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.
Used to Love U-
John Legend Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Holla holla haaa
Maybe it's me, maybe I bore you
Oh no, it's my fault 'cause I can't afford you
Maybe, baby
Puffy, Jay-Z
Would all be better for you
Baby when I used to love you (there's nothin' that I wouldn't do)
I went through the fire for you (anything you asked me to)
But I'm tired of living this lie
It's getting harder to justify
I realize that I just don't love you
Not like I used to
Holla holla holla haaa (yeaa)
Holla holla holla haaa (yea, yea)
Now maybe I should rob somebody
So we could live like Whitney and Bobby
It's probably my fault, my bad, my loss
But you are the cause
'Cause all I could do was love you
Baby when I used to love you (there's nothin that I wouldn't do)
I went through the fire for you (anything you asked me to)
But I'm tired of living this lie
It's getting harder to justify
I realize that I just don't love you
Not like I used to
Holla holla holla haa (yeaa)
Holla holla holla haa
Do you remember (I used to) when I used (love you) to (used to) love you (love you)?
Baby no, not anymore (I don't love you)
(Used to love you) I love you
And you're gonna miss me now
Baby when I used to love you (there's nothin that I wouldn't do)
I went through the fire for you (but I'm not gonna play the fool)
And I can't live this lie
I can't justify
And I can't make you my wife, I don't love you
Not like I used to
Holla holla holla haa (not like I used to)
Holla holla holla haa (not like I used to)
Oh I used to love you (used to love you)
Oh but I don't love you (I don't love you)
I used to love you (used to love you)
Oh but I don't love you (I bet you miss me 'cause I)
I used to love you (you miss me 'cause I)
I used to love you (I bet you're miss me now 'cause I, I don't love you)
The song "Used To Love You" by John Legend and Kanye West is about the end of a once passionate relationship. The singer is coming to the realization that the love he once felt for his partner has faded, and he can no longer maintain the lie that he still loves them. He acknowledges that maybe it's his own fault for not being able to afford the lavish lifestyle his partner desires, but he also recognizes that maybe someone like Puff Daddy or Jay-Z would be better suited for his partner. The lyrics "Maybe I should rob somebody / So we could live like Whitney and Bobby" suggest that the singer feels like he needs to resort to criminal behavior to keep his partner satisfied.
The chorus repeats the phrase "when I used to love you" and "not like I used to," which highlights the stark contrast between the past and the present. The singer recalls how he used to do anything for his partner, even going through the fire for them, but now he can no longer justify his actions or feelings. The repetition of the phrase "Holla holla holla haa" adds a touch of sarcasm and bitterness to the song.
The song's message is a relatable one, as many people have experienced a relationship that started off strong, but ultimately fizzled out. The lyrics are honest and raw, conveying the pain and disappointment that comes with the end of a once deep connection.
Line by Line Meaning
Holla holla haaa
Adlibs to set the mood of the song
Maybe it's me, maybe I bore you
Perhaps the reason for the relationship's failure lies with me
Oh no, it's my fault 'cause I can't afford you
I take responsibility for the breakup because I cannot provide the lifestyle you desire
Maybe, baby
Perhaps if I were someone else, you would be happy
Puffy, Jay-Z
Famous and wealthy men who could give you everything you want
Would all be better for you
You would be happier with someone more successful
'Cause all I could do was love you
Despite my shortcomings, I loved you to the best of my abilities
Baby when I used to love you (there's nothin' that I wouldn't do)
When I was still in love with you, I was willing to do anything for you
I went through the fire for you (anything you asked me to)
I was willing to go to great lengths for you and do anything you asked of me
But I'm tired of living this lie
I can no longer keep up the facade that everything is okay between us
It's getting harder to justify
I can no longer justify staying in a loveless relationship
I realize that I just don't love you
I came to the realization that I am no longer in love with you
Not like I used to
My love for you has diminished
Now maybe I should rob somebody
I am willing to do something illegal to provide for you
So we could live like Whitney and Bobby
I am willing to emulate Whitney and Bobby's tumultuous lifestyle to make you happy
It's probably my fault, my bad, my loss
I am aware that the failed relationship is my fault and my loss
But you are the cause
However, I hold you responsible for being the catalyst for my actions
Do you remember (I used to) when I used (love you) to (used to) love you (love you)?
Reminiscing about the past when we were still in love
Baby no, not anymore (I don't love you)
I am admitting that I no longer love you
And you're gonna miss me now
You will regret not appreciating my love while you had it
But I'm not gonna play the fool
I am no longer willing to be tricked or manipulated by you
And I can't make you my wife, I don't love you
I cannot marry you because I am no longer in love with you
Oh I used to love you (used to love you)
Repeating the fact that I was once in love with you
Oh but I don't love you (I don't love you)
Repeating the fact that I am no longer in love with you
Lyrics Β© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN LEGEND, KANYE WEST, KANYE OMARI WEST
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@meshackachigili6666
Kanye west predicted his own feature by acting as a preacher in this song
@thatguycmk7548
Learn how to spell.
@vanessa9024
Yeah that is so cool lol
@1All0RA
Future*
@pinchewey7
Prediction or vision he already had back then that ended up playing out? Lol
@torredavis2854
He produce
@kylinhunter9773
This song is easily one of the dopest tracks by John to this day. Nothing but heat even going into 2022. π₯π₯
@thomasseverson3747
Agreed
@mrk7201
I Highly agree. Real music, He is very talented
@nazcarjonez_201
Facts on Facts