John Legend

Released: December 28, 2004

Songwriter: will.i.am John Legend

Producer: will.i.am

[Produced by Will.I.Am]

[Intro]
Oh stealing moments just to be with you
Though its wrong its hard to tell the truth, oh no
She don't have to know she don't have to know

[Verse 1]
When I meet 'cha, I got my shades on to cover up my eyes
I'm hoping that nobody sees me passing by
Through my disguise I still know you recognize

But you I know you got a little secret of your own
Sneaking out with me while your mans at home
You know your wrong but its so strong still carrying on

[Hook 1]
I go to the other side of town and so I
Never risk the chance will catch her eye
Oh no, she don't have to know, she don't have to know

Oh girl I know your doing the same thing too
But I won't tell your man the things we do
Oh no, he don't have to know, he don't have to know

[Verse 2]
Someone's watching we got to be careful next time or we're through
But damn it's so stressful doing that dirt we do
So sad but true, and I know one day I'm gonna pay

Then he ask me to sneak out of town for just a day or three
Go to DC and hold hands publicly all through the streets
Cause they don't know you and they don't know me

[Hook 2]
And oh I'll feel sorry for mistake we've made
There's no reason that we should tell her today
She don't have to know, she don't have to know

Girl oh, though you give a lot of love to me
Girl I know I'm not the only one you see
But he don't have to know, he don't have to know

[Bridge]
Oh its getting crazy and I don't want to hurt my baby
And I'll know its supposed to be the last time for you and I
But let's not end this way just wait another day

[Outro]
Oh, I don't want to let you go and I
So I just can't let her go
She don't have to know, yeah, yeah
Oh I told you're doin' the same thing to her
Oh he told, they don't have to know

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

Get Lifted

From the albums

Get Lifted (2004)
Connect Set - EP (2005)

John Legend popular songs

She Don’t Have To KnowJohn Legend

John Legend

Get Lifted