USA TODAY International Edition
John Legend offers an answer with ‘ Bigger Love’
The soulful superstar’s new album – “I truly believe it’s my best work” – is arriving in some of the toughest of times.
In these crazy coronavirus times, John Legend says he’s looking to spread some love. “Bigger Love,” his latest album, due out Friday, does plenty of that. h We got a taste of what to expect when the dance- floor- ready title track dropped in April. Legend’s voice, which fits pop songs as easily as piano ballads, sings out “‘ Cause we got a bigger love // Won’t ever give it up // We got a one- way ticket love // We ain’t going no place but up.” The endearing music video, released in May, featured clips of fans dancing, working and living in a socially distant world. Watch it and it’ll give you goosebumps as you bob and shake to the beat. “I put so much love and heart and soul in this album,” Legend, 41, tells USA TODAY. “I feel like people need a lift right now.”
While they’re especially timely now, the songs on “Bigger Love” – his seventh studio album – were predominately written last year, Legend says, before the pandemic shut down much of the country. The uplifting, soulful tracks were largely inspired by the singer’s love for his wife, Chrissy Teigen.
Married in 2013, they have two children: daughter Luna, 4, and son Miles, 2. Legend’s Twitter profile describes him as “Chrissy’s husband. Father of Luna & Miles” and he’s not shy about sharing photos and videos of his family with fans.
The lyrics of “Focused,” for instance, offer a glimpse into the couple’s relationship: “Oh, you know I’ve got a lot of food for thought on my plate // You won’t believe all of the people trying to get in my face // Not to mention all the ladies trying to take your place // But you know that my attention never drifted away // Cuz I’m focused, yeah, I’m focused on you.”
“Chrissy and I, our relationship has always been strong and robust,” Legend says. “A lot of these songs are about celebrating love, remembering moments you may miss right now.”
Collaborators on the album include Gary Clark Jr., Jhene Aiko and Koffee.
“The music is a good summation of all my influences,” says Legend, an 11time Grammy winner. “I truly believe it’s my best work.”
That’s saying something from a man who has won Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards.
More love is needed now, Legend says, as the nation struggles again with lingering racial issues following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Social causes have long been important to the singer. He has helped felons in Florida get their voting rights restored ; worked to educate voters nationwide on key issues; criticized President Donald Trump; and, most recently, pledged $ 200,000 to the The Movement for Black Lives, The National Lawyers Guild and The Bail Project.
“This is a tough time,” Legend says. said. “We have old hatreds on full display in the streets. Love can get us through that. I want people to get lifted and I can help lift them.”
Legend’s family has spent the coronavirus quarantine hunkered down. He says he recently presided over a wedding for two stuffed animals at the insistence of his children, in addition to plenty of picnicking and camping.
But coronavirus hasn’t stopped him from performing music. He’s held virtual concerts from his home, sang ‘ Beauty & the Beast” on the “Disney Family Singalong” with Jennifer Hudson, and performed “Stand By Me” with Sam Smith on the “One World: Together At Home” special organized by advocacy group Global Citizen.
“Things are good at my house,” Legend said. “We’ve spent a lot of time together over the past few months. Our kids, this is the favorite part of our lives.”