It Don't Have to Change

Album: Get Lifted (2004)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • John Legend and his family sing when they get together, especially on holidays and family gatherings, so he wanted to capture the importance of family and their strong influence on his music on this song. It's a piano song where Legend sings along with his family (The Stephens Family - he was born John Stephens), recalling all the fond memories they've shared and affirming that their bond won't break.
  • "It Don't Have to Change" is part of John Legend's debut album, Get Lifted, the first release on Kanye West's GOOD Music label. Legend had added vocals and piano to tracks for West and other artists, so he already had a buzz when Get Lifted was released. The song "Ordinary People" caught on, and Legend quickly became a big star.
  • Legend performed this song on his 2018 NBC holiday special A Legendary Christmas. By this time, his family had grown to include his wife, Chrissy Teigen, and their daughter Luna. Teigen joined him at the piano, which was surrounded by his extended family.

Comments: 1

  • Nikki from Chicago, IlJohn Legend's younger brother, Vaughn Anthony Stephens is a recording artist himself and goes by the name "Vaughn Anthony". He has a line in this song, but you will hear more of his talent in 2007, when he's due to release his own album.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Incongruent Opening Acts

Incongruent Opening ActsSong Writing

Here's what happens when an opening act is really out of place with the headliner, like when Beastie Boys opened for Madonna.

Music Video Director David Hogan

Music Video Director David HoganSong Writing

David talks about videos he made for Prince, Alabama, Big & Rich, Sheryl Crow, DMB, Melissa Etheridge and Sisters of Mercy.

Kevin Godley

Kevin GodleySongwriter Interviews

Kevin Godley talks about directing classic videos for The Police, U2 and Duran Duran, and discusses song and videos he made with 10cc and Godley & Creme.

Superman in Song

Superman in SongSong Writing

Not everyone can be a superhero, but that hasn't stopped generations of musicians from trying to be Superman.

Grammar In Lyrics

Grammar In LyricsMusic Quiz

Lyrics don't always follow the rules of grammar. Can you spot the ones that don't?

Carl Sturken

Carl SturkenSongwriter Interviews

Hitmaker Carl Sturken on writing and producing for Rihanna, 'N Sync, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, Donny Osmond, Shakira and Karyn White.