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John Legend & The Roots, 'I Can't Write Left-Handed' (In-Studio) -- Exclusive

Posted Aug 31st 2010 10:30AM by BoomBox Staff
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John Legend's upcoming collaborative release with The Roots is not your average covers album. Aptly titled 'Wake Up!,' the album includes the oft-overlooked Bill Withers track 'I Can't Write Left-Handed,' Ernie Hines' 1970 classic 'Our Generation' and Donny Hathaway's 'Little Ghetto Boy.' When Legend sat down with The BoomBox in April, the singer-songwriter explained how he carefully plucked songs with depth in sound and lyrics.

"It's an album full of socially-conscious songs about empowerment, songs about struggle, songs about standing up for your rights and believing in something bigger than yourself," Legend explains. "Songs about love, connecting people, believing in one another and believing that we all are valuable and that we all have something to offer in the world."

In the following clip, Legend gives us a taste of the studio recording of Withers' 'I Can't Write Left-Handed.' Originally recorded in 1973 for the 'Ain't No Sunshine' singer's 'Live at Carnegie Hall' album, Withers places himself in the shoes of a Vietnam vet returning home without an arm after being shot in the shoulder.

John Legend Talks 'Wake Up!'

Filed under: Soul/R&B, Soul/R&B Videos, Exclusive
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foluke

This is one of my favorite Bill Withers songs - I remember listening to the Live at Carnegie Hall album as a child. John Legend & The Roots definitely do it justice!

September 13 2010 at 3:37 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

PFoxJohnsBst Fan

on May 7th 2010, right @ 4 mo. ago I listened to John Legend s'; "Let's Get Lifted" CD. I have since purchased "Once Again" and "Evolver", I have LISTENED to John every day since. I have Fallen'.... I have NEVER BEEN so MOVED by Words and Emotion.... or maybe it's that I am an OHIO native, grew up not Far from John's hometown and have relatives there in Springfield, OH. NO... that's NOT it,....This Man is Gifted....Legendary 4 SURE....as I say everyday before I Press Play,... Ain't Nothin' Wrong with Puttin on a LiL' JOHN LEGEND....(Livin' and Lovin' - 2010 My JOHN LEGEND SUMMER !! Can't wait for 9-21-10 !!

September 04 2010 at 3:52 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

felderga

great song...can't wait for the album to drop

August 31 2010 at 3:07 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

jackfreeman0001

August 31 2010 at 11:17 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

jackfreeman0001

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August 31 2010 at 11:16 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply