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.
Merry Merry Christmas
John Legend Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ever you been bad, all the united
Woo, Christmas time with you
I made a little list of my favorite things to do
I count one, two, three four, up to ten
From the beginning until the end
Celebrating merry, merry Christmas time with you
So have a merry, merry Christmas (Have a merry, merry Christmas)
Have a merry, merry Christmas (Have a merry, merry Christmas)
Have a merry, merry Christmas (Have a merry, merry Christmas)
'Cause I spent it with you
So have a merry, merry Christmas (Have a merry, merry Christmas)
Have a merry, merry Christmas (Have a merry, merry Christmas)
Have a merry, merry Christmas (Have a merry, merry Christmas)
'Cause I spent it with you
Woo, Christmas time with you
I made a little list of my favorite things to do
I count one, two, three four, up to ten
From the beginning until the end
Celebrating merry, merry Christmas time with you
So have a merry, merry Christmas (Have a merry, merry Christmas)
Have a merry, merry Christmas (Have a merry, merry Christmas)
Have a merry, merry Christmas (Have a merry, merry Christmas)
'Cause I spent it with you
Have a merry, merry Christmas (Have a merry, merry Christmas)
Have a merry, merry Christmas (Have a merry, merry Christmas)
Have a merry, merry Christmas (Have a merry, merry Christmas)
I come to spend it with you
Hey
Sometimes you just need to be with the one you love
Christmas just ain't Christmas without the ones you love
That's what we used to say, woo
'Cause I spent it with you
Hey, hey, hey, hey
You ain't sweatin', you ain't doin' it right
The lyrics to John Legend's song "Merry Merry Christmas" capture the joy and importance of spending the holiday season with loved ones. The opening lines, "Ever you ready, brother unite us, Ever you been bad, all the united," suggest a call for unity and forgiveness during this special time of year.
The chorus highlights the excitement and anticipation of Christmas, as the singer sings about making a list of favorite things to do during the holiday season. The counting from one to ten signifies the completeness and thoroughness of the list, emphasizing the depth of their enjoyment. The repetition of the phrase "merry, merry Christmas time with you" underscores the happiness and contentment that comes from being together with loved ones during this festive season.
The second verse echoes the sentiments of the first, emphasizing the joy and connection that Christmas brings. The repetition of the chorus further reinforces the message of cherishing and celebrating the holiday with those we love.
In the bridge, John Legend reminds us of the significance of being with our loved ones during Christmas. He mentions the saying "Christmas just ain't Christmas without the ones you love," emphasizing the importance of sharing this special time with the people who matter most to us. The final line, "You ain't sweatin', you ain't doin' it right," playfully suggests that fully embracing and enjoying the holiday season means being in the company of those we care about.
Overall, "Merry Merry Christmas" is a heartfelt song that celebrates the joy, togetherness, and love that come with spending Christmas with loved ones.
Line by Line Meaning
Ever you ready, brother unite us
No matter what, we should always be ready to come together and support each other as a family
Ever you been bad, all the united
Even if you've made mistakes in the past, we should still come together and stand as one
Woo, Christmas time with you
It's an exciting and joyous time when I get to celebrate Christmas with you
I made a little list of my favorite things to do
I've created a list of activities and traditions that I enjoy doing during Christmas
I count one, two, three four, up to ten
I'm counting and appreciating each moment from the beginning to the end of Christmas
From the beginning until the end
I cherish the entire duration of Christmas, from its start to the end
Celebrating merry, merry Christmas time with you
I am joyfully celebrating the Christmas season together with you
So have a merry, merry Christmas (Have a merry, merry Christmas)
I hope you have a joyful and festive Christmas
Cause I spent it with you
Because I have the privilege of spending Christmas with you
I come to spend it with you
I have come to be with you and celebrate Christmas
Hey
Hey
Sometimes you just need to be with the one you love
At times, it's crucial to be with the person you deeply care for during the holiday season
Christmas just ain't Christmas without the ones you love
The true essence of Christmas is incomplete without being surrounded by your loved ones
That's what we used to say, woo
In the past, we always expressed this sentiment and recognized the importance of being together
You ain't sweatin', you ain't doin' it right
If you're not putting effort and love into your Christmas celebrations, you're not fully experiencing and embracing the spirit of the season
Lyrics Β© Regard Music, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Raphael Saadiq, Earl King, John Roger Stephens
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
FranziMusic
wow this is an amazing piece of art..makes me wanna dance around the xmas tree right now π²πΆ
Ana Matias
Me encantaππΌπ΅πΆπ·π―π€πΈ
Michelle Turcios
loved it!
Tine Duya
This Song Will Be In The Intros Of The NBA Christmas Games!
ΰΈΰΈ₯ΰΈΰΈ²ΰΈΰΈ΄ ΰΈ£ΰΈ±ΰΈΰΈΰΈ¨ΰΈ£ΰΈ΅ΰΈΰΈΰΈ
exactly right.
Joanne Drummond
My favorite New Orleans horn players on here. I couldn't love it any more!
Antoine Patterson
Love it π₯° it has a New Orleans vibe
Juan Pablo Henriquez Sandoval
Tiene muy buena voz.
Bruno dos Reis
Instant classic!!!
Jeans D
yessssssss!! john is my favorite singer, amazing album