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.
Memories
John Legend Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Started out with a drink and a vibe
I ain't smoke but I'm feeling so high
And I know you don't wanna sleep alone tonight, yeah
We were friends, everything was just cool
Then you hit me with that text, "Come through"
Yeah, I know what you wanna do
Just give me all of your love
I'll slow down if it's too much
No shame, it's just the two of us
No shame, it's just the two of us
And now that it's over
And we're finally sober
We made memories
We made memories, yeah
Stayed 'til the morning
And now we're both falling
'Cause we made memories
We made memories, yeah
Oh, yeah
We made memories
Oh
I don't know what the future gon' be
All I know is you put it on me
Last night was paradise, yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah
And we should run it back a few times
I wanna hear you tell me that it's all mine
It's all mine
Just give me all of your love
I'll slow down if it's too much
No shame, it's just the two of us
No shame, it's just the two of us
And now that it's over
And we're finally sober
We made memories
We made memories, yeah
Stayed down the morning
And now we're both falling
'Cause we made memories
We made memories, yeah
Yeah, oh
We made memories, whoa
Woo, oh, yeah
We made memories
In "Memories" by John Legend, the lyrics depict a night filled with indulgence and passion. The song begins by describing how the night started with a drink and a great vibe. The singer expresses feeling high, even though they didn't smoke anything. It is evident that the person they are with does not want to be alone that night, hinting at the possibility of something more than just friendship.
As the night progresses, the person they are with sends a text inviting the singer to come over. The singer knows the intentions behind the invitation and is aware of what they both want to do. The lyrics convey a sense of desire and anticipation.
The chorus emphasizes the connection between the two individuals. The singer asks for all of the other person's love and reassures them that they will adjust their pace if it becomes overwhelming. There is an intimate and shameless atmosphere between the two, highlighting a strong bond that exists only between them.
The second verse acknowledges the uncertainty of the future of their relationship. The singer doesn't know what lies ahead but acknowledges the impact that the other person has on them. The previous night is described as paradise, and the singer expresses a desire to experience it again. They want to hear the other person affirm that they belong to each other.
The chorus is repeated, emphasizing the importance and significance of the memories they have created together. The lyrics suggest that these memories were made during a night of passion and gratification. The reference to being finally sober indicates that they may have been consumed by their desires and have now come down from that high. Despite this, they acknowledge the value in the memories they have created together.
Overall, "Memories" captures the essence of a fleeting but intense connection between two people. It showcases the desire, passion, and vulnerability that can be experienced during a night filled with shared experiences and emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
Started out with a drink and a vibe
We began with a drink and a positive atmosphere
I ain't smoke but I'm feeling so high
I didn't smoke, but I feel euphoric
And I know you don't wanna sleep alone tonight, yeah
I'm aware that you don't want to be alone tonight
We were friends, everything was just cool
We were friends, everything was fine
Then you hit me with that text, "Come through"
Then you messaged me, asking me to come over
Yeah, I know what you wanna do
Yes, I know your intentions
Just give me all of your love
Show me your complete love and affection
I'll slow down if it's too much
I will adjust my pace if it overwhelms you
No shame, it's just the two of us
There is no need to feel embarrassed, it's only the two of us
And now that it's over
And now that it's finished
And we're finally sober
And we're no longer under the influence
We made memories
We created lasting moments
We made memories, yeah
We created meaningful experiences
Stayed 'til the morning
We remained together till morning
And now we're both falling
And now we're both emotionally falling
'Cause we made memories
Because we created special memories
We made memories, yeah
We created cherished moments
I don't know what the future gon' be
I'm uncertain about what the future holds
All I know is you put it on me
All I know is that you made a strong impression on me
Last night was paradise, yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah
Last night was pure bliss
And we should run it back a few times
We should repeat the experience multiples times
I wanna hear you tell me that it's all mine
I want to hear you say that you belong to me
And now that it's over
And now that it's finished
And we're finally sober
And we're no longer under the influence
We made memories
We created lasting moments
We made memories, yeah
We created meaningful experiences
Stayed down the morning
We remained together till morning
And now we're both falling
And now we're both emotionally falling
'Cause we made memories
Because we created special memories
We made memories, yeah
We created cherished moments
We made memories
We created lasting memories
Oh
Expressing an exclamation
I don't know what the future gon' be
I'm uncertain about what the future holds
All I know is you put it on me
All I know is that you made a strong impression on me
Last night was paradise, yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah
Last night was pure bliss
And we should run it back a few times
We should repeat the experience multiples times
I wanna hear you tell me that it's all mine
I want to hear you say that you belong to me
And now that it's over
And now that it's finished
And we're finally sober
And we're no longer under the influence
We made memories
We created lasting moments
We made memories, yeah
We created meaningful experiences
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: John Stephens, David Bowden, Dante Bowden, Joseph Ruffin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
jaxon
on All of Me
really really good I love it
Rickie
on All of Me
Good
Christine Bañega
on All of Me
like
Promise Sokyes
on All of Me
A perfect love song.