Bigger Love

Last updated

Bigger Love
John Legend - Bigger Love.png
Digital version and stylized graphics colors of lighter green instead of dark green.
Studio album by
ReleasedJune 19, 2020
Length55:51
Label
Producer
John Legend chronology
A Legendary Christmas
(2018)
Bigger Love
(2020)
Legend
(2022)
Singles from Bigger Love
  1. "Conversations in the Dark"
    Released: January 10, 2020
  2. "Actions"
    Released: March 20, 2020
  3. "Bigger Love"
    Released: April 17, 2020
  4. "Wild"
    Released: August 13, 2020

Bigger Love [1] is the eighth studio album by American singer-songwriter and musician John Legend. It was released on June 19, 2020, through Columbia Records. The album includes the singles "Conversations in the Dark", "Actions", "Bigger Love", and "Wild". The album won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Album at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards. [2] The album was further promoted by a limited North American tour leg that began on September 1, 2021, after several stops on the original US and UK tour itinerary were either postponed or canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [3] [4]

Contents

Background

Bigger Love was written mostly in 2019. [5] Recording for the album finished in February 2020. [6] Legend stated he hoped the album would bring joy and be uplifting in light of the George Floyd protests that were taking place during the album's release. [6] He released the cover art and track listing on June 12, a week before the release. [7]

Artwork

The cover art was painted by artist Charly "Carlos" Palmer. The piece features a smiling portrait of the singer-songwriter covered in blooming flowers and a starry sky against a pop of turquoise backdrop.

Singles

Three singles were put out before the album was released. [6] "Conversations in the Dark" was released on January 10, 2020. [8] "Actions" was released on March 20. Legend performed "Actions" on The Tonight Show . [9] The title track, "Bigger Love", was released on April 17, 2020. "Wild", a collaboration with American musician Gary Clark Jr., was released on August 13, 2020. [10]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic 59/100 [11]
Review scores
SourceRating
Clash 6/10 [12]
The Guardian Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [13]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [14]
Pitchfork (6.4/10) [15]
The Independent Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [16]

The album received generally mixed reviews from critics. [11] Rolling Stone rated the album 3.5/5 stars, stating that the album's "self-aware" themes fit well with the current environment of the COVID-19 pandemic. [14] Rated R&B recognized the album on its 30 Best R&B Albums of 2020 list, stating, "Bigger Love celebrates everlasting love as John Legend serenades with soothing falsettos, bold instrumentation, and groovy new sounds." [17]

Track listing

All tracks, album credits, and metadata adapted from iTunes. [18]

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Ooh Laa"
2:59
2."Actions"
  • Stephens
  • Felder
  • Sorrells
  • Niceforo
  • Joshua Karpeh
  • Coleridge Tillman
  • David Axelrod
Oak2:54
3."I Do"2:47
4."One Life"
3:14
5."Wild" (with Gary Clark Jr.)
3:16
6."Bigger Love"
2:50
7."U Move, I Move" (featuring Jhené Aiko)
  • Campbell
  • Michael Bywaters
  • Jonas W. Karlsson
  • Stephens
Jonas W. Karlsson3:43
8."Favorite Place"
2:48
9."Slow Cooker"
  • Stephens
  • Campbell
  • Elias "LIAS" Näslin
  • Toluwanimi Adeyemo
  • LIAS
  • Saadiq [c]
4:22
10."Focused"
3:02
11."Conversations in the Dark"
  • Wattenberg
  • Pom Pom
3:55
12."Don't Walk Away" (with Koffee)Di Genius3:40
13."Remember Us" (with Rapsody)
  • E. Hudson
  • Murdock [a]
4:51
14."I'm Ready" (featuring Camper)DJ Camper3:51
15."Always"
  • Stephens
  • Ester Dean
  • Camper, Jr.
  • Justus Alexander West
  • DJ Camper
  • Justus West [a]
  • Branden Rowell [a]
3:26
16."Never Break"
4:13
Total length:55:51
Japan bonus tracks [19]
No.TitleLength
17."Conversations in the Dark" (John Legend vs. David Guetta)3:30
18."Bigger Love (Remix)" (featuring Mau y Ricky)3:22
Total length:62:55

Notes

Charts

Chart performance for Bigger Love
Chart (2020)Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA) [20] 52
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) [21] 42
French Albums (SNEP) [22] 179
Japanese Albums (Oricon) [23] 165
Scottish Albums (OCC) [24] 93
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) [25] 30
UK Albums (OCC) [26] 63
UK R&B Albums (OCC) [27] 1
US Billboard 200 [28] 19

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ronnie Milsap</span> American recording artist; country music singer and pianist

Ronnie Lee Milsap is an American country music singer and pianist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sade (band)</span> British band

Sade are an English band, formed in London in 1982 and named after their lead singer, Sade Adu. Three members, Paul Anthony Cooke, Stuart Mathewman, and Paul Spencer Denman, were originally from Hull in the East Riding of Yorkshire. Its music features elements of soul, quiet storm, smooth jazz and sophisti-pop. All of the band's albums, including compilations and a live album, have charted in the US Top Ten.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Legend</span> American singer and songwriter (born 1978)

John Roger Stephens, known professionally as John Legend, is an American singer and songwriter. He began his musical career by working behind the scenes, playing piano on Lauryn Hill's "Everything Is Everything", and making uncredited guest appearances on Jay-Z's "Encore" and Alicia Keys's "You Don't Know My Name". He was the first artist signed to Kanye West's GOOD Music, on which he released his debut album Get Lifted (2004), which reached the top ten on the Billboard 200 and was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">It's a Man's Man's Man's World</span> 1966 single by James Brown

"It's a Man's Man's Man's World" is a song written by James Brown and Betty Jean Newsome. Brown recorded it on February 16, 1966, in a New York City studio and released it as a single later that year. It reached No. 1 on the Billboard R&B chart and No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100. Its title is a word play on the 1963 comedy film It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.

Gregg Wattenberg is a Grammy Award nominated songwriter, music producer, and musician residing in New York City, New York.

Ledisi Anibade Young, better known simply as Ledisi, is an American R&B and jazz recording artist, songwriter, music producer, author and actress. Her name means "to bring forth" or "to come here" in Yoruba.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chrissy Teigen</span> American model and television personality

Christine Diane Teigen is an American model and television personality. She made her professional modeling debut in the annual Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in 2010 and appeared on the 50th-anniversary cover alongside Nina Agdal and Lily Aldridge in 2014. She formerly appeared as a panelist on the syndicated daytime talk show FABLife (2015–2016). She co-hosted the musical competition series Lip Sync Battle (2015–2019) with LL Cool J and was a judge on the comedy competition series Bring the Funny (2019). Teigen has also authored three cookbooks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Legend discography</span> R&B recording artist discography

The discography of American singer John Legend consists of eight full-length studio albums, five live albums, two video albums, three extended plays, 39 singles and two promotional singles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stereo (John Legend song)</span> 2007 single by John Legend

"Stereo" is a song by American singer John Legend. It was written by Legend, Tom Craskey, and Devon "Springsteen" Harris for his second album, Once Again (2006), while production was overseen by Harris and co-producer Craskey. The song was released as the album's fourth single on April 27, 2007 in the United States. In the United Kingdom, "Stereo" was issued as a download only single on October 13, 2007. It reached number 17 on the Dutch Top 40 and peaked at number 47 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gary Clark Jr.</span> American blues musician (born 1984)

Gary Lee Clark Jr. is an American blues guitarist and singer from Austin, Texas who fuses blues, rock and soul music with elements of hip hop. In 2011, Clark signed with Warner Bros Records and released The Bright Lights EP. It was followed by the albums Blak and Blu (2012) and The Story of Sonny Boy Slim (2015). Throughout his career, Clark has been a prolific live performer, documented by Gary Clark Jr. Live (2014) and Gary Clark Jr Live/North America (2017). He has shared the stage with Eric Clapton, Sir Rod Stewart, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, B.B. King and the Rolling Stones.

<i>Love in the Future</i> 2013 studio album by John Legend

Love in the Future is the fifth studio album by American singer John Legend. The album was released on August 30, 2013, by GOOD Music and Columbia Records. The album, executive produced by Legend, Kanye West and Dave Tozer, features guest appearances from Kimbra, Rick Ross, Stacy Barthe and Seal. The album was supported by four singles, "Who Do We Think We Are", "Made to Love", "All of Me" and "You & I ". Love in the Future received generally positive reviews from music critics. The album debuted at number 4 on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 68,000 copies in its first week.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All of Me (John Legend song)</span> 2013 single by John Legend

"All of Me" is a song by American singer John Legend from his fourth studio album Love in the Future (2013). It is dedicated to Legend's wife Chrissy Teigen. "All of Me" first aired on American mainstream urban radio as the album's third single on August 12, 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You & I (Nobody in the World)</span> 2014 single by John Legend

"You & I " is a song by American singer John Legend. Legend co-wrote the song with James Ryan Ho, Dave Tozer and Dan Wilson, with production by Malay, Tozer and Legend. It impacted urban adult contemporary radio in the United States on April 29, 2014, as the fourth single from his fourth studio album Love in the Future (2013).

The 2015 Billboard Music Awards ceremony was held on May 17, 2015, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. It was aired live on ABC. The show was hosted by Ludacris and Chrissy Teigen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chloe x Halle</span> American contemporary R&B and neo soul duo

Chloe x Halle are an R&B duo composed of sisters Chloe and Halle Bailey. At a young age, the sisters performed in minor acting roles before moving from their hometown of Mableton, Georgia to Los Angeles in 2012. The two began posting music covers to YouTube and were acknowledged by Beyoncé, who became their mentor and later signed them to her label, Parkwood Entertainment. They subsequently released the EP Sugar Symphony (2016) and the mixtape The Two of Us (2017).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love Me Now (John Legend song)</span> 2016 single by John Legend

"Love Me Now" is a song by American singer John Legend. It serves as the lead single from his fifth studio album Darkness and Light, and was released on October 7, 2016, by GOOD Music and Columbia Records. The song was produced by Blake Mills and John Ryan.

<i>Father of Asahd</i> 2019 studio album by DJ Khaled

Father of Asahd is the eleventh studio album by American hip hop producer DJ Khaled. It was released on May 17, 2019, through We the Best Music and Epic Records. It features the singles "Top Off" and "No Brainer" along with collaborations with Cardi B, 21 Savage and Meek Mill. On May 16, DJ Khaled revealed the track listing and features, as well as that the music videos for "Higher", "Just Us", "Celebrate", "Jealous" and "Holy Mountain" would be released throughout the day of May 17, followed by the video for "You Stay" on May 18, and "Wish Wish" and "Weather the Storm" on May 20. DJ Khaled scored his third career Grammy nomination with "Higher" which won the Best Rap/Sung Performance at the 62nd Grammy Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lil Baby</span> American rapper (born 1994)

Dominique Armani Jones, known professionally as Lil Baby, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. He rose to mainstream fame in 2017 following the release of his mixtape Perfect Timing. His debut studio album, Harder Than Ever (2018), spawned the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 single "Yes Indeed". He later released the mixtapes Drip Harder, which contained the Billboard Hot 100 top-five single "Drip Too Hard" and Street Gossip, which reached number two on the US Billboard 200.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Summer Walker</span> American singer (born 1994)

Summer Marjani Walker is an American R&B singer. In 2017, she signed to Love Renaissance and Interscope Records. The following year, she released her mixtape Last Day of Summer, which spawned the single "Girls Need Love", that became her first top 40 entry on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart following a remix featuring Drake. In October 2019, Walker released her debut studio album Over It, which spawned the US top 20 single "Playing Games".

<i>Kings Disease</i> 2020 studio album by Nas

King's Disease is the thirteenth studio album by American rapper Nas. It was released on August 21, 2020, through Mass Appeal Records and marketed by Universal Music Group. It succeeds his eleventh album, Nasir, released two years prior. The album features guest appearances from Charlie Wilson, Hit-Boy, Big Sean, Don Toliver, Lil Durk, Anderson .Paak, Brucie B, Nas's supergroup the Firm, Fivio Foreign, and ASAP Ferg.

References

  1. Aniftos, Rania (May 13, 2020). "John Legend's 'Bigger Love' Album Gets a Release Date". Billboard . Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  2. "63rd Annual Grammy Awards". Grammy Awards . Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  3. Centeno, Tony M. (October 1, 2021). "John Legend Returns to South Florida for the Second Leg of His Bigger Love Tour". Miami New Times. Archived from the original on October 1, 2021. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  4. "Official John Legend VIP Experiences". CID Entertainment. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  5. Dinges, Gary (June 17, 2020). "EGOT winner John Legend says new album 'Bigger Love' is his 'best work' yet". USA Today.
  6. 1 2 3 Saponara, Michael (June 17, 2020). "Inside John Legend's 'Bigger Love' Album, Which He Hopes Can 'Lift People Up'". Billboard.
  7. Grant, Shawn (June 12, 2020). "John Legend Reveals Cover and Tracklist for 'Bigger Love' Album". The Source.
  8. Aniftos, Rania (January 10, 2020). "John Legend Unveils the Sweet 'Conversations in the Dark' Ahead of Upcoming 'This Is Us' Episode". Billboard.
  9. Zemler, Emily (March 25, 2020). "Watch John Legend Perform 'Actions' on At-Home Edition of 'Fallon'". Rolling Stone.
  10. Sources concerning the single release of "Wild":
  11. 1 2 "Metacritic Review". Metacritic . Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  12. Murray, Robin (June 19, 2020). "Clash Magazine Review". Clash . Retrieved June 20, 2020.
  13. Kheraj, Alim (June 19, 2020). "John Legend: Bigger Love – synths, snogging and schmaltz". The Guardian . Retrieved June 20, 2020.
  14. 1 2 Dolan, Jon (June 18, 2020). "John Legend's 'Bigger Love' is a Bear Hug We Need Right Now". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
  15. Pearce, Sheldon (June 24, 2020). "John Legend Bigger Love". pitchfork.com. Pitchfork.
  16. O'Connor, Roisin (June 17, 2020). "Album reviews: Neil Young – Homegrown, and John Legend – BIGGER LOVE". independent.co.uk. The Independent.
  17. "The 30 Best R&B Albums of 2020: Staff Picks". ratedrnb.com. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
  18. "Bigger Love by John Legend on Apple Music". Apple Music . Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  19. "Bigger Love / ビガー・ラヴ – Tower Records". Tower Records . Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  20. "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 29 June 2020". No. 1582. Australian Recording Industry Association. June 29, 2020.{{cite magazine}}: Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
  21. "Dutchcharts.nl – John Legend – Bigger Love" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
  22. "Top Albums (Week 26, 2020)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  23. "John Legend". Oricon . Retrieved September 22, 2020.
  24. "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  25. "Swisscharts.com – John Legend – Bigger Love". Hung Medien. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  26. "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
  27. "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  28. "John Legend Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved July 7, 2020.