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.
O Holy Night
Tevin Campbell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees
O night divine
O night when Christ was born
O night divine, o night
O night divine
O night divine
O might when Christ was born
O night divine, o night
O night divine
The song "O Holy Night" is a beautiful Christmas carol that reflects on the night when Jesus was born. The lyrics begin with describing the setting and the atmosphere: "O holy night, the stars are brightly shining. It is the night of our dear Savior's birth." This creates an image of the midnight sky shining bright with stars, representing the hope that is brought forth by the birth of Jesus.
The next few lines in the song focus on the state of the world before Jesus was born: "Long lay the world in sin and error pining, till He appeared and the soul felt its worth." In this line, the world is described as being lost and disconnected from God, but the appearance of Jesus ignited hope and meaning in people's lives. The words "the soul felt its worth" signify the significance and grace that Jesus brought to humanity.
The song then turns celebratory, proclaiming the joy and hope that comes with the birth of Jesus: "A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn." With the arrival of Jesus, the world is no longer weary and hopeless, but rather full of joy and anticipation for what is to come. The chorus, "O hear the angels' voices. O night divine, O night when Christ was born," reflects the joyous spirit that was felt by all who heard of Jesus' birth.
Overall, "O Holy Night" is a beautiful tribute to the true meaning of Christmas - a unique celebration of the hope, love, and joy that was brought to humanity by the birth of Jesus.
Line by Line Meaning
O holy night the stars are brightly shining
The night is holy and the stars are shining brightly
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth
The night marks the occasion of the birth of our dear savior
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
The world had been bearing in sin and error for a long time
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth
But when he appeared, the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices
The weary world rejoices as a thrill of hope surges through it
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
A new and glorious morning is breaking beyond
Fall on your knees
Fall on your knees (and worship)
O hear the angels' voices
Listen to the angels singing
O night divine
Oh divine night!
O night when Christ was born
The night Christ was born
O night divine, o night
Oh divine night, oh night
O night divine
Oh divine night!
O might when Christ was born
The night Christ was born
O night divine, o night
Oh divine night, oh night
Lyrics Β© BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Spirit Music Group, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ART HARRIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
plutorama
2021 and No One - Not Mariah, Whitney, NOBODY- has improved upon this version. Kudos to Quincy Jones and Tevin Campbell. Why he's not invited every year to Rockefeller Center is a mystery to me. When I hear OHN I always want it to be this one. Mimi's comes in second, but this one is tops.
Dark Feather
I agree it is the best version, but Whitney never recorded it during the time she was Whitney! She did it when her voice was ashes and dust. Β At her peak 85-89 she could sing anything better than anyone. Β But this does beat Mariah's for sure.
plutorama
+Torrey Green Yes I agree. Not sure why Clive didn't push Whitney to do a Christmas album from the start. That's where Tommy Mottola was genius, pushing Mariah to record a Christmas album right after her first album hit. If it's any consolation, Tevin WAS channeling Whitney in his delivery.
Dark Feather
plutoramaΒ During that time, Christmas albums and greatest hits albums were a signal that one's career was over, Mariah changed all that. :) Β Tevin always channels Whitney in my opinion. Β His technique has always been remarkably similar to hers. Β He credits Luther as his inspiration, but I always hear Whitney.
plutorama
2016 UPDATE and STILL... No One. Not Jennifer Hudson, Not Mariah, Not ANYBODY has improved upon this version. I should add credit also goes to the wonderful backing vocalists Quincy Jones hired for this track. And of course, Quincy himself. This was conceptualized as a forever song, not something of the moment or trend. Like everything else Quincy touches, it's timeless so many years on from it's inception. I take a bow to the master!
Alethea Washington
You ain't never lied!!
Candii Lorae
I finally found Tevin's version of this song..Simply Beautiful!!!
Miami Charger
He ABSOLUTELY KILLED this version!! Props to TC, one of the most amazing voices in the music industry
Andrea Kaye Nowak
first heard Tevin's version on A Very Special Christmas Collection back in 1992. Love it and remember it, I was 12 then....still my favorite rendition. His voice is just beautiful and powerful and I will probably love it forever. Thanks for sharing.
Pro Keds
Tev's version is pure magic.