Celebrating the Impact of Black Musicians Throughout the Month of June
Laila Abuelhawa
December 28th, 2021
Today is singer, songwriter, and producer John Legend’s 43rd birthday. To celebrate the talented artist’s big day, we’ve ranked his 7 best songs of all time, since his emergence on the music scene as a solo artist in 2004.
From his debut album, Get Lifted, “So High” was released in 2004.
Though he is featured on this Sam Smith song, John Legend’s voice melds beautifully with the Brit. The two partnered up for 2015’s Red Nose Day; proceeds from the single went to charities around the world who have pledged to make a difference in people’s lives.
One of Legend’s most popular songs of all time, from his fourth studio album, Love in the Future (2013). Legend said the song was inspired by his passionate love for his wife Chrissy Teigen, whom he married in 2013.
This song was originally being written for The Black Eyed Peas, but when John wrote it, he felt it was better as a ballad and kept it for himself.
The music video features John Legend dealing with a bunch of different women, who all actually represent different aspects of the same person. See how the clothes stay the same?
Legend belting, “Who do we think we are?!” gives us chills every single time we listen to this song.
“Green Light” shows a shift in musical style for Legend, opting for a funk and electro sound. Andre 3000 was recruited because “it just sounded like something he’d do.” He immediately loved it and was on board, writing and recording his rap soon after.
