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.
Tell Me What You Want Me To Do
Tevin Campbell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You called me up and I came to see you
You say you been awake all night
It hurts me deep inside when I see you cryin'
Whatever's wrong, I'll make it right
If you understand how I feel
You should know that my love is real
Tell me what you want me to do
My love is always here for you
Tell me what you want me to do
My love is always here for you
So tell me what you want me to do
Tell me girl
There were times when I didn't show it
Just how much I care for you
I'm so sorry
Now don't keep sayin' it's too late...to think
It over baby
After all that we've been through
Girl, I'm beggin' you
I'm down on my knees
Don't walk away baby please don't leave (me)
Tell me what you want me to do
My love is always here for you
Tell me what you want me to do
My love is always here for you
So tell me what you want me to do
Tell me girl
Girl I know that we can work it out somehow
Isn't that what love is all about
I'm gonna see it through this time
I won't let you slip away
Say you'll stay with me
Stay with me girl
'Cause you're the finest girl that I've ever seen
Tell me, tell me what you want me to do baby
My love is only here for you and only you
Tell me what you want me to do
My love is always here for you
So tell me what you want me to do
So tell me what you want me to do
In "Tell Me What You Want Me To Do," Tevin Campbell expresses his unwavering love for a woman who is going through a tough time. The singer is attentive and ready to help her in any way possible. He doesn't want to see her in pain, and he promises to make everything better. He confesses that he hasn't always shown his love and care for her, but he is willing to make amends and make things right. The chorus repeats the phrase "Tell me what you want me to do" as a plea for her to communicate her needs so he can fulfill them.
Furthermore, the song is a declaration of commitment and devotion. No matter what challenges they face, the singer promises to be there for her. He acknowledges that their love hasn't always been perfect, but he is willing to work through their issues and make their relationship stronger. The singer is willing to beg and get down on his knees to convince her to stay with him.
In essence, the song is about the complexity of love and relationships. It acknowledges the ups and downs, the good and the bad, but at the end of the day, what counts is being there for one another and creating a strong bond that can withstand any obstacle.
Line by Line Meaning
I love you girl
The singer loves the girl he is singing to.
You called me up and I came to see you
The girl called the singer, and he came to see her.
You say you been awake all night
The girl tells the singer that she has been awake all night.
It hurts me deep inside when I see you cryin'
When the singer sees the girl crying, it hurts him deeply.
Whatever's wrong, I'll make it right
The singer promises to make whatever is wrong right.
If you understand how I feel
The singer asks if the girl understands how he feels.
You should know that my love is real
The singer wants the girl to know that his love is genuine.
Tell me what you want me to do
The singer asks the girl to tell him what she wants him to do.
My love is always here for you
The singer reassures the girl that his love for her is always there.
So tell me what you want me to do
The singer repeats his earlier request for the girl to tell him what she needs him to do.
There were times when I didn't show it
The singer admits that there were times when he did not show how much he cared for the girl.
Just how much I care for you
The artist wants the girl to know that he cares for her deeply.
I'm so sorry
The singer apologizes for his past behavior.
Now don't keep sayin' it's too late...to think
The singer doesn't want the girl to think it's too late to reconcile.
It over baby
The singer realizes that the girl may have thought their relationship was over.
After all that we've been through
The artist reminds the girl of all the history they have shared.
Girl, I'm beggin' you
The singer begs the girl for another chance.
I'm down on my knees
The singer is figuratively down on his knees begging for forgiveness.
Don't walk away baby please don't leave (me)
The singer pleads with the girl not to walk away from him or leave him.
Girl I know that we can work it out somehow
The artist is optimistic that they can work out their differences.
Isn't that what love is all about
The singer believes that working through problems is a big part of what love is.
I won't let you slip away
The artist is determined to hold onto the girl and not let her go.
Say you'll stay with me
The singer wants the girl to tell him that she will stay with him.
Stay with me girl
The artist pleads with the girl to stay with him.
'Cause you're the finest girl that I've ever seen
The singer thinks that the girl he is singing to is the most beautiful girl he has ever seen.
Tell me, tell me what you want me to do baby
The singer reiterates his request for the girl to tell him what she wants him to do.
My love is only here for you and only you
The singer emphasizes that his love is exclusive to the girl he is singing to.
So tell me what you want me to do
The artist repeats his earlier request for the girl to tell him what she wants him to do.
Lyrics © TuneCore Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, Spirit Music Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: NARADA MICHAEL WALDEN, SALLY JO DAKOTA, TEVIN CAMPBELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Destiny Bolling
I cant believe this boy was screaming on this song like this and he wasn't even 16 ❤️❤️❤️ he deserves so much more than he's gotten from the industry
Judge Dredd
He was exactly 16 when this came out...
Great song produced by Quincy Jones
Destiny Bolling
@Judge Dredd still lol......his range was definitely crazy to even be 16! But thanks for telling me that I definitely thought he was 15 still
Judge Dredd
@Destiny Bolling
I owe you an apology
The song did in fact come out on his 15th birthday not his 16th as I originally thought
He was born November 12 1976
Song released November 12 1991
I should fact check before I post.
Again Sorry....
I'm 56...memory is blurry...lol
Destiny Bolling
@Judge Dredd lol that's what I thought but I wasn't gonna say anything 😂 no worries we all get mixed up!
Marsha-lee Minott
I went in surgery to got baby an when I wake up nurse say I was sing this song.,.
kareema willams
Kids now will never understand or know true meaning of r&b music cause the 90’s was a classic that you just had to be there to understand ❤
David McQuaid
Same thing goes for movies if the 90s, it’s just the timeless golden era
Magdaline Wairagu
You say it again
Perewari Itaita
They can never