John Legend quotes: on fame, living up to his last name, the show he used to binge-watch, his fashion style, and more.
“We all must follow a different path to let our light shine, and that’s what makes us so unpredictable and unique.”
“You learn so much from taking chances, whether they work out or not. Either way, you can grow from the experience and become stronger and smarter.”
“It’s really about working hard.”
“It’s not wrong to be afraid, but you have to fight through fear to overcome it.”
“Experience is a great teacher.”
“The future started yesterday, and we’re already late.”
“I believed in myself and I am a firm believer you have to think the things you want and visualize.”
“I would tell myself, ‘Love yourself and don’t be afraid to take risks.’ I was often afraid to take risks, socially, because I was young and a little more shy and still figuring out who I wanted to be. Sometimes I look back and think, ‘I should have just been bolder and more confident.'”
“I guess a lot of times pressure is put on something after it becomes big.”
“I spent a lot of time, a lot of energy trying to be a better artist and I still do. I spend a lot of time focusing on my craft. If you’re going to take your passion into something beyond just something for fun on the side, you got to spend a lot of time on it to be great, and then you’ve got to make smart decisions about who you collaborate with and where you live to put yourself in the right situations to meet the right people to catch those breaks.”
“The most important thing about technology is that it can seamlessly work its way into your routine and your life.”
“The most I ever spent on technology is building a studio – I built one at home in Los Angeles. I can’t tell you how much exactly, but the whole process is very expensive.”
“There’s a certain confidence that comes with being sure about the way the world works.”
“I respect people who are willing to deal with everything that comes with being a politician, but I’m not willing to deal with half the country rooting for you to fail. I’m a singer; I deal with enough. But at least half the country’s not trying to destroy me.”
“Soul is about authenticity. Soul is about finding the things in your life that are real and pure.”
“The biggest weapon is to stay peaceful.”
“We’re so used to having everything we want at our fingertips so I think that when things get tough it’s difficult for people to persist through that.”
“I do speak to kids a lot. I am very clear with them that not all of them should aspire to be me and not all of them should be aspire to be LeBron.”
“When we see people that are impoverished and people who are dealt an unfair hand, then if we have the power to help them, we should try to do that.”
“The best way to fight poverty is to empower people through access to quality education.”
“A just society is not one built on fear or repression or vengeance or exclusion, but one built on love. Love for our families. Love for our neighbors. Love for the least among us. Love for those who look different or worship differently. Love for those we don’t even know.”
“I was a huge Breaking Bad fan. I just loved the whole thing. Always interesting, always urgent. The stakes were always high.”
“I was playing the piano when I was three, writing songs when I was 10. I had a lot of experience before I got to college. I knew I wanted to be a singer, so anyone who met me, I didn’t let too much time pass before I showed my talent.”
“My family is very musical, I was surrounded by it. And from four years old I was the one that asked my mother, ‘Could I take piano lessons?’ It wasn’t forced on me. It was something I wanted to do. And ever since, I’ve never stopped, I’ve never stopped playing music. I never went through a period where I didn’t want to do it.”
“Music business is not for everyone. But if you have it in you, you have that passion, if you have that energy in you that you really want to make something creative and make something that’s going to impact the world, then go for it, do it and don’t let anybody tell you no.”
“Even if you can sing or even if you can write a song, it takes a lot of determination, it takes some kind of thick skin, because you got to persevere despite the fact that people tell you you shouldn’t do this or you shouldn’t do that or you’re not good enough or your style’s too different. I’ve heard all of that stuff.”
“No matter how big or successful and famous you become, if you do that, that’s the most fulfilling thing, is making music that you love and that you’re proud of.”
“People see me as pretty low key in a lot of ways. And for me, like, even choosing to be John Legend and to be who I am as a star, as an artist, it’s a risk cuz I – you know, I graduated from college and worked as a management consultant, and I could have had this very kind of buttoned-up life and worn suits to work every day.”
“I used to work for a management consulting company, so I dressed differently – business casual, probably a lot of things from Banana Republic. My wardrobe now is definitely more expensive, but I always dress for the occasion.”
“My style is pretty clean, classic, and elegant, with some elements to make it a little funkier. If you see me on a normal day, I’m usually in a T-shirt and jeans, maybe with some cool sneakers, but I’m pretty basic.”
“I like things that feel like they’re timeless and really well-made and tailored… things that make me feel confident when I leave the house.”
“I feel like my job is to make impact, spread love, tell great stories, inspire people – that’s what I am going to do.”
“The main focus for me is not trying to find duet partners. It’s about just making great songs. I want most of my album to be in my voice, because it’s my point of view.”
“I always felt that rap didn’t cause crime; it just reflected it.”
“I want to make a better record than I made the last time. I want to grow. I want to discover new things about myself creatively.”
“To have the chance to see your music be elevated and to have almost universally positive response to that music, makes me feel more confident and inspired and that’s fun.”
“I don’t think I’m craving any more fame. But success and being recognized for making great work all around the world, I think it’s a great thing.”
“I’ve felt like my last name put pressure on me as an artist. If you’re going to call yourself ‘Legend,’ you’d better make some good-ass music.”
“Love your curves and all your edges. All your perfect imperfections.”
“I keep learning, listening, growing and experimenting.”
“I just want it to be timeless and timely at the same time.”
“The ride for me has been good so far. I am blessed, because I enjoy doing what I am doing.”
“On the way we shed some tears. Every day we sacrifice. So we can be standing here. Oh what a hell of a life.”
“I want you to live the best life you can. You can be world-changers. Pursue this life of love with focus and passion and ambition and courage. Give it your all. And that will be your path to true success.”
