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.
The Beginning...
John Legend Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You'll ever spend alone
Couldn't wait
Did it in the living room
Soon as I saw you, baby, I had plans
Plans to do it 'til we have a baby
Even if the world is crazy
Pick some names, boy or girl
So after you change your clothes
Girl, if you change your mind
I'm ready, whatever time
It's the beginning of forever
You don't have to go
Sometimes you just know
It's the beginning of forever
It don't have to end
Keep doing it, and doing it again, oh
Keep doing it, and doing it again, oh
Last time was the last time
I was worn and done
You the best, that's why I want another one
Soon as I saw you, baby, I had plans
Planned to take you to my elevator
And cook a little breakfast later
Pick a place and go there, girl
Then we'll change, change the world
So after you change your clothes
Girl, if you change your mind
I'm ready, whatever time
It's the beginning of forever
You don't have to go
Sometimes you just know
It's the beginning of forever
It don't have to end
Keep doing it, and doing it again, oh
Keep doing it, and doing it again, oh
The lyrics of John Legend's "The Beginning" talk about the moment two people decide to take their relationship to another level, and transform it into something meaningful and long-lasting. The first verse of the song describes a scene where two people come together and make love for the first time, with the promise of remaining together forever. The lyrics speak openly about the possibility of having a child together and building a family, even in a world filled with chaos and negativity. The second verse continues the theme of commitment, with the singer promising to stand by their partner no matter what, and to keep doing whatever it takes to keep their relationship alive.
The lyrics of "The Beginning" are simple yet incredibly powerful, in their directness and honesty. They speak to the universal human desire for love and companionship, and the joys that come with finding someone who you want to spend the rest of your life with. The song is a celebration of new beginnings and the infinite possibilities that they present, especially when it comes to love.
Line by Line Meaning
Last night was the last night
The previous night was the last time the person will spend alone.
You'll ever spend alone
This is a promise that the person will no longer be alone from now on.
Couldn't wait
The singer was very excited and couldn't wait any longer.
Did it in the living room
The act was carried out in the living room.
Soon as I saw you, baby, I had plans
The artist had plans for the moment they saw their partner.
Plans to do it 'til we have a baby
The singer plans to continue the act until they have a baby.
Even if the world is crazy
Nothing will stop them from carrying out their plans no matter how crazy the world gets.
Pick some names, boy or girl
The artist suggests that they should start picking out baby names for both genders.
Then we'll change, change the world
After having a baby, the couple will change the world.
So after you change your clothes
The artist asks their partner to change their clothes after the act.
Girl, if you change your mind
The singer reassures their partner that they are ready for them no matter what.
I'm ready, whatever time
The artist is ready for their partner, whenever they are ready.
It's the beginning of forever
The moment they committed to each other is the beginning of their forever.
You don't have to go
Their partner doesn't have to leave, they can stay.
Sometimes you just know
Sometimes you just know when something is right.
It don't have to end
This love story can last forever.
Keep doing it, and doing it again, oh
The artist suggests that they continue to carry out the act repeatedly.
Last time was the last time
The previous act was the last time the singer wants to feel worn out.
I was worn and done
The singer felt worn out after the previous act.
You the best, that's why I want another one
The artist thinks their partner is the best and wants to do it again.
Planned to take you to my elevator
The artist has planned to take their partner to a different location, the elevator.
And cook a little breakfast later
The artist plans to cook breakfast for their partner after the act.
Pick a place and go there, girl
The singer suggests that they should pick a place to go and do it again.
It's the beginning of forever
Once again, the moment they committed to each other is the beginning of their forever.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Spirit Music Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHAUNCEY A. HOLLIS, JAMES EDWARD FAUNTLEROY II, SARA BETH BAREILLES, INGRID ELLEN EGBERT MICHAELSON, JOHN R. STEPHENS, KANYE OMARI WEST
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Pamela
This song has to be John’s most underrated song.
sweet elo
Ya 🤮🤢
sweet elo
And I liked 🤫🤫🤗🤗🥴🥴🧚🏾♀️
Njabulo Mbatha
Nothing but the truth.☹
SG Thekiso
I think this comment is under rating Him. He's the most appreciated and this song is well rated amongst RnB lovers
Elijah Griggs
@SG Thekiso right
tee migo
I don't know how many times I've listen to this song.The beat is amazing along with his voice.
Chris Ruppert
I've heard all of John's stuff. This album is his masterpiece. Every song is so good. This album brings tears to my eyes.
WHYYOUDOUBLEYOU For The Young Urban Woman
When i listen to John Legends old music in general, i just get in my feelings
fallen one
Relatable🤧