A Legendary Christmas cover art

  Studio Album · No. 7

A Legendary Christmas Songwriting Credits by John Legend

2018 Columbia Records 14 tracks 49 min

Produced by Raphael Saadiq  ·  Engineered by Hotae Alexander Jang, Gerry Brown, Dave Kutch

Columbia Records ChristmasR&BSoul
43%
Authorship
Collaborator

Holds writing credit on 6 of 14 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 6 / 14 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 14 tracks with documented writers, by whether John Legend carries a lyricist or composer credit.

43%
6 trackswritten by John Legend 8 tracksoutside writers
John Legend's roles on this album

Share of the 14 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist43%
Composer43%
Producer0%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

14
Tracks
32
Lyricists
1
Producers
2018
Released

Awards & Recognition 1

Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album (2020, Nominated)
Data Insight

A Legendary Christmas mixes eight covers of established holiday standards with six original compositions by John Legend and his collaborators, all under the executive production of Raphael Saadiq. The standards retain their original writers' credits: 'The Christmas Song' by Mel Torme and Robert Wells, 'Silver Bells' by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans, and 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas' by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane, among others. Legend's originals, including 'Bring Me Love,' 'No Place Like Home,' and 'Waiting for Christmas,' were written with partners such as Saadiq, Meghan Trainor, and Ruth-Anne Cunningham. The album frames Legend's soul vocals around both familiar carols and new material.

John Legend's sixth studio album, released October 26, 2018. A holiday album produced entirely by Raphael Saadiq, featuring a mix of five original compositions and nine classic Christmas covers. The retro soul aesthetic evokes the classic holiday records of the 1960s. Stevie Wonder guests on 'What Christmas Means to Me' (a Wonder composition) and Esperanza Spalding on 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.' Meghan Trainor co-wrote 'Bring Me Love,' which interpolates 'Frosty the Snowman.' It reached number one on the Billboard Holiday Albums chart.

Track Listing & Credits 14 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
What Christmas Means to Me
Anna Gordy GayeGeorge GordyAllen Story Anna Gordy GayeGeorge GordyAllen Story Raphael Saadiq Stevie Wonder (vocals, harmonica)
2
Silver Bells
Jay LivingstonRaymond Branto Evans Jay LivingstonRaymond Branto Evans Raphael Saadiq John Legend (Lead Vocals)
3
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Hugh MartinRalph Blane Hugh MartinRalph Blane Raphael Saadiq Esperanza Spalding (vocals)
4
No Place Like Home
John LegendRuth-Anne Cunningham John Roger StephensRuth-Anne Cunningham Raphael Saadiq John Legend (Lead Vocals)
5
Bring Me Love
John LegendWalter E. RollinsSteve NelsonMeghan Elizabeth Trainor John Roger StephensWalter E. RollinsSteve NelsonMeghan Elizabeth Trainor Raphael Saadiq John Legend (Lead Vocals)
6
Merry Christmas Baby / Give Love on Christmas Day
Lou BaxterJohnny MooreDeke RichardsAlphonzo MizellFrederick Allan PerrenChristine Perren Lou BaxterJohnny MooreDeke RichardsAlphonzo MizellFrederick Allan PerrenChristine Perren Raphael Saadiq John Legend (Lead Vocals)
7
Christmas Time Is Here
Lee MendelsonVincent Anthony Guaraldi Lee MendelsonVincent Anthony Guaraldi Raphael Saadiq John Legend (Lead Vocals)
8
Waiting for Christmas
John LegendDan WilsonRaphael Saadiq John Roger StephensDan WilsonCharlie Ray Wiggins Raphael Saadiq John Legend (Lead Vocals)
9
Purple Snowflakes
Clarence Paul PaulingDavid Hamilton Clarence Paul PaulingDavid Hamilton Raphael Saadiq John Legend (Lead Vocals)
10
The Christmas Song
Robert Levenson WellsMelvin Howard Tormé Robert Levenson WellsMelvin Howard Tormé Raphael Saadiq John Legend (Lead Vocals)
11
Please Come Home for Christmas
Charles BrownGene Redd Charles BrownGene Redd Raphael Saadiq John Legend (Lead Vocals)
12
Wrap Me Up in Your Love
John LegendWayne HectorRaphael Saadiq John Roger StephensWayne HectorCharlie Ray Wiggins Raphael Saadiq John Legend (Lead Vocals)
13
By Christmas Eve
John LegendAmy Louise WadgeDaniel Lafrombe John Roger StephensAmy Louise WadgeDaniel Lafrombe Raphael Saadiq John Legend (Lead Vocals)
14
Merry Merry Christmas
John LegendEarl Johnson IVRaphael Saadiq John Roger StephensEarl Johnson IVCharlie Ray Wiggins Raphael Saadiq John Legend (Lead Vocals)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 36 contributors

JL
John Legend
Writer · Vocals
On this album6 written
JR
John Roger Stephens
Writer
On this album6 written
RS
Raphael Saadiq
Writer · Producer
On this album3 written
CR
Charlie Ray Wiggins
Writer
On this album3 written
AS
Allen Story
Writer
On this album1 written
AM
Alphonzo Mizell
Writer
On this album1 written
AL
Amy Louise Wadge
Writer
On this album1 written
AG
Anna Gordy Gaye
Writer
On this album1 written
CB
Charles Brown
Writer
On this album1 written
CP
Christine Perren
Writer
On this album1 written
CP
Clarence Paul Pauling
Writer
On this album1 written
DW
Dan Wilson
Writer
On this album1 written

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Frequently Asked Questions A Legendary Christmas

Is A Legendary Christmas all original songs by John Legend?
No. The album mixes original material with covers of holiday standards. Of the 14 tracks on the standard edition, eight are covers of established Christmas classics and six are original compositions by John Legend and his collaborators.
Which songs on A Legendary Christmas are covers?
The covers include longtime holiday standards such as 'The Christmas Song,' written by Mel Torme and Robert Wells, 'Silver Bells' by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans, and 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas' by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane. 'What Christmas Means to Me' and 'Please Come Home for Christmas' are also covers. These standards keep their original songwriting credits.
Which songs did John Legend write for the album?
John Legend wrote six original songs for A Legendary Christmas, including 'No Place Like Home,' 'Bring Me Love,' 'Waiting for Christmas,' 'Wrap Me Up in Your Love,' 'By Christmas Eve,' and 'Merry Merry Christmas.' He co-wrote these with collaborators such as Raphael Saadiq, Meghan Trainor, and Ruth-Anne Cunningham. They sit alongside the album's holiday standard covers.
Who produced A Legendary Christmas?
Raphael Saadiq served as executive producer of the album. He also co-wrote several of John Legend's original tracks. Gerry Brown mixed the record and Dave Kutch handled mastering.
Who are the guest artists on A Legendary Christmas?
Stevie Wonder appears on 'What Christmas Means to Me' and Esperanza Spalding features on 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.' These guests support the album's blend of holiday standards and original songs.
Did A Legendary Christmas win a Grammy?
The album was nominated for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album at the 2020 Grammy Awards but did not win. It was John Legend's first Christmas album.
How did A Legendary Christmas perform commercially?
The album peaked at number 22 on the Billboard 200 and reached number one on the Top Holiday Albums chart. It was later certified Gold by the RIAA for 500,000 units in combined sales and streaming.

Sources

Wikipedia: A Legendary Christmas Wikipedia: John Legend discography MusicBrainz release group Cover Art Archive front cover Cover Art Archive: A Legendary Christmas by John Legend