John Stephens (born December 28, 1978 in Springfield, Ohio), better known a… Read Full Bio ↴John Stephens (born December 28, 1978 in Springfield, Ohio), better known as John Legend, is a Grammy award winning R&B singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, poet and actor signed to Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music label. Prior to the release of his debut album Get Lifted in 2004, Legend's career gained momentum through a series of successful collaborations with multiple established artists such as Jay-Z, Alicia Keys and Lauryn Hill. He released his second album, Once Again in 2006, and his latest release, 2008's Evolver showcased a more experimental and upbeat side of Legend. He is the recipient of six Grammy Awards, and in 2007 he received the special Starlight award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame. You can get Cheap John Legend Tickets for his next performances.

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.

Guy Like Me
John Legend Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

She like the spotlight, dancing in it all night
Just take a number 'cause you're standing in a long line
I took my best shot and threw my hands to the sky
Ay, yeah, yeah, yeah

See some girls overrated, beautiful and jaded
On a scale of one to ten, she more like an eighty
She's a jackpot, lottery, rainbow, and a pot of gold

So I let her know

I think a girl like you is perfect for a guy like me
(Think a girl, think a girl like you)
I bet a girl like you could make me wanna lose my sleep
(Think a girl, think a girl like you) ay
We'd be hotter than the summer, cooler than December
So cool, baby, cool, baby, woo, baby, woo
I think a girl like you is perfect for a guy like me
(Think a girl, think a girl like you)

Thought I was good but, damn, you make me better (you make me better now)
I needed spice and you that chili pepper (you that chili pepper)
Like, ooh
Outta control, oh, baby (outta control)

See some girls overrated, beautiful and jaded (ooh, ooh, ooh)
On a scale of one to ten, you more like an eighty
Can't believe all the wrongs that I did just to get it right
Alright

I think a girl like you is perfect for a guy like me
(Think a girl, think a girl like you)
I bet a girl like you could make me wanna lose my sleep
(Think a girl, think a girl like you) ay
We'd be hotter than the summer, cooler than December
So cool, baby, cool, baby, woo, baby, woo
I think a girl like you is perfect for a guy like me
(Think a girl, think a girl like you)

(Think a girl, think a girl like you)
(Think a girl, think a girl like you)

I think a girl like you is perfect for a guy like me
(Think a girl, think a girl like you)
I bet a girl like you could make me wanna lose my sleep
(Think a girl, think a girl like you) ay
We'd be hotter than the summer, cooler than December
So cool, baby, cool, baby, woo, baby, woo

I think a girl like you is perfect for a guy like me
(Think a girl, think a girl like you)

Overall Meaning

In "Guy Like Me" by John Legend, the lyrics depict a confident and admiring perspective towards a particular girl. The song opens by describing her love for attention, stating that she enjoys being in the spotlight and dancing all night. The singer acknowledges that many others are also drawn to her, creating a long line of admirers. Feeling compelled, he takes a chance and expresses his admiration for her.

The lyrics continue by emphasizing the girl's unique and exceptional qualities. While some girls may be overrated and jaded, this girl stands out as being more than just beautiful. On a scale from one to ten, she is compared to the high rating of eighty, suggesting her desirability and level of attraction. Metaphorically, she is regarded as a collection of valuable things, such as a jackpot, lottery, rainbow, and a pot of gold. The singer makes it known that he recognizes her worth and appreciates her for it.

The chorus emphasizes the compatibility between the singer and the girl. He believes that a girl like her is perfect for a guy like him. This suggests that their personalities, values, and interests align, making them a suitable match. He further acknowledges that being with a girl like her could make him willing to sacrifice his sleep, indicating the intensity of his feelings toward her. They are described as a couple who would be hotter than the summer and cooler than December, portraying their compatibility and the balance they bring to each other.

In the bridge section, the singer realizes that the girl has had a transformative effect on his life. He believed he was already good, but her presence has made him even better. She has brought excitement and energy into his life, comparing her to a chili pepper, which adds spice to his existence. This demonstrates the positive impact she has had on his personal growth and happiness.

Overall, "Guy Like Me" showcases the singer's admiration and attraction for a unique and exceptional girl. He believes that she is a perfect match for him, not only in terms of their compatibility but also in how she has positively impacted his life. The song celebrates the girl's worth, beauty, and the transformative power of love.

Line by Line Meaning

She like the spotlight, dancing in it all night
She enjoys being the center of attention and dancing all night long

Just take a number 'cause you're standing in a long line
There are many others interested in her, so you'll have to wait your turn

I took my best shot and threw my hands to the sky
I risked everything and gave it my all in an attempt to win her over

See some girls overrated, beautiful and jaded
There are girls who are highly praised but lack substance and have become cynical

On a scale of one to ten, she more like an eighty
Compared to others, she is exceptionally attractive and desirable

She's a jackpot, lottery, rainbow, and a pot of gold
She is like a rare and valuable treasure that brings luck, happiness, and abundance

So I let her know
I expressed my feelings and intentions to her

I think a girl like you is perfect for a guy like me
I believe that someone as amazing as her is an ideal match for someone like me

I bet a girl like you could make me wanna lose my sleep
I'm certain that being with her would make me so infatuated that I would willingly sacrifice sleep

We'd be hotter than the summer, cooler than December
Our relationship would radiate intense passion and excitement, surpassing the heat of summer and the chill of winter

So cool, baby, cool, baby, woo, baby, woo
Our connection would be incredibly cool and captivating, filled with excitement and joy

Thought I was good but, damn, you make me better (you make me better now)
I thought I was already complete, but being with her elevates me to a higher level

I needed spice and you that chili pepper (you that chili pepper)
I was missing excitement in my life, and she is the fiery essence that brings passion and flavor

Outta control, oh, baby (outta control)
With her, my emotions and desires become uncontrollable and intense

Can't believe all the wrongs that I did just to get it right
I can't believe the mistakes I made in the past, all in the pursuit of finding someone like her

Alright
Despite the challenges and regrets, I'm now in a good place with her

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Stephens, Ryan Tedder, Andrew DeRoberts

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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