The story behind John Legend’s new album “My Favorite Dream” began with a sweet parenting moment at home.
When Access Hollywood’s Mario Lopez exclusively sat down with John at an event at his home for the album, which was a collaboration with Fisher-Price, the singer shared how his 17-month-old daughter Esti’s playtime gave him the inspiration for the project.
“We have a lot of Fisher-Price toys around the house, especially with the young babies,” the Fisher-Price paid spokesperson explained. “Esti was playing with a kick and play piano toy, and one of the songs that plays on it is a song called ‘Maybe,’ which everyone knows as the Purple Monkey Song. Chrissy was like, ‘This song is a classic, but John, you should try to cover it,’ so I literally came into this room, sat at the piano, and tried to learn how to play the song.”
John learned “Maybe” and sang it to Esti on the piano, while Chrissy held her and swayed to the music. The touching moment was captured on camera, and once it hit social media, fans were eager for more.
“Everybody was like, ‘John, you’ve got to make more of these songs. Like, our kids need to hear your voice,'” he recalled. “So, we’re like, ‘Should I do this?’ Then, Fisher Price reached out, and they’re like, ‘Can you cover a few of our songs?'”
John ultimately decided to make a full album of children’s music, including nine original songs, two covers (the American standard “You Are My Sunshine” and Bob Marley and the Wailers’ “Three Little Birds”) and adding three Fisher-Price songs as bonus tracks.
The father of four told Access that he tried to infuse parenting lessons and encouraging messages into the original tracks.
“All of us as parents, we’re just trying to figure things out and help prepare our kids for life. I tried to brainstorm a lot of things that we talk to the kids about and put it into song,” he shared.
The first single off of the album is “L-O-V-E,” an original song with Sufjan Stevens that features the backing vocals of Chrissy and his two eldest children, 8-year-old Luna and 6-year-old Miles.
“When I finished recording it, I was like, ‘You know, I really want the family to sing on it.’ Esti and [my 11-month-old son] Wren – not quite ready for that yet. But Luna and Miles – ready enough,” John said.
While this is Luna and Miles’ first time behind the mic on their dad’s work, Chrissy has sang on one of John’s tracks before.
“People don’t know, but she sang on ‘Happy Xmas (War Is Over),’ the cover of the John Lennon [and] Yoko Ono song that I did for my Christmas album,” he said. “She has a little bit of experience singing with me, and she can carry a tune. She’s always been able to carry a tune. I always tease her because she gets a little nervous singing around me, but I’m like, ‘You can actually sing.’ So Luna, Chrissy, Miles – they’re all on the record.”
“My Favorite Dream” is out now. Watch John’s interview with Mario on “Access Hollywood” on Sept. 10.