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.
Rounds
John Legend Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Paint my lips (paint my lips)
I'ma slip inside those hips (hips)
Ease your grip (ease your grip), yeah, yeah
Been waitin', where have you been hidin'?
I'm feelin' like I never had it
But now I got you wrapped around me
Baby, I
Owe you rounds
You know I'm
Gon' put it down, oh, oh
Sugar sweat on your skin
Taste your spice on my tongue
Pickin' rose pedals in Anisa, France (uh)
Pink peacocks roamin' at the mansion
Makin' love with the cherry on top
Fireplace, ice cubes and the scotch (uh)
Great sex, can I take you to your apex? (Yes)
Mornin' slow strokes, got you runnin' late (yes, haha)
What if we never met? You'd be still in debt
Because we owe the world this, now the scene is set
Old chauffeurs, new trench coats
How I got her wet on a big boat?
I get it ten bags at a time (at a time)
I'm the richest and I did it off of rhyme (woo)
No longer affiliated with these rap squads
One of one amongst rap gods
White gloves with a head full of dark thoughts (whoa)
Soft sex, first time with a mob boss
Pull up in the Rolls-Royce, new chariot
Heavenly angles, John Legend's an angel
This the moment, since we all needed the clarity
They wanna change you, all I want is the same you
Baby, I
Owe you rounds
You know I'm
Gon' put it down, oh, oh
Ayy, ooh, ah, ah yeah
Baby, I, I
Owe you rounds
Ooh, I'm
Gon' put it down, baby
Baby, I
Owe you rounds
You know I'm
Gon' put it down, oh, oh
Cotton candy fingertips
Paint my lips
I'ma slip inside those hips
Ease your grip
The song "Rounds" by John Legend featuring Rick Ross is about a couple's intense physical attraction to each other as they explore their sexual desires. The lyrics are sensual and detailed, with vivid imagery of candy fingertips, rose petals, and cherry toppings. The chorus highlights the singer's indebtedness to their partner, promising to satisfy them repeatedly with the line "Baby, I owe you rounds." The verses by Rick Ross describe their luxurious lifestyle and the singer's success as a rapper.
The song creates a sense of intimacy and raw sexuality through its seductive language and smooth melody. It is a celebration of passion and lust between two people who are deeply connected. The use of cotton candy and other sweet images is a metaphor for the sweet sensations they feel when they touch each other, emphasizing the emotional connection between them.
Overall, "Rounds" is a sultry and mesmerizing track that showcases the sensuous talent of John Legend and the poetic flair of Rick Ross.
Line by Line Meaning
Cotton candy fingertips
Using a metaphor, the artist is describing the soft, sweet touch their partner possesses
Paint my lips (paint my lips)
The artist wants their partner to apply lipstick on their lips as a symbol of their intimacy
I'ma slip inside those hips (hips)
The artist is talking about sex and how their partner's body is welcoming them inside
Ease your grip (ease your grip), yeah, yeah
The artist is asking their partner to let go of their tension and relax while they engage in sexual activity
Been waitin', where have you been hidin'?
The artist is expressing impatience and curiosity about where their partner has been when they were not together
I'm feelin' like I never had it
Before meeting their partner, the artist felt like they were missing something in their life
But now I got you wrapped around me
The artist is proud to have their partner show them love and affection
Go at it like a savage
With a reference to animalistic behavior, the artist indicates they want to have rough, passionate sex
Baby, I owe you rounds
The artist feels indebted to their partner and promises to satisfy them sexually multiple times
You know I'm gon' put it down, oh, oh
The artist reassures their partner that they will perform to the best of their abilities during sex
Sugar sweat on your skin
The artist is describing the sweat produced during sex as sweet and enjoyable
Taste your spice on my tongue
The artist is referencing their partner's bodily fluids and how they taste good to them
Pickin' rose pedals in Anisa, France (uh)
The artist is talking about a romantic moment they shared with their partner during a trip to France
Pink peacocks roamin' at the mansion
The artist is wanting to show off their wealth and extravagance to their partner
Makin' love with the cherry on top
The artist is referencing a sexual position and how it is the best they have ever had
Fireplace, ice cubes and the scotch (uh)
The artist is describing a setting for a romantic night with their partner, including alcohol and a warm fire
Great sex, can I take you to your apex? (Yes)
The artist is asking their partner for permission to help them achieve the highest level of sexual pleasure
Mornin' slow strokes, got you runnin' late (yes, haha)
The artist is describing a morning after sex where their partner is exhausted and running behind schedule
What if we never met? You'd be still in debt
The artist is implying that without them, their partner would be in a worse place in life, whether financially or emotionally
Because we owe the world this, now the scene is set
The artist feels like they are meant to be together and are destined to show the world what they can achieve together
Old chauffeurs, new trench coats
The artist has luxurious items and is living a life of opulence
How I got her wet on a big boat?
The artist is referencing an experience where they turned on their partner during a romantic activity on a boat
I get it ten bags at a time (at a time)
The artist is boasting about their wealth and how they can afford to buy expensive items in bulk
I'm the richest and I did it off of rhyme (woo)
The artist is saying they have made a lot of money as a rapper with their rhymes, and they are proud of their success
No longer affiliated with these rap squads
The artist is indicating that they no longer associate with other rappers or rap groups
One of one amongst rap gods
The artist feels like they are one of the best rappers out there and should be recognized as such
White gloves with a head full of dark thoughts (whoa)
The artist is describing themselves as having dark thoughts despite their appearance being polished and professional
Soft sex, first time with a mob boss
The artist is describing a sexual experience with their partner, who they perceive as a powerful and commanding figure
Pull up in the Rolls-Royce, new chariot
The artist is showing off their wealth and luxury by describing their expensive car
Heavenly angles, John Legend's an angel
The artist is praising their friend, John Legend, for his musical talent and skill
This the moment, since we all needed the clarity
The artist is saying that this is a moment of clarity and realization for themselves and their partner
They wanna change you, all I want is the same you
The artist is expressing their desire for their partner to remain true to themselves despite external pressures to change
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Andrew DeRoberts, Daniel Klein, Drew Love, John Stephens, Matthew Campfield, Roget Chahayed, Tommy Torch, William Roberts
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@PROD5VE
John Legend is a huge inspiration to me and I WILL produce a song for him one day.
@WillyKamau.
I really hope to meet John one day 🧡💛🧡💛
@sameerrajakumar
He ding do well in this album that his voice becomes the music
@anndempsy7336
BRILLIANT
@carlross0224
Love you John legend
@sanjkesh
Never get tired of ' Been waiting where have you been hiding, I'm feeling like I've never had it' - lyrics, music, performance everything lines up so perfectly. Even more on this version.
Keep them coming JL!
@dallowemmanuelamos8365
Like I actually liked before listening, cause I'm confident of what I was expecting... and the vocal never fails.
🙌
@Judismithsmith
Feb12,John Legend continues to shine every song is beautiful ❤
@LauraThompson-iq1jm
Thank u ☺️John , “🤍”…💫🌻🐝🐝🌻💫
@richardaginga3658
John legend is a true black exerlence legend