When the public became aware of John Legend in the early 2000s after the artist began collaborating with Kanye West, it was love at first listen for many. Legend, who by that point had already been working with big names like Lauryn Hill and Alicia Keys, began to take the lead as a frontman, releasing his own songs and showing the world he had a satin voice to go along with his stylish musicianship.

But still, there are some out there who don’t believe in his talents. Some music listeners who perhaps don’t think he has the bite or edge to his sound to really hook you. And to that we say poppycock! Here below, we wanted to explore a trio of tunes that show Legend not only stands out but does so with poise and aplomb. Indeed, these are three songs for people who say they don’t like John Legend.

“Ordinary People” from Get Lifted (2004)

While Legend had appeared on Kanye West songs leading up to his own 2004 debut LP Get Lifted, it was this track, “Ordinary People,” that showed the world Legend was a star on his own. A supremely talented vocalist singing about being ordinary—what’s not to love? Not to mention the climaxing crescendo moment about three-quarters of the way through the tune where he rhymes “maybe” with “baby”—it’s the stuff of stardust. A breakup song about the painful pangs of love. On the track, Legend sings about taking love slow, offering,

Girl I’m in love with you
This ain’t the honeymoon
We’re passed the infatuation phase
We’re right in the thick of love
At times we get sick of love
It seems like we argue every day

I know I misbehaved
And you made your mistakes
And we both still got room left to grow
And though love sometimes hurts
I still put you first
And we’ll make this thing work
But I think we should take it slow

“All of Me” from Love in the Future (2013)

Another love song (Legend is brilliant at them), this track was dedicated to his then-fiancée and now wife, model and writer Chrissy Teigen. The story of “All of Me,” which hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, first began when the two met in 2007 on the set for his music video for the song “Stereo.” And as their love grew so did the potential for this song, on which Legend sings about loving Teigen in full. On the adoring track, he croons,

‘Cause all of me
Loves all of you
Love your curves and all your edges
All your perfect imperfections
Give your all to me
I’ll give my all to you
You’re my end and my beginning
Even when I lose, I’m winning
‘Cause I give you all of me
And you give me all of you, oh-oh

“Tonight (Best You Ever Had)” from Think Like a Man (2012)

Offering a more staccato dance beat compared to the songs above, this track from the soundtrack for the 2012 movie Think Like a Man is a romantic one but more pointed to a single night and not necessarily a lifetime. On it, Legend sings with a wink and a charming smile,

Baby, tonight’s the night I let you know
Baby, tonight’s the night we lose control
Baby, tonight you need that, tonight believe that
Tonight I’ll be the best you ever had

I don’t wanna brag, but I’ll be
The best you ever had

I don’t wanna brag, but I’ll be
The best you ever had

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