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Get Lifted
Studio album by
John Legend
ReleasedDecember 28, 2004
Recorded2001–2004
Studio
Various
    • Sound Images
      (Cincinnati, Ohio)
    • Sony Music Studios
      (New York City)
    • The Record Planet, Westlake Studios
      (Los Angeles, California)
    • The Stewchia
      (Los Angeles, California)
    • Studio Crash
      (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
Genre
Length52:28
Label
Producer
John Legend chronology
Get Lifted
(2004) 		Once Again
(2006)
Singles from Get Lifted
  1. "Used to Love U"
    Released: August 31, 2004
  2. "Ordinary People"
    Released: April 7, 2005
  3. "Number One"
    Released: August 23, 2005
  4. "So High"
    Released: December 8, 2005

Get Lifted is the debut studio album by American singer John Legend. It was released by GOOD Music, Sony Urban Music, and Columbia Records on December 28, 2004 in the United States. Executive production was handled by Legend's then-manager and GOOD Music label boss Kanye West, who also co-produced the album alongside Dave Tozer, will.i.am, and Devo Springsteen. The album also features guest appearances by West, Snoop Dogg and Miri Ben-Ari.

Get Lifted supported by four singles: "Used to Love U", "Ordinary People", "Number One" and "So High". The album received generally positive reviews from music critics. It debuted at number seven on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 116,000 copies in its first week.[1] The album later peaked at number four on the chart. At the 48th Annual Grammy Awards, the album won the award for Best R&B Album, and earned Legend another two awards, for Best New Artist and Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for his single "Ordinary People".

Singles

[edit]

The album was supported by four singles. The first single "Used to Love U" was released on August 31, 2004. The single received moderate commercial success, peaking at number 74 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.[2] The second single "Ordinary People" was released on April 7, 2005, and became Legend's breakthrough hit. The song peaked within the top 40—at number 24—on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Legend's first to do so.[2] It also received success outside of the US; it peaked at number four on the UK Singles Chart and number one on the UK R&B Singles chart.[3][4] "Ordinary People" also received three nominations at the 48th Annual Grammy Awards for Song of the Year, Best R&B Song and Best Male R&B Vocal Performance, ultimately winning the latter. The third single "Number One" was released on August 23, 2005. It failed to reach the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number 63 on the UK Singles Chart.[5] The final single, "So High" was released on December 8, 2005. The song also failed to enter the Billboard Hot 100, although it reached number three on the Bubbling Under Hot 100.[6]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStarHalf star[7]
BlenderStarStarStar[8]
Entertainment WeeklyA−[9]
The GuardianStarStarStarStar[10]
NME8/10[11]
Pitchfork8.8/10[12]
Rolling StoneStarStarStarStar[13]
SpinA−[14]
USA TodayStarStarStarHalf star[15]
Vibe5/5[16]

Get Lifted received generally positive reviews from music critics. BBC Music gave the album a favorable review and called it "an album that not only lived up to the hype, but rose squarely above it. Yes, at times it is a patchwork of the past filtered through Legend’s ever-present influences, but the quality of his writing and performance, and his collaborators’ contributions, make it worthy of the awards and plaudits it rightly received."[17] Spin gave it an A− and said that Legend's voice "leans on subtlety more than melisma, and his sound has a crisp live-band jump, rather than canned neo-soul static."[14] Uncut gave it three stars out of five and stated that Legend "introduces some intriguing new variations on the retro R&B template....Jeff Buckley is surprisingly brought to mind in Legend's passionately fragile delivery."[18] IGN gave it a score of 9.3 out of ten and called it "a refreshing record that fans of music will adore."[19] The Guardian gave it four stars out of five and called it "a real gem."[10] Entertainment.ie also gave it four stars and said of Legend, "it's probably not surprising that he's got such a big head, seeing as his producer, hip-hop guru Kanye West, has described him as simply 'the future'. Actually, it would be much more accurate to say that he does a pretty good job of updating the past."[20] In his Consumer Guide, Robert Christgau gave it a three-star honorable mention ((3-star Honorable Mention)(3-star Honorable Mention)(3-star Honorable Mention)); he picked out two of the songs from the album ("I Can Change" and "Live It Up") and said of Legend, "For an ordinary soul man, he has excellent tunes."[21]

musicOMH gave it an average review and stated that "Certain albums have the power to open the mind into different forms of music, and certainly those who pick up the Get Lifted with the pretence of it being a hip-hop album will have a rude awakening. I approached with trepidation after the opening Prelude but with an open mind or just an appreciation for the finer things in life Get Lifted could find itself being an essential album in anyone’s collection."[22] Paste gave it a positive review and stated that it "has as much in common with the classic funk and soul of Isaac Hayes, Stevie Wonder and The Delfonics as it does with today’s best R&B, hip-hop and neo-soul."[23] The A.V. Club gave it an average review and stated that the album "suffers from a surplus of slickness, but it's also seductive, and at just over 52 minutes, mercifully free from the excess and filler that characterize many rap and R&B albums."[24] Exclaim!, however, gave it an unfavorable review and said, "The early line on Legend is that the heat this album will undoubtedly generate guarantees that Legend’s apparent fidelity issues will get worse before they get better. Get Lifted indeed."[25] Plugged In (publication) gave it a mixed review and stated that "Legend is a talented singer and piano player but fails to maintain his moral focus. It doesn't take much profanity, infidelity and sexual inappropriateness to sink an otherwise decent effort."[26]

Rhapsody ranked the album #10 on its "Best R&B Albums of the Decade" list,[27] declaring, "John Legend was all over the Top 40 the entire decade—even before he released one of the decade’s biggest R&B debuts—having worked with Lauryn Hill, Alicia Keys, Kanye West and Jay-Z, to name a few. Get Lifted, his first proper release, is an infectious cross between old-school soul and neo-soul."

Commercial performance

[edit]

Get Lifted debuted at number seven on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 116,000 copies in its first week.[1] This became Legend's first US top-ten debut on the chart.[1] In its second week, the album climbed to number four on the chart, selling an additional 75,000 copies.[28] In its third week, the album remained to number four on the chart, selling 73,000 more copies.[29] In its fourth week, the album dropped to number five on the chart, selling 62,000 copies.[30] On October 13, 2020, the album was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for combined sales and album-equivalent units of over two million units in the United States.[citation needed] To date, the album has sold a total of 2.1 million copies in the US and over three million units worldwide.[31]

Track listing

[edit]
Get Lifted — Standard edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Prelude"John StephensJohn Legend[a]0:44
2."Let's Get Lifted"
3:37
3."Used to Love U"
  • Stephens
  • West
3:30
4."Alright"
  • Stephens
  • West
3:20
5."She Don't Have to Know"
will.i.am4:52
6."Number One" (featuring Kanye West)
3:18
7."I Can Change" (featuring Snoop Dogg)
5:01
8."Ordinary People"
  • Stephens
  • Adams
Legend4:41
9."Stay with You"
  • Stephens
  • Tozer
Tozer3:49
10."Let's Get Lifted Again"
  • Stephens
  • Tozer
Tozer2:18
11."So High"
Harris5:07
12."Refuge (When It's Cold Outside)"
  • Stephens
  • Harris
  • Cho
4:13
13."It Don't Have to Change" (featuring The Stephens Family)
  • Stephens
  • Tozer
Legend3:23
14."Live It Up" (featuring Miri Ben-Ari)
  • Stephens
  • Harris
  • Tarrey Torae
  • A. Hester
4:35
Get Lifted (20th Anniversary)[32]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
15."So High" (Cloud 9 Remix featuring Lauryn Hill)
  • Stephens
  • Harris
  • Cho
  • Hill
5:07
16."Used to Love U" (9th Wonder Playmates Imagining Remix featuring Black Thought)
3:29
17."Number One" (Obi Remix)
  • Stephens
  • West
  • Mayfield
3:11
18."Let's Get Lifted Again" (Man-Man Remix featuring Killer Mike and Lil Wayne)
  • Tozer
  • Roberts[b]
4:06
19."Ordinary People" (Man-Man Remix featuring Tems)
  • Stephens
  • Adams
  • Legend
  • Roberts[b]
4:49
20."Refuge (When It's Cold Outside)" (Man-Man/The Imports Remix featuring Simi)
3:13
21."Do What I Gotta Do"
  • West
  • Tozer
3:17
22."She Don't Have to Know" (Man-Man Remix)
  • Stephens
  • Adams
  • Stewart
  • will.i.am
  • Roberts[b]
4:50
23."Money Blown"
  • Stephens
  • Tozer
Tozer4:40
24."Johnny's Gotta Go"
  • Stephens
  • Tozer
Legend3:22
25."It Don't Have to Change" (Man-Man Remix featuring The Stephens Family)
  • Stephens
  • Tozer
  • Legend
  • Roberts[b]
2:52
26."Just in Time"StephensTozer5:28

Notes

  • ^a signifies co-producer
  • ^b signifies additional producer

Sample credits

Personnel

[edit]

Credits adapted from album's liner notes.[33]

  • Candice Anderson — additional vocals (tracks 2, 4, 6)
  • Pablo Arraya — assistant engineer (tracks 2–4, 6, 8, 13)
  • Jose Barboza, Jr. — tuba (track 4)
  • Miri Ben-Ari — strings (tracks 3, 14), string production and arrangements (14)
  • Printz Board — trumpet (track 3)
  • Val Brathwaite — assistant engineer (tracks 2–4, 6, 8)
  • Jason Carson — assistant engineer (tracks 9, 10)
  • Paul Cho — additional production (track 12)
  • Shvona Chung — additional finger snaps and hand claps (track 13)
  • Ted Chung — additional finger snaps and hand claps (track 13)
  • Jimmy Coleman — live drums (track 9)
  • Tom Craskey — bass (tracks 7, 9, 10)
  • Karesha Crawford — trombone (track 4)
  • Jay Curtis — guitar (track 5)
  • Andrew Dawson — engineer (tracks 7, 11, 14)
  • Jenee Dixon — trumpet (track 4)
  • Pete Donelly — engineer (track 9)
  • Jeremy Dyen — ARP synthesizer (track 9)
  • Mike Eleopoulos — assistant engineer (tracks 1–4, 6, 8, 13)
  • Aaron Fessel — engineer (track 7)
  • Michael Harmon — engineer (track 9)
  • DeVon "Devo" Harris — producer (tracks 11, 12, 14)
  • Sharief Hobley — guitar (track 11)
  • Corey Hogan — saxophone (track 4)
  • The Horn Dogs — horns (track 3)
  • Matt Hueneman — engineer (track 13)
  • Jun Ishizeki — engineer (tracks 9, 10)
  • Tim Izo — saxophone (tracks 3, 5), flute (3)
  • Glenn Jeffery — guitar (track 6)
  • Anthony Kilhoffer — engineer (tracks 1–4, 6, 8, 11–14)
  • Elizabeth Lea — trombone (track 5)
  • John Legend — vocals (all tracks), piano (1–8, 11, 13), organ (4, 5, 11), keyboards (9, 12, 14), Rhodes (11), producer (1, 8, 13), co-producer (2–4, 6, 7, 14), co-executive producer
  • Andy Manganello — engineer (tracks 2–4, 6, 8, 13)
  • Manny Marroquin — mixing (tracks 1–9, 11–14)
  • Tara Michel — additional vocals (tracks 2, 4, 6)
  • Na2 — additional vocals (track 7)
  • George Pajon, Jr. — guitar (tracks 3, 5)
  • Michael Peters — engineer (tracks 2–4, 6, 8, 11), assistant engineer (7, 14)
  • Lenesha Randolph — additional vocals (track 7)
  • Jared Robbins — assistant mix engineer (tracks 1–6, 8)
  • James Roston — additional vocals (track 7)
  • M'balia Singley — background vocals (track 9)
  • Snoop Dogg — rap vocals and spoken ad-libs (track 7)
  • Andy Kravitz — engineer (track 9)
  • A. Wayne Stephens — additional lead and backup vocals (track 13)
  • Brandy Stephens — additional backup vocals (track 13)
  • Brett Stephens — additional backup vocals (track 13)
  • Dionne Stephens — additional backup vocals (track 13)
  • Doris Stephens — additional backup vocals (track 13)
  • H. Anthony Stephens — additional lead and backup vocals (track 13)
  • Kashaan Stephens — additional lead and backup vocals (track 13)
  • Marjorie Stephens — additional backup vocals (track 13)
  • Phyllis E. Stephens — additional backup vocals (track 13)
  • Phyllis Y. Stephens — additional backup vocals (track 13)
  • Ronald Stephens II — additional lead and backup vocals (track 13)
  • Ronald "Bumper" Stephens II — additional finger snaps and hand claps (track 13)
  • Vada Stephens — additional backup vocals (track 13)
  • Vaughan Stephens — additional lead and backup vocals (track 13)
  • Swiss Chris — live drums (track 11)
  • Steve Tirpak — trumpet (track 7)
  • Tarrey Torae — additional lead and background vocals (track 14)
  • Dave Tozer — producer and engineer (tracks 7, 9, 10), mixing (10), guitars (2, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14), bass (2, 11, 14), keyboard programming (7, 10), drum programming (7, 9, 10)
  • Jason Villaroman — engineer (track 5)
  • Kanye West — producer (tracks 2–4, 6), co-producer and drum programming (14), rap vocals (6), executive producer
  • Melanie Williams — additional backup vocals (track 13)
  • will.i.am — producer, clav, moog bass, and drum programming (track 5)

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[59] Gold 35,000^
Canada (Music Canada)[60] Gold 50,000^
Ireland (IRMA)[61] Gold 7,500^
Netherlands (NVPI)[62] Gold 40,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[64] Platinum 490,199[63]
United States (RIAA)[65] 2× Platinum 2,100,000[31]

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Get Lifted

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Get Lifted is the debut studio album by American singer-songwriter John Legend, released on December 28, 2004, by GOOD Music, Sony Urban Music, and Columbia Records. Featuring production primarily from Kanye West, Dave Tozer, and will.i.am, the album blends neo-soul, R&B, and hip-hop elements, with Legend accompanying himself on piano and organ across its 15 tracks. It includes standout singles such as "Used to Love U," "Ordinary People," and "Number One," which explore themes of love, relationships, and personal introspection. The album debuted at number 7 on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 116,000 copies in its first week, and topped the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart for three weeks. It has been certified double platinum by the (RIAA) for sales exceeding two million units in the United States. Critically acclaimed for Legend's soulful vocals and songwriting, Get Lifted earned Legend three at the in 2006: Best R&B Album, Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for "," and Best New Artist. Marking Legend's transition from a background collaborator to a solo artist, the album's success established him as a prominent figure in , influencing subsequent works and solidifying his reputation for emotionally resonant music. In , to commemorate its 20th anniversary, a deluxe edition was released, featuring bonus tracks and additional content. To mark the anniversary, Legend embarked on the Get Lifted 20th Anniversary World Tour in 2025.

Background and recording

Development

John Legend, born John Roger Stephens in , began his professional music career as a and in the late 1990s, contributing to notable tracks such as Lauryn Hill's "Everything Is Everything" from her 1998 album . By the early 2000s, he had established himself as an in-demand collaborator, providing background vocals and piano for artists including on early mixtapes and on her 2003 single "." This period of behind-the-scenes work honed his skills in blending soulful R&B with hip-hop elements, setting the stage for his transition to a solo artist. The conception of Get Lifted emerged in the summer of 2001 when Legend met in , leading to immediate collaborative songwriting sessions in West's apartment. There, they co-wrote early tracks such as "Let's Get Lifted," "Alright," and "Used to Love U," drawing inspiration from Legend's church-rooted gospel background and a desire to fuse neo-soul with live instrumentation reminiscent of and . Legend's influences also included and , emphasizing a "sinner-saint" that infused the project's themes with spiritual depth and secular introspection. These initial ideas stemmed from Legend's aim to create "spirit music" that contrasted the formulaic R&B of the era, prioritizing authentic emotional expression over commercial trends. Following multiple label rejections for his demos, Legend signed with Kanye West's newly formed GOOD Music imprint (affiliated with Columbia Records) in May 2004, marking a pivotal endorsement from West that elevated him from session work to a lead artist.[https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/john-legend-get-lifted/) This signing provided the resources to develop his solo project, shifting focus from collaborative hooks to a full debut album, shortly after the success of West's , which amplified industry interest in Legend's talent. The initial songwriting process for Get Lifted centered on personal relationships and everyday life, with Legend drawing from autobiographical experiences like his parents' to explore themes of , , and . Most songs were composed before 2004 during informal sessions in New York and , often with collaborator Dave Tozer, resulting in piano-driven demos that captured raw, confessional narratives such as those in "." These early recordings, including live sets like 2001's Live at Jimmy's Uptown, allowed Legend to refine his voice and style through feedback, emphasizing conceptual depth over polished production at this stage.

Recording and production

The recording sessions for Get Lifted spanned from 2001 to 2004, with most work occurring after John Legend signed with Kanye West's GOOD Music label in May 2004, culminating in the album's release on December 28, 2004. Sessions took place across multiple locations to accommodate Legend's schedule, including apartments in Newark, New York, and Los Angeles; Studio Crash in Philadelphia; The Record Plant and Westlake Studios in Los Angeles; Sony Music Studios in New York City; The Stewchia in Los Feliz, California; and Sound Images in Cincinnati, Ohio. Kanye West served as executive producer, providing creative direction by reworking Legend's existing demos into a polished project that blended neo-soul with hip-hop elements, while also co-producing tracks such as "Number One," "So High," and "I Can Change." Primary production was handled by Dave Tozer, who contributed to eight tracks including "Ordinary People," "Let's Get Lifted Again," and "Do What I Gotta Do," emphasizing layered arrangements and live instrumentation for an organic feel. Additional production came from will.i.am on "She Don't Have to Know" and Devo Springsteen (also known as Devo Harris), who worked on three songs like "Refuge (It's Raining)" and "It Don't Have to Change," incorporating drum programming and keyboard elements. Legend himself co-produced several tracks and played piano throughout, often recording vocals and instrumentation in a voice-and-piano style to capture raw emotion, particularly on ballads like "Ordinary People." The production prioritized live band elements to evoke a warm, neo-soul aesthetic inspired by artists like , featuring musicians such as bassist Tom Craskey and guitarist Dave Tozer on select tracks. Guest contributions added distinctive textures, including Kanye West's rap on "So High," Snoop Dogg's verses and ad-libs on "I Can Change," and Miri Ben-Ari's violin strings on "Used to Love U." Engineers like Anthony Kilhoffer and Andrew Dawson assisted in mixing at Larrabee Studios in , ensuring a cohesive sound despite the distributed sessions. Legend faced challenges in balancing the sessions with his commitments, including driving between for work with Tozer and for collaborations with and West, amid years of prior rejections that honed his persistence from 1999 onward. These logistical hurdles contributed to a focused yet iterative process, refining demos into the final 15-track .

Composition

Musical style

Get Lifted is primarily classified as an R&B album incorporating neo-soul and old-school soul elements, with additional infusions of and hip-hop across its 14 tracks spanning a runtime of 52:28. The album's sound blends these genres to create a fusion that emphasizes emotional depth and rhythmic vitality, distinguishing it from the smoother neo-soul trends of the early . The production prioritizes live instrumentation, including , bass, and , over synthetic electronic beats, fostering a warm, organic texture throughout the record. This approach, rooted in Legend's background and Philly soul heritage, results in arrangements that feel live-band driven, with elements like chapel organs, gospel-tinged horns, and layered choirs adding richness without overpowering the core melodies. Stylistically, the album features a mix of mid-tempo ballads and uptempo grooves, exemplified by the piano-driven simplicity of "," which strips back to voice and keys for intimate vulnerability, and the energetic "Used to Love U," where Kanye West's hip-hop beats introduce a bouncy, sample-heavy . These choices create dynamic pacing, balancing reflective introspection with infectious energy. Drawing from 1970s soul influences such as and , the album merges classic warmth with contemporary production techniques, including sped-up samples and crisp hip-hop drums, while Legend's raspy, preacher-like vocals deliver authenticity without reliance on or over-polished effects. This blend yields a sound that feels both timeless and forward-looking, prioritizing raw emotional expression over commercial gloss.

Lyrics and themes

The lyrics of Get Lifted center on themes of , relationships, , and , drawing from the complexities of romantic dynamics without resorting to idealized portrayals. Tracks like "" offer a realistic depiction of couple interactions, emphasizing arguments and reconciliation with lines such as "Maybe we're gonna fight," which highlight the inevitable conflicts in everyday partnerships. This approach underscores the album's focus on emotional honesty, portraying as a challenging yet human experience marked by mistakes and growth. Personal anecdotes from John Legend's life infuse the songwriting, including reflections on past heartbreaks and the nuances of ordinary romance, inspired in part by his parents' and remarriage. Songs such as "She Don't Have to Know" explore from a male perspective, detailing a secret affair between two individuals already in committed relationships, as in the narrative of mutual to preserve stability. These elements avoid sensationalism, instead prioritizing introspective storytelling that resonates through relatable, non-glamorous scenarios. The album's songs predominantly follow verse-chorus structures, featuring poetic yet conversational that enhance their emotional directness, often supported by simple arrangements to amplify the intimacy. Co-writing credits are primarily shared between and collaborators like , his former roommate and Kanye West's cousin, who contributed to tracks emphasizing authenticity and over polished commercial appeals.

Release and promotion

Singles

The lead single from Get Lifted, "Used to Love U", was released on August 31, 2004, in formats including and 12-inch vinyl, with "Money Blown" as the B-side on select editions. It marked John Legend's debut as a lead artist and achieved moderate commercial success, peaking at number 74 on the US and number 32 on the chart. In the , the track reached number 7 on the Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart. "", the album's second single, followed on April 7, 2005, available as a and digital download. Produced by and , it became the most successful release from the album, peaking at number 24 on the and number 4 on the UK Singles Chart. The song's piano-driven balladry contributed to its radio airplay and longevity on adult contemporary formats. The third single, "Number One" featuring Kanye West, was issued on August 23, 2005, primarily as a promotional 12-inch vinyl and digital download, incorporating a sample from The Staple Singers' "Let's Do It Again". It peaked at number 81 on the US Billboard Hot 100, number 86 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and number 62 on the UK Singles Chart. "So High" featuring served as the fourth and final single, released on December 8, 2005, in CD and digital formats, with a popular Cloud 9 Remix version featuring issued alongside the original. The track bubbled just outside the main charts, peaking at number 3 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 and number 53 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. In the UK, it reached number 70 on the Singles Chart.
SingleRelease DateUS Hot 100 PeakUS R&B/Hip-Hop PeakUK Singles Peak
"Used to Love U"August 31, 20047432—
""April 7, 20052444
"Number One" (feat. )August 23, 2005818662
"So High" (feat. )December 8, 2005—5370
The table above summarizes key chart performance for the singles, drawn from and data.

Marketing and music videos

The marketing for Get Lifted began with the release of "Used to Love U" in August 2004, which garnered significant radio airplay ahead of the album's launch on December 28, 2004, through and . Promotional efforts included sampler CDs distributed to radio stations and retailers, as well as in-store displays to build anticipation for Legend's debut. The campaign emphasized Legend's soulful R&B style and piano-driven sound, positioning him as a fresh voice in . Two music videos were produced to support the album's singles. The video for "Used to Love U," directed by Ben Mor, presents a narrative centered on themes of romantic disillusionment, featuring Legend in everyday settings that underscore the song's emotional lyrics. For the second single "Ordinary People," co-directed by Chris Milk and Kanye West, the visual depicts Legend performing on a grand piano in a stark white void, intercut with vignettes of couples and families navigating arguments and reconciliations to illustrate relational struggles. In 2005, Legend supported the album through live performances, including opening slots on Kanye West's across North America, where his sets focused on intimate piano-vocal renditions of tracks like "" and "Used to Love U." These shows highlighted his raw musicianship and helped extend the album's visibility. Additional promotion involved a push for the , where Get Lifted earned eight nominations across categories such as Best New Artist and Best R&B Album. Legend bolstered the rollout with key media appearances in 2005, including performances on The View and a duet with Stevie Wonder on "Ordinary People" at the BET Awards, which showcased his vocal range and collaborative appeal. He also released John Legend: Live at the House of Blues, a concert film capturing energetic renditions from the album with guest spots by Kanye West and Snoop Dogg.

Reception

Critical reviews

Upon its release, Get Lifted received widespread critical acclaim for its blend of neo-soul, , and hip-hop influences. Critics praised John Legend's emotive vocals and songwriting depth, highlighting how his church-rooted piano playing and raw delivery brought authenticity to the genre. For instance, lauded the album's soulful authenticity in a , noting its "sacrilegious spin on and R&B" that captured Legend at his most intriguing. Rolling Stone awarded it 4 out of 5 stars, commending the live-band feel and organic production that evoked classic soul while feeling fresh for the mid-2000s. Vibe magazine gave it a perfect 5 out of 5 stars, calling it a standout debut that advanced genre-pushing spirit akin to D'Angelo's Voodoo. However, some reviewers pointed to occasional over-familiarity with neo-soul tropes, such as reliance on familiar romantic and confessional themes that occasionally bordered on predictability. Slant Magazine, for example, critiqued the cheeky tone in tracks like "Let's Get Lifted" as sometimes affected, though it still recognized Legend's vocal earnestness. Retrospective views have further solidified its reputation, particularly with the 2024 deluxe reissue, which added remixes and bonus tracks featuring artists like and ; critics noted its enduring relevance amid ongoing R&B revival discussions. Pitchfork's 2022 reassessment emphasized how the album's levity and emotional undercurrents continue to resonate. Specific tracks like "" were frequently highlighted for their universality, with the ballad's honest exploration of relationship flaws earning praise as a timeless standout that contributed to Legend's three Grammy wins for the album.

Accolades

Get Lifted received significant recognition following its release, particularly at major award ceremonies in 2005 and 2006. At the 48th Annual Grammy Awards in 2006, the album won Best R&B Album, while John Legend secured Best New Artist and Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for the track "Ordinary People." The album and its singles earned a total of eight nominations that year, including Song of the Year and Best R&B Song for "Ordinary People." Earlier, at the 2005 BET Awards, Legend won Best New Artist in support of the album. The video for "Ordinary People" was nominated for Best Male Video at the 2005 MTV Video Music Awards. In 2006, Get Lifted was honored with the Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul Album – Male, and "" won Best R&B/Soul Single – Male.

Commercial performance

Chart performance

Get Lifted debuted at number 7 on the Billboard 200, selling 116,000 copies in its first week. The album climbed to a peak of number 4 and remained on the chart for 39 weeks. On the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, it reached number 1 and held the position for 3 weeks. Internationally, the album achieved strong performance in several markets. It topped the Norwegian Albums Chart at number 1. In , it peaked at number 2 on the Albums Chart. The album reached number 12 on the . It also peaked at number 36 on the Australian Albums Chart () and number 53 on the French Albums Chart (). For the year, Get Lifted ranked number 34 on the 2005 year-end chart.
Chart (2004–2005)Peak positionWeeks on chart
US Billboard 200439
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums1—
Australian Albums (ARIA)361
French Albums (SNEP)5322
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)124
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)222
UK Albums (OCC)1238
UK R&B Albums (OCC)2—

Sales and certifications

In the United States, Get Lifted was certified 2× Platinum by the (RIAA) on October 13, 2020, representing shipments of 2 million units. By 2025, including equivalent units from streaming, the album has reached an estimated 2.1 million units. Globally, the album has sold over 3 million copies. It earned Gold certification from the (BPI) in the for 100,000 units on January 10, 2005, along with Gold certifications in (50,000 units, 2007), , , and the . Sales experienced a notable revenue boost following John Legend's Grammy wins in 2006, which elevated the album's profile and contributed to sustained commercial success.

Credits

Track listing

The standard edition of Get Lifted, released in 2004, consists of 14 tracks with a total runtime of 52:28. All tracks were primarily produced by Dave Tozer, with co-production credits to John Legend on select tracks and additional producers noted where applicable.
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1"Prelude"J. StephensJohn Legend0:44
2"Let's Get Lifted"J. Stephens, K. West, R. ShobinKanye West, John Legend3:37
3"Used to Love U"J. Stephens, K. WestKanye West3:31
4"Alright"J. Stephens, K. WestKanye West3:21
5"She Don't Have to Know"J. Stephens, S. Stewart, W. Adamswill.i.am4:52
6"Number One" (featuring Kanye West)C. Mayfield, J. Stephens, K. WestKanye West3:18
7"I Can Change" (featuring Snoop Dogg)C. Broadus, D. Tozer, J. StephensDave Tozer5:01
8"Ordinary People"J. Stephens, W. AdamsDave Tozer, John Legend4:41
9"Stay With You"D. Tozer, J. StephensDave Tozer3:49
10"Let's Get Lifted Again"D. Tozer, J. StephensDave Tozer2:18
11"So High"D. Harris, J. Stephens, L. Ware, P. Sawyer, P. ChoDave Tozer5:07
12"Refuge (When It's Cold Outside)"D. Harris, J. Stephens, P. ChoDave Tozer, Paul Cho4:13
13"It Don't Have to Change" (featuring The Stephens Family)D. Tozer, J. StephensDave Tozer3:23
14"Live It Up" (featuring Miri Ben-Ari)D. Harris, J. Stephens, T. Torae, T. HesterKanye West, Miri Ben-Ari4:35
The 2024 deluxe edition, titled Get Lifted (20th Anniversary Edition) and released digitally on November 22, 2024, expands to 26 tracks with a total runtime of 1:40:00, incorporating the original 14 tracks alongside 12 bonus tracks including remixes, B-sides, and unreleased material. The original tracks retain their standard durations and production credits; bonus tracks feature remix producers where specified, with primary writing credits to (J. Stephens) unless otherwise noted.
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1"Prelude"J. StephensJohn Legend0:44
2"Let's Get Lifted"J. Stephens, K. West, R. ShobinKanye West, John Legend3:37
3"Used to Love U"J. Stephens, K. WestKanye West3:31
4"Alright"J. Stephens, K. WestKanye West3:21
5"She Don't Have to Know"J. Stephens, S. Stewart, W. Adamswill.i.am4:52
6"Number One" (featuring Kanye West)C. Mayfield, J. Stephens, K. WestKanye West3:18
7"I Can Change" (featuring Snoop Dogg)C. Broadus, D. Tozer, J. StephensDave Tozer5:01
8"Ordinary People"J. Stephens, W. AdamsDave Tozer, John Legend4:41
9"Stay With You"D. Tozer, J. StephensDave Tozer3:49
10"Let's Get Lifted Again"D. Tozer, J. StephensDave Tozer2:18
11"So High" (Single Version)D. Harris, J. Stephens, L. Ware, P. Sawyer, P. ChoDave Tozer5:07
12"Refuge (When It's Cold Outside)"D. Harris, J. Stephens, P. ChoDave Tozer, Paul Cho4:13
13"It Don't Have to Change" (featuring The Stephens Family)D. Tozer, J. StephensDave Tozer3:23
14"Live It Up" (featuring Miri Ben-Ari)D. Harris, J. Stephens, T. Torae, T. HesterKanye West, Miri Ben-Ari4:35
15"So High" (Cloud 9 Remix featuring Lauryn Hill)J. Stephens, D. Harris, P. Cho, L. HillLauryn Hill—
16"Used to Love U" (9th Wonder Playmates Imagining Remix featuring Black Thought)J. Stephens, K. West9th Wonder—
17"Number One" (Obi Remix)C. Mayfield, J. Stephens, K. WestObi—
18"Let's Get Lifted Again" (Man-Man Remix featuring Killer Mike & Lil Wayne)D. Tozer, J. StephensMan-Man—
19"Ordinary People" (Man-Man Remix featuring Tems)J. Stephens, W. AdamsMan-Man—
20"Refuge (When It's Cold Outside)" (Man-Man/The Imports Remix featuring Simi)D. Harris, J. Stephens, P. ChoMan-Man, The Imports—
21"Do What I Gotta Do"J. StephensDave Tozer—
22"She Don't Have to Know" (Man-Man Remix)J. Stephens, S. Stewart, W. AdamsMan-Man—
23"Money Blown"J. StephensDave Tozer—
24"Johnnys Gotta Go"J. StephensDave Tozer—
25"It Don't Have to Change" (Man-Man Remix featuring The Stephens Family)D. Tozer, J. StephensMan-Man—
26"Just In Time"J. StephensDave Tozer—

Personnel

John Legend served as the lead vocalist and pianist across all tracks on Get Lifted. He also contributed to production on tracks 1, 2, and 8. The core band included Dave Tozer, who handled keyboards and guitar while also serving as an engineer. Dwayne Dugger played bass throughout the album. Omar Edwards provided Hammond B-3 organ performances. Notable guest contributors featured Kanye West, who delivered a rap verse on track 6 ("Number One") and added keyboard parts. Snoop Dogg contributed a rap on "I Can Change" (track 7). Miri Ben-Ari performed violin on "Used to Love U" (track 3) and "Live It Up" (track 14). Additional musicians included George Pajon Jr. on guitar ("Used to Love U"), The Horn Dogs on horns ("Used to Love U"), and Tim Izo on and ("Used to Love U"). Tarrey Torae provided vocals on "Live It Up". The Stephens Family contributed to track 13. Production was overseen by executive producer . Mixing duties were managed by , with mastering completed by Brian "Big Bass" Gardner. Additional support came from background vocalist Natalie May and horn arrangements by Eric "Jesus" Coomes.

Legacy

Reissues

In 2005, international editions of the were issued, including special versions with bonus tracks such as the "So High (Cloud 9 Remix)" featuring on the Australian CD/DVD edition, while the Japanese release added exclusive tracks like "Johnny's Gotta Go" and "Money Blown." Additional formats emerged in subsequent years, including an LP version with integrated lyrics and interactive features available around 2010. To mark the 20th anniversary, a deluxe edition titled Get Lifted (20th Anniversary Edition) was released on November 22, 2024, expanding the original 15 tracks to 26 with 11 bonus additions, including new remixes such as "Let's Get Lifted Again" featuring and , " (20th Anniversary Remix)" with , and "So High (Cloud 9 Remix)" with , alongside rarities and two previously unreleased live recordings. Exclusive bundles featured signed 3LP vinyl sets and digital downloads, with a standard 2LP vinyl repressing including the "So High" remix as a bonus track.

Cultural impact

Get Lifted played a pivotal role in the neo-soul revival of the mid-2000s, positioning as a prominent piano-led R&B voice that blended influences with contemporary . The album's emphasis on raw, melodic songwriting helped bridge traditional with hip-hop production, influencing subsequent artists in the genre, including , whose introspective style echoes Legend's intimate approach. The track "" has become a cultural staple, frequently performed and adapted in live settings, such as the 2024 duet between Legend and on , highlighting its enduring appeal as a poignant exploration of relationship dynamics. Its use in television soundtracks, including episodes of , has further embedded it in popular media, underscoring themes of love and vulnerability. Legend's three Grammy wins for Get Lifted—including Best New Artist, Best R&B Album, and Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for ""—elevated the credibility of Kanye West's label, marking it as a hub for innovative R&B and hip-hop crossovers. The album has been recognized in retrospective rankings, such as appearing in Soul In Stereo's list of the 30 best R&B albums of the 2000s, affirming its lasting impact on the decade's soulful output. In the 2020s, the 20th anniversary deluxe edition of Get Lifted, released in 2024 with remixes and expanded tracks, has renewed interest through platforms like , where users engage with its timeless love songs via covers and discussions on authentic R&B songwriting. In 2025, Legend embarked on the Get Lifted 20th Anniversary Tour, performing the full album across with his band, further amplifying its enduring popularity. This resurgence highlights the album's influence on modern R&B's focus on emotional honesty and piano-driven narratives.

References

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