John Legend channels anger into songwriting
John Legend says being angry helps him "create" as an artist.
The ‘Love Me Now’ hitmaker has revealed how his own emotions about the wider world affect his songwriting.
He said: "A lot of people are worried about the future we’re in and a lot of people are concerned about the future. As artists we have the ability to express those concerns in interesting ways that could be really beautiful. [When] you have something to be angry about, it helps you to create."
And the 38-year-old singer – who has nine-month-old daughter Luna with his wife Chrissy Teigen – also shared his hopes for the future, both for his little girl and for the world.
He added to AOL.com: "I think about individually what I want for her. I want her to be happy. I want her to be kind, I want her to be smart, I want her to be a leader, accomplished in what she wants to do.
"Societally, I think about things like ending poverty, making sure everyone has access to health care, making sure everyone has the food they need to eat, making sure we protect our environment. Those are obviously utopian dreams that probably most people would share but you know, I think that’s what our leadership should be aiming for, in that direction."
It comes after John admitted "honesty" is important in songwriting but insists that doesn’t mean every song needs to have a political edge.
He explained: "I think we have to be honest in our songs. I always quote Nina Simone that it’s an artist’s duty to reflect the times that you’re living in …
"It doesn’t mean that every song has to be political, but it does mean you should be honest with how you’re feeling and what’s important to you. If that incorporates what’s happening in presidential politics and national politics, then so be it."
