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.
I Don't Love U Like I Used To
John Legend Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't love you just the same
No, I couldn't pretend
Be a liar if I said we haven't changed
No, it's not the honeymoon
We've gone on our different phases
But if I had the chance
I wouldn't turn back none of the pages
'Cause after all the years with you
I don't love you like I used to
I love you so much more with every day, ayy
Oh, I'm in too deep to run away, ayy
'Cause you and I been through so much together
And we get closer, the closer we get to forever
'Cause ever since we said, "I do"
I don't love you like I used to
I know you better than I used to
Every corner, every curve, yeah
I fell in love with your mind
Put in the time to make it work
Yeah, after all the years with you
I don't love you like I used to
I love you so much more with every day, ayy
Oh, I'm in too deep to run away, ayy
'Cause you and I been through so much together
And we get closer, the closer we get to forever
'Cause ever since we said, "I do"
I don't love you like I used to
I don't love you like I used to
I don't love you just the same
No, I couldn't pretend
Be a liar if I said we haven't changed
I love you so much more with every day, ayy
Better than before and that'll never change, ayy
'Cause you and I been through so much together
And we get closer, the closer we get to forever
'Cause ever since we said, "I do"
'Cause after all the years with you
Oh, every day brings something new
I don't love you like I used to
I don't love you like I used to
John Legend's song "You & I" tells the story of a couple who has been together for a long time, and their love has changed and grown through the years. The lyrics reflect the reality of how love evolves over time, and while it may not be the same as it was in the beginning, it can be even stronger and deeper. The song starts off with the admission that the singer doesn't love their partner as they used to, but then quickly follows up with the fact that they love them so much more with every passing day. The singer acknowledges that they have been through different phases and changes, but still wouldn't want to go back and change anything. The idea of growing together, rather than apart, is emphasized throughout the song, and the idea that the longer you are together, the closer you become, is prominent.
The lyrics also reveal the importance of knowing your partner deeply and intimately, as the line "I know you better than I used to, every corner, every curve" suggests. The song reflects the idea that true love is not just based on initial feelings or attraction, but on putting in the time and effort to make the relationship work. The repetition of the line "I don't love you like I used to" throughout the song may seem negative at first, but it is actually a way for the singer to express the depth and complexity of their love in a different way. It is a love that has evolved, grown, and become more meaningful over time.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't love you like I used to
The intensity of my feelings for you has changed over time.
I don't love you just the same
My love for you has evolved and grown beyond its original form.
No, I couldn't pretend
I am unable to deceive myself or you about the changes that have taken place.
Be a liar if I said we haven't changed
It would be dishonest of me to deny that our relationship has undergone alterations.
No, it's not the honeymoon
Our relationship has moved beyond its initial stage of euphoria and excitement.
We've gone on our different phases
We have experienced ups and downs and been through various stages in our relationship.
But if I had the chance
Given the opportunity, I would not change anything about our journey together.
I wouldn't turn back none of the pages
I would not erase any part of our shared history, because it has led us to where we are now.
'Cause after all the years with you
Having spent so much time with you, I have a deeper understanding of our bond.
I love you so much more with every day, ayy
My love for you continues to grow each day, and is stronger than ever before.
Oh, I'm in too deep to run away, ayy
I am committed to our relationship and cannot imagine leaving.
'Cause you and I've been through so much together
Our shared experiences and challenges have strengthened our connection.
And we get closer, the closer we get to forever
As our relationship progresses, we become closer to achieving a lifelong commitment.
'Cause ever since we said, "I do"
Since the moment we made our marriage vow, our relationship has grown and matured.
I know you better than I used to
Through spending time with you, I have developed a deeper understanding of your thoughts and emotions.
Every corner, every curve, yeah
I am familiar with every aspect of your being, both physical and emotional.
I fell in love with your mind
My love for you is rooted in my admiration for your intellect and personality.
Put in the time to make it work
Our relationship requires effort and dedication to maintain, and we have both invested in it.
Better than before and that'll never change, ayy
My love for you is constantly evolving and improving, and will always continue to do so.
'Cause after all the years with you
Through spending so many years with you, I have developed a deeper understanding of our connection.
Oh, every day brings something new
Our relationship is constantly evolving and changing, and each day brings something different.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: John Stephens, Michael Pollack, Davin Kingston, Gian Stone
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ItsNalee
Thank you John, for reminding us that love and a strong relationship is built upon commitment and working through things. Such a beautiful song.
@JessicaPerez-bz9ln
Perfect anniversary song! This year me and my husband celebrated our 15 year wedding anniversary! Beautiful words from a beautiful voice 💕
@brandonheraman3091
I'm leaving this comment here so after a month or a year when someone likes it, I get reminded of this song
@robertmourojr8282
Enjoy
@Amanda-sq9kz
11/17/23
@skeppaa814
11.19.2023
@davidcruz777
Love evolves, and as long as best friends don't become strangers, then love grows.
@user-se4mr5yu3u
12.2.2023 ENJOY
@Nedjick
The tittle is deceiving
The love is not fading but growing ❤️
Good vocals and lyric
Legend
@shakurwonders5216
Ikr