In the latest issue of Rollercoaster Magazine, John Legend discusses juggling family, touring, gospel roots, and his soulful new music. The EGOT winner recently released track ‘Actions.’ The song includes samples from David McCallum’s ‘The Edge,’ and also Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg’s ‘The Next Episode.’ ‘Actions’ was first previewed on Legend’s Together at Home concert, in support of Global Citizen.
The message of the song speaks on reaffirming that “actions speak louder than love songs.” ‘Actions’ follows Legend’s #1 song in the US, ‘Conversations in the Dark,’ which was featured on NBC’S hit drama This Is Us, which had a guest appearance of Legend himself. Both singles will be on his upcoming album that will be released this year.
The Message of His Upcoming Album
“[The album is] honest, soulful and sexy. I’ve written about the complexities of relationships, the ups and downs, the thrills and the disappointments. I think the overriding message is one of love, hope, and resilience. ‘Conversations in the Dark’ is about the pretty inconsequential, minor things that define so much of the core of your relationship. More than these big, major milestones, it’s the little, simple things that are so meaningful and so memorable and I wanted to write a song about that feeling.”
John Legend on His New Album
Touring With His Family
There’s no question that Legend doesn’t love being a dad and husband. When asked about how he can handle his family being with him while he is touring, John says it just feels like an extension of who he is as a person.
“I’ve toured through the different phases of my life, [from] being a bachelor in my mid-twenties, to being a forty-year-old husband with two young kids. I love bringing the family along and I’m excited to have them with me on the tour bus. It’s fun to see the world through their eyes. I don’t really think there’s that big of a difference between who I am most days and who I am at home. It doesn’t feel like I’m transforming into a new person. It still [feels] very much like an extension of who I am as a person.”
John Legend on his family
Incorporating His Gospel Roots In His Music
If you haven’t kept up with Legend’s past, you might not know that he attended the University of Pennsylvania, and was a choir director at Bethel AME Church in Scranton, PA. While growing up, Legend’s parents and other family members were involved and had many roles in the church, which has had a big influence on his life. While on Instagram, Legend also explained that his song ‘Preach’ was inspired by a previous sermon from his pastor, which was Matthew 22:39.
“A lot of the time, I’m not even trying to incorporate Gospel consciously; it’s just a part of who I am. I feel like I’m almost purely a gospel pianist more than anything else.”
John Legend on Gospel
Being Compared To Arthur
If you remembered a few years ago, someone pointed out that Legend looks like the children’s cartoon Arthur without his glasses, which started a lot of memes. Legend’s wife, Chrissy, also agreed and got in on the jokes of her husband and the beloved childhood character. Even though Legend said he didn’t know about Arthur until this happened, he poked fun at himself in a Google Duo commercial.
“I would see these memes online and have no idea who this character was. But, you know, I could see the resemblance. I think it’s still in my Twitter bio.”
John Legend on memes
Throughout the years, John Legend has become a great father and husband, but he has also has become a significant influence in pop culture along with his wife, Chrissy Teigen. John Legend keeps us laughing with his jokes on Twitter, and we can already tell that this upcoming album will be great and can’t wait to hear it!
Interested in purchasing the magazine? You can pre-order here!
Are you a fan of John Legend? Are you going to get a copy of his Rollercoaster Magazine issue or his upcoming album? Let us know in the comments below or over at Twitter at @TheHoneyPop!
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Featured Image: Courtesy of Shoshanna Stone
