Babyface, whose full name is Kenneth Brian Edmonds, was born on April 10, 1959, in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States, and is 67 years old. He is an American singer, songwriter, record producer and musician who became one of the most influential figures in contemporary R&B. Babyface began his professional music career in the late 1970s and became widely known through his work with the R&B group The Deele before launching his solo career. His music is strongly associated with contemporary R&B, soul, quiet storm and adult contemporary styles. Alongside his own recordings, he has written and produced major songs for artists including Whitney Houston, Boyz II Men, Toni Braxton, Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Madonna and many others.
Quick Facts
Full Name: Kenneth Brian Edmonds
Date of Birth: April 10, 1959
Age: 67
Birthplace: Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
Nationality: American
Profession: Singer, songwriter, record producer, musician
Genres: R&B, soul, contemporary R&B, quiet storm, adult contemporary
Active Since: 1970s
Babyface Songs
Babyface has one of the most respected catalogs in R&B, spanning more than four decades. His solo discography includes classic albums such as Tender Lover, For the Cool in You, The Day, Face2Face, Grown & Sexy, Return of the Tender Lover and Girls Night Out. His catalog also includes the collaborative album Love, Marriage & Divorce with Toni Braxton, live recordings, Christmas music and numerous official collaborations with artists such as Toni Braxton, Karyn White, Pebbles, Eric Clapton, Stevie Wonder, Ella Mai, Kehlani and Coco Jones.
Complete Unique Babyface Song List
- You Make Me Feel Brand New
- Lovers
- Chivalry
- I Love You Babe
- Mary Mack
- Faithful
- If We Try
- Take Your Time
- It’s No Crime
- Tender Lover
- Let’s Be Romantic
- Can’t Stop My Heart
- My Kinda Girl
- Where Will You Go
- Whip Appeal
- Soon as I Get Home
- Given a Chance
- Sunshine
- Two Occasions
- Love Saw It
- Love Makes Things Happen
- For the Cool in You
- Lady, Lady
- Never Keeping Secrets
- Rock Bottom
- And Our Feelings
- Saturday
- When Can I See You
- Illusions
- A Bit Old-Fashioned
- You Are So Beautiful
- I’ll Always Love You
- Well Alright
- Every Time I Close My Eyes
- Talk to Me
- I Said I Love You
- When Your Body Gets Weak
- Simple Days
- All Day Thinkin’
- Seven Seas
- The Day (That You Gave Me a Son)
- How Come, How Long
- This Is for the Lover in You
- Change the World
- Breathe Again
- Exhale (Shoop Shoop)
- I’ll Make Love to You
- End of the Road
- I Care About You
- Gone Too Soon
- Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
- Winter Wonderland
- The Christmas Song
- White Christmas
- The Little Drummer Boy
- I’ll Be Home for Christmas
- It Came Upon a Midnight Clear/The First Noel
- Sleigh Ride
- Silent Night
- You Were There
- Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
- The First Noel
- Outside In/Inside Out
- There She Goes
- What If
- Stressed Out
- Baby’s Mama
- How Can U Be Down?
- Work It Out
- I Keep Callin’
- With Him
- Wish U Was My Girl
- U Should Know
- Don’t Take It So Personal
- Still in Love With U
- Lover and Friend
- Tonight It’s Goin’ Down
- Grown & Sexy
- Mad Sexy Cool
- Can’t Stop Now
- Goin’ Outta Business
- Drama, Love & ‘Lationships
- Sorry for the Stupid Things
- Good to Be in Love
- The Loneliness
- She
- God Must Love U
- The Gettin’ to Know U
- She’s International
- Red Dress
- Shower the People
- Fire and Rain
- Not Going Nowhere
- Time in a Bottle
- Wonderful Tonight
- Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door
- Longer
- The Soldier Song
- Please Come to Boston
- Diary
- Roller Coaster
- Sweat
- Hurt You
- Where Did We Go Wrong?
- I Hope That You’re Okay
- I Wish
- Take It Back
- Reunited
- I’d Rather Be Broke
- Heart Attack
- The D Word
- We’ve Got Love
- Fight for Love
- Exceptional
- Walking on Air
- I Want You
- Love and Devotion
- Standing Ovation
- Something Bout You
- Our Love
- Intro
- Liquor
- Seamless
- Keeps on Fallin’
- Game Over
- Simple
- Say Less
- Whatever
- Don’t Even Think About It
- The Recipe
- One Good Thing
- G Wagon
- Girls Night Out
- Sometimes
- If You Knew How
- No Stoppin’ Us
- As a Matter of Fact
- I Got You
- Yesterday
- Cloud X
Babyface Albums and Songs
Lovers
Released in 1986, Lovers was Babyface’s debut solo studio album and established the foundation for his later R&B career. The album introduced his smooth vocal style and included songs such as “Lovers,” “Chivalry” and “I Love You Babe.”
Complete official tracklist:
- You Make Me Feel Brand New
- Lovers
- Chivalry
- I Love You Babe
- Mary Mack
- Faithful
- If We Try
- Take Your Time
- I Love You Babe (Reprise)
- Mary Mack – Free Style Mix
- If We Try – 12-inch Version
- Lovers – Jazz Lover’s Mix
Tender Lover
Released in 1989, Tender Lover became Babyface’s major solo breakthrough and helped establish him as one of the leading voices in contemporary R&B. The album produced enduring songs including “It’s No Crime,” “Tender Lover,” “My Kinda Girl,” “Soon as I Get Home” and “Whip Appeal.”
Complete official tracklist:
- It’s No Crime
- Tender Lover
- Let’s Be Romantic
- Can’t Stop My Heart
- My Kinda Girl
- Where Will You Go (Prelude)
- Whip Appeal
- Soon as I Get Home
- Given a Chance
- Sunshine
- Where Will You Go
Official additional/reissue tracks:
- Tender Lover (Dub L.A.)
- My Kinda Girl – 12-inch Version
- Whip Appeal – 12-inch Version
A Closer Look
Released in 1991, A Closer Look collected several of Babyface’s early solo recordings and remixed or live versions of songs from his first albums. The project also brought together collaborations such as “Love Saw It” with Karyn White and “Love Makes Things Happen” with Pebbles.
Complete official tracklist:
- Mary Mack
- Two Occasions (Live)
- I Love You Babe
- Chivalry
- Lovers
- It’s No Crime
- Love Saw It — with Karyn White
- Love Makes Things Happen — with Pebbles
- My Kinda Girl
- Whip Appeal
- Lovers – Jazz Lover’s Mix
For the Cool in You
Released in 1993, For the Cool in You became one of Babyface’s most successful albums and further established his signature romantic R&B sound. It features “For the Cool in You,” “Never Keeping Secrets,” “Rock Bottom” and “When Can I See You.”
Complete official standard tracklist:
- For the Cool in You
- Lady, Lady
- Never Keeping Secrets
- Rock Bottom
- And Our Feelings
- Saturday
- When Can I See You
- Illusions
- A Bit Old-Fashioned
- You Are So Beautiful
- I’ll Always Love You
- Well Alright
Official additional/remix tracks:
- For the Cool in You – Quiet Storm Vocal Mix
- When Can I See You – Urban Soul Basement Mix
- For the Cool in You – Midnight Luv Instrumental Mix
The Day
Released in 1996, The Day continued Babyface’s run of successful R&B albums and included one of his best-known songs, “Every Time I Close My Eyes.” The album also featured collaborations with Stevie Wonder and other musicians.
Complete official tracklist:
- Every Time I Close My Eyes
- Talk to Me
- I Said I Love You
- When Your Body Gets Weak
- Simple Days
- All Day Thinkin’
- Seven Seas
- The Day (That You Gave Me a Son)
- How Come, How Long — featuring Stevie Wonder
- This Is for the Lover in You
- Every Time I Close My Eyes – Timbaland Remix
- Every Time I Feel the Groove Remix – Urban Soul Basement Mix
- This Is for the Lover in You – Honey Lookin’ Laced Extended Remix
Babyface Unplugged NYC 1997
Released in 1997, Babyface Unplugged NYC 1997 captured Babyface in a stripped-back live setting with several prominent guest performers. The album features appearances from Eric Clapton, Shanice, K-Ci & JoJo and Stevie Wonder.
Complete official tracklist:
- Change the World — with Eric Clapton
- Talk to Me — with Eric Clapton
- Whip Appeal
- Breathe Again — with Shanice
- Exhale (Shoop Shoop)
- I’ll Make Love to You
- End of the Road
- I Care About You — with K-Ci & JoJo, Kevon Edmonds and Melvin Edmonds
- The Day (That You Gave Me a Son)
- Gone Too Soon — with Stevie Wonder
- How Come, How Long — with Stevie Wonder
Christmas with Babyface
Released in 1998, Christmas with Babyface presented the singer’s interpretations of traditional Christmas standards alongside his original song “You Were There.” The project highlights his softer vocal style and became an important seasonal release in his catalog.
Complete official standard tracklist:
- Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
- Winter Wonderland
- The Christmas Song
- White Christmas
- The Little Drummer Boy
- I’ll Be Home for Christmas
- It Came Upon a Midnight Clear/The First Noel
- Sleigh Ride
- Silent Night
- You Were There
Deluxe edition additional tracks:
- Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
- The First Noel
Face2Face
Released in 2001, Face2Face marked a change in Babyface’s sound, incorporating more contemporary grooves and uptempo production alongside his familiar R&B ballads. The album features collaborations and production contributions from artists including Pharrell Williams, Chad Hugo, Heavy D and Snoop Dogg.
Complete official tracklist:
- Outside In/Inside Out
- There She Goes
- What If
- Stressed Out
- Baby’s Mama — featuring Snoop Dogg
- How Can U Be Down?
- Work It Out
- I Keep Callin’
- With Him
- Wish U Was My Girl
- U Should Know
- Don’t Take It So Personal
- Still in Love With U
- Lover and Friend
Grown & Sexy
Released in 2005, Grown & Sexy returned Babyface to the sophisticated adult R&B style associated with his classic work. The album includes “Grown & Sexy,” “Sorry for the Stupid Things,” “The Loneliness” and “She’s International.”
Complete official tracklist:
- Tonight It’s Goin’ Down
- Grown & Sexy
- Mad Sexy Cool
- Can’t Stop Now
- Goin’ Outta Business
- Drama, Love & ‘Lationships
- Sorry for the Stupid Things
- Good to Be in Love
- The Loneliness
- She
- God Must Love U
- The Gettin’ to Know U
- She’s International
Official additional track:
- Red Dress
Playlist
Released in 2007, Playlist was Babyface’s first album centered largely on cover versions of songs from the folk, soft-rock and adult contemporary traditions. He brought his smooth R&B approach to songs originally recorded by artists such as James Taylor, Eric Clapton and Bob Dylan.
Complete official tracklist:
- Shower the People
- Fire and Rain
- Not Going Nowhere
- Time in a Bottle
- Wonderful Tonight
- Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door
- Longer
- The Soldier Song
- Please Come to Boston
- Diary
Love, Marriage & Divorce — with Toni Braxton
Released in 2014, Love, Marriage & Divorce was a collaborative album by Babyface and Toni Braxton built around songs about relationships, separation and reconciliation. It became a major reunion project for the two artists and won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Album.
Complete official tracklist:
- Roller Coaster — with Toni Braxton
- Sweat — with Toni Braxton
- Hurt You — with Toni Braxton
- Where Did We Go Wrong? — with Toni Braxton
- I Hope That You’re Okay
- I Wish — Toni Braxton
- Take It Back — with Toni Braxton
- Reunited — with Toni Braxton
- I’d Rather Be Broke — Toni Braxton
- Heart Attack — with Toni Braxton
- The D Word — with Toni Braxton
Return of the Tender Lover
Released in 2015, Return of the Tender Lover deliberately revisited the romantic R&B approach associated with Babyface’s classic work. The album includes collaborations with El DeBarge and After 7 while emphasizing live instrumentation and contemporary adult R&B.
Complete official tracklist:
- We’ve Got Love
- Fight for Love
- Exceptional
- Walking on Air — featuring El DeBarge
- I Want You — featuring After 7
- Love and Devotion
- Standing Ovation
- Something Bout You
- Our Love
Girls Night Out
Released in 2022, Girls Night Out brought Babyface together with a new generation of female R&B and contemporary artists. The album features collaborations with Ella Mai, Kehlani, Ari Lennox, Coco Jones, Queen Naija, Muni Long, Doechii and several other artists.
Complete official tracklist:
- Intro — featuring Angie Martinez and La La Anthony
- Liquor — featuring Ari Lennox
- Seamless — featuring Kehlani
- Keeps on Fallin’ — featuring Ella Mai
- Game Over — with Queen Naija
- Simple — with Coco Jones
- Say Less — with Tiana Major9
- Whatever — with Tink
- Don’t Even Think About It — with Baby Tate
- The Recipe — with Muni Long
- One Good Thing — featuring Amaarae
- G Wagon — featuring Sevyn Streeter and Tkay Maidza
- Girls Night Out — with Doechii
Girls Night Out (Extended) additional tracks:
- Sometimes — with Jenevieve
- If You Knew How — with BJRNCK
Official Standalone Singles or Songs That Are Not Included on the Main Studio Albums
Babyface has continued releasing official singles and collaborations outside his major studio albums. His later catalog includes songs with Charlie Wilson, Johnny Gill, Ella Mai, Kehlani, Fat Joe and Chloe Flower, as well as newer releases through 2025.
Major Standalone Singles and Collaborations
- Every Time I Close My Eyes — with Mariah Carey and Kenny G
- How Come, How Long — with Stevie Wonder
- This Is for the Lover in You — with LL Cool J, Howard Hewett, Jody Watley and Jeffrey Daniels
- Change the World — with Eric Clapton
- Gone Too Soon — with Stevie Wonder
- You Were There
- Fire — with Des’ree
- Reason for Breathing
- As a Matter of Fact
- No Stoppin’ Us — with Charlie Wilson, Johnny Gill and K-Ci Hailey
- Keeps on Fallin’ — with Ella Mai
- Seamless — with Kehlani
- I Got You — with Fat Joe
- Yesterday — with Chloe Flower and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
- Cloud X — with Lil Shazy, Samzy Sp, BoyTruth and Babyface
Babyface Collaborations With Other Artists
Babyface has also appeared as a featured vocalist on songs by other artists. Some notable official collaborations include:
- Love Saw It — Karyn White featuring Babyface
- Love Makes Things Happen — Pebbles featuring Babyface
- Give U My Heart — Babyface and Toni Braxton
- Every Time I Close My Eyes — Babyface featuring Mariah Carey and Kenny G
- The Lady, the Singer — Babyface and Toni Braxton
- Never Keeping Secrets — Babyface
- Talk to Me — Babyface featuring Eric Clapton
- I Care About You — Babyface featuring K-Ci & JoJo, Kevon Edmonds and Melvin Edmonds
- Shoulda — K. Michelle featuring Babyface
- I Got You — Fat Joe featuring Babyface
- Yesterday — Chloe Flower and Babyface featuring the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Final Wrap-Up
Babyface’s song catalog spans more than 40 years of contemporary R&B, from the early Lovers and Tender Lover recordings to the acclaimed For the Cool in You, The Day, Face2Face, Grown & Sexy, Return of the Tender Lover and Girls Night Out. His work with Toni Braxton, Eric Clapton, Stevie Wonder, Karyn White, Pebbles, Ella Mai, Kehlani and many other artists has also made collaborations an important part of his musical legacy.
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