John Legend

Released: December 2, 2016

Songwriter: Ethan Gruska Blake Mills John Legend

Producer: Blake Mills

[Verse 1]
Will you live like me, in a world run by desire?
Will you wake from worldly dreams and not be tired?
Will you work like me to lift the conversation higher?
Will you be cool like water putting out the fire?
How can you be free from all this sorrow?
Will the ones you love today be gone tomorrow?

[Chorus 1]
And if angels don't have answers to your prayers
Oh, I will be there, oh I will be there

[Verse 2]
And if who you love don't want your love, well then...
Do you cut a deal with love and run again?
You see, love contains the meaning of despair
Will you think like me? Will you have your mother's fire?
Maybe the way we are will not be how you're wired
Will we do right by you? Will you have what you require?
To make your days on this Earth be not so dire?

[Chorus 2]
Can you choose to lead if no one follows?
And if we fell today, must you tomorrow?
Sanctify your answer not your prayer
Oh, I will be there, yeah, I will be there
Yeah, I will be there

[Outro]
And even when it all becomes too much
When you're growing old and feeling out of touch
Listen to this song and just take care
And know that I will be there, yeah, I will be there
No, I swear that I will, yeah, I promise I will
Little girl, I'm cryin'

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

Right By You (for Luna)John Legend

John Legend

Darkness and Light