General Gregory N. Pigott: Late Night Music Part 162...."Wait A Minute. Babyface Wrote That?"

Besides the fact that he's a super cool left handed guitar player, I've always loved Babyface just because the guy pumps out songs like a milk udder. The guy is an absolute songwriting and album producing machine, and never seems to show signs of slowing down. All this happens while he records music of his own. Most people aren't really aware of all of the songs he's had a hand in over the years, so I decided to dedicate a list to Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds.

In order to receive votes in this category, the song had to be written OR produced by Babyface. Also receiving votes in this category were "Most Girls" by Pink, "I'm Ready" by Tevin Campbell, "Sittin' Up In My Room" by Brandy, "Don't Be Cruel" by Bobby Brown, and "Knocked Out" by Paula Abdul.

"Change The World"- Eric Clapton. This Babyface produced track from the 1996 summer movie "Phenomenon" starring John Travolta, added Babyface on backing guitar and vocals and won this track the Grammy for Song of the Year, Record of the Year, and Best Male Pop Performance. The best fact about this song is that Wynonna Judd recorded the song just a mere 4 months prior to this songs release, and did not include it as a single. Babyface took the song to Eric Clapton, and it became this hit. This version peaked at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100, and is one of the very very few hits that Eric Clapton had that he did not write himself. Sometimes it's good to get by with a little help from your friends.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHPWoDsyE6M

"End Of The Road"- Boyz II Men. This mega single from Babyface and long time collaborator L.A. Reid was included on the soundtrack of the 1992 Eddie Murphy/Robin Givens romantic comedy "Boomerang", and climbed to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, where it would stay for a then record 13 weeks, breaking Elvis Presley's 36 year old record (only to be broken again 17 weeks later by Whitney Houston). This song is widely considered Motown's most successful international single of their 90's era, and is still Boyz II Men's signature song. They even covered a version of their own song on their tribute album to Motown A Journey Through Hitsville USA in 2007. You know you are a beast when you can release a cover of your own song. Even though Boyz II Men has since shrunk to a trio, this still remains their most requested song, and I had the privilege of seeing this song live in 1998 when they came to Jackson on their Evolution Tour.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDKO6XYXioc

"Count On Me"- Whitney Houston and CeCe Winans. Speaking of Whitney Houston. This duet with cousin gospel superstar CeCe Winans, was included on the soundtrack of the 1995 Terry McMillan adapted film "Waiting To Exhale", in which Houston also starred. Babyface wrote the entire soundtrack album (with the exception of a cover of "My Funny Valentine" by Chaka Khan), and in a very rare move, this song was featured Whitney Houston as a co-writer. This single peaked at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and helped the soundtrack album to hit #1 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart and earn a Grammy nomination for Album Of The Year, with this song being nominated for both the Best Pop Collaboration and Best Song Written For a Motion Picture.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOi12fq2r5U

"Take A Bow"- Madonna. This Babyface written smash single off of Madonna's 1994 album Bedtime Stories, would peak at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1995. In two ironic twists, the whole point of Bedtime Stories was supposedly to soften up the image of Madonna after her very controversial 1992 album Erotica. We are really supposed to believe that after seeing this video? Also, this video was big budget audition demo tape for the role of Eva Peron, the lead character in the 1995 film "Evita" which Madonna was lobbying for. Not only did she win the role, her single from the film "You'll See" featured a "sequel video" to this one with Madonna and real life Spanish bullfighter Emilio Munoz reprising their roles in the video. This single proved to be one of Madonna's most popular, as her new R & B sound gained her a whole new fanbase. The track also features Babyface on backing vocals- great combo. I'd really like to see them team up again.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDeiovnCv1o

"Best Thing I Never Had"- Beyonce. This sequel to Beyonce's "Irreplaceable" was included on Beyonce's 2011 album 4, and was according to Beyonce herself, "a song for anyone"- but who is she fooling? This song went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, but was #1 on the British Singles Chart. While watching this video and listening to this song, I have a hard time taking Beyonce seriously, because what sane heterosexual male would ever leave Beyonce? Come on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHp2KgyQUFk

"I'd Still Say Yes"- Klymaxx. This 1987 single from Klymaxx's self-titled album went to #18 on the Billboard Hot 100, and would sadly be Klymaxx's last single to make an appearance on the chart. This song was instrumental in giving Babyface an early reputation as a solid R & B songwriter. I am just tickled to death that I got to include another Klymaxx song other than "I Miss You". You know it's going to be a good day.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zGUeduOxio

"Never Gonna Let You Go"- Faith Evans. Faith Evans is easily one of the most underrated performers in the history of R & B music. The widow of the late Notorious B.I.G. gave one of her most spectacular performances here in this Babyface written gem for her 1999 album Keep The Faith. Usually, I would get tired of it, but I really like Babyface as a backup vocalist like he is on this song. This heavily promoted video gave the song great airplay on MTV and helped the song peak at #17 on the Billboard Hot 100. Despite being a Bad Boy Records artist, Faith Evans was one of the last great 90's R & B artists- without a doubt, the best era of soul music ever.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNeoGktyg4k

"Just Stand Up!"- United Artists Against Cancer. This song seriously cracks me up. This Babyface/L.A. Reid charity song written for the TV Special "Artists Stand Up To Cancer" in 2008 peaked at #11 on the Billboard Hot 100, and originally featured Sheryl Crow and LeeAnn Rimes, both of which are not present here at this live performance. This live version also thankfully includes Nicole Scherzinger- I will never complain about her ever being on my screen- just saying. Anyway, this song features some of the greatest female vocalists of the era, and......some of the worst. Fergie and Miley Cyrus almost ruin the song before Mary J. Blige and Mariah Carey save it. Also three things about this video. 1- I never realized Keyshia Cole was so freaking short. 2- Why is Ashanti even up there? 3- I realize Ciara is hot, but why is she even considered for this song?.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sgjHlF84Yc

"Not 'Gon Cry"- Mary J. Blige. I broke my own rule of including two songs from the same album here, but I can always bend the rules for Mary J. This was a sort of "breakout" single for Mary J. Blige, as while she already had a solid following in the R & B community, this song introduced her to a mainstream audience and help springboard her 1997 album Share My World into platinum status. This Angela Bassett theme song from "Waiting To Exhale" went to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, where it became only her second top 10 hit after 1992's "Real Love". Never the less, this single set Mary J. Blige up for unworldly success as one of the greatest female artists of all time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xxk4e59M8og

"Superwoman"- Karyn White. This first big collaboration from Babyface and L.A. Reid was included on Karyn White's 1988 self-titled album. Simmons and Reid actually wrote 6 of the album's 9 tracks, with one of the songs on the album, "Slow Down" was actually written by Steve Harvey. This single went to #8 on the Billboard Hot 100, the second of Karyn's 4 straight top 10 singles, ending with 1991's #1 hit "Romantic". This song was also nominated at the 1990 Grammy Awards for Best Female R & B Performance. This video seems to be a little bit before its time, as we were still in the 80's and R & B videos didn't feature an over abundance of children yet. I also kinda think that Xscape used this video as a big inspiration- what do you think?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0dGDUYZgJc

"We're Not Making Love No More"- Dru Hill. This Dru Hill power soul ballad from the 1997 movie "Soul Food" was always one of Dru Hill's best efforts before going on hiatus in 2003. This single went to #13 on the Billboard Hot 100, and was a great segue between their 1996 self-titled debut album and their 1998 follow up Enter The Dru. I wish Dru Hill would have done more work with Babyface, because that is a combo that could have really worked.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbbW9SDsbEA

"Willing To Forgive"- Aretha Franklin. It's comical how many times this song would come on the satellite radio at Applebee's. I can't believe also how many people knew it. Even I had trouble remembering this song! This single was released standalone in 1994 and went to #25 on the Billboard Hot 100. I've always respected Aretha Franklin's talent, because there is no doubt she's one of the most gifted vocalists to ever walk the planet- if you doubt that- just think about her filling for Pavarotti at the Grammys. Despite that, I've never really liked this song, but the video makes me laugh.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sQz29AN1gs

"You Mean The World To Me"- Toni Braxton. Toni Braxton is seriously one of the most beautiful women to ever record a song. This single from her 1993 self-titled debut album went to #7 on the Billboard Hot 100, and was an early success for Babyface's label LaFace Records. I am not sure if Babyface discovered Toni Braxton, but if he did, we all owe a great deal of gratitude for introducing this woman to us.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JB5FxcI7Pyw

"Red Light Special"- TLC. This single and ode to fornicating solidified TLC's 1994 album CrazySexyCool as a R & B classic when it peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. In an absolute hilarious ironic twist, the next single and final single from this album was the controversial "Waterfalls". Now tell me what's wrong with that picture? Anyway, TLC was easily one of the best girl groups of all time, and had a great blend. They were queen of the castle when it came to 90's R & B girl groups. I hate that the tragic death of Lisa Lopes will keep us from ever getting a reunion. If you ever get a chance to see the documentary she made at the time of her death, it's definitely worth watching. Very interesting woman. Also, Chilli is fun to follow on twitter- one of the biggest WWE fans ever.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dP2t9LBeAwo

"Every Time I Close My Eyes"- Babyface featuring Mariah Carey and Kenny G. Even though his songwriting will always be what keeps him in the conversation, we can't forget him as a performer. This will always be my favorite Babyface song with him as a lead performer. This song peaked at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100, and was released on Kenny G's album The Moment and Babyface's album The Day. You also know you are a beast when you get Mariah Carey to sing BACK UP on your song. This track was also nominated for Best Male R & B Performance at the 1998 Grammy Awards. I also looked it up, but I cannot find out who the girl in this video is. Anyone know?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbrSO81KhBY

BONUS VIDEOS- "You'll See"- Madonna.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyFzpBAZICc

"End of the Road (Acapella Version featuring Brian McKnight)"- Boyz II Men.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppX5MQkyeUA

"These Are The Times"- Dru Hill. Two words. Lark Voorhies.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wPkC3DO_7Y

"In My Mind"- Heather Headley. No reason, I just love this song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dfZyfckKPk

"Whenever I Say Your Name"- Sting and Mary J. Blige. Also no reason, just realized I hadn't heard this song in a while.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yq0bl7KjkrQ

"Nessun Dorma"- Aretha Franklin. Live at the 1998 Grammys. Still one of the greatest performances of all time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yryK80Va2g