John Legend

Released: December 2, 2016

Songwriter: Eg White Matt Sweeney Blake Mills John Legend

Producer: Blake Mills

[Verse 1]
Should've known when the cop told me I'm goin' too fast
He told me
Speed like that and it's bound to be a hell of a crash
He told me
Better late than you don't get there, do the math
Oh you oughta be grateful
For what you have

[Pre-Chorus]
Well what if I refuse to learn?
I see a flame, I wanna get burned

[Chorus]
How can I blame you
For showin' up at the party?
Lookin' through me in that way
Saw somethin' inside of me break
Saw me wanna make a mistake
How can I blame you
For takin' over my daydreams?
I wanna scream it, I'm sorry
But I can't 'cause I'm long overdue
Oh I wanna blame it on you

[Verse 2]
Why's it hard for a man to be satisfied?
Oh, I got one glimpse of the green grass on the other side
'Cause it's all been comin' to this and goddamn I won't be denied
Oh I'm gonna take one more chance tonight

[Pre-Chorus]
Oh, what if I refuse to learn?
I see the flame grow, I gotta get burned

[Chorus]
How can I blame you
For showin' up at the party?
Lookin' through me in that way
Saw somethin' inside of me break
Saw me wanna make a mistake
How can I blame you
For takin' over my daydreams?
I wanna scream it, I'm sorry
But I can't 'cause I'm long overdue
Oh I wanna blame it on you

[Bridge]
Did I know my weakness?
Did I mount all my defenses?
Did I tell you to leave me alone?
How can I blame you?
You saw somethin' inside of me break
You saw me wanna make a mistake

[Chorus]
How can I blame you?
You saw somethin' inside of me break
You saw me wanna make a mistake
How can I blame you
For takin' over my daydreams?
I wanna scream it, I'm sorry
But I can't 'cause I'm long overdue
Oh I wanna blame it on you
I wanna blame it on you
I wanna blame it on you, yeah

John Legend was born in 1978 in Ohio. He became an in-demand session musician and songwriter, working with such artists as Alicia Keys, Twista and Janet Jackson. He was soon introduced to up-and-coming hip-hop artist Kanye West, and the two musicians collaborated on one another’s demos.

J. Ivy claims credit for bestowing the “Legend” moniker upon John Stephens (with an assist from Kanye West). Via

Kanye was like, ‘Have you heard of this singer called John Stephens?’ He played me this song from him, that I think will.i.am produced. It was so refreshing and soulful. An hour later, John Stephens comes into the studio. I told him, ‘I heard your music. It’s so amazing. It sounds old school. Man, you sound like one of the legends. You’re a legend. Matter of fact, that’s what I am going to call you from now The Legend. A couple days later, we were in the lounge of the studio (Record Plant) and John Stephens walks in and everyone shouts him out. I was like, ‘John Legend!’ Kanye then said, ‘You’re John Legend from now on. That’s your name!’”

more tracks from the album

Darkness and Light

From the album

Darkness and Light (2016)

John Legend popular songs

How Can I Blame YouJohn Legend

John Legend

Darkness and Light