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.
Soul Joint
John Legend Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We about to do that
It all began rockin with the church band when I was 5 years old
Now I could see that the music was in me and that i had plenty of soul
So i stayed up every night workin on my flow
waitin for the chance to show
the ruckess that i bring when i get to do my thing
That I got soul
(soul)
Yes I got Soul
(soul)
I know I got Soul
(soul)
You know I got Soul
(soul)
Everybody here trying to find out what the deal
and wonderin if i turn it out
well i'm here to show you that i'm donin this for real
and i'm making sure there is no doubt
and so i hitcha with a high
and I hitcha with a low
have you comin back for more
I love the Funkiness I bring everytime i do my thing
and now i'm here to let yall know
That I got soul
(soul)
I guess i got soul
(soul)
I know I got Soul
(soul)
and yes I got Soul
(soul)
And I came to rock the show
(show)
I came to get my dough
(dough)
as soon as i hit the door
(door)
You know i got soul
(soul)
hay
And if you thinkin you should leave
and it's gettin toward the end of the night
(hold tight)
(yea)
And if you got some where to be
but you hear a lil' somethin you like
stay right here i'm gonna rock you till the mornin light
(all night)
and forget about your troubles cuz i'm gonna make you feel alright
and yea i got soul
(soul)
you kno i got soul
(soul)
oh i got soul
(soul)
yes i got soul
(soul)
and i came to rock the show
(show)
as soon as i hit the door
(Door)
i came to let yall kno that i got soul
hay
And if you thinkin you should leave
and it's gettin toward the end of the night
(hold tight)
(yea)
And if you got some where to be
but you hear a lil' somethin you like
(hold tight)
stay right here i'm gonna rock you till the mornin light
(all night)
and forget about your troubles cuz i'm gonna make you feel alright
and i got soul
(soul)
yes i got soul
(soul)
u kno i got soul
(soul)
yes i got soul
(soul)
and i was rockin shows back in 84'
(84')
and i'm here to let yall know
(know)
that I got.............
SOUL
In John Legend's song Soul Joint, he takes us on a journey through his love and passion for music. He starts by recounting his beginnings, singing about how he discovered his love for music when he was just a child and started performing with the church band. Legend goes on to tell us that he worked hard and waited anxiously for the opportunity to showcase his talent to the world. He is finally here now, ready to show everyone that he has something special to offer, and that is soul. He repeats the phrase "I got soul" throughout the song, each time with increasing conviction and confidence. He wants to make sure that everyone can feel the power and energy of his music, and he promises to make them forget about their troubles and feel alright.
The lyrics of Soul Joint are a tribute to the power of soul music, and specifically to the role that it has played in John Legend's life. He uses the song to tell his story and to express his gratitude for the gift of music. The song is also a celebration of the joy and healing that great music can bring, and an invitation to everyone to let go of their worries and let the music move them.
Line by Line Meaning
Yall know Soul Joint? I got soul. yall know that song
Introducing the song Soul Joint and asserting that he embodies soul as a musician.
It all began rockin with the church band when I was 5 years old
Reflecting on the start of his musical journey playing in a church band as a child.
Now I could see that the music was in me and that i had plenty of soul
Realizing that he had a natural talent for creating soulful music.
So i stayed up every night workin on my flow
Dedicating himself to perfecting his craft by practicing tirelessly.
waitin for the chance to show
the ruckess that i bring when i get to do my thing
Anticipating the opportunity to showcase his unique style and energy when performing.
now i'm here to let yall know
Announcing his presence and intention to demonstrate his musical abilities.
That I got soul
(soul)
Yes I got Soul
(soul)
I know I got Soul
(soul)
You know I got Soul
(soul)
Affirming that he possesses soul, repeating the line for emphasis.
Everybody here trying to find out what the deal
and wonderin if i turn it out
well i'm here to show you that i'm donin this for real
and i'm making sure there is no doubt
Acknowledging people's curiosity about him and confidently assuring them that his talent is genuine and undeniable.
and so i hitcha with a high
and I hitcha with a low
have you comin back for more
I love the Funkiness I bring everytime i do my thing
Describing his skill in rhythm and groove, boasting that his performances are irresistible and infectious.
show
Repeating the word 'show' to emphasize his purpose for being there and entertaining the crowd.
I came to get my dough
(dough)
as soon as i hit the door
(door)
Acknowledging that financial gain is also a motivating factor for his performance.
hay
And if you thinkin you should leave
and it's gettin toward the end of the night
(hold tight)
(yea)
Addressing the audience directly, encouraging them to stay and enjoy the music.
And if you got some where to be
but you hear a lil' somethin you like
stay right here i'm gonna rock you till the mornin light
(all night)
and forget about your troubles cuz i'm gonna make you feel alright
Telling the audience to forget their worries and obligations, as he is going to make sure they have a good time all night long.
and i was rockin shows back in 84'
(84')
and i'm here to let yall know
(know)
Recounting his experience performing as far back as 1984, establishing his credibility as a seasoned performer.
that I got.............
SOUL
Repeating the song's title to remind listeners that he embodies soul as a musician.
Contributed by Bella G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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.