August 30, 2024 – Los Angeles, CA – 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. My Favorite Dream is available to stream/download HERE. In conjunction with the album’s release, Legend shared a sweet video for “Always Come Back” from the album. Watch it HERE.
“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.”
Legend previewed the 15-song Dreamparade in early August with the release of the album’s lead single “L-O-V-E.” The bright, up-tempo anthem features his wife (Chrissy Teigen) and two oldest children (Luna and Miles Stephens) on the backing chorus. Noting it was “the first time and very cool” having Luna and Miles sing with him on a record, Legend also calls love “my favorite word” in the song’s lyrics. Luna also created the single artwork for the track, which is available HERE. Watch the accompanying music video HERE.
“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 broke precedence with “L-O-V-E” and the album’s eight other original songs by writing all of them at home on the family piano. “I usually write most of my albums at the studio,” he explains. “But I wanted to write this album with my family around.”
And the family affair doesn’t end there. All of the original songs’ themes and lyrics were inspired by conversations and life messages shared with his children, ranging from love (“L-O-V-E”) to family (“We’re a Family”), comfort (“Always Come Back”) and dealing with tough times (“When I Feel Sad”). Rounding out the set are Legend’s reinterpretations of two popular classics — “Three Little Birds” and “You Are My Sunshine.”
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.”
MY FAVORITE DREAM TRACKLIST:
- We’re a Family
- When I Feel Sad
- Three Little Birds
- L-O-V-E (feat. Chrissy, Luna & Miles)
- Deep in the Ocean Blue
- For You
- You Are My Sunshine
- When We Fly
- Safe
- Go to Sleep
- Always Come Back
- We’re a Family (Solo Piano)
- Great, Great Day (Bonus Track)
- Friendship (Bonus Track)
- Maybe (Bonus Track)
Legend, who is gearing up to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his double-platinum 2004 debut album Get Lifted, is currently performing his solo piano show, An Evening with John Legend: A Night of Songs and Stories at select venues across the country. These special performances feature intimate reimaginings of his greatest hits (“All of Me,” “Ordinary People,” “Tonight”), selections from his latest album LEGEND (“Nervous,” “Wonder Woman”) as well as unexpected stories from his life and career. For more information, please visit: johnlegend.com.
ABOUT JOHN LEGEND:
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.
ABOUT REPUBLIC RECORDS: KIDS & FAMILY:
Kids & Family launched as the official children’s division of Republic Records in 2022. The newly created division caters to audiences ages 0-12 with fun and family-friendly music, collaborations, and experiences tailored to early development. Aimed to entertain the whole family, it offers engaging, educational, and explorative content, leveraging innovative partnerships with trusted brands such as Nickelodeon and many more. With an emphasis on high quality music and world-class presentation, Republic Records: Kids & Family appeals to little ears and beyond.
ABOUT MATTEL:
Mattel is a leading global toy and family entertainment company and owner of one of the most iconic brand portfolios in the world. We engage consumers and fans through our franchise brands, including Barbie®, Hot Wheels®, Fisher-Price®, American Girl®, Thomas & Friends™, UNO®, Masters of the Universe®, Matchbox®, Monster High®, MEGA® and Polly Pocket®, as well as other popular properties that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include toys, content, consumer products, digital and live experiences. Our products are sold in collaboration with the world’s leading retail and ecommerce companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a trusted partner in empowering generations to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential. Visit us at mattel.com.
