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.
Round & Round
Tevin Campbell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Round and round and round
Round, round
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Ooh, yeah
Can you tell me where we're going to?
Can you tell me what it is we really want to find?
For all we know it's been there all the time
I say, nothing comes from dreamers but dreams
I say, sitting idle in our boat while everyone else is down the stream
Nothing comes from talkers but sound, yeah
We can talk all we want to, but the world still goes around and round
Round and round
Ooh, we go round and round and round
And what we're looking for still isn't found
Can you tell me when we gonna get to it?
I'm tired of fooling around
I said, "I want to do it" (go for it, get to it)
Ooh, I learned my lesson young
I said, "If you want to have fun" (go for it)
And when you win say, "I knew it" (go for it, get to it)
Nothing comes from dreamers but dreams
I say, sitting idle in our boat while everyone else is down the stream
Nothing comes from talkers but sound
Ooh, we can talk all we want to, but the world still goes around and round
Round, round, round, round
Round and round (get get get get to it, go for it, get to it)
We go round and round and round
And what we're looking for still isn't found
One day I'll make it in the big city
And I'll be looking for a girl who's pretty
One day I'll make a play and she will say, "Okay"
'Cause I plan to be a cool kitty
Round and round (oh yeah-yeah, oh yeah-yeah)
I say, nothing comes from dreamers but dreams
Ooh, I say, sitting idle in our boat while everyone else is down the stream
Nothing comes from talkers but sound
Ooh, we can talk all we want to, but the world still goes around and round
Round and round
Ooh-hoo, we go round and round and round
And what we're looking for still isn't found
Round and round we go
Round and round we go
Round and round and round and round and round and round we go
Round and round, round and round (oh, yeah)
Round and round we go, round and round we go (oh, yeah)
(Oh, yeah)
Round and round
In "Round and Round" by Tevin Campbell, the singer tells the story of a group of people who are stuck in a rut, unsure of where they're going and what they want. The lyrics ask questions about the meaning of life and whether truth exists, suggesting that it might be hidden right in front of us. The chorus emphasizes the cyclical nature of life, repeating the phrase "round and round" to convey the idea that we are stuck in a never-ending loop of searching for something we can't seem to find.
The verses offer two pieces of advice: first, that dreamers only achieve their dreams by taking action, and second, that talk is cheap and action is what really matters. The singer encourages his listeners to go for what they want, to take risks and have fun, and to keep going even when they lose. The bridge switches to a more personal narrative as the singer imagines a future in which he succeeds and finds happiness.
Overall, "Round and Round" is a song that encourages its listeners to take control of their lives and to stop waiting for something to happen to them. By emphasizing the importance of action over talk, the song suggests that we can break the cycle of searching for something we can't find by taking risks and going after what we really want.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah
Expressing excitement and anticipation for what's to come
Round and round and round
Repeating cycles and patterns of life
Round, round
Repeating cycles and patterns of life
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Expressing excitement and anticipation for what's to come
Ooh, yeah
Expressing excitement and anticipation for what's to come
Can you tell me where we're going to?
Asking for direction and guidance in life
Can you tell me what it is we really want to find?
Questioning the purpose and meaning of life
Is the truth really there? Or is it right under our hair?
Questioning the existence and accessibility of the truth
For all we know it's been there all the time
Speculating that the truth may have been present all along
I say, nothing comes from dreamers but dreams
Emphasizing the need for action and hard work in achieving one's goals
I say, sitting idle in our boat while everyone else is down the stream
Highlighting the importance of taking action and not idly wasting one's time
Nothing comes from talkers but sound, yeah
Emphasizing the need for action and hard work in achieving one's goals
We can talk all we want to, but the world still goes around and round
Stating that life goes on regardless of one's discussions and plans
Ooh, we go round and round and round
Repeating cycles and patterns of life
And what we're looking for still isn't found
Acknowledging the continued search for purpose and meaning in life
Can you tell me when we gonna get to it?
Eagerly anticipating arriving at one's destination or goal
I'm tired of fooling around
Expressing a desire to stop wasting time and start taking action
I said, "I want to do it" (go for it, get to it)
Expressing a commitment to take action and achieve one's goals
Ooh, I learned my lesson young
Acknowledging past mistakes and lessons learned
I said, "If you want to have fun" (go for it)
Encouraging others to take action and enjoy life
And when you win say, "I knew it" (go for it, get to it)
Encouraging a positive and confident attitude towards achieving one's goals
One day I'll make it in the big city
Expressing a future goal or aspiration
And I'll be looking for a girl who's pretty
Expressing a desire for companionship and love
One day I'll make a play and she will say, "Okay"
Expressing hope for success in love and relationships
'Cause I plan to be a cool kitty
Expressing self-confidence and belief in oneself
Round and round
Repeating cycles and patterns of life
Ooh-hoo, we go round and round and round
Repeating cycles and patterns of life
And what we're looking for still isn't found
Acknowledging the continued search for purpose and meaning in life
Round, round, round, round
Repeating cycles and patterns of life
Ooh yeah-yeah, oh yeah-yeah
Expressing excitement and anticipation for what's to come
Round and round we go
Repeating cycles and patterns of life
Round and round we go
Repeating cycles and patterns of life
Round and round and round and round and round and round we go
Repeating cycles and patterns of life
Round and round, round and round (oh, yeah)
Repeating cycles and patterns of life
Round and round we go, round and round we go (oh, yeah)
Repeating cycles and patterns of life
(Oh, yeah)
Expressing excitement and anticipation for what's to come
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Prince Rogers Nelson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nailah Aisha
Prince on production and background vocals. ❤️❤️
Cailona S.
My generation music...still love Tevin
Headie Doll
We got the best of it all!
Baby Mammoth34
Mine too! Gen X'er from 1980 here. This song is so awesome and unforgettable.
Dec Brown
And it STILL SLAPS in 2020 👏🏽🤙🏽
Nailah Aisha
2022
JOY
I swea da God!!!
JOHN LEON
Listen CLOSE, PRINCE DELIVERY, AND FLOW
William Pavichevich
WoW! Where did the Time Go,Right.😎👍
Listening in 2021 since 90.👍
Baby Mammoth34
I vividly remember when this was released and being avidly played on radio stations everywhere. It was hugely popular at my school and I would sing it a lot with my classmates on the bus.