admin As you may have guessed, Babywoman was unfortunately a commercial and critical failure, and it failed to launch a pop superstar career for Campbell. It saddens me to think of what could have been if not for everyone’s lack of vision. The album did not chart in America and the United Kingdom (though its one single to receive a video, “Love & Tears,” charted at number 40 in the UK), but it was “big in Japan.” Now I know that’s the punchline for when albums flop in America, but Babywoman actually was big in Japan, which is why it sold over a million copies worldwide.
But what’s most puzzling about Babywoman is that, despite Campbell’s status, it never became the camp classic it has the potential to be. There’s nothing like Campbell’s singular tone uttering the words “Je m’apelle Naomi” in the title track, or her quiet and somewhat breathy rendition of Donna Summer’s “All Through the Night.” “Ride a White Swan” is a…fun moment, while “Life of Leisure” is simply great vibes for, well, living a life of leisure by a pool somewhere. But the true and real treasure in Babywoman is “Love & Tears.” It’s sexy, moody, and, just like Campbell, I too would like to know how to separate love and tears.
We were robbed of Campbell’s career as a pop star, and of the looks she would have worn onstage (imagine all the Versace!). It’s fine. I’ll live. But justice for Babywoman. As the kids say, and as I told my group chat after my first listen: Naomi Campbell ate that.
Listen to Naomi Campbell’s Babywoman here.
