Cat Cohen's Songwriters' Community Website Temporary Archive

All Of Me by John Legend

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John Legend’s most positive love song to date, one that evokes the beauty, sensuousness, and passion of romantic love.

Concept
An expressive romantic song about being deeply in love with one’s partner.

Lyric
A passionate straightforward expression of a man in love. What would I do without your smart mouth? Drawing me in, and you kicking me out You've got my head spinning, no kidding, I can't pin you down What's going on in that beautiful mind I'm on your magical mystery ride And I'm so dizzy, don't know what hit me, but I'll be alright [Pre-Chorus:] My head's under water But I'm breathing fine You're crazy and I'm out of my mind [Chorus:] 'Cause all of me Loves all of you Love your curves and all your edges All your perfect imperfections Give your all to me I'll give my all to you You're my end and my beginning Even when I lose I'm winning 'Cause I give you all of me And you give me all of you, ohoh

Groove
A gentle mid-tempo 16th-note groove in the keyboard accompaniment brings out the vocal above.

Melody
The sweeping melodic range in a bright major scale is large enough to effectively showcase a talented singer like Legend. Small steps and large dramatic leaps are well combined. The melody has a sighing quality that echoes the romance in the lyrics.

Harmony
Simple major diatonic triadic and 7th chords with a few subtle voicings are well suited to a straightforward song like this one.

Structure
Wow! Five distinct song sections that complement each other well. Verse Pre-Chorus Chorus Post-Hook Verse2 Pre-Chorus2 Chorus Post-Hook Bridge Chorus Post-Hook ABCD ABCD E CD

Signature
A sparse keyboard figure.

Production
A simple piano-vocal recording found so rare on the airwaves today.

Performance
Legend shows us his well-honed expressive performance skills in this lovely ballad.

Predicted Longevity
“All Of Me” has been a big hit and will continue to be a classic hit for years to come. A Grammy winner to be sure and a “5” on the “Cat Scale” from 1 to 5.