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:::Music Review:::
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John Legend - "Get Lifted"
by William Ashanti Hobbs
author and co-owner of Meroen Press
January 2005
This Music Review is sponsored by:
1102 S. Adams St., ste.#5 - Tallahassee, FL 32301
850.222.6940 - www.flavamusic.net
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This Music Review is
Sponsored by:
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Admit it, you didn’t expect him to look like he does…
nah, you said to yourself, ‘that cat on the cover must
be a model. Some kind of Milli Vanilli scam up in
here…’ You wanted to check your CD cover again like
many people who heard his voice before they saw him;
it’s been a while since we’ve all heard anyone sound
as composed, yet soulful… honestly, we don’t know what
someone with such a polished, dignified sound as his
should look like. We’re used to cats looking like
they’re set to detail our cars while dodging a case on
the low.
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John Legend sounds like P. Diddy’s Carl Thomas, with
an extra five years of wisdom added to his lyrics and
delivery. It might have something to do with Kanye
West’s production, here mellowed down to showcase each
and every nuance. Simply put, the tracks are devoid of
the hyper-speed oldie cut as the backdrop formula West
is been known for. Legend’s mannered, robust presence
is without the teenage gangsta-hormonal rage and works
well with the white T to blazer crowd. The lyrics of
"Get Lifted" are vague enough to pack various
allusions, weed and the proverbial leg-twitching
orgasm to end all included, yet there is a comfortable
quality to Legend’s delivery that will keep you from
ever seeing him as ribald as the comparable David
Hollister.
"Used To Love U" ushers in an earnest quality that
never fades. Its lyrics reveal the self-doubt that
Kanye’s "The College Dropout" stood out for by telling
the story of a guy who is afraid he does not have
enough swagger and calculated hood status (circa
Destiny’s Child "Soldier" to keep the woman of his
affections:
"Baby, It's me... Maybe I bore you/ No, No it's my
fault cause I can't afford you/
Maybe baby Puffy, Jay Z/Could all be better for you/
Cause all I could do was love you"
Getting bored with the middle class sterility? Enter
"Alright", Legend’s attempt at being a drunken, ballsy
player that doesn’t give a damn about staring females
down even if their man’s right next to them. Okay, so
that level of badass recklessness comes off as
convincing as Tevin Campbell screaming thug-life, but
Legend fares better with "She Don't Have To Know"
where he reasons with the other woman to stay clear of
his home front. This one comes off reminiscent of
classic Bill Withers.
So now you can’t sleep on the bourgie/neo (never mind,
I won’t say it)-whatever Legend, mild-mannered as he
may seem; Clark Kent here can catch wreck with a red
cape and be a ho like the rest of the badasses women
love to try and tame. Speaking of that, Legend’s got
the soundtrack to that there, too with the Staple
Singers’ cheerful "Let’s Do It Again"-tinged "I Can
Change." Both Kanye’s and Legend’s arrangements are
irresistible, making Snoop Dogg’s cameo the cool,
thin, after-dinner mint after a hearty dinner.
"Ordinary People" is one of the most elegant, honest
love songs of 2004 and 2005. It wades in the
uncertainty of relationships with a realism that is
not destined for doom or stuck in fairytale mode.
"Stay With You" has a content, homely, almost country
feel that gives you the notion to watch your children
play in the yard and smile or take your naked feet and
rub them on something warm-blooded while under the
covers. "Let's Get Lifted Again" has a Native
American, almost meditative tone. This time the
allusions aren’t as plentiful as the previous
"Lifted". Ol’ boy’s definitely on some peyote tip
this time. "It Don't Have To Change" is a tender
tribute to the family, complete Legend’s (aka John
Stephens) own family (The Stephens Family). With only
fingersnaps, reverb and piano, Legend’s full-bodied
voice leads his family well in a song that should find
its way to every family reunion.
"Live It Up" is the most likable, believable ode to
conspicuous consumption of our generation. Without the
bitterness and juvenile taunting of material goods you
find in hip hop, Legend sings of he and his woman
busting their asses over the years to keep a roof over
their heads and finally coming to a point in their
lives where their hard work has paid off. Speaking of
which, nine years as choir director for his local
church has definitely rewarded Legend. His talent
needs no updated slang or trendy sound effects to keep
him relevant and in rotation. Nice guys can finish in
grand style (and be destined to last longer than the
others) after all.
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