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.
Perfect World
Tevin Campbell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But the world is slowing down
It's such a stormy place
Standing I'll shake the ground
Gonna take a look around
Then I saw your face -oh
CHORUS:
It's such a perfect world
What a boy and girl can't find
What they need to do
For a life of love
Such a perfect world- it's mine
It's a perfect world
I had to spread the news
I finally got my dancing shoes
Now I realized
Just take a different view
Just comes shining down on you
Let's open up our eyes
CHORUS
Sunshine and flowers
Ain't nothing gonna stop the way we feel
We've got the power - yes we do
Love makes the world go round
Love turned you upside down
Love across a million miles
No chance I woun't take
When my feet are on the brake
With you here by my side
CHORUS
In Tevin Campbell's song Perfect World, the artist discusses the positive changes he has experienced in his life since falling in love. He notes that the world can be a difficult and tumultuous place, but since meeting his significant other, everything has changed. The chorus emphasizes the point that since he met this person, his world has become "perfect."
The verses highlight the power of love and the transformative nature of falling in love. Campbell remarks that love makes the world go round, but notes that the world is slowing down - perhaps suggesting that without love, life can be monotonous or difficult to navigate. He encourages listeners to take a different view and open their eyes to the positive possibilities around them. The final verse emphasizes that love has turned his world upside down and that he is willing to take any chance as long as his partner is by his side.
Overall, the song paints a picture of a world that is made better by the transformative power of love - a world that can become "perfect" when two people find each other.
Line by Line Meaning
Love makes the world go round
Love is what makes the world move forward
But the world is slowing down
However, the world is currently facing many difficulties and obstacles
It's such a stormy place
The world is a difficult and tumultuous place
Standing I'll shake the ground
But I will take a stand and make a difference
Gonna take a look around
I will observe and analyze my surroundings
Then I saw your face -oh
And then I met you, which changed everything
Since I met you
Since I've been with you
It's such a perfect world
The world seems perfect when I am with you
What a boy and girl can't find
Things that many people may not be able to find
What they need to do
What they need to do in order to find happiness
For a life of love
For a life filled with love
Such a perfect world- it's mine
Being with you creates a world that is perfect for me
I had to spread the news
I couldn't keep my happiness to myself
I finally got my dancing shoes
I am now ready to enjoy life and celebrate
Now I realized
I have come to realize
Just take a different view
Sometimes we need to change our perspective in order to find happiness
Just comes shining down on you
When you have a positive attitude, good things will come to you
Let's open up our eyes
We should be open to new experiences
Sunshine and flowers
Life is beautiful and enjoyable
Ain't nothing gonna stop the way we feel
Nothing will prevent us from feeling happy and in love
We've got the power - yes we do
We have the strength and ability to overcome any challenges
Love turned you upside down
Love has had a profound effect on you
Love across a million miles
Even when we are far apart, our love remains strong
No chance I woun't take
I am willing to take any risks for love
When my feet are on the brake
Even when I am hesitant or unsure
With you here by my side
As long as you're with me
CHORUS
Repeating the chorus as a reminder of the perfect world created by love
Contributed by Tyler K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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