Twenty years after the release of his debut album, “Get Lifted,” John Legend is venturing into new terrain with the launch of his first children’s album entitled “My Favorite Dream.” Scheduled for release on Aug. 30 through Republic Records: Kids & Family, the album, produced by Sufjan Stevens, features nine original tracks, two covers, a solo piano piece, and three bonus covers of Fisher-Price songs. The album revolves around universal themes such as love, safety, family, and dreams.
As a father of four children with his wife Chrissy Teigen, John Legend aimed to create songs that would appeal to both children and adults. The album is a fusion of soulful melodies and meaningful messages that resonate beyond just the realm of children’s music. Legend expressed his desire for parents to appreciate the album’s quality and musicianship.
Legend shared that the idea for a children’s album stemmed from a video his wife posted on Instagram of him playing a Fisher-Price song on the piano for their toddler. The positive response from fans encouraged him to not only cover popular children’s songs but to craft new and original tracks. He wanted to infuse the album with messages he values sharing with his own children.
Sufjan Stevens’ influence is evident throughout the album as he produced and contributed vocals to various tracks. Legend praised Stevens’ unique whimsical style, which he believed was perfect for a children’s album. The first single, “L-O-V-E,” features Legend’s wife and two children, Luna and Miles, marking the first time Luna and Miles have sung on a track.
John Legend revealed that the album was inspired by his children’s music class, which led to a division of the album into upbeat, sing-along tracks for the first half and calming tunes for the second half. Aside from original tracks, the album includes covers of Bob Marley & the Wailers’ “Three Little Birds” and “You Are My Sunshine,” chosen for their unique interpretations.
In creating “My Favorite Dream,” Legend hopes listeners feel the love and care he poured into the music. He aspires for the album’s messages to resonate with families and loved ones, spreading positivity, love, and empathy through the power of music.
