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.
Don't You Worry Bout A Thing
John Legend Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But some don't know how to handle it
Always reachin' out in vain
Just taking the things not worth having but
Don't you worry 'bout a thing
Don't you worry 'bout a thing, mama
'Cause I'll be standing on the side
They say your style of life's a drag
And that you must go other places
But just don't you feel too bad
When you get fooled by smiling faces but
Don't you worry 'bout a thing
Don't you worry 'bout a thing, mama
'Cause I'll be standing on the side
When you check it out
When you get it off your trip
Don't you worry 'bout a thing
Don't you worry 'bout a thing
Bam bambam bambam bambam
Bambambambam bambambambam
Bam bambam bambam bambam
Bambambambam bambambambam
Don't you worry 'bout a thing
Don't you worry 'bout a thing, mama
'Cause I'll be standing on the side
When you check it out
When you get it off your trip
Everybody needs a change
A chance to check out the new
But you're the only one to see
The changes you take yourself through but
Don't you worry 'bout a thing
Don't you worry 'bout a thing, pretty mama
'Cause I'll be standing in the wings
When you check it out
Don't you worry 'bout a thing
Don't you worry 'bout a thing
Don't you worry 'bout a thing
Don't you worry 'bout a thing
Yeah
Bam bambam bambam bambam
Bambambambam bambambambam
Don't you worry 'bout a thing
Don't you worry 'bout a thing, sugar
Don't you worry 'bout a thing, mama
Don't you worry 'bout a thing
Don't worry, don't worry, don't worry
Don't you worry 'bout a thing, sugar
Don't you worry 'bout a thing
Don't you worry 'bout a thing
Don't you worry 'bout a thing
In Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing, John Legend reassures a person who feels burdened with worry and self-doubt, telling them not to sweat the small stuff. He acknowledges that everyone has a thing in life-something they struggle with or that brings them down-but that some people handle those things better than others. People who don't know how to handle their problems often seek fulfillment in all the wrong places, a pursuit that ultimately leads them down a path of disappointment and worthlessness. But the singer is there for them, always "standing on the side" to provide support and understanding when they need it. When they're ready to "get off [their] trip" and make changes in their life, they have nothing to worry about because he will be waiting to cheer them on.
The song is really uplifting and empowering, as it sends a message of hope and support to those who may be struggling to keep their spirits up. The lyrics also touch on the importance of self-reflection and the ability to recognize that change starts from within. The singer encourages the listener to embrace the changes they need to make in their life, even if others may not understand or agree with their decisions.
Overall, Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing is a truly inspiring song that encourages people to believe in themselves and their ability to overcome their obstacles. It reminds us that, no matter what we're going through, we're not alone, and that we can always rely on the love and support of those who care about us.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody's got a thing
Everyone has something unique about them, their own way of living and doing things.
But some don't know how to handle it
Some people struggle with their uniqueness and don't know how to make the most of it.
Always reachin' out in vain
These people are constantly seeking something outside themselves to make up for their lack of confidence in their unique qualities.
Just taking the things not worth having but
As a result, these people often settle for things that are not truly valuable or important to them.
Don't you worry 'bout a thing
Don't be afraid or anxious, everything will be alright.
Don't you worry 'bout a thing, mama
Don't worry, I'm here to support you.
'Cause I'll be standing on the side
I'll be here for you, watching and supporting you from the sidelines.
When you check it out
When you're ready to step back and evaluate your situation.
They say your style of life's a drag
Others may criticize or put down your way of living or doing things.
And that you must go other places
They may also encourage you to change your ways or move away from your current situation.
But just don't you feel too bad
Despite this criticism, don't let it affect you too much.
When you get fooled by smiling faces but
Be careful of people who appear friendly but may not have your best interests at heart.
When you get it off your trip
When you come down from whatever high or excitement you were experiencing.
Everybody needs a change
It's natural to want or need a change in your life sometimes.
A chance to check out the new
This change may involve exploring new opportunities or experiences.
But you're the only one to see
Ultimately, the decisions and changes you make are up to you and only you can truly understand your own needs, desires and goals.
The changes you take yourself through but
As you go through changes, you must have faith in your ability and strength to handle them.
Don't you worry 'bout a thing, pretty mama
Don't worry, I'm here for you and find you beautiful for who you are.
'Cause I'll be standing in the wings
I'll be nearby, supporting and cheering you on.
Don't worry, don't worry, don't worry
Again, don't be afraid or anxious, everything will be alright.
Don't you worry 'bout a thing, sugar
Don't worry, I'm here for you and find you sweet and endearing.
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: STEVIE WONDER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Aldiyar Assylkhanov
Yeah, everybody's got a thing
But some don't know how to handle it
Always reaching out in vain
Just taking the things not worth having but
Don't you worry 'bout a thing
Don't you worry 'bout a thing, mama
'Cause I'll be standing on the side
When you check it out, oh
They say your style of life's a drag
And that you must go other places
Just don't you feel too bad
When you get fooled by smiling faces
Don't you worry 'bout a thing
Don't you worry 'bout a thing, baby
'Cause I'll be standing on the side
When you check it out
When you get it off your trip
Don't you worry 'bout a thing
Don't you worry 'bout a thing
Come on, everybody needs a change
A chance to check out the new
But you're the only one to sees
The changes you take yourself through
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Don't you worry 'bout a thing, thing
Don't you worry 'bout a thing, thing
Don't you worry 'bout a thing, thing
Don't you worry 'bout a thing, thing
Pa-pa-p, pa-pa-pa-pa
Pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa
Pa-pa-p, pa-pa-pa-pa
Pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa
Don't you worry 'bout a thing
Don't you worry 'bout a thing, mama
'Cause I'll be standing on the side
When you check it out
When you get it off your trip
Don't you worry 'bout a thing
Don't you worry 'bout a thing, mama
'Cause I'll be standing on the side
When you check it out
Oh don't you worry 'bout a thing
Don't you worry 'bout a thing, mama
'Cause I'll be standing, I'll be standing by you
Oh
Oh oh don't you worry 'bout a thing
AoKiji3
John Legend has such control over his voice, it's incredible.
Karl Johnson
Stevie is my all-time favorite. A God amongst men. John Legend being amazing in his own right, I still came here expecting to be disappointed. I mean its STEVIE right? Fantastic interpretation. Proud to be a fan of both these gentlemen!
Craig Ledger
Imagine if Tori Kelly, John Legend, and Stevie Wonder all sang this song together.
katerina velona
jake jordon that would be amazing!!
From Mexico City
jake jordon great idea!!!👉🏼👏🏼☺️💡
Selene Cristina
Would be so awesome tho! Great idea!!!!
hayokamusiapa
and jacob collier
Juank Hernandez
jake jordon also Ryan Tedder and Pharrell
Jade Vasconcellos
Massa demais!!!!!Adorei...
Shayanne Smith
John sung this one so perfectly that I can’t help but move my body 🤗