John Legend

Released: November 25, 2016

Songwriter: Will Oldham Blake Mills John Legend

Producer: Blake Mills

[Verse 1]
They say sing what you know
But I've sung what they want
Some folks do what they're told
But baby this time I won't
When I look through that door
I know the truth from lie
Some things I've done before I can't justify

[Pre-Chorus]
There are kings in my past
Things no one can be proud of
But I stand in the light I've cast
And turn away from any lack of love
Oh, when I walked through that door
I say here I go
You see me and nothing more
I'm singing what I know

[Chorus]
I know better
I know better

[Verse 2]
Legend is just a name
I know better than to be so proud
I won't drink in all this fame
I'll take more love than I'm allowed

[Pre-Chorus]
I won't hide or cut it off from where it came
My history has brought me to this place
This power and the color of my face

[Chorus]
And I know better
Oh, I know better

[Bridge]
Oh, I'll rise from the floor if I don't win
I'll bust open that door so let me in
And if music chooses me to sing I let her
I'll sing what I know, yes

[Chorus]
I know better, oh
I know better, yes
I know better
I know better

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!’”

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