Studio Album · No. 6
Darkness and Light Songwriting Credits by John Legend
Produced by Blake Mills, John Ryan, Greg Kurstin, Ludwig Göransson, Matt Sweeney, Michael Tucker · Engineered by Shawn Everett, Blake Mills
Holds writing credit on 12 of 12 tracks
Authorship Breakdown 12 / 12 documented
Scored across the 12 tracks with documented writers, by whether John Legend carries a lyricist or composer credit.
Share of the 12 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.
By the Numbers
Darkness and Light marked a deliberate stylistic break, with John Legend handing near-total production control to Blake Mills, who produced the album, played much of the instrumentation, and pushed Legend toward a rawer, less polished sound. Legend co-wrote throughout under his legal name John Stephens, including the lead single 'Love Me Now,' which he wrote with Mills and John Ryan. The sessions, captured largely at East West Studio 2 in Los Angeles, favored live takes over studio gloss. The result leaned more organic and experimental than Legend's earlier work.
John Legend's fifth studio album, released December 2, 2016. Darkness and Light is a politically charged and emotionally raw record, arriving amid heightened racial tensions in the United States. Almost entirely produced by Blake Mills, the album features Chance the Rapper on 'Penthouse Floor,' Miguel on 'Overload,' and Alabama Shakes vocalist Brittany Howard on the title track. Tobias Jesso Jr. co-wrote two closing tracks; Will Oldham co-wrote three. Ludwig Göransson co-produced 'Surefire.'
Track Listing & Credits 12 tracks
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
I Know Better
|
John LegendWill Oldham | John Roger StephensWill Oldham | Blake Mills | John Legend (Lead Vocals) |
| 2 |
Penthouse Floor
|
John LegendChance the Rapper | John Roger StephensChancelor Johnathan Bennett | Blake MillsGreg Kurstin | Chance the Rapper (vocals) |
| 3 |
Darkness and Light
|
John LegendWill Oldham | John Roger StephensWill Oldham | Blake MillsJohn Ryan | Brittany Howard (vocals) |
| 4 |
Overload
|
John LegendMiguel Jontel Pimentel | John Roger StephensMiguel Jontel Pimentel | Blake Mills | Miguel (vocals) |
| 5 |
Love Me Now
#23
|
John Legend | John Roger Stephens | Blake MillsJohn Ryan | John Legend (Lead Vocals) |
| 6 |
What You Do to Me
|
John LegendJulia MichaelsJustin Tranter | John Roger StephensJulia MichaelsJustin Tranter | Blake MillsMatt SweeneyMichael Tucker | John Legend (Lead Vocals) |
| 7 |
Surefire
|
John LegendWill OldhamJulia Michaels | John Roger StephensWill OldhamJulia Michaels | Blake MillsLudwig Göransson | John Legend (Lead Vocals) |
| 8 |
Right by You (For Luna)
|
John LegendEthan Gruska | John Roger StephensEthan Gruska | Blake Mills | John Legend (Lead Vocals) |
| 9 |
Temporarily Painless
|
John Legend | John Roger Stephens | Blake MillsJohn Ryan | John Legend (Lead Vocals) |
| 10 |
How Can I Blame You
|
John LegendFrancis White | John Roger StephensFrancis White | Blake MillsMatt Sweeney | John Legend (Lead Vocals) |
| 11 |
Same Old Story
|
John LegendTobias Jesso Jr. | John Roger StephensTobias Jesso Jr. | Blake Mills | John Legend (Lead Vocals) |
| 12 |
Marching into the Dark
|
John LegendTobias Jesso Jr. | John Roger StephensTobias Jesso Jr. | Blake Mills | John Legend (Lead Vocals) |