John Legend, Show Me | Bangerz N Bopz 🔥

In the 20^th edition of Bangerz N Bopz 🔥, we highlight “Show Me” performed by Academy and Grammy award winning musician, John Legend.

Bring on the bold, fierce songs! Bangerz N Bopz 🔥 serves up background info and insight into songs of various styles, especially songs that raise eyebrows and/or stir the pot.  Featured records can be classic or brand new. In the 20^th and final edition of Bangerz N Bopz 🔥 for 2023, we break down “Show Me” performed by John Legend.

“Show me, that you love me / Show me that you walk with me.” Ah, “Show Me” marks one of the elite songs from the John Legend catalog, PERIOD.  This reflective and thoughtful neo-soul record also appears on one of the Academy and Grammy award winner’s best LPs, Once Again, released in 2006.  Written alongside Estelle (yes, of “American Boy” fame), Robert “Fonksta” Bacon, and Raphael Saadiq, Legend seeks answers and clear-cut signs from God. As the beloved scripture reads, We walk by faith and not by sight.  Still, faith is quite difficult to attain, and faith crises aren’t far-fetched, even for the most devout.

Early on in “Show Me,” Legend addresses the laxness of his relationship with God: “I realize as I lay down to sleep / We haven’t spoken in weeks / So many things that I’d like to know / Come have a talk with me.” In the lyric, John turns the tables, asking for God to come to him and talk as opposed to visa versa.  The conversation he does have, of course, is deep and incredibly inquisitive.  One of the age-old questions he asks, “O God of love, peace, and mercy / Why so much suffering?” Often, the trials and tribulations worldwide mark a point of skepticism for believers and nonbelievers alike – a true test of faith. Does Legend get the answers he desires? It doesn’t seem like it, as he later sings, in that gorgeous, soulful voice, “Maybe we’ll talk / Some other night / Right now I’ll take it easy / Won’t spend my time / Waiting to die / Enjoy the life I’m living.” Perhaps it’s too much for one conversation, after all, you don’t build any relationship with just one conversation.  At worst, Legend comes off as more agnostic than atheistic, considering he doesn’t close the door to another conversation with God. Ultimately, “Show Me” speaks to the complicated nature of faith and spirituality.  What isn’t complicated, or disputable, is how epic this song is.  It’s deep, nuanced, stupendously written and produced – sits atop the illustrious John Legend collection.

🎙 John Legend • 💿 Once Again • 🏷 Getting Out Our Dreams / Sony Music Entertainment • 🗓 2006

John Legend, Show Me: Bangerz N Bopz 🔥 No. 20 (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Getting Out Our Dreams / Sony Music Entertainment; cottonbro studio, Harry Shelton, Kool Shooters, Lucas Pazeta, Mavluda Tashbaeva, Teddy Yang, Wesley Souza from Pexels]