John Legend Hopes His New Children's Album 'Gives Families Something to Bond Together With'

Legend's wife Chrissy Teigen and two of their children also lend their voices to 'My Favorite Dream.'

Fact checked by Sarah ScottFact checked by Sarah Scott

The name John Legend has become synonymous with two things: melodic sounds and family. His new album for children and families, “My Favorite Dream”, is a match made in music heaven.

Comprised of nine original tracks by Legend and three reimagined songs for Fisher-Price, this album is not your typical children’s playlist. “My Favorite Dream” stays true to Legend’s brand of sultry and soulful melodies infused with classical piano elements. Plus, it features his wife Chrissy Teigen, his daughter Luna (8), and his son Miles (6).

Co-produced by singer-songwriter-multi-instrumentalist Sufjan Stevens, the album is full of whimsical sing-alongs and lullabies that are enjoyable for adults and children alike.

The Inspiration Behind 'My Favorite Dream'

Legend was inspired for this album by his wife’s suggestion that he should sing his own rendition of their toddler Esti’s favorite song, “Maybe” the viral song about a purple monkey in a bubblegum tree from the Fisher-Price Kick & Play Piano Gym.

The multi-platinum, 12-time Grammy Award winner and EGOT winner posted the precious family moment of him singing the song on Instagram. Fisher-Price saw the video, commented about a collab, and the rest as they say is history.

Legend recently took time out of his busy schedule to speak with Parents about his new album, the impact of music on his parenting, and how the influence of his parents, especially his father, shaped the trajectory of his life.

All About 'My Favorite Dream'

As a parent, Legend understands the power of creating habits of positive affirmations, and how words and music can impact the confidence, character development, and integrity of children.

“Everything in this album is inspired by the messages we try to share with our kids to inspire, motivate, comfort them, and help them go to sleep," Legend says. "When I started the album, I just sat and wrote down a bunch of ideas based on the messages we like to share with them, and built the songs around that.”

With songs like “Go to Sleep” and “Great, Great Day“ it’s evident how intentional Legend is about using this album to inspire and encourage families and children.

“I love a 'Great, Great Day.' It's one of the Fisher-Price classics that we covered," Legend explains. "It’s really about understanding that when you're going through tough times, and coming to a resolution you're going to be optimistic about what's to come ahead. And, I think adults could use that message too."

Kid-friendly themes in the album range from the power of love to dealing with sadness, and topics around comfort, and family. And, it's curated in a manner the entire family can enjoy together.

“I hope it inspires [families], and makes them love music even more. I hope the album gives [families] something to bond together with.” Legend further quips, “And, hopefully, [the album] gets kids to go to sleep!”

As listeners will soon learn, the first part of the album is more fun, playful, and geared toward the daytime. And, the second half is meant to help kids calm down, and go to sleep.

“What I want both kids and adults to gain from this album is the central theme of love," he says. This is why the first lead single from the album is entitled “L-O-V-E”. And it's Legend's daughter Luna that's credited for the cover art.

Legend further shares, “Love is the central theme in so much of my life from family to music to philanthropic work to everything I do in business,” he adds. “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.”

For Legend, Family Is His Priority

Despite his success, Legend does not hesitate to share that his family is his priority and that he has always had a strong positive representation in his life of what a father figure is supposed to be.

“I grew up with my father as a single father for a part of my adolescence. My parents divorced and we [he and his siblings] lived with my dad for many of my teenage years. I'm very blessed to have had not only a present Black father but also somebody who was loving and showed me an admirable form of masculinity and who taught us how to be good men,” Legend says.

We asked Legend about the fallacy of the notion of the absent Black father, and why that narrative can be dangerous.

“I think that part of the myth of the absent Black father is in the statistics that there are a lot of unmarried Black mothers. But, I know from personal experience that even when the father isn't married to the mother, that doesn't mean the father isn't very present and involved in their child's life. If you look further into the statistics, it shows that Black fathers are quite present and very involved in their kids' upbringing, even if they're not married to the mother,” he explains.

The Positive Benefits of Music Education

Legend made it clear it’s never too early to share the limitless possibilities available when it comes to the gift of music.

”I don't know life without music, and my parents were ready to share music with us all the time. I grew up in the church. My mother was the director of the church choir, and my grandmother was the church organist. So, I grew up around a lot of music. I was going to choir rehearsal all the time, and I started taking piano lessons when I was four years old. "

As a program often cut in schools when funding is low, we asked Legend about the significance of music education and exposing small children to different types of music at a young age.

"Even if you're not going to be a professional musician, I really think arts education and music education make you a better person," Legend says. "[Kids become] more well-rounded, empathetic, and connected to the rest of the world. I think it's important for parents to be intentional about exposing kids to art and music. Our school systems must foster [those gifts] too, where we put funding into music education and arts education.”

Advice for Kids and Teens Who Play Instruments

For parents who have teens who play piano, guitar, or any other musical instrument and are thinking about quitting or giving up on their musical discipline, Legend diplomatically offers some advice.

“It's funny because I always meet people who are like—I quit playing when I was 12 and I regret it so much now. I think you just have to push through even during those times when you don't feel like practicing,” he says.

But, Legend acknowledges not everything is for everybody, including music.

"I think early on it's probably a good strategy to try a bunch of different things. At some point, you start to figure out what you really love and what you're really good at, and you can focus on that," Legend explains. "So if that's not music for some people, then that's fine, they can focus on something else."

For Legend, there’s no doubt music is his passion, and with this new family-centric collaboration and album it’s clear that he’s making space and opportunity for his love of music to flow from one generation to the next.

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