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.
Marching Into the Dark
John Legend Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If you don't believe in the afterlife?
Oh I still grieve rememberin' what you were like
Now what good is a dream when the dreamer dies?
Some are better than good
Greater than great
Some are misunderstood
All of the greatest
Greatest of all
Were chasing their fading star
Who'll be the latest
The latest to fall?
We're marching into the dark
What if your like was just in the day to day
And after you're gone the world stays the same?
Why should you love what you're gonna lose anyway?
Oh I've imagined one hundred ways
Some are just no good
Some will let it just fade
Some are misunderstood
We'll just have to wait, 'cause
All of the greatest
Greatest of all
Were chasing their fading star
Who'll be the latest
The latest to fall?
We're marching into the dark
Oh Heaven knows where we are
Chasing the fading stars
Heaven knows where we are
Motioning to the dark
Some are better than good
And greater than great
Some are misunderstood
They get told to wait
Some are just no good
Some will let it just fade
Some are misunderstood
We'll just have to wait, 'cause
All of the greatest
Greatest of all
Were chasing their fading star
Wanna know who
Who'll be the latest
The latest to fall?
We're marching into the dark
I wanna go marching into the dark
All of the greatest
Greatest of all
Were chasing their fading star
Who'll be the latest
Latest to fall?
Marching into the dark
In John Legend's song "Marching Into the Dark," the lyrics speak to the overwhelming existential questions and uncertainties that arise when one contemplates the purpose and meaning of life. The opening lines ponder the value of sacrifice if one does not believe in an afterlife and highlights the grief of losing someone and the emptiness that remains. The lyrics question the significance of dreams if the dreamer's life is cut short.
The song then delves into the idea that some individuals are exceptional, but often misunderstood or disregarded, and are told to wait for their time to shine. The reference to chasing a fading star symbolizes the pursuit of dreams, fame, or success that may ultimately lead to a downfall or demise. The chorus urges listeners to consider their own fate and the darkness that lies ahead for all, emphasizing the uncertainty and transience of life.
The second verse explores the notion that a person's impact may only be in the day-to-day mundane existence, and once they are gone, the world may remain unchanged. It raises the question of why one should love or invest in things that will inevitably be lost. The lyrics express the imagination of different scenarios and possible outcomes, hinting at the limitless possibilities and potential paths one can take in life.
Ultimately, the song conveys a sense of urgency and encourages reflection on the pursuit of greatness, acknowledging the inevitability of facing darkness and uncertain outcomes. Through its introspective lyrics, "Marching Into the Dark" invites listeners to consider the meaning of their own lives and the choices they make along the way.
Line by Line Meaning
What can you buy with the ultimate sacrifice
What can be gained by giving everything one has?
If you don't believe in the afterlife?
If one does not have faith in life after death
Oh I still grieve rememberin' what you were like>
I still feel sorrow when I think about who you used to be
Now what good is a dream when the dreamer dies?
What value does a dream hold when the one who dreams it is gone?
What if your life was just in the day to day
Imagine if your existence only consisted of routine
And after you're gone the world stays the same?
Even after you pass away, the world remains unchanged
Why should you love what you're gonna lose anyway?
What is the point of loving someone or something that will inevitably be lost?
Oh I've imagined one hundred ways
I've contemplated numerous possibilities and outcomes
Some are just no good
Certain things or people are simply not worthwhile
Some will let it just fade
Some will allow important things to gradually disappear
We'll just have to wait, 'cause
We can only be patient, because
Oh Heaven knows where we are
God knows our current state
Chasing the fading stars
Pursuing things that are slowly vanishing
Motioning to the dark
Moving towards an uncertain and unknown future
Some are better than good
Certain things or people surpass mere goodness
And greater than great
They excel beyond what is considered exceptional
Some are misunderstood
Certain things or people are not correctly comprehended
They get told to wait
They are advised to be patient
Some are just no good
Certain things or people are simply not worthwhile
Some will let it just fade
Some will allow important things to gradually disappear
We'll just have to wait, 'cause
We can only be patient, because
All of the greatest
Every single remarkable individual
Greatest of all
The most exceptional among them
Were chasing their fading star
Were pursuing something that is progressively diminishing
Wanna know who
Do you want to know who
Who'll be the latest
Who will be the most recent
Latest to fall?
To succumb to failure or misfortune?
Marching into the dark
Moving forward into the unknown and uncertain
I wanna go marching into the dark
I desire to embark on a journey into the unknown
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: TOBIAS MACDONALD JESSO, JOHN LEGEND, BLAKE MILLS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Saba Iremadze
[Verse 1]
What can you buy with the ultimate sacrifice
If you don't believe in the afterlife?
Oh I still grieve rememberin' what you were like
Now what good is a dream when the dreamer dies?
[Pre-Chorus]
Some are better than good
Greater than great
Some are misunderstood
And they get told to wait by
[Chorus]
All of the greatest
The greatest of all
We're chasing their fading star
Who'll be the latest
The latest to fall?
We're marching into the dark
[Verse 2]
What if your life was just in the day to day
And after you're gone the world stays the same?
Why should you love what you're gonna lose anyway?
Oh I've imagined one hundred ways
[Pre-Chorus]
Some are just no good
Some will let it just fade
Some are misunderstood
We'll just have to wait, 'cause
[Chorus]
All of the greatest
The greatest of all
We're chasing their fading star
Who'll be the latest
The latest to fall?
We're marching into the dark
[Bridge]
Oh Heaven knows where we are
Chasing the fading stars
Heaven knows where we are
Motioning to the dark
[Pre-Chorus]
Some are better than good
And greater than great
Some are misunderstood
They get told to wait
Some are just no good
Some will let it just fade
Some are misunderstood
We'll just have to wait, 'cause
[Chorus]
All of the greatest
The greatest of all
Were chasing their fading star
Wanna know who
Who'll be the latest
The latest to fall?
We're marching into the dark
I wanna go marching into the dark
All of the greatest
The greatest of all
Were chasing their fading star
Were chasing their fading star
Who'll be the latest
Latest to fall?
Marching into the dark
Ben S
What can you buy with the ultimate sacrifice? if you don't believe in the afterlife?
- - john is saying he doesn't believe in an afterlife. he does not fear repercussions of doing evil deeds in this world
I still grieve remembering what you were like
- - john is speaking to the child he killed. this is the "ultimate sacrifice" John made. because he doesn't believe in an afterlife, he was ok with killing a child
What good is a dream when the dreamer dies?
- - John's dream was to become rich and famous(like he is). this is what he bought with his "ultimate sacrifice". Fame money power.
- - John feels remorse for his choice because he realized he's sold his soul
All of the greatest, greatest of all, are chasing a fading star
Who'll be the latest, latest to fall, we're marching into the dark
- - John is telling us all the major celebrities have made a similar "ultimate sacrifice" in exchange for achieving this dreams as well
- - John is asking who will be next to sell their soul for their dream.
ables
Listening to this, I feel so sad for you. Please wake up and return to the light. It’s never too late.
Jonathan Bell
Amen
Canal 8 minutos
linda música,lindo John
Fede Soza
muy lindas canciones!!
Destiny Smith
My favorite song off the album🎶🔥👑🙏
Nikita
It really doesn't get any better than this, does it? THANK YOU JL
beatbox velo
john dejame decirte que hoy escuche, tus canciones, y eres otro nivel, sigue adelante, y sigue cantando esas canciones, muy hermosas, esas canciones que dan un ambiente de romanticismo, bendiciones
coralie Sanasee
i love this song , her voice is beautiful 💘💜❤
Nayely Martinez
coralie sanasee it's a him
Harshan Branavanathan
+coralie sanasee