another try
I understand if you don't want to try again.
You probably found some other guy to dry your eyes
You likely found someone else to comfort you when you were sad.
This situation has got me unattached within
This situation has left me feeling disconnected and lost inside.
I don't know where my life is goin'
I feel unsure and confused about where my life is headed.
Judgin' all the places that I've been baby
I'm thinking about all the places I've been and trying to make sense of it all.
I need you, you need me
I need you in my life, and I believe you need me too.
Can't you see I'm goin' crazy for you baby?
Can't you tell how much I'm obsessed with you?
I don't want you to think that I've been desperate
I don't want you to think that I've been acting desperate or needy.
I've just been dreamin' about your tender tender kiss
I just keep thinking about how it feels to be kissed by you.
Sometimes I sit and think about how you used to work it
Sometimes I remember how you used to flirt and turn me on.
The love you give to me baby you know I miss
I miss the way you used to show your love and affection to me.
I want you, you want me
I desire you, and I believe you desire me too.
You got me goin' crazy
You make me feel overwhelmed and a little out of control.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, THE MUSIC GOES ROUND
Written by: TEVIN JERMOD CAMPBELL, BILLY NICHOLS, A-TONE, CHUCK BOOM
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
Music video