Track Listing

1. Prelude
2. Let's Get Lifted
3. Used To Love U
4. Alright
5. She Don't Have To Know
6. Number One Feat. Kanye West
7. I Can Change Feat. Snoop Dogg
8. Ordinary People
9. Stay With You
10. Let's Get Lifted Again
11. So High
12. Refuge (When It's Cold Outside)
13. It Don't Have To Change Feat. The Stephens Family
14. Live It Up Feat. Miri Ben-Ari

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1683 in Music
• Released on: 2005-01-10
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.co.uk Review
Like a fresh breeze in the sometimes-arid landscape that can be R n B, this album amply illustrates that John Legend is up to being mentioned in the same breath as Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye, by way of R. Kelly and Jay-Z. Direct comparisons are redundant however as Get Lifted is a sparkling diamond of an original. Legend blends soul, R n B and hip-hop with a dash of Motown and gospel that will, as the title suggests, lift your spirits and revive your faith in beautifully crafted lyrics and talented musicianship. Legend's reputation precedes him, having worked with artists such as Alicia Keys and Kanye West, and he seizes this moment in the spotlight with both hands.

Get Lifted is a sort of relationship rite of passage. It encompasses the strutting, boastful unfaithfulness of a lad-about-town in "She Don't Have To Know" ("When I meet you/ Got my shades on to cover up my eyes/ Hoping that no-one sees me passing by") to a man who grows a conscience in "Number One" ("I've been playing around but now I'm coming home") and a repentant "I Can Change" ("I gave up all those girls I used to know…Take me to the river and baptise my soul."). On the way are such gems as "Ordinary People", a haunting piano ballad that soars with its heartfelt melody, and "Stay With You"--a perfect showcase for Legend's vocal versatility.

Get Lifted pulls off that rare feat of being both upbeat and thoughtful and Legend's audience will no doubt echo the sentiment in the last track – "We're flying high/Don't want to come down" – after hearing this sublime debut. --Amy Anderson

From the Label
You know more about John legend than you think. His music and talent are known and respected worldwide. A musical protégé from an early age, 23 year old Legend has worked with some of the biggest names in music, and now he is to release his debut album, Get Lifted. Legend's talents made him BMI's sole choice to receive one of the five 2002 Songwriter's Hall of Fame Scholarships, just check out these accolades: Featured as a vocalist, pianist and co-writer on several tracks from Kanye West's debut album, The College Dropout; Vocalist and pianist on tracks from Jay-Z's The Black Album; Vocalist and co-writer on "You Don't Know My Name" and other tracks, from The Diary of Alicia Keys; Co-writer & pianist on Janet Jackson's single "I Want You"; Lead vocalist and co-writer on the Black Eyed Peas song "The Boogie That B" from Elephunk; Pianist and video appearance on "Slow Jamz" by Twista & Kanye West and Jamie Foxx plus many, many more.

Watch out for John legend. He is set to be one of the hottest new acts of 2004.

CD Description
After writing for and performing with the likes of Lauryn Hill, Alicia Keys, and Twista, Ohio born singer and pianist John Legend releases his debut album 'Get Lifted'. A mix of mild mannered soul and hip hop production, the album featuresguest performances from Kanye West and the Black Eyed Peas'Will.I.Am.

Customer Reviews

Refreshing Artist
I had the opportunity to see him perform live at the Jazz cafe, and it was just him and the piano. He was excellent, imagine shutting up a crowd of over 400 people!

I've known about him for quite some time, about 3 or so years, and I have two earlier albums which he produced himself.

He's a refreshing artist, with a very old but new sound. It's his vocals that will drag you into his music, followed by the lyrics, then the sounds. His voice makes you think your listening to an older artist in the era of Aretha Franklin, Donny Hathaway etc, but it's his lyrics and music that bring you to today's lifestyle! I can relate to most of the tracks, and thoroughly enjoyed listening to it!

My favourites are Ordinary People, She Don't Have to Know, and It Don't Have to Change.
If you're still not sure about him, then listen to his older album Soul Sessions Vol1 Live at the Knitting Factory (live stuff).

If you're like me, and you enjoy classic soul/rnb/philly soul/gospel, then you will enjoy this album.

Can't Get Lifted Any Higher!
John Legend is the brightest new solo artist R&B has to offer. His excellent composition, vocal and piano playing skills combine to make a breathtaking album of legendary proportions.

I bought this album on impulse, after seeing an advert on television, and hearing a 2-second clip of "Used to Love U". It was enough to make me hunger for more, indeed! As soon as I bought it, listened to the opening "Let's Get Lifted" I was hooked on Legend's soothing, souly vocals and hip-hop edge.

I am a fan of soul, hip-hop, RnB, alot of classic soul especially. He seems to blend generations and appeals to all of these likes. Despite a slight lyrical reptetiveness (Relationship problems are all the album.
Alright - Wants a girl to cheat on her man for him
She Don't Have To Know - Telling his mistress that his girlfriend won't find out about them
Number One - Telling his wife he's changed his bachelor ways forever
I Can Change - Again, telling a partner his bachelor ways are over
Ordinary People - about an arguing couple
Stay With You - Obvious from title
It Don't Have to Change - Relationship on the rocks, reminicising to better times)
the album soars melodically; the gripping vocals, sweet, soft sound and the production skills of Kanye West have ensured a splendid "debut" from Mr. Legend.

Favourite tracks:
After repeated listening, alot of them.
Used to Love U, Alright, She Don't Need To Know & Ordinary People are all fantastic, but the wonderful gospel-lathered It Don't Have to Change is definately the best the album has to offer.

You'll be lifted by this, indeed.

Recognition at last!
It is long overdue but the talents of John Legend are finally getting world-wide recognition. A piano player of some ability, and a song writer of equally aptitude, Legend has, along with the help of Kanye West, produced an album of worthy recognition.

It has an overiding theme (that being the up's and down's of relationships, generally) which is complimented by smooth harmonies with an urban flavour. Yet it manages to sound 'old skool'! This is where the real quality lies for me. Admittedly some of the songs are slightly corny, driven by sexual urges of a young man who seemingly can't get enough, but the album is pieced together well.

The best songs for me are "ordinary people", "Live it up" and despite my comments above "She don't have to know". Legend is at his best playing simple melodies at the piano, letting his incredibly soulful (slightly gravelly!) voice shine through.

For lovers of urban music or modern soul or jazz or as previously stated more classic soul, then this album is sure to please.