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.
Money Blown
John Legend Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Beware of what you see
You've been consumed by all your visions of luxury
Betrayed your friends and burned the
Bridges that carry you
But when you need them later, they won't be there for you
You're so high now
But when you come down, who will you call?
[Chorus]
Whatcha gonna do when your money's blown
Your friends are gone and you're all alone
Now you barely hanging on with no one else to run to
You should know it won't make you whole
You gain the world but lose your soul
Spend your life in the search for dough
You'll find out it just won't save you
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
You think that having money brings joy and peace to you
But the pursuit of it might bring out the beast in you
Chase the American Dream but can't face reality
That what you're chasing only lasts temporarily
You're so high now
You think you'll never fall
But when you come down, who will you call?
[Chorus]
Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh yeah yeah
[Chorus]
Whatcha gon do
Whatcha gon do
Whatcha gon do
Whatcha gon do
Whatcha gon do
Whatcha gon do
Whatcha gon do
Whatcha gon do
Whatcha gonna do when there's nowhere (Nowhere to run to) oh
I think you're gonna find that it just won't (Just won't save you) oh
Whatcha gonna do when there's nowhere (Nowhere to run to)
Ooh you're gonna find that it just won't (Just won't save you) oh
Whatcha gonna do when there's nowhere (Nowhere to run to)
I think you're gonna find that it just won't (Just won't save you) Hey
Whatcha gonna do when there's nowhere to run to (Nowhere to run to)
I think you're gonna find that it just won't (Just won't save you) Hey, yeah yeah
Whatcha gonna do when there's nowhere (Nowhere to run to) oh, yeah, yeah
I think you're gonna find that it just won't (Just won't save you) Hey, there's nowhere
Nowhere to run to
Just won't save you
Nowhere to run to
Just won't save you
The song "Angel" by John Legend feat. Stacy Barthe warns its listeners about the dangers of materialism and how much too much attention to money and success can lead to isolation, mistrust, and loneliness. In the song, the singer accuses someone of being consumed with visions of luxury and betraying friends as they pursue their American Dream. However, in the end, they lose themselves and all their wealth and find no one to seek solace with, except themselves.
The song starts by siren-laden, then harmony kicks in ahead of Legend and Barthe's duet. The song's message is straightforward, and it warns of the consequences of obsession over materialism. The music video shows a tale of a baller who considers himself high and mighty due to his wealth, which ultimately leads to his downfall. The soft and gentle texture of the lyrics magnifies their message to remain alert and seek balance to avert falling from grace.
In conclusion, "Angel" is a cautionary tale about the dangers of obsession of wealth and success, and how it can lead to isolation, mistrust, and loneliness. It reminds us that true happiness comes from not financial wealth, but from the positive bonds we create with others around us, and that our human nature is greater than any amount of money.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't let it fool you brother
Don't be deceived by what seems to be true
Beware of what you see
Be cautious and skeptical of what you perceive
You've been consumed by all your visions of luxury
Your desire for material things has completely taken over you
Betrayed your friends and burned the
You have betrayed your friendships and
Bridges that carry you
Destroyed the means of support that you rely on
But when you need them later, they won't be there for you
Your friends won't be there to help you when you need them
You're so high now
You are on top of the world now
You think you'll never fall
You believe that you are invincible and can never fail
But when you come down, who will you call?
When you inevitably fall, who will you turn to for help?
Whatcha gonna do when your money's blown
What will you do when you have spent all your money?
Your friends are gone and you're all alone
Your friends have left you and you are alone
Now you barely hanging on with no one else to run to
You are barely surviving and have no one else to rely on.
You should know it won't make you whole
You should understand that material things can't fill the void inside you
You gain the world but lose your soul
You obtain material success but lose your emotional and spiritual identity
Spend your life in the search for dough
Spending your entire life pursuing money
You'll find out it just won't save you
You will realize that money cannot save you from the challenges of life
You think that having money brings joy and peace to you
You believe that money is the source of happiness and peace in life
But the pursuit of it might bring out the beast in you
However, the quest for money may reveal a darker side of you
Chase the American Dream but can't face reality
You are chasing the dream of material success but cannot confront the real world
That what you're chasing only lasts temporarily
Material things are fleeting and temporary
Whatcha gon do
What are you going to do
Nowhere to run to
Nowhere to turn for help
Just won't save you
Material things won't save you from life's difficulties
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ella Rogman
This song is so underrated
Melvin Smith
I agree got hip buying use 2 love u single it was bonus track! Melvin from Cleveland
Deborah Kunbelim
One of his best songs...
Thor saigon
Love his voice.....Thank you so much John Legend......
Kabba Aurora
A classic 💯❤️
Thomas Kratz
Absolutely agree. This is among his best songs! Wonder why it is not available on streaming services? (Spotify and Tidal at least)
Molly Bullem
Seriously
mrmelon
Can’t find it anywhere🙄
Gláucia Oliveira
John Legend, Love his voice...
Love you
Molly Bullem
I love this song so much