Back to the World (Tevin Campbell album)

Back to the World is the third studio album by R&B singer Tevin Campbell. It was released by Qwest Records on June 18, 1996.

For the title track from the album, see Back to the World (song).

Back to the World
Studio album by
Tevin Campbell
ReleasedJune 18, 1996
RecordedAugust 1995 – March 1996
GenreR&B
Length57:32
LabelQwest
Producer
Tevin Campbell chronology
I'm Ready
(1993)		 Back to the World
(1996)		 Tevin Campbell
(1999)
Singles from Back to the World
  1. "Back to the World"
    Released: May 28, 1996
  2. "I Got It Bad"
    Released: August 12, 1996
  3. "Could You Learn to Love"
    Released: May 1997

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
The Buffalo News[2]
Muzik[3]

AllMusic editor Leo Stanleyndi found that Back to the World "is proof positive that the teen idol is now a man [...] For the most part, he succeeds in establishing himself as a vocalist of prodigious talents and significant worth [..] No matter how Campbell tries to phase out that sweetness on Back to the World, he retains that appealing quality, which makes the album all the more endearing."[1] Billboard's Paul Verna found that the song selection on Back to the World "suggests a more adult approach, despite several hip-hop tracks that give the mostly mellow set a trendy bounce. Credit is due to label's commitment to artist delevopment which is readily apparent on the project because of the performer's stronger delivery and continually evolving sound."[4]

Vibe editor David Mills felt that with the album Campbell "maintains versatility, and also seems a lot more comfortable singing in his gutsier, sly-sounding lower register [...] This album is a robust statement about Tevin's vocal transformation, a shrewd departure from his first two [...] Back to the World isn't the yummy teen fluff I'm Ready was. Nor is it the delightful baby candy of his debut. This album is about growing up, its underlying vocal theme a bold quest for maturity."[5] Carl Allen from The Buffalo News found that "sounding just short of adulthood is what makes Campbell's work so outstanding [...] This first compact disc since his stirring debut about three years ago is bound to again put him in contention with some of the big boys of popular music. He has the ability to enclose lyrics in a suspended tonal reality that has clarity as its major feature. The result is romantic music that can be understood immediately. Pretty effective stuff taken track by track. A little tedious all at once, except for true fans."[2]

Commercial performance

Back to the World was a commercial disappointment compared to his first two albums T.E.V.I.N. and I'm Ready. Three singles were released off the album: "Back to the World", "I Got It Bad" and "Could You Learn to Love".

Track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Back to the World"
Jaz5:00
2."Dry Your Eyes"
Edmondson4:44
3."You Don't Have to Worry"
5:40
4."I Got It Bad"
  • Campbell
  • Crouch
  • Kipper Jones
Crouch5:04
5."Tell Me Where"
The Boom Brothers4:29
6."Could It Be"
Jaz4:55
7."I Need You"
  • Billy Nichols
  • The Boom Brothers
The Boom Brothers3:56
8."I'll Be There"
  • Combs
  • Thompson
4:46
9."We Can Work It Out"
  • Combs
  • Jones
  • Scandrick
  • Keith
  • Parker
  • Combs
  • Thompson
3:51
10."Beautiful Thing"CrouchCrouch5:09
11."Could You Learn to Love"BabyfaceThe Boom Brothers4:10
12."Break of Dawn"
Jaz5:48
Japan edition – bonus track
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
13."Lately"Stevie WonderAl B. Sure!2:55

Charts
Chart (1996) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[6] 31
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[7] 36
UK Albums (OCC)[8] 109
UK R&B Albums (OCC)[9] 16
US Billboard 200[10] 46
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[11] 11

References
  1. Stanley, Leo. Tevin Campbell: I'm Ready > Review at AllMusic. Retrieved September 27, 2011.
  2. Allen, Carl (July 12, 1996). "In Brief". The Buffalo News. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  3. Springer, Jacqueline (August 1996). "Tevin Campbell: Back To The World" (PDF). Muzik. p. 117. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 2, 2022. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
  4. Verna, Paul (July 13, 1996). "Reviews & Previews". Billboard. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  5. Mills, David (August 1, 1996). "Revolutions". Vibe. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  6. "Australiancharts.com – Tevin Campbell – Back to the World". Hung Medien. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  7. "Charts.nz – Tevin Campbell – Back to the World". Hung Medien. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  8. "Chart Log UK: 1994–2010: Chris C. – CZR". Zobbel. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  9. "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
  10. "Tevin Campbell Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  11. "Tevin Campbell Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
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