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.
This Time
John Legend Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Memories rushed through my brain
It's starting to hit me
Now you're not with me
I realize I made a mistake
I thought that I needed some space
But I just let love go to waste
It's so crystal clear now
I gotta get you back today
This time I want it all
This time I want it all
Showing you all the cards
Giving you all my heart
This time I'll take the chance
This time I'll be your man
I can be all you need
This time it's all of me
I hit the bar every night
Looking to score a good time
It's not like I planned it
Left empty handed
'Cause I'm still alone in my mind
Now what will it take to feel right
Can I come see you tonight
Is there someone new now
What can I do now
'Cause I need you back by my side
This time I want it all
This time I want it all
Showing you all the cards
Giving you all my heart
This time I'll take the chance
This time I'll be your man
I can be all you need
This time it's all of me
Last time I wasn't sure
This time I will give you more
I'm more mature
I'll show you
Last time I didn't know
I messed up let her let you go
I need you, don't say no
Laying alone in this room
All that is missing is you
Pick up the phone
Won't you come home
This time I want it all
This time I want it all
I' m showing you all the cards
Giving you all my heart
This time I'll take the chance
This time I'll be your man
I can be all you need
This time it's all of me
All of me
In John Legend's song "This Time," the singer expresses his regret for letting go of a love that he now realizes was important to him. The song starts with the singer talking about how he ran into his ex, and a flood of memories filled his mind, making him realize that he made a mistake by letting her go. Although he thought that he needed space, he now sees that he let love go to waste, and it's crystal clear to him that he needs her back. He states that he wants it all this time, and he's willing to give her his heart, be her man, and show her all the cards. He takes responsibility for his previous mistakes and claims that he will be more mature and give her more.
The second verse of the song acknowledges that the singer tried to fill the void left by his ex by going to the bar every night but was left unfulfilled. His mind is still alone, and he realizes that he needs her back by his side to feel right. He's willing to take the chance and asks if he can come see her tonight. The chorus then repeats, emphasizing that the singer wants to give his all this time.
In the bridge of the song, the singer admits that he messed up and let his love go the last time but claims that this time, he's more mature, and he'll show her what she means to him. He pleads with her not to say no and stresses that all he needs is her.
Overall, John Legend's "This Time" is a heartfelt plea to his ex to take another chance on love. He expresses regret for his past mistakes and emphasizes that he's more mature this time and willing to give his all.
Line by Line Meaning
Ran into you yesterday
I saw you yesterday unexpectedly
Memories rushed through my brain
Thoughts of our past came to mind quickly
It's starting to hit me
I'm starting to realize
Now you're not with me
Now that we're not together
I realize I made a mistake
I understand that I made a wrong choice
I thought that I needed some space
I believed I required time to myself
But I just let love go to waste
However, I failed to cherish our relationship
It's so crystal clear now
I can see clearly now
That I need you here now
That I require your presence with me now
I gotta get you back today
I must have you return to me today
This time I want it all
This time, I desire everything
Showing you all the cards
I will be completely open and honest with you
Giving you all my heart
I will offer you all the love I possess
This time I'll take the chance
I'll take a risk this time
This time I'll be your man
I'll be the partner you deserve this time
I can be all you need
I can be everything you require
This time it's all of me
This time, I'll put all of myself into the relationship
I hit the bar every night
I go to the bar each evening
Looking to score a good time
Trying to have a good time and meet people
It's not like I planned it
I didn't plan for things to turn out this way
Left empty handed
Ended up with nothing at all
'Cause I'm still alone in my mind
Yet in my head, I'm still by myself
Now what will it take to feel right
What do I need to do to feel better
Can I come see you tonight
May I visit you tonight
Is there someone new now
Is there a new person in your life now
What can I do now
Is there anything I can do now
'Cause I need you back by my side
I want you to return to being with me
Last time I wasn't sure
I was uncertain last time
This time I will give you more
This time, I will offer you more
I'm more mature
I'm more grown up now
I'll show you
I'll prove it to you
Last time I didn't know
I wasn't aware last time
I messed up let her let you go
I made a mistake and allowed you to leave me
I need you, don't say no
I require you, please don't refuse me
Laying alone in this room
I'm alone in this room
All that is missing is you
You are the only thing that's absent
Pick up the phone
Answer your phone
Won't you come home
Please come back home
This time it's all of me
This time, I'll put all of myself into the relationship
All of me
All of me is dedicated to this relationship
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Kawan Prather, John Stephens, Dave Tozer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Cevie Brown
My husband ( boyfriend at the time) sang this to me after a bad break up. It was so emotional. Tears were flowing on both ends. I'll forever love this song!
Thebe Mokoena
And you never gave the guy a chance?
Tay Hall
I remember my ex played this song for me. And it could not save our relationship..... #summer2010 Thank God for time and redemption.... Now I'm in a marriage with a man that knows how important I am to him.
Gontse Richli
It couldn’t save it cause he didn’t write the song but can only dedicate another man’s words in a melody… that doesn’t save relationships, I’m so happy you’re honoured and valued , enjoy your marriage
Thandiwe Nkhosingiphile Dlamini
I dont know why laughed...im happy for you gurl
Angel Whitehead
How can anyone not like John Legend??? His voice is so smooth, and his songs are amazingly beautiful.
Sudy Smith
2023 and still on replay and sparks deep emotions outta me 🥲🥲
Loveart96
My husband and I danced to this song on our first dance as a married couple in 2010 :') Gets me so emotional listening to it. Beautiful!
Zhargalism Channel
Few years ago, this song provided me power to understand my mistakes and to make the greatest commitment of my life. Now I see back and understand the commitments have been implemented.
Thank you John
UMUHIRE Ornella
🥺🥺2022 and still in love with this song❤️