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.
Speak In Tongues
John Legend Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Speak in tongues
Got our own little language
One on one
I could taste every drip from your lips, let it flow
Breathe on me, go, baby, go
Oh, speak to me
Speak to me in tongues
Sayin' when we want without sayin' it
How we knowin' all these motions like we planned it
Freakin' on this frequency, the passion's sky high, yeah
Buildin' our momentum, is you ready?
Don't you feel the tension gettin' heavy?
Say it with your soul, I got the secret code
Nobody, nobody knows
It must be somethin' in the air
Good love flowin' everywhere
Must be somethin' in your body
Lets me know what you want, I know what you like
When we talk to each other
Speak in tongues
Got our own little language
One on one (yeah)
I could taste every drip from your lips, let it flow
Breathe on me, go, baby, go
Oh, speak to me
Speak to me in tongues
La-la-la-la-la, la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la, la-la-la, la-la
Oh, speak to me
Speak to me in tongues
Sippin' on that potion, overdosin'
Kisses runnin' over like the ocean, okay
Doin' things that we won't say, yeah
Take turns and we rotate, okay
Must be somethin' in the air
Good love flowin' everywhere
Must be somethin' in your body
Lets me know what you want, I know what you like
When we talk to each other
Speak in tongues
Got our own little language
One on one (yeah)
I could taste every drip from your lips, let it flow
Breathe on me, go, baby, go
Oh, speak to me
Speak to me in tongues
La-la-la-la-la, la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la, la-la-la, la-la
Oh, speak to me
Speak to me in tongues
In tongues, talk to me, baby
Dis a weh you come yah for, me ready when yuh ready
Tease you then me mek yuh work fi it, call me petty
Package it and seal it, love you to di ceiling
I'm just tryna feel it, you mek me feel confident (right deh suh)
Like I'm a limited edition, okay, yeah (uh-huh)
Don't even business if we kiss an' you tell dem
Chat inna tongues and mash up mi Heavens, yeah
And yuh sturdy wid it, nuh limit
Yuh body language, it be talkin' to me, yuh zimi?
Nuh bodda tell me seh fi wait a minute, come wid it
We haffi go again, me neva finish, Twinkle
When we talk to each other
Speak in tongues (speak in tongues)
Got our own little language
One on one (yeah)
I could taste every drip from your lips, let it flow
Breathe on me, go, baby, go
Oh, speak to me
Speak to me in tongues
La-la-la-la-la, la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la, la-la-la, la-la
Oh, speak to me
Speak to me in tongues (talk to me, baby)
The lyrics to John Legend's song "Speak In Tongues" describe a deep and intimate connection between two people. The phrase "speak in tongues" is a metaphor for having their own unique way of communication and understanding, a language that is exclusive to them. The singer emphasizes their strong emotional and physical connection, as they can taste every drip from their partner's lips, feel their breath, and sense their desires. It's a passionate and intense relationship where words are not necessary for them to convey their feelings and desires.
The singer also mentions the unspoken understanding they have with each other, how they can communicate without saying it out loud. They know each other so well that they can anticipate each other's motions and actions as if they had planned it beforehand. The frequency of their passion is high, building momentum, and creating tension between them. They have a secret code, a shared language that nobody else knows, symbolizing the exclusivity and depth of their connection.
Overall, the song celebrates the power of deep connection and understanding between two people, where words are not always needed to express their love and desires.
Line by Line Meaning
When we talk to each other
When we communicate with each other
Speak in tongues
Express ourselves in our unique way
Got our own little language
Have developed a personal way of expressing ourselves
One on one
Intimate and private
I could taste every drip from your lips, let it flow
I can experience every sensation from your kisses and let it continue
Breathe on me, go, baby, go
Share your breath with me and keep going
Oh, speak to me
Oh, communicate with me
Speak to me in tongues
Express yourself to me in our unique way
Sayin' when we want without sayin' it
Knowing what to say without actually saying it
How we knowin' all these motions like we planned it
Understanding each other's actions as if we had planned them
Freakin' on this frequency, the passion's sky high, yeah
Engaging in intense intimacy, our passion is extraordinary
Buildin' our momentum, is you ready?
Building up our connection, are you prepared?
Don't you feel the tension gettin' heavy?
Don't you sense the mounting intensity?
Say it with your soul, I got the secret code
Express it with deep emotion, I understand the hidden message
Nobody, nobody knows
No one else understands
It must be somethin' in the air
There is something in the atmosphere
Good love flowin' everywhere
Love is abundant and evident everywhere
Must be somethin' in your body
There is something within your presence
Lets me know what you want, I know what you like
Indicates your desires to me, I am aware of your preferences
Sippin' on that potion, overdosin'
Indulging in a captivating elixir, going above and beyond
Kisses runnin' over like the ocean, okay
Passionate kisses overflowing like the waves of the ocean
Doin' things that we won't say, yeah
Engaging in actions we prefer to keep private
Take turns and we rotate, okay
We alternate and switch roles
In tongues, talk to me, baby
Express yourself in our unique way, communicate with me
Dis a weh you come yah for, me ready when yuh ready
This is what you came here for, I'm prepared when you are
Tease you then me mek yuh work fi it, call me petty
Teasing you and making you work for it, you can call me playful
Package it and seal it, love you to di ceiling
Wrap it up and secure it, I love you intensely
I'm just tryna feel it, you mek me feel confident (right deh suh)
I'm simply trying to experience it, you make me feel self-assured (right here)
Like I'm a limited edition, okay, yeah (uh-huh)
Like I'm unique and rare, alright, yeah (yes)
Don't even business if we kiss an' you tell dem
Do not worry about others if we kiss and you inform them
Chat inna tongues and mash up mi Heavens, yeah
Speak in our unique language and bring me to a state of ecstasy, yeah
And yuh sturdy wid it, nuh limit
And you handle it confidently, no restrictions
Yuh body language, it be talkin' to me, yuh zimi?
Your body language, it communicates with me, you understand?
Nuh bodda tell me seh fi wait a minute, come wid it
No need to tell me to wait a moment, just come with it
We haffi go again, me neva finish, Twinkle
We have to go again, I am not done, Twinkle
La-la-la-la-la, la-la-la
Vocalizing, expressing joy and excitement
La-la-la-la-la, la-la-la, la-la
Vocalizing, expressing joy and excitement
Oh, speak to me
Oh, communicate with me
Speak to me in tongues (talk to me, baby)
Express yourself to me in our unique way (talk to me, baby)
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: John Stephens, Stephen McGregor, Verse Simmonds, Akil King, Jada Murphy
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Be yourself
When we talk to each other
Speak in tongues
Got our own little language
One on one
I could taste every drip of your lips, let it blow
Breathe on me, go, baby, go
Oh, speak to me, speak to me in tongues
Saying what we want without saying it
How we knowin' all these motions like we planned it
Freaking on this frequency, the passion's got high, yeah
Building our momentum, is you ready?
Don't you feel the tension getting heavy?
Say it with your soul, I got the secret code
Nobody, nobody knows
It must be something in the air
Good love flowing everywhere
Must be something in your body
Let's me know what you want, I know what you like
When we talk to each other
Speak in tongues
Got our own little language
One on one
I could taste every drip of your lips, let it blow
Breathe on me, go, baby, go
Oh, speak to me, speak to me in tongues
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
Oh, speak to me, speak to me in tongues
Sippin' on that potion, overdosing
Kisses runnin' over like the ocean, okay
Doin' things that we won't say, yeah
Take turns and we rotate, okay
It must be something in the air
Good love flowing everywhere
Must be something in your body
Let's me know what you want, I know what you like
When we talk to each other
Speak in tongues
Got our own little language
One on one
I could taste every drip of your lips, let it blow
Breathe on me, go, baby, go
Oh, speak to me, speak to me in tongues
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
Oh, speak to me, speak to me in tongues (talk to mi, baby)
Dis a weh yuh come here for, mi ready when yuh ready
Tease yuh, den mi mek yuh work fi it cah mi petty
Package it and seal it, love yuh through di ceiling
I'm just tryna feel it, yuh mek mi feel confident
Like I'm a limited edition, okay
Don't even business if we kiss an' yuh tell dem
Chat inna tongues and mash up mi heaven, yeah
An' yuh steady wid it, nuh limit
Yuh body language, it be talkin' to me, yuh zimi
Nuh badda tell mi seh fi wait a minute, come wid it
Wi haffi go again, mi neva finish, thinker
When we talk to each other
Speak in tongues
Got our own little language
One on one
I could taste every drip of your lips, let it blow
Breathe on me, go, baby, go
Oh, speak to me, speak to me in tongues
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
Oh, speak to me, speak to me in tongues (talk to mi, baby)
Terrique Joseph
Loving this song, he just doesn't miss💯🔥🔥🔥
John Williams
Same
Birute Grafinina
🍃Very beautiful song!! Like it so much!! Thank you!!
Hilda Maria
Eu amo ouvir suas músicas 🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷
Lucia Telles
O melhor!!!👋👋👋
Charity Rich
Gorgeous song 😍
David Anjuwon
this is a master piece
Martinowitsch
This is true - indeed!
Be yourself
When we talk to each other
Speak in tongues
Got our own little language
One on one
I could taste every drip of your lips, let it blow
Breathe on me, go, baby, go
Oh, speak to me, speak to me in tongues
Saying what we want without saying it
How we knowin' all these motions like we planned it
Freaking on this frequency, the passion's got high, yeah
Building our momentum, is you ready?
Don't you feel the tension getting heavy?
Say it with your soul, I got the secret code
Nobody, nobody knows
It must be something in the air
Good love flowing everywhere
Must be something in your body
Let's me know what you want, I know what you like
When we talk to each other
Speak in tongues
Got our own little language
One on one
I could taste every drip of your lips, let it blow
Breathe on me, go, baby, go
Oh, speak to me, speak to me in tongues
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
Oh, speak to me, speak to me in tongues
Sippin' on that potion, overdosing
Kisses runnin' over like the ocean, okay
Doin' things that we won't say, yeah
Take turns and we rotate, okay
It must be something in the air
Good love flowing everywhere
Must be something in your body
Let's me know what you want, I know what you like
When we talk to each other
Speak in tongues
Got our own little language
One on one
I could taste every drip of your lips, let it blow
Breathe on me, go, baby, go
Oh, speak to me, speak to me in tongues
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
Oh, speak to me, speak to me in tongues (talk to mi, baby)
Dis a weh yuh come here for, mi ready when yuh ready
Tease yuh, den mi mek yuh work fi it cah mi petty
Package it and seal it, love yuh through di ceiling
I'm just tryna feel it, yuh mek mi feel confident
Like I'm a limited edition, okay
Don't even business if we kiss an' yuh tell dem
Chat inna tongues and mash up mi heaven, yeah
An' yuh steady wid it, nuh limit
Yuh body language, it be talkin' to me, yuh zimi
Nuh badda tell mi seh fi wait a minute, come wid it
Wi haffi go again, mi neva finish, thinker
When we talk to each other
Speak in tongues
Got our own little language
One on one
I could taste every drip of your lips, let it blow
Breathe on me, go, baby, go
Oh, speak to me, speak to me in tongues
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
Oh, speak to me, speak to me in tongues (talk to mi, baby)
Kura Kura
Beautiful song 👍