Multi-platinum, 12-time Grammy Award-winner John Legend today unveiled My Favorite Dream, an album of sing-alongs and lullabies for children and families, out now via Republic Records: Kids & Family. A “lush yet gentle collection” of “soulful, capital-J John Legend songs” (Los Angeles Times, Associated Press), the project was produced by singer-songwriter-multi-instrumentalist Sufjan Stevens, and features nine original tracks written by Legend. As part of a collaboration with Fisher-Price, the album also includes three bonus tracks with covers of songs from their beloved toys.
“I’m right in the thick of fatherhood,” says Legend, father of daughter Luna (8), son Miles (6) and two toddlers, daughter Esti and son Wren. “My parents loved to sing around the house, making up bedtime songs for us and songs to motivate and inspire us. And Chrissy and I also love singing to our kids. We make up little jingles and ditties for them all the time. In our home, music is very important to the way we interact and communicate with them.”
And that’s what sparked My Favorite Dream. At his wife’s suggestion, Legend played his own interpretation of one of his babies’ favorite songs, “Maybe” — the hit single about a Purple Monkey in a Bubblegum Tree from the award-winning Fisher-Price Kick & Play Piano Gym. Teigen and Legend later shared a video of him serenading their daughter Esti at the family piano. The heartfelt moment inspired fans to encourage Legend to release an album of children’s songs and lullabies.
“Once I started thinking about it, I decided I wanted to write a whole new children's album,” recalls Legend. “I just took it on as a challenge to write some original lullabies and children's songs that I would want my kids to hear, something we could share with kids and parents all over the world.”
“Love is the central theme in so much of my life from family to music to philanthropic work to everything I do in business,” Legend said. “This song captures the spirit of what I always wanted this album to be. I wrote it as an anthem to celebrate our common humanity and bring a smile to people’s faces. I hope this song is uplifting and inspiring for everyone.”
Legend co-executive produced My Favorite Dream with singer-songwriter-multi-instrumentalist Sufjan Stevens, who also doubled as the project’s producer. In crafting the album, Legend wanted the first half to mirror the “catchy and fun” rhythm and energy of the music classes that his children attend, where they sing along and play percussive instruments. In turn, the latter half exudes a more calming, ready-for-bed vibe.
Of working with Stevens for the first time, Legend praises the indie artist’s “sense of whimsy, adventure and dreaminess. I just felt his musical approach would be perfect for building arrangements and soundscapes to complement the songs. When I was thinking about who could bring these songs to life with me, he was the first and only choice. I’m so glad he said ‘yes’.”
At a time when social discord is at an all-time high, My Favorite Dream — with its mix of bright grooves, lush orchestration and universal themes — stands out as an inspirational beacon. “Quality music is timeless, so I wanted to make these songs so that parents would love to listen to them too,” says Legend. “Love helps us empathize with and see each other’s value and humanity despite differences that we may have. It may sound like a utopian fantasy, but a world where we actually put that kind of love into practice would be transformational.”
John Legend is an EGOT-winning, critically acclaimed, multiplatinum artist and producer, who has garnered 12 Grammy Awards, an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a Tony Award and three Emmy Awards, among others. Legend is one of only nineteen people in the prestigious EGOT club and released nine celebrated albums over the course of his career, including Get Lifted(2004), Once Again (2006), Evolver (2008), Love in the Future (2013), Darkness and Light(2016), A Legendary Christmas Deluxe (2019), Bigger Love (2020), LEGEND(2022), and most recently, LEGEND (Solo Piano Version)(2023). In 2022, John’s critically acclaimed Las Vegas Residency, “Love In Las Vegas,” took place at Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. Upcoming, Legend will be a coach on Season 27 of NBC’s The Voice. Beyond his music career, Legend is a co-founder of Get Lifted Film Co., a production company which has developed projects with major networks including ABC, NBC, FOX, HBO, Showtime, Netflix, and FX, alongside co-founders Mike Jackson and Ty Stiklorius. Aside from film, TV and theater, Get Lifted has partnered with Zando to form Get Lifted Books, which builds upon Get Lifted Film Co.’s mission of spotlighting stories from dynamic creatives. In 2023, Legend launched Loved01, his effective and affordable unisex skincare brand formulated to treat the needs of melanin-rich skin. As an activist, Legend launched FREEAMERICA in 2015 to change the conversation surrounding criminal justice policies and to end mass incarceration.
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