Podcast Summary: Story Pirates – An Interview with John Legend
Episode Information
- Title: Story Pirates
- Host: Story Pirates
- Episode: An Interview with John Legend
- Release Date: December 9, 2024
1. Introduction
In this special bonus episode of the award-winning Story Pirates podcast, host Lee engages in an insightful conversation with the renowned singer, composer, and musician, John Legend. The episode spotlights John’s inaugural album tailored for children and families, titled My Favorite Dream. Listeners are treated not only to a deep dive into John's musical journey but also get the exclusive experience of hearing select tracks from the album.
Notable Quote:
- John Legend: “I love storytelling.” [00:36]
2. John Legend’s Musical Roots and Family Influence
John Legend begins by sharing his deep-rooted connection to music, tracing his passion back to childhood. He reminisces about his early piano lessons at the age of four under Gloria Smith and the profound influence of his maternal grandmother, the church organist, who introduced him to gospel music. This nurturing environment fostered his enduring love for music, which seamlessly integrates into his family life today.
Notable Quotes:
- John Legend: “I find so much joy and fulfillment from songwriting.” [00:49]
- John Legend: “I'm around my family. So it just felt like the right place to write this particular album.” [07:43]
3. Introducing "My Favorite Dream"
Lee delves into John’s latest project, My Favorite Dream, an album created specifically for children and families. This venture marks John’s first solo-written album, entirely crafted without co-writers and produced in the comfort of his home. The album reflects themes inspired by conversations with his children, resulting in song titles like “When I Feel Sad” and “Always Come Back.”
Notable Quote:
- John Legend: “This is the first album that I've completely written myself, aside from the covers that I did.” [07:43]
4. Collaboration with Family Members
A unique aspect of My Favorite Dream is the involvement of John’s family. His children, Luna and Miles, contribute vocally to the track L O V E, marking their first recording experience with him. John describes the delightful chaos of recording with his kids, highlighting the learning curve with studio equipment and the joy of family collaboration.
Notable Quotes:
- John Legend: “We got video of it. We were all four together in the booth.” [03:55]
- John Legend: “I'm trying to get them to figure out the headphone situation... Sooner or later, we just figured it'd be easier for them to just take it off and just watch me.” [03:55]
5. Performance of "L O V E"
The episode features a heartfelt performance of L O V E, one of the standout tracks from the album. The song encapsulates the pure and uncomplicated nature of love, resonating with both children and adults through its catchy melody and meaningful lyrics.
Lyrics Highlight:
"Love it's easy to spell and if you know it for yourself
Then everybody else, well, they can tell
When L O V E gets into your it sparkles like a star...
Love, love, love hey. Love, love where every day is love."
Notable Quote:
- John Legend: “Love, love, love Makes you feel better. Love, love, love keeps us together.” [04:40]
6. The Songwriting Process Behind the Album
John elaborates on his creative process for My Favorite Dream, emphasizing the joy he finds in songwriting. Unlike his previous works, this album was entirely written by him at home, inspired by daily interactions with his children. He began with brainstorming topics discussed within his family, which later evolved into song titles. John recorded the initial melodies by simply sitting at the piano and experimenting, a process he describes as “mumbling his way through the entire album in one sitting.”
Notable Quotes:
- John Legend: “I just sat down at the piano eventually and started mumbling things.” [07:43]
- John Legend: “So every song that's on the album, it started with me sitting at the piano and mumbling a melody...” [07:43]
7. Collaboration with Producer Sufjan Stevens
To achieve the desired sound for the album, John collaborated with acclaimed producer Sufjan Stevens. This partnership blended John’s soulful melodies with Sufjan’s intricate arrangements, resulting in a unique and enchanting musical experience. John recounts their first conversation, where he expressed his admiration for Sufjan’s work and his vision for the album.
Notable Quotes:
- John Legend: “Sufjan Stevens produced the entire album, and I really wanted his sound to be the sound of this album.” [09:27]
- John Legend: “I told him what my vision was. And I sent you the really rough demos that I recorded on voice notes...” [09:27]
8. Highlighting "Always Come Back"
Another featured track, Always Come Back, showcases John’s ability to craft songs with universal appeal. The song's lyrical depth and orchestration earned it a nomination for Best Arrangement for Vocal and Instrumentation. John expresses his pride in how this track mirrors the emotional resonance of his earlier work, particularly his debut album, Get Lifted.
Lyrics Highlight:
"I always come back to always come back to you...
Like the dawn always brings us the sun
Like the moon comes when the day is done..."
Notable Quote:
- John Legend: “Always Come Back. I asked a string orchestrator... we were nominated for best arrangement...” [11:29]
9. Advice for Young Songwriters
Emphasizing the podcast’s focus on creativity, John shares valuable tips for children aspiring to write their own songs. He encourages young creators to jot down ideas, experiment with melodies, and utilize technology like voice notes to capture spontaneous inspirations. John underscores the importance of iteration and perseverance in refining one’s craft.
Notable Quotes:
- John Legend: “Write down the ideas that you have and try to think about them as lyrical ideas too.” [18:51]
- John Legend: “Iterate, keep trying, keep working on it and keep singing it until it feels like it really sings well...” [18:51]
10. The Role of Playfulness in Creativity
John reflects on the significance of playfulness in fostering creativity within the family. Drawing parallels between his father’s and wife’s habit of creating whimsical ditties, he highlights how these playful interactions inspire musical creativity and a joyful household atmosphere.
Notable Quotes:
- John Legend: “My dad was like that. He always was singing little made up ditties around the house.” [20:03]
- John Legend: “Both of them are the more playful members of the coup... making up little fun ditties around the house.” [20:34]
11. Bridging Music for All Ages
Addressing the challenge of creating music that resonates with both children and adults, John discusses the delicate balance achieved in My Favorite Dream. He aimed to craft sophisticated melodies and lyrics that appeal to grown-ups while maintaining the simplicity and charm appreciated by young listeners. John expresses confidence that his older children will eventually find the album enjoyable as adults, highlighting its universal appeal.
Notable Quote:
- John Legend: “I feel like it's really good for adults and it's really good for the young, young ones.” [21:14]
12. Conclusion
As the episode wraps up, Lee thanks John Legend for his time and shares excitement about the new album. He encourages listeners, especially the grown-ups, to explore My Favorite Dream and embrace the creative journey it offers to both children and families.
Notable Quote:
- Lee: “We really can't recommend John's new album enough, so grown ups check it out.” [21:35]
Final Thoughts
This episode of Story Pirates serves as an inspiring testament to the power of family, creativity, and storytelling through music. John Legend’s transition into children’s music with My Favorite Dream not only showcases his versatility as an artist but also his commitment to fostering creativity in the next generation. Through heartfelt discussions and memorable performances, listeners gain a deeper appreciation for the art of songwriting and the joy of collaborative creation within a family setting.