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 Time Is Here
John Legend Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Happiness and cheer, yeah
Fun for all, the children call
Their favorite time of year
Snowflakes in the air
Carols everywhere
Olden times and ancient rhymes
Of love and dreams to share
Sleigh bells in the air
Beauty everywhere
Yuletide by the fireside
And joyful memories there
Christmas time is here
We'll be drawing near, yeah
Oh, that we could always see
Such spirit through the year
Yeah, Christmas time is here
We'll be drawing near
Oh that we could always see
Such spirit through the year
Celebrate, celebrate, celebrate, yeah, yeah
This Christmas time, yeah, yeah, yeah
Celebrate, celebrate, celebrate, celebrate
It's Christmas
Celebrate, oh, oh, it's Christmas time right now
This year, this year
Celebrate, celebrate, celebrate, celebrate
The lyrics of "Christmas Time Is Here" by John Legend capture the essence and joy of the holiday season. The song begins by highlighting the happiness and cheer that fills the air during Christmas time. It's a time of fun and excitement, especially for the children who eagerly anticipate this special season. The mention of snowflakes in the air and carols everywhere evokes the traditional and nostalgic elements of Christmas.
The lyrics also touch upon the traditions and timeless themes associated with Christmas. The mention of "olden times and ancient rhymes" alludes to the rich history and folklore that surrounds this holiday season. It speaks of love and dreams shared during this time, emphasizing the importance of connection and unity.
The song continues to paint a picture of the magical atmosphere during Christmas. Sleigh bells in the air and beauty everywhere remind us of the enchantment of the holiday season. The reference to "Yuletide by the fireside" evokes images of coziness, warmth, and the creation of joyful memories.
John Legend also expresses a longing for the Christmas spirit to extend beyond the holiday season. He wishes that the same joy and spirit of Christmas could be present in our lives throughout the year. This sentiment reflects the idea of spreading love, kindness, and goodwill beyond a specific time period.
Overall, "Christmas Time Is Here" is a celebration of the joy, traditions, and nostalgia associated with the holiday season. It encourages us to cherish and embody the Christmas spirit throughout the year.
Line by Line Meaning
Christmas time is here
The arrival of the Christmas season brings joy and anticipation
Happiness and cheer, yeah
There is a sense of contentment and joy during this time
Fun for all, the children call
It is a time when children eagerly participate in festive activities
Their favorite time of year
Children consider Christmas as the most beloved time of the year
Snowflakes in the air
The air is filled with the beauty of falling snowflakes
Carols everywhere
Songs of Christmas are heard all around
Olden times and ancient rhymes
Reflecting on past traditions and poetic verses of the past
Of love and dreams to share
Symbolizing the sharing of love and aspirations during this season
Sleigh bells in the air
The cheerful sound of bells on sleighs can be heard
Beauty everywhere
There is a sense of visual beauty and splendor all around
Yuletide by the fireside
The cozy and warm atmosphere of Christmas time spent near the fire
And joyful memories there
Recalling and creating new happy memories during this time
We'll be drawing near, yeah
We will be approaching the holiday season with anticipation
Oh, that we could always see
Expressing a desire to experience the same spirit throughout the year
Such spirit through the year
Wishing for the enduring presence of the Christmas spirit in everyday life
Celebrate, celebrate, celebrate, yeah, yeah
Encouraging the act of rejoicing and commemorating this festive time
This Christmas time, yeah, yeah, yeah
Referring specifically to the celebration of Christmas
It's Christmas
Emphasizing that it is indeed the season of Christmas
Celebrate, oh, oh, it's Christmas time right now
Urging to revel in the present moment, as it is currently Christmas time
This year, this year
Highlighting the significance of the ongoing year and its festivities
Celebrate, celebrate, celebrate, celebrate
Reiterating the importance of commemorating and enjoying the season
Lyrics © LEE MENDELSON FILM PROD., INC., Reservoir Media Management, Inc., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Vince Guaraldi, Lee Maurice Mendelson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sebastian Aya
Awesome John , Christmas spirit feels in your voice!
queen V
I'm so obsessed with this album
Quanda Howard
I so love John Legend singing. He can put me in the spirit any day.
Aryana Wright
I'm singing this song in chorus for my Christmas concert❤
Lori Jackson
This song definitely puts you in the xmas mood!
Jazziz Café
Love this rendition! Thanks for share it! Desde que Lee Mendelson y Vince Guaraldi escribieron "Christmas Time Is Here" en 1965 para el especial televisivo "A Charlie Brown Christmas", se convirtió en un clásico navideño que este año John Legend ha incluido en su "A Legendary Christmas". La canción fue un éxito inmediato y el álbum editado con la banda sonora del programa incluyó dos versiones, la instrumental por el Vince Guaraldi Trio y la vocal por el coro de la iglesia episcopal de St. Paul. #feliznavidad #merrychristmas
Kevin Fernandes
Great music, great singer , one legend.... John legend 😎
Hellen Gavarrete
Love it!
queen V
Me too
Jewel Crenshaw
Love the arrangement especially the Afro-Cuban rhythm towards the end....a nice surprise