Music Review: John Legend "All Of Me"

John Legend

All Of Me

Album: Love In The Future

Year: 2013

            John Legend is head over heels in love with his wife in the devoted  “All Of Me.”

           A tender piano opens the single, setting a loving tone. She’s shouting “fuck you, plastic bitch” at the television. He glances in the room and figures it’s one of those housewives shows. He laughs to himself as she throws some popcorn at it. Only she could do the best running commentary that would make his mouth hurt for hours afterwards. She’s a series of contradictions (what is her fascination with this show if she hates it, he wonders) but he wouldn’t want her any other way. She keeps him guessing and he isn’t quite sure what she’s going to say half the time. But it will be witty, though. She’s interested in learning about all sorts of things, full of curiosity about current events. (“What would I do without your smart mouth/Drawing me in, and you kicking me out/Got my head spinning, no kidding, I can’t pin you down/What’s going on in that beautiful mind/I’m your magical mystery ride/And I’m so dizzy, don’t know what hit me, but I’ll be alright.”)

           In the bridge, he has fallen hard for her. Her outgoing and carefree personality captured him and never let go. (“My head’s under water/But I’m breathing fine/You’re crazy and I’m out of my mind.”)

            In the chorus, he says he loves everything about her. He can only hope she cares for him as much. She’s the last person who will be with him on his deathbed and the first person he thinks of in the morning. If he’s having an awful day, he knows she will be there for him. (“Cause all of me/Loves all of you/Love your curves and all your edges/All your perfect imperfections/Give your all to me/I’ll give my all to you/You’re my end and my beginning/Even when I lose I’m winning/‘Cause I give you all, all of me/And you give me all, all of you.”)

        She tells him to turn away and let her wash her face. Her eyes are red and puffy. She looks like a hot mess. He wraps his arms around her and tells her he still thinks she’s pretty. He kisses her and asks her what’s wrong. Whatever’s upsetting her, he wants to be able solve for her. If it means missing work for a while, he’ll do it. She inspires his lyrics and gets him to dig into deeper into his emotions. At home, though, he has a hard time working when she’s just walking around. He can’t stop looking at her and then forgets what his thoughts were. Her graceful movements form notes in his mind and it’s the start of another song. (“How many times do I have to tell you/Even when you’re crying you’re beautiful too/The world is beating you down, I’m around through every move/You’re my downfall, you’re my muse/My worst distraction, my rhythm and blues/I can’t stop singing, it’s ringing, in my head for you.”)

          The pre-chorus is sung again.

          The chorus is sung again.

            In the bridge, he adds they trust each other with their vulnerabilities. Some days are difficult to talk through but it’s worth it. (“Cards on the table, we’re both showing hearts/Risking it all, though it’s hard.”)

           In the final chorus, he adds a couple extra “I give you all’s” (“Cause all of me/Loves all of you.. ‘cause I give you all of me/And you give me all of you/I give you all, all of me/And you give me all, all of you.”)

             Legend’s passionate vocals leave a piece of his heart on every note, baring his emotions. She’s the one and the the only person he can envision sharing his life.

                 The poignant “All Of Me” is the perfect valentine. 

             A must-read on Twitter is Chrissy Teigen, model and also John Legend’s wife.  From my review, you can probably tell that I read. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry from laughing so hard and then you’ll get really, really hungry.