Multi-platinum, 12-time Grammy Award-winner John Legend today unveiled Get Lifted (20th Anniversary Edition), a deluxe digital edition of his extraordinary debut album, out now via Legacy Recordings, the catalogue division of Sony Music Entertainment. Featuring new contributions from guest artists including Tems, Killer Mike, Lil Wayne, Simi and Black Thought, the celebratory release expands the original album with 11 bonus tracks, including eight brand-new remixes, rare B-sides, and two previously unreleased studio performances recorded during the original Get Lifted sessions.
The Get Lifted (20th Anniversary) album will be pressed and packaged in a deluxe 3LP 12" vinyl edition, offered exclusively here with all copies signed by Legend; the 3LP edition will be available on March 7, 2025. In addition, a special 2LP 12"vinyl edition of Get Lifted, combining the original album with the bonus track "So High"[Cloud 9 Remix] featuring Lauryn Hill (currently available on DSPs), will be available on Friday, December 20.
The deluxe digital and upcoming 3LP editions of Get Lifted (20th Anniversary)include the original 14-track album plus bonus remixes: "So High"[Cloud 9 Mix] featuring Lauryn Hill (as included on the Get Lifted digital album); "Used To Love U [9th Wonder Playmates Imagining Remix] featuring Black Thought; "Number One"[Obi Remix]; "Let's Get Lifted Again"[Man-Man Remix] featuring Killer Mike & Lil Wayne; "Ordinary People"[Man-Man Remix] featuring Tems; "Refuge (When It's Cold Outside)"[Man-Man/The Imports Remix] featuring Simi; "She Don't Have to Know"[Man-Man Remix]; and "It Don't Have to Change"[Man-Man Remix] featuring The Stephens Family.
“I’m so thrilled to be celebrating 20 years of the album that introduced me to the world,” said Legend. “Get Lifted has always meant so much to me and to so many of my fans and supporters. I’m so grateful for the career that this album launched. These last 20 years have taken me far beyond my wildest dreams.”
He continued, “Revisiting the original album and some of the unreleased songs from that era has been such a meaningful experience. Reinvigorating the music with fresh remixes and collaborations featuring some of my favourite artists makes this celebration even more special."
As a special treat for Legend’s fans, Get Lifted (20th Anniversary) offers four early rarities from the Get Lifted era including two previously unreleased studio performances ("Do What I Gotta Do" and "Just In Time"), revealing fresh insight into the young artist's vision for a career that would span decades while steering the course of hip-hop and popular music. These early revelatory, now essential John Legend songs lay down the grooves and vision for Legend’s groundbreaking musical path in the 21st century. "Do What I Gotta Do" and "Just In Time" are previously unreleased while "Money Blown" and "Johnny's Gotta Go" are B-side/CD single rarities remastered for this edition.
Recorded in a variety of studios across the U.S from 2001-2004, Get Lifted was originally released in the United States through GOOD Music, Sony Urban Music and Columbia Records on December 28, 2004 (Legend’s 26th birthday). The album's uncanny melodic blend of R&B, neo-soul, hip-hop, cosmopolitan sophistication and sly street smarts signalled the arrival of a new major artist with deep musical roots, an affinity for pop music and a plan for the future.
With all songs written or co-written by Legend, who also served as co-producer on much of the album, Get Lifted introduced him to the world as a top-tier tunesmith with a lyrical sensibility that captured the full spectrum and emotional reality of human affairs, from the raunchy to the sublime. Get Lifted spawned four singles: "Used to Love U," a moderate success peaking at #74 on the Billboard Hot 100; the Grammy-winning "Ordinary People," Legend’s breakout hit and first to crack the Billboard Top 40 (#24), the track hit #1 on the UK R&B Singles chart & #4 on the UK Singles chart; "Number One" and "So High."
A prodigious musical talent, singer/songwriter/pianist Legend had already appeared on hit records before writing and recording Get Lifted. A sought-after behind-the-scenes talent, Legend played piano on Lauryn Hill's "Everything Is Everything" and sang backup vocals for Jay-Z and Alicia Keys. The first artist to sign with Kanye West's GOOD Music, he broke into the Billboard 200 Top 10 (#4) with Get Lifted, which hit #1 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Legend didn't just crossover from R&B/hip-hop to pop, he both bridged and defied the genres.
Legend’s debut album earned eight nominations at the 48th Annual Grammy Awards, with the artist taking home three: "Ordinary People" won Best Male R&B Vocal Performance, Get Lifted won Best R&B Album and Legend was named the year's Best New Artist.
Get Lifted entered the Billboard 200 at #7, selling 116,000 copies its first week, Legend’s first Top 10 debut. The Recording Industry Association of American (RIAA) has certified Get Lifted as a Double Platinum Album and "Ordinary People"as a Double Platinum Single.
Get Lifted (20th Anniversary) follows the release of My Favorite Dream, an album of sing-alongs and lullabies for children and families, largely inspired by Legend’s own experiences as a father to four children. Produced by singer-songwriter-multi-instrumentalist Sufjan Stevens, the album features nine original tracks penned by Legend. My Favorite Dream is nominated for two 2025 Grammy Awards: Best Children’s Music Album and Best Arrangement, Instrumental and Vocals for the heartfelt track “Always Come Back.” Additionally, Legend received a separate Grammy nomination for Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella for his collaboration on “Bridge Over Troubled Water” with Jacob Collier and Tori Kelly.
Legend is also gearing up for “A John Legend Christmas” tour, which he’ll bring to select venues across the U.S. this December. Kicking off on December 2 in Highland, CA, the 12-date tour will include stops in Los Angeles, Seattle, Portland, Atlanta, and Atlantic City, before wrapping up in Hanover, MD on December 21. Accompanied by a four-piece band, Legend will perform holiday classics from his hit album, A Legendary Christmas, including “This Christmas,” “Baby, It's Cold Outside,” “Silver Bells,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” and “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire).” The shows will also feature intimate storytelling moments, during which Legend will reflect on his career, family, and the stories behind the music. For more information and tickets, please visit johnlegend.com.
Get Lifted (20th Anniversary) Track listing:
1. Prelude - John Legend
2. Lets Get Lifted - John Legend
3. Used to Love U - John Legend
4. Alright - John Legend
5. She Don't Have to Know - John Legend
6. Number One - John Legend featuring Kanye West
7. I Can Change - John Legend featuring Snoop Dogg
8. Ordinary People - John Legend
9. Stay With You - John Legend
10. Lets Get Lifted Again - John Legend
11. So High [Single Version] - John Legend
12. Refuge (When It's Cold Outside) - John Legend
13. It Don't Have to Change - John Legend featuring The Stephens Family
14. Live It Up - John Legend & Miri Ben-Ari
15. So High [Cloud 9 Remix] - John Legend featuring Lauryn Hill
Bonus Tracks
16. Used To Love U [9th Wonder Playmates Imagining Remix] - John Legend featuring Black Thought
17. Number One [Obi Remix] - John Legend
18. Let’s Get Lifted Again [Man-Man Remix] - John Legend featuring Killer Mike & Lil Wayne
19. Ordinary People [Man-Man Remix] - John Legend featuring Tems
20. Refuge (When It's Cold Outside) [Man-Man/The Imports Remix] - John Legend featuring Simi
21. Do What I Gotta Do - John Legend
22. She Don't Have to Know [Man-Man Remix] - John Legend
23. Money Blown - John Legend
24. Johnnys Gotta Go - John Legend
25. It Don't Have to Change [Man-Man Remix] - John Legend featuring The Stephens Family
26. Just In Time - John Legend
