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.
Winter Wonderland
John Legend Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Are you listening?
In the lane
Snow is glistening
A beautiful sight
We're happy tonight
Walkin' in a winter wonderland
Is the bluebird
Here to stay
Is a new bird
He's singin' a song
As we go along
We're walkin' in a winter wonderland
In the meadow we can build a snowman
And pretend that he is Parson Brown
He'll say, "are you married?"
We'll say, "no man
But you can do the job when you're in town"
Later on, we'll conspire
As we dream, by the fire
To face unafraid
All the plans that we've made
Walkin' in a winter wonderland
A beautiful sight
We're happy tonight
We're walkin' in the winter wonderland
Oh we're walkin' in the winter wonderland
Oh yes, we're walkin' in the winter wonderland
The lyrics to "Winter Wonderland" by John Legend describe the joyful experience of being in a winter wonderland. The song depicts a picturesque scene with sleigh bells ringing and snow glistening in the lane, creating a beautiful sight that brings happiness. The singer and their companion are walking in this magical winter landscape, enjoying the moment and the company.
The second verse introduces the idea of a new bird taking the place of the bluebird that has gone away. This new bird fills the air with a delightful song as they continue their walk. The lyrics then mention building a snowman in the meadow and pretending it is Parson Brown, a reference to a fictional character often associated with weddings. The lighthearted conversation with the snowman implies that the singer and their partner are not yet married but enjoy each other's presence. The song then moves on to a dreamlike scene by the fire, where they make plans and face them without fear. The chorus repeats the idea that they are happily walking in this enchanting winter wonderland.
Overall, the lyrics to "Winter Wonderland" evoke a sense of joy, love, and togetherness in the midst of a winter landscape. It celebrates the beauty and magic of the season and the joy of being with someone special.
Line by Line Meaning
Sleigh bells ring
The sound of sleigh bells fills the air
Are you listening?
Are you paying attention to the magical sounds around you?
In the lane
On the snowy path
Snow is glistening
The snow sparkles and shines
A beautiful sight
It's a breathtaking view
We're happy tonight
We are filled with joy in this moment
Walkin' in a winter wonderland
We are exploring and enjoying the enchanting winter surroundings
Gone away
The bluebird has migrated and left
Is the bluebird
The bluebird that used to be here
Here to stay
A new bird has arrived and will stay
Is a new bird
This new bird that has joined us
He's singin' a song
The bird is singing a melody
As we go along
As we continue our journey
We're walkin' in a winter wonderland
We are exploring the magical winter world together
In the meadow we can build a snowman
We can create a snowman in the open field
And pretend that he is Parson Brown
We imagine the snowman as a fictional character named Parson Brown
He'll say, 'are you married?'
The fictional snowman asks if we are married
We'll say, 'no man'
We respond to the snowman, saying that we are not married
But you can do the job when you're in town
However, if you're in town, you can officiate a wedding for us
Later on, we'll conspire
Later, we will make secret plans
As we dream, by the fire
While we are lost in our dreams near the cozy fire
To face unafraid
To confront fearlessly
All the plans that we've made
All the plans we have carefully crafted
Walkin' in a winter wonderland
Continuing our exploration of the magical winter world
A beautiful sight
The enchanting scenery is still captivating
We're happy tonight
Our joy and happiness persist in this moment
We're walkin' in the winter wonderland
We continue our journey through the captivating winter landscape
Oh we're walkin' in the winter wonderland
Oh yes, we are experiencing the wonder of the winter world all around us
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Richard B. Smith, Felix Bernard
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
jaxon
on All of Me
really really good I love it
Rickie
on All of Me
Good
Christine Bañega
on All of Me
like
Promise Sokyes
on All of Me
A perfect love song.