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.
Show Me
John Legend Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I realize as I lay down to sleep, we haven't spoke in weeks
So many things that I'd like to know...
Come have a talk with me
I need a sign, something I can see
Why all the mystery?
I try not to fall for make-believe, but what is reality?
Where do we go, what do we know?
Life has to have a meaning
Show me the light, show me the way
Show that you're listening
Show me, that you love me
Show me that you walk with me
Hopefully, just above me, heaven's watchin over me
Guess it's funny how I say thanks to you for all you've given me
Sometimes the price of what you gave to me,
I can't stop questioning
Oh God of love, peace, and mercy, why so much suffering?
I pray for the world, it gets worse to me
Wonder if you're listening
When people go, why do they go?
Why don't you choose me?
But someday I'll know that I'm gonna go
I hope you're waiting for me
Show me that you love me
Show me that you walk with me
Hopefully, just above me
Heaven's watching over me
Oh
Show me, oh oh, show me
Maybe we'll talk some other night
Right now I'll take it easy
Won't spend my time waiting to die
Enjoy the life I'm living
Show me that you love me
Show me that you walk with me
Hopefully, just above me, heaven's watching over me
Oh
Show me that you love me
Show me that you walk with me
Hopefully, just above me, heaven's watching over me
Oh
"Show Me" is a passionate song in which John Legend expresses his deep desire for connection and understanding. The lyrics suggest that he is feeling disconnected from someone he loves and longs to hear their thoughts and feelings. Legend's introspective lyrics reflect on themes such as faith, love, and the quest for a meaningful life.
The song starts with him acknowledging the lack of communication in his relationship, which may be the cause of their distance. He then pleads for a sign and a way out of the mystery, hoping for answers to his most profound questions. With a touch of desperation to his voice, he calls for enlightenment and hope, seeking an assurance of faith in uncertain times. He wonders about the purpose of life and the suffering in the world and prays for the answers.
The final verses are more optimistic, as he waits patiently for the answers, reflecting on the present and living in the moment. He hopes that his loved one is watching over him, and the song ends on a positive note, accompanied by soothing harmonies. The song portrays the need for communication, understanding, and faith in a relationship, making it relatable to many listeners.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh oh
The song begins with the singer expressing his thoughts and feelings.
I realize as I lay down to sleep, we haven't spoke in weeks
The singer feels distant from someone he cares about and realizes it has been a while since they have talked.
So many things that I'd like to know...
The singer has questions and wants to understand the situation better.
Come have a talk with me
The singer wants to communicate and connect with the person he is thinking about.
I need a sign, something I can see
The singer is looking for a clear indication or message from the other person.
Why all the mystery?
The singer wonders why there is a lack of clarity or openness about what is going on.
I try not to fall for make-believe, but what is reality?
The singer is trying to be realistic and not let his imagination run wild, but he still wants to know the truth.
Where do we go, what do we know?
The singer is questioning the direction things are going and what they both understand about the situation.
Life has to have a meaning
The singer believes that there is a purpose to life and wants to understand how he fits into it.
Show me the light, show me the way
The singer wants guidance and clarity on what to do next.
Show that you're listening
The singer wants confirmation that the other person is paying attention to and cares about their relationship.
Show me, that you love me
The singer wants to feel loved and valued by the other person.
Show me that you walk with me
The singer wants the other person to be a true partner in their relationship and journey.
Hopefully, just above me, heaven's watchin over me
The singer believes in the existence of a higher power that is watching over him and hopes for protection and guidance.
Guess it's funny how I say thanks to you for all you've given me
The singer acknowledges and appreciates the positive things the other person has brought into his life.
Sometimes the price of what you gave to me, I can't stop questioning
The singer is concerned about the negative aspects of their relationship or situation and wonders if it's worth it.
Oh God of love, peace, and mercy, why so much suffering?
The singer questions the existence of suffering in the world and seeks answers from a divine source.
I pray for the world, it gets worse to me
The singer acknowledges the pain and difficulty in the world and prays for healing and improvement.
Wonder if you're listening
The singer wonders if his prayers and concerns are being heard or if they are falling on deaf ears.
When people go, why do they go?
The singer is contemplating mortality and the sadness of losing loved ones.
Why don't you choose me?
The singer wonders why fate or luck seems to work against him in certain situations.
But someday I'll know that I'm gonna go
The singer acknowledges his own mortality and that he will eventually pass away.
I hope you're waiting for me
The singer holds onto the hope that there is an afterlife or some kind of reunion with loved ones who have passed away.
Maybe we'll talk some other night
The singer is okay with not having all the answers right now and is open to communicating at a different time.
Right now I'll take it easy
The singer is content with taking things one step at a time and not stressing too much about the future.
Won't spend my time waiting to die
The singer doesn't want to live his life in fear or worry about death.
Enjoy the life I'm living
The singer wants to focus on the present moment and find joy in the things he currently has.
Lyrics ยฉ BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: ESTELLE SWARAY, JOHN LEGEND, RAPHAEL SAADIQ, ROBERT BACON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@JenJen-hc7fd
I realized as I lay down to sleep
We haven't spoke in weeks
So many things that I'd like to know
Come have a talk with me
I need a sign, something I can see
Why all the mystery?
I try not to fall for make believe
But what is reality?
Where do we go? What do we know?
Life has to have a meaning
Show me the light, show me the way
Show that you're listening
Show me that you love me
Show me that you walk with me
Hopefully just above me
Heaven's watching over me
Guess it's funny how I say thanks to you
For all you've given me
Sometimes the price of what you gave to me
I cant stop questioning
Oh, God of love, peace and mercy
Why so much suffering?
I pray for the world, it gets worse to me
I wonder if you're listening
When people go, why do they go?
Why don't you choose me?
Someday I know I'm gonna go
I hope you're waiting for me
Show me that you love me
Show me that you walk with me
Hopefully just above me
Heaven's watching over me
Show me
Show me
Maybe well talk some other night
Right now I'll take it easy
Won't spend my time waiting to die
Enjoy the life I'm living
Show me that you love me
Show me that you walk with me
Hopefully just above me
Heaven's watching over me
Show me that you love me
Show me that you walk with me
Hopefully just above me
Heaven's watching over me
Read more: John Legend - Show Me Lyrics | MetroLyrics
@caspervanhelvoirt9460
Little unfortunate that John Legend is known by most people for his 'All of meeeeee', which isn't a bad song on it's own, but just doesn't show what John's capable of. This song, Show Me, makes me question my own perspective I have on the world, and if I should change it a bit. Be more humble, be more grateful, work harder for what I want to reach... It just lets me think...
@Shawna79
I concur casper van helvoirtย many only know the commercial side to artist when you get the album many times it touches a part that the more popular song could ever!
@caspervanhelvoirt9460
Shawna Shericeย Exactly:)
@StumbleBoy
casper van helvoirtย Agreed.. I actually dislike "all of me" though :S It's just.... Too simple..
@caspervanhelvoirt9460
JakobMillerย Weird enough, I first liked it when it came out (1/2 weeks out) but then after 3/4 months it became overpopular, and then I just got too much of it. Guess you could have the same
@StumbleBoy
I guess. I remember back when Akon released his first album and I was the only one listening too it. People were like "HA HA, AKON!? SO BAD!". Then he started to make shit music. Guess who stopped listening and who started?
I don't know, but if I were John Legend in this position, I wouldn't enjoy the situation.. I mean, he got great songs, but barely no one knows about them.. I guess all he hears is "sing All of Me, sing All of Me!!!"... Sad :/
@yolandarikhotso5143
Love this song..conversations with God..
@Serailobelo
literally chatting to Him, like a friend
@kontakt77
Best John Legend song imo. Vulnerable, touching vocal.. and that guitar track is righteous!
@sarahgodin6212
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