One Man Can Change the World

Album: Dark Sky Paradise (2015)
Charted: 82
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This soulful ballad testifies to the endless potential one person has for changing the world. Sean invites Kanye West and John Legend along for the rise, with each taking a turn at crooning the hook. "I just lost my grandma," he told MTV News. "So, right before she passed, I wrote this song. A major part of the song is about her. She never got a chance to hear it. It's just an emotional thing."

    "It's just a song that comes straight 100 percent from the heart," Sean continued. "I hope people can enjoy it. And I really appreciate John Legend and Kanye West being a part of that."
  • Sean reflects here on the positive influences in his life, in particular his late grandmother. (She suffered a debilitating stroke and passed away in December 2014). The rapper includes a clip of a recorded phone conversation between the pair at the end of the song. "In a selfish way, it was hard to say goodbye," he told Billboard magazine, "but when I stepped back, I was happy she was free of the wheelchair and didn't have to go through that."
  • Big Sean's late grandmother, Mildred V. Leonard, was one of the first female black captains in World War II and a pillar in her Detroit community. Sean said: "I hope my grandma is looking down smiling on me right now. Because the struggles she went through to become a female black captain in WW2, one of the first black officers in Detroit, a teacher/counselor, an amazing mom/grandma were too great for this song not to be a single. I'm sure you can relate if you ever had somebody like that who changed your world."
  • Sean consciously chose not to swear on this specific track. He tweeted: "Know it's hard to imagine me not cursing on a song/single... (Cues up IDFWY, etc lol). But honestly I'm proud to have a song so heartfelt."
  • This won for Best Video with a Social Message at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards, the first VMA for either Sean or Legend. Accepting the award, Sean dedicated it to his late grandmother, saying, "If one person has shown me that one man - meaning male or female - could change the world, it's her."

    The video was directed by Andy Hines, who also did Big Sean's "Dark Sky (Skyscrapers)" clip.

Comments: 1

  • Mutuma Emmanuel from UgandaI really love this heartfelt song, so good en I play it every day above 30 times.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Bob Daisley

Bob DaisleySongwriter Interviews

Bob was the bass player and lyricist for the first two Ozzy Osbourne albums. Here's how he wrote songs like "Crazy Train" and "Mr. Crowley" with Ozzy and Randy Rhoads.

David Bowie Leads the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Long-Haired Men

David Bowie Leads the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Long-Haired MenSong Writing

Bowie's "activist" days of 1964 led to Ziggy Stardust.

Al Jourgensen of Ministry

Al Jourgensen of MinistrySongwriter Interviews

In the name of song explanation, Al talks about scoring heroin for William Burroughs, and that's not even the most shocking story in this one.

Linda Perry

Linda PerrySongwriter Interviews

Songwriting Hall of Famer Linda Perry talks about her songs "What's Up" and "Beautiful," her songwriting process, and her move into film music.

Danny Clinch: The Art of Rock Photography

Danny Clinch: The Art of Rock PhotographySong Writing

One of rock's top photographers talks about artistry in photography, raising funds for a documentary, and enjoying a County Fair with Tom Waits.

Boy Bands

Boy BandsFact or Fiction

From NKOTB to 1D, how well do you know your boy bands?