Legend also played the piano on Lauryn Hill's 1998 song "Everything is Everything" and sang background vocals on Jay-Z's "Encore" and Alicia Keys' "You Don't Know My Name". Legend frequently cites gospel, R&B, and hip hop music as his main musical influences.
Legend released his critically acclaimed and Billboard Top Ten second album, Once Again, in October 2006. Produced by Raphael Saadiq, Kanye West and will.i.am, it is again a mixture of gospel and classic soul showcasing his extraordinary voice, particularly on "Show Me".
Grammy Award Wins:
*2005 Best New Artist
*2005 Best Male R&B Vocal Performance: "Ordinary People"
*2005 Best R&B Album- Get Lifted
*2007 Best Male R&B Vocal Performance: Heaven
*2007 Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group: Family Affair
Neo-soul singer and pianist John Legend combined the raw fervor of contemporaries Cody ChesnuTT and the burning precision of D'Angelo. Born John Stephens, Legend was a child prodigy who grew up in Ohio, where he began singing gospel and playing piano at the tender age of five. Legend left Ohio at 16 to attend college in Philadelphia, and it was there that he first found a larger audience. Not yet out of his teens, Legend was tapped to play piano on Lauryn Hill's "Everything Is Everything" in 1998. After completing college, he moved to New York, where he began to build a loyal following playing in nightclubs and releasing CDs that he would sell at shows. He also became an in-demand session musician, playing and occasionally writing for a wide array of artists, including Alicia Keys, Twista, Janet Jackson, and Kanye West. It wasn't until West signed the young talent to his new label that he adopted the Legend name with 2004's Solo Sessions Vol. 1: Live at the Knitting Factory. Get Lifted, his first studio album, was released later in the year. On the strength of enduring single "Ordinary People," the album reached the Top Five of the Billboard 200. This led to three Grammy Awards: Best R&B Album, Best R&B Male Vocal Performance, and Best New Artist. Once Again, which peaked at number three on the Billboard 200 and number one on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, followed in October 2006. Live from Philadelphia, sold exclusively at Target stores, was a successful stopgap release that predated October 2008's Evolver.
Christmas
John Legend Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You sure did treat me nice
Oh, yes, you did
Merry Christmas, baby
You sure did treat me nice
Gave me a diamond ring for Christmas
Now I'm living in paradise
You sure did treat me nice
Ooh
Merry Christmas, baby
You sure did treat me nice
Gave me a diamond ring for Christmas
Now I'm living in paradise
Well, I'm feeling mighty fine, y'all
Got good music on my radio
I'm feeling mighty fine
Got good music on my radio
I wanna kiss you, baby
Standing 'neath the mistletoe
Santa came down the chimney
About half past three
Left all these pretty presents
That you see before me
Merry Christmas, baby
You sure been good to me
Haven't had a toddy this morning
But I'm lit up like a Christmas tree
Hey, merry Christmas (merry Christmas, ooh yeah)
And a happy New Year (merry Christmas, ooh yeah)
Merry Christmas (merry Christmas, ooh yeah)
And a happy New Year (very happy New Year)
It's so nice (merry Christmas, ooh yeah)
Be with my baby (just to be with my baby)
It feels so good (it's so good, yeah)
To be with you (merry Christmas, ooh yeah)
Said, said, merry Christmas (merry Christmas, ooh yeah)
And a happy New Year (merry Christmas, ooh yeah)
M-m-m-merry Christmas (merry Christmas, ooh yeah)
Give love on Christmas Day (on Christmas Day)
Even the man who has everything
Would be so happy if you would bring
Him love on Christmas Day (on Christmas Day)
No greater gift is there than love, love, love
Merry Christmas, baby
The lyrics of John Legend's "Merry Christmas Baby / Give Love on Christmas Day" reflect on the joy and love that the holiday season brings. The song begins with the singer expressing gratitude for how well his partner treated him during the holidays, with the diamond ring he received as a Christmas gift bringing him into a state of paradise. He then goes on to describe his positive feelings that come from listening to good music on his radio, culminating in a desire to kiss his significant other beneath a mistletoe.
The verse about Santa Claus coming down the chimney reinforces the image of Christmas as a time for warmth and generosity. The final repetition of "Merry Christmas, baby" underscores the holiday's importance and emphasizes the happiness of being together with loved ones. The song's transition to "Give Love on Christmas Day" brings forth the message that the holiday season should not only be about exchanging gifts but also about spreading love and kindness to those around us. The song reminds us that love is a priceless gift that everyone can give and that it can be the best present of all.
Line by Line Meaning
Merry Christmas, baby
Happy holidays to my significant other
You sure did treat me nice
Thank you for being kind to me
Gave me a diamond ring for Christmas
You gave me an amazing gift and I'm grateful
Now I'm living in paradise
I'm overjoyed and in a state of bliss
Got good music on my radio
Listening to music that uplifts my spirits
I wanna kiss you, baby
I desire to be romantic with you
Santa came down the chimney
The fictional character Santa Claus delivered gifts
Merry Christmas, baby, you sure been good to me
You have treated me with kindness this holiday season
But I'm lit up like a Christmas tree
I'm feeling festive and happy without alcohol
Give love on Christmas Day
Show affection and compassion to others during the holidays
No greater gift is there than love, love, love
Love is the most valuable present one can give
Lyrics Β© Shemaroo Entertainment Limited, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Lou Baxter, Johnny Dudley Moore
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@gintuyaki2451
01. 00:00 By Christmas Eve
02. 03:54 Christmas Time Is Here
03. 07:17 Merry Christmas Baby - Give Love on Christmas Day
04. 11:09 Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
05. 14:54 Bring Me Love
06. 18:15 Merry Merry Christmas
07. 22:32 Silver Bells
08. 25:51 The Christmas Song
09. 30:08 Waiting for Christmas
10. 32:45 What Christmas Means to Me
11. 35:28 Wrap Me Up in Your Love
12. 39:15 No Place Like Home
13. 43:13 Please Come Home For Christmas
14. 47:23 Purple Snowflakes
@gintuyaki2451
01. 00:00 By Christmas Eve
02. 03:54 Christmas Time Is Here
03. 07:17 Merry Christmas Baby - Give Love on Christmas Day
04. 11:09 Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
05. 14:54 Bring Me Love
06. 18:15 Merry Merry Christmas
07. 22:32 Silver Bells
08. 25:51 The Christmas Song
09. 30:08 Waiting for Christmas
10. 32:45 What Christmas Means to Me
11. 35:28 Wrap Me Up in Your Love
12. 39:15 No Place Like Home
13. 43:13 Please Come Home For Christmas
14. 47:23 Purple Snowflakes
@jenniferrossi7915
This album is classy & excellent! I love the old school arrangement of Silver Bells. Thats my happy song! One of my favorite singers. π
@IslandPearl73
This is by far one of the best Christmas Albums!! β€οΈ
@princekwamiso
Oh my! Anybody feeling this warmth while listening to this album? John is really a legend. This album reminds of of the epic Christmas album by Stevie Wonder.
@SaraMeszaros84
Thank you for these great songs... I wasn't ready to hear the evergreens as we just lost our Dad π But this new album brings lovely new melodies and some better mood in our holiday season!
@yaboyyq
Saw John Legend today in Oakland. If you have a chance to see him, don't miss it. Amazing. Pure Gold.
@abbieamavi
this is a moody mood, the mood that feels moody, the appropriate December mood I love it
@Presiyana-AMOREA
Great Music and musicians ! Great job all π·π
@honeybdream
The perfect Christmas albumπβ€οΈ
@Groesch7777
Not processed or poppy like today's music. Keeping it classy and simple; true singers!