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.
One Woman Man
John Legend Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I wouldn't go down without a fight
I always left room for other contenders
'Cause I might change my mind
Damn, I used to be so cold
We never ever get too close
Didn't ever wanna lose control
I knew that I would have to chase it
You say hold up, I won't you to be
A one woman man
A one woman man, oh
Want you all to my side
Don't want nobody else
Oh, you love it
Oh, you love it
Won't you be
A one woman man (one woman)
A one woman man, oh (one woman)
You made me believe that love was forever
And love could sustain us through every fight
I'll let go of all of the other
Pretenders they were wasting my time
I never thought that I would say this
But I can see us having babies
I could see it from the stars
That I might give you my heart
From the moment that I met you
Knew that I would never let you
Slip away, it's okay
You can make me
A one woman man
A one woman man, oh
I want you all to my side
Don't want nobody else
All my lovin'
All or nothin'
I can be
A one woman man (one woman)
A one woman man, uh (one woman)
I can never say I loved you
I kept all my gold
But you broke in my house
You've stolen my heart
Now I've given you the key
Got all of you for all of me
But baby, I promise you'll be
A one woman man, oh
Want you all to myself
Don't want nobody else
All my lovin'
All or nothin'
I can be
A one woman man (one woman)
A one woman man, uh (one woman)
The song "One Woman Man" by John Legend is about the singer's realization of his love for a woman and his willingness to commit to her, forsaking all others. The song embodies a sort of confessional tone where the singer reflects on his past romantic obligations, admitting that he was not always faithful and was averse to losing control. However, after meeting this woman, their love has blossomed, and his feelings have changed. Now he sees a future together, including having children with her. The repeating line, "I want you all to myself, don't want nobody else," emphasizes this shift, and he asks her to be his one woman man, one woman, one and only.
The song is a celebration of a newfound love that is born out of change and growth. The lyrics portray how the singer's experience with the woman has transformed him, encouraging him to open up and become more committed. The song is a testimony to how love can influence a person to change, grow and commit to someone they may have otherwise overlooked.
Line by Line Meaning
I always believed that love will surrender
I have always held the belief that love is a force that cannot be controlled and will eventually win in any situation.
And I wouldn't go down without a fight
I will always put up the best fight for love even in difficult situations.
I always left room for other contenders
I have always considered other options when it comes to love, just in case my mind changes.
'Cause I might change my mind
I never want to feel like I am trapped in any one situation when it comes to love, and I always want to be able to change my mind if it feels right.
Damn, I used to be so cold
I used to be emotionally unavailable and distant when it came to love.
We never ever get too close
In the past, I have always kept a safe distance from the people I loved, to avoid getting hurt.
Didn't ever wanna lose control
I was always afraid of losing control of my emotions when it came to love.
But from the moment that I tasted
Since the moment I experienced this love, everything changed.
I knew that I would have to chase it
I knew that I would have to put in work to make this relationship thrive.
You say hold up, I won't you to be
You have asked me to be exclusively yours.
A one woman man
A man who is dedicated and faithful to one woman only.
You made me believe that love was forever
You have shown me that love lasts forever with the right person.
And love could sustain us through every fight
Our love has the power to get us through any difficult situation we might face.
I'll let go of all of the other
I am willing to give up all other options and focus solely on our relationship.
Pretenders they were wasting my time
All of the other people I have entertained as potential partners were not worth my time.
I never thought that I would say this
I never thought that I would be ready to settle down and commit to one person.
But I can see us having babies
I can envision us building a future together, including starting a family.
I could see it from the stars
I have always known deep down that you were the one for me, and that our future together was destined.
That I might give you my heart
I am ready to fully commit my heart and soul to you.
Slip away, it's okay
I am confident in our love and am not afraid of the possibility of losing you.
You can make me
You have the power to make me a man who is faithful to only one woman.
I can never say I loved you
In the past, I have always struggled to express my love and affection towards you.
I kept all my gold
I was always protective of my heart and careful not to give it away too easily.
But you broke in my house
You managed to break down my walls and get through to my heart.
You've stolen my heart
You have captured my heart and I am willing to give it fully to you.
Now I've given you the key
I have entrusted you with my heart and my future.
Got all of you for all of me
I am willing to give all of myself to you as long as you promise to do the same for me.
Lyrics © CTM Outlander Music LC, BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, CTM Publishing
Written by: Tobias Gad, John Roger Stephens
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.