John Legend, Open Your Eyes | COVERS

In the 21st edition of COVERS (2023), John Legend delivers a compelling rendition of “Open Your Eyes,” originally performed by Bobby Caldwell.

Ah, it’s time to get cozy and totally cover up! In COVERS, we highlight a musician or band covering songs by another musician (likely a popular musician). COVERS focuses solely on the musician who covers, as opposed to the original/most famous performer.  It is open to both established musicians and musicians who may not be as well-known. In the 21st  edition of COVERS (2023), 🎙 John Legend delivers a compelling rendition of 🎵 “Open Your Eyes”, originally/famously performed by 🎙 Bobby Caldwell.   

via GIPHY

“I see you in the lonely place / How can you be so blind?” 🎙 John Legend has written and performed some marvelous originals throughout his career.  That said, the 🏆 Academy and Grammy Award winner is also skilled a covering songs, particularly more soulful songs.  On his 2013 album, 💿 Love in the Future, Legend puts his own spin on a 🎙 Bobby Caldwell gem, 🎵 “Open Your Eyes”. A blue-eyed soul singer, Caldwell had an incredible voice, something he shows off on the underrated original.  Notably, Legend and Caldwell have two totally different voices, even if both possess ample soulfulness.  For Legend, he lets his gritty, robust baritone shine as he serenades about L-O-V-E. 

“Darling open your eyes / Let me show you the light / Girl you never find a love that’s right.”  “Open Your Eyes” appears as the third track on Love in the Future – the second full-length.  In this Legendary remake, produced by 🎛 Dave Tozer, DJ Camper, Boogz BG, and Kanye West, many of the music cues are preserved.  Such music cues retained include the ostinato piano lines, a marvelous guitar solo (🎸 Chris Sholar), and the key change. Melodically, Legend maintains the sanctity of the tune, but also throws in addition nuances, namely his signature runs.  Also, it’s worth noting that Legend slips in some falsetto occasionally, which is sweet. John doesn’t reinvent the wheel on 🎵 “Open Your Eyes” but like Dwele years before him, he reintroduces an underrated classic to a new generation of listeners.

via GIPHY

🎙 John Legend • 💿 Love in the Future • 🏷 Getting Out Our Dreams / Columbia • 🗓 2013 

John Legend, “Open Your Eyes”: Covers No. 21 (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner /The Musical Hype; Getting Out Our Dreams / Columbia; Paul Brennan from Pixabay;  Sdf Rahbar on Unsplash]