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.
Who Do We Think We Are
John Legend Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Baby, tell me, who do we think we are?
We can't run out of magic
It's the only way we know
Let's trip the night fantastic
Light it up 'til we both explode
We love, we love, we love the stars
The drinks, the minks, the jewels, the house, the cars
Why'd we ball so hard?
Yeah, and I, I'm not afraid to fly
Here we are, in the air, barely breathing
And we're not afraid to die
Who do we think we are?
Baby, tell me, who do we think we are?
Who do we think we are?
Baby, tell me, who do we think we are?
We've got a lot of nerve, girl
We walk around here like we own this place
See my jewels dripping on my Timberlands
Stepping like a criminal, success is so imminent
Pink champagne, black Rolls Royce
Eggplant double-breasted suit from Tom Ford
Bon voyage, left haters in the fog
Look up in the sky, bet you recognize a boss
Look into my eyes as I fantasize for us
Still actin' shy like this is summer class crush
Money comin' fast, I'm never in a rush, no
Plus another twenty in a tuck
Semi in a truck, another forty on the wrist
Quarter-mill on my mind got me livin' like I pitch
Dodging Robin Givens, boiling like I'm Roger Clemens
Still in the game, uniform all linen
She get Chanel, ski trips to Vail
Only the highest grade, like trees that I inhale
And I, I'm not afraid to fly
Here we are, in the air, barely breathing
And we're not afraid to die
Who do we think we are?
Baby, tell me, who do we think we are?
Who do we think we are?
Oh baby, tell me, who do we think we are?
Who do we think we are?
I don't know about y'all, but I feel good tonight
There's something in the air tonight
You know, everyone needs someone to look up to
Why shouldn't it be us?
Who do we think we are?
Tell me, who do we think we are?
Who do we think we are?
Tell me, who do we think we are?
In "Who Do We Think We Are," John Legend reflects on the excesses of fame and wealth as he poses the question, "Who do we think we are?" The lyrics provide a portrait of the high life, with references to luxury goods and experiences like minks, jewels, house, and cars, along with pink champagne and black Rolls Royce. The chorus repeats the question, calling for introspection about the emptiness of such indulgences.
The verse by rapper Rick Ross adds another layer to the song's critique of excess, with boasts about money, fame, and power. Though Ross is a guest on the track, his verse serves as a counterpoint to Legend's more reflective tone, highlighting the braggadocio and competition that often come with wealth.
Overall, "Who Do We Think We Are" is a commentary on the illusions that wealth and fame can create, as well as a call to get beyond those illusions and consider what truly matters.
Line by Line Meaning
Who do we think we are?
Questioning the egoistic attitude of society and people in general
Baby, tell me, who do we think we are?
Repeating the question to emphasize on its importance
We can't run out of magic
Believing in the power of charm and good luck
It's the only way we know
Relying solely on magic to get what we want
Let's trip the night fantastic
Enjoying the nightlife with extravagant celebration
Light it up 'til we both explode
Taking the celebrations to the limit for ultimate fun and excitement
We love, we love, we love the stars
Admiring and worshipping the people of fame and success
We could fall so hard
Acknowledging the risk of failure for those who idolize the stars
The drinks, the minks, the jewels, the house, the cars
Desiring and flaunting wealth through materialistic possessions
Why'd we ball so hard?
Questioning the rationale behind spending so extravagantly
Yeah, and I, I'm not afraid to fly
Fearless attitude towards risks and adventure
Here we are, in the air, barely breathing
Living life on the edge, pushing the limits of danger
And we're not afraid to die
Accepting the ultimate consequences of one's actions
We've got a lot of nerve, girl
Feeling courageous and daring
We walk around here like we own this place
Projecting a sense of entitlement and importance
See my jewels dripping on my Timberlands
Showing off expensive jewelry and footwear
Stepping like a criminal, success is so imminent
Walking with confidence, implying a win-at-all-costs mentality
Pink champagne, black Rolls Royce
Celebrating grandly with luxurious items
Eggplant double-breasted suit from Tom Ford
Wearing expensive designer clothes to show off wealth and status
Bon voyage, left haters in the fog
Leaving behind enemies and detractors with a grand exit
Look up in the sky, bet you recognize a boss
Believing in one's superiority and authority
Look into my eyes as I fantasize for us
Imagining an extravagant lifestyle with a partner
Still actin' shy like this is summer class crush
Acting playful and coy despite wealth and success, with a nod to youthful memories
Money comin' fast, I'm never in a rush, no
Earning money quickly and easily without needing to hurry
Plus another twenty in a tuck
Carrying extra money with ease and comfort
Semi in a truck, another forty on the wrist
Driving a luxurious truck and wearing an expensive watch
Quarter-mill on my mind got me livin' like I pitch
Thinking frequently about money and living an extravagant lifestyle
Dodging Robin Givens, boiling like I'm Roger Clemens
Avoiding confrontations with adversaries while maintaining a competitive and aggressive attitude
Still in the game, uniform all linen
Maintaining success and relevance while staying stylish
She get Chanel, ski trips to Vail
Treating one's partner to luxurious experiences
Only the highest grade, like trees that I inhale
Insisting on the finest quality in everything, down to the details
I don't know about y'all, but I feel good tonight
Expressing confidence and satisfaction with the current state of things
There's something in the air tonight
Sensing change or excitement in the atmosphere
You know, everyone needs someone to look up to
Acknowledging the human need for inspiration and guidance
Why shouldn't it be us?
Believing in one's own superiority and ability to lead by example
Tell me, who do we think we are?
Repeating the question to emphasize on its importance and prompt introspection
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., BMG Rights Management, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANTHONY KHAN, CARROL WASHINGTON, DAVE TOZER, ED TOWNSEND, GUORDAN BANKS, JOHN STEPHENS, JOSEPH BROUSSARD, KANYE WEST, MARVIN GAYE, RALPH WILLIAMS, RICK ROSS, ROOSEVELT HARRELL III, WILLIAM ROBERTS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sarahgrenke703
Still loving this song after all these years. Gives me chills every time.
@caroljones4348
I love this song, too.
@caroljones4348
I love this song, too.
@caroljones4348
I love this song, too.
@caroljones4348
I love this song, too.
@caroljones4348
I love this song, too.
@pogs347
This song gives me chills everytime! This deserves a billion views. Smh
@guysykes6
Ultima TriX me too
@tonysboomboomroomtony1148
Levi I know rite
@starbuks1269
Fo sho... very brilliantly put together. He should have a min of quadrillion viewer plus albums sold! Very talented young man! Most those entertainers use google voice... lol they cant sing... the only thing they sell u nowadays fiction and hoaxes... and most of them get they image from SPRITE.📢👁🗨🔉🔈🔉. I’m no artist but I can sing some Boys to men shit allday with my knuckles hitting the wall for a mini beat followed up with some acapella/soprano shit! Bitches be asking me I didn’t know boys to men had a female in there group!... I responded sales with have been topped off at the quadrillion benchmark!!!..I I could just did the hook.... ya feel me??? It makes me feel good when ppl say such kind things 🎧🔈🔉🎧🎧🎧🎧