John Legend

Released: December 2, 2016

Songwriter: Lin-Manuel Miranda

Producer: John Legend

[Intro]
Whoa…
Whoa… Oooh
Oo-oooh

[Verse 1]
Ay
I was younger than you are now
When I was given my first command
I led my men into a massacre
Witnessed their deaths firsthand
Oh, I made every mistake
I felt the shame rise in me
And even now I lie awake
Knowing history, history

[Chorus]
History has its eyes on me
History, history, history
Ah, history has its eyes on me
History, history, history
Ahhh

[Verse 2]
Let me tell you what I wish I’d known
When I was young and dreamed of glory
Don't nobody have control
Who lives, who dies, who tells your story
I know that we can win
I know that greatness lies in you
But remember from here on in
History, history

[Chorus]
History has its eyes on you
History, history, history
Ah, history has its eyes on you
History, history, history
Ahhh

[Bridge]
Whoa…
Whoa… (whoa)
Whoa…

[Chorus]
History has its eyes on you
History, history, history (whoa)
Aaah
History has its eyes on you (oooh)
History (ahhh)
History has its eyes on you (oooh, ooh)
History, history
Oooh, 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!’”

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