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.
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
John Legend Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let your heart be light
From now on
Our troubles will be out of sight (ah)
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Make the Yule-tide gay
From now on
Here we are as in olden days
Happy golden days of yore
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more
Through the years
We all will be together
If the fates allow
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough
Yes, and have yourself a merry little Christmas now
Oh here we are as in olden days
Happy golden days (happy golden days) of yore (of yore)
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more
Through the years
We all will be together (all will be together)
If the fates allow (if the fates allow)
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough
Oh-ohh-oh, and have yourself a merry little Christmas
Have a merry little Christmas now
Have yourself A merry little Christmas now
Merry little Christmas (merry little Christmas) yeah yeah
Have a merry little Christmas now (yeah, yeah)
The lyrics of John Legend's Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas is a classic holiday song that captures the essence of what Christmas should feel like. The song invites people to come together during the holiday season with a hope for peace, love, and happiness. The first verse asks people to let go of their worries and embrace the warmth and joy of the season. The second verse continues this idea, expressing that Christmas should be filled with celebration and merriment.
The song's nostalgic melody and lyrics take listeners back to happy memories of olden days and golden times. It is a reminder for people to appreciate family and friends who have been there through happy times and difficult times alike. The last verse speaks to the future, expressing hope for future gatherings, and a brighter tomorrow. The final lines of the song send a message of hope and offer good wishes to all for a joyful and peaceful holiday season.
Overall, the lyrics are emotional and meaningful, and the song is a beautiful reminder that Christmas is not just about the physical gifts exchanged but about the importance of community, unity, and love.
Line by Line Meaning
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Wishing you a small but joyful Christmas
Let your heart be light
Enjoy the festivities and don't let anything weigh you down
From now on
Starting now
Our troubles will be out of sight (ah)
We'll forget our problems and have a carefree time
Make the Yule-tide gay
Make the Christmas season happy and festive
Our troubles will be miles away
We won't let anything spoil our holiday cheer
Here we are as in olden days
It feels like the happy Christmas times we had before
Happy golden days of yore
Happy memories of Christmas past
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Our close friends who we value highly
Gather near to us once more
Come back to celebrate with us again this year
Through the years
Over time
We all will be together
We'll spend Christmas with each other
If the fates allow
If circumstances permit
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough
Put a bright star decoration on the top of the Christmas tree
Yes, and have yourself a merry little Christmas now
So enjoy the season and have a good time
Merry little Christmas (Merry little Christmas) yeah yeah
Wishing you a happy, modest holiday celebration
Have a merry little Christmas now (yeah yeah yea)
Enjoy Christmas now, don't wait or worry too much
Lyrics © DistroKid, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Tratore, Downtown Music Publishing, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Hugh Martin, Ralph Blane
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Southerngirl675
I love this time of the year. Good music good food and good friends. John singing a beautiful song.
Sweet Blue Lady
Merry chritmas for you for you
Alvin Montgomery
ditto
Evan Natanael
Merry chistmas!! Good movies too if i may add
Southerngirl675
@Evan Natanael You so right. Happy holidays to you.
Rafe Addison
I agree! listening to all this Christmas music inspired me to write my own song. Now, if only I could get someone to watch it! I need a Merry Little Christmas on my channel. I wish you all a Merry Christmas and the best New Year!
Karissa Ramdeo
I love how you kept it classic ❤️
Rukhsana Tariq
Rightt, so done with these poppy xmas tunes, classic is the way to go
Stephen Eligio
I really like classical songs too and this is one of them🙂☺️
Falynn World
Not his ghetto wife