John Roger Stephens (born December 28, 1978), better known by his stage name John Legend, is an American singer-songwriter and actor. He has won nine Grammy Awards, and in 2007, Legend received the special Starlight Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Prior to the release of his debut album, Stephens’ career gained momentum through a series of successful collaborations with multiple established artists. Stephens added his voice to those of other artists, assisting in them reaching chart-topper hits. He lent his voice to Magnetic Man’s “Getting Nowhere,” Kanye West’s “All of the Lights”, on Slum Village’s “Selfish” and Dilated Peoples’ “This Way”. Other artists included Jay-Z’s “Encore”, and he sang backing vocals on Alicia Keys’ 2003 song “You Don’t Know My Name”, the Kanye West remix of Britney Spears’ “Me Against the Music”, and Fort Minor’s “High Road”. Stephens played piano on Lauryn Hill’s “Everything Is Everything”. Wikipedia®.
John Legend – All of Me
Producer Dave Tozer told SonicScoop about the song’s production. “This is a very simple, stripped-down arrangement,” he said. “It’s just piano, vocals, some robots, a couple of synths, and some Moog bass. The weight is all on John’s vocal. And then I harmonized a bunch of his vocals to sound like robots – an Eventide piece might have been used, and the TC Helicon VoiceLive. The VoiceLive sounded cool and gave some great results.” “We were inspired by that Imogen Heap song ‘Hide And Seek,’ he added, “it’s kind of this a cappella tune going on with all the harmonizers. The robot harmonization is subtle – we didn’t want to overdo it – but it lends a little cool character to the whole thing.” Songfacts®.
John Legend – All of Me Lyrics:
[Verse]
What would I do without your smart mouth
Drawing me in, and you kicking me out
Got my head spinning, no kidding, I cant pin you down
What’s going on in that beautiful mind
I’m on your magical mystery ride
And I’m so dizzy, don’t know what hit me, but I’ll be alright
[Bridge]
My head’s underwater
But I’m breathing fine
You’re crazy and I’m out of my mind
[Chorus]
Cause all of me
Loves all of you
Love your curves and all your edges
All your perfect imperfections
Give your all to me
I’ll give my all to you
You’re my end and my beginning
Even when I lose I’m winning
Cause I give you all of me
And you give me all of you, oh
[Verse]
How many times do I have to tell you
Even when you’re crying you’re beautiful too
The world is beating you down, I’m around through every mood
You’re my downfall, you’re my muse
My worst distraction, my rhythm and blues
I can’t stop singing, it’s ringing, in my head for you
[Bridge]
My head’s underwater
But I’m breathing fine
You’re crazy and I’m out of my mind
[Chorus]
Cause all of me
Loves all of you
Love your curves and all your edges
All your perfect imperfections
Give your all to me
I’ll give my all to you
You’re my end and my beginning
Even when I lose I’m winning
Cause I give you all of me
And you give me all of you, all of you!
Cards on the table, we’re both showing hearts
Risking it all, though it’s hard
[Chorus]
Cause all of me
Loves all of you
Love your curves and all your edges
All your perfect imperfections
Give your all to me
I’ll give my all to you
You’re my end and my beginning
Even when I lose I’m winning
Cause I give you all of me
And you give me all of you
I give you all of me.
And you give me all, all of you, oh.