John Legend’s “Pride”
Thanks to Tim K. for pointing us to this John Legend cover of “Pride (In the Name of Love)”, which appears to come from an upcoming History Channel special simply titled, KING. The program airs April 6th.
I’ve said many times that U2 should do more songs with piano, and this cover does nothing to change my opinion. Very nice….
HAROLD RONCALLO said,
March 27, 2008 @ 3:55 am
NAH!! THE PIANO NOR THE VOICE WORK WITH THIS TUNE.THE EDGE WROTE ONE OF THE GREATEST GUITAR RIFFS THAT THE WORLD HAS EVER HEARD.THAT HORRIBLE PIANO ARANGEMENT IS DISRESPECTFUL TO THE EDGE. NO COVER WILL EVEN BE CLOSE TO HAVING THE SAME EMOTION AS THE ORIGINAL VERSION.BONO’S YOUNG VOICE WOULD BLEED WITH EMOTION WHEN HE WOULD HIT THE CHORUS.
SORRY JHON LEGEND THIS SONG IS NOT ON YOUR LEVEL !!! BUT NICE TRY .
U2roeli said,
March 27, 2008 @ 3:56 am
I think it’s a fresh sound at the very least, I’d love to see this song ‘develop’ live (as Bullet has for instance)
More covers of U2 songs here:
http://roeli.olierook.com/labels/cover.html
KLM said,
March 27, 2008 @ 4:38 am
Boring sorry to say.
Great man of the people reduced to plodding cabaret bar arrangement.
Should have done a cover of MLK maybe?
3/10.
deb said,
March 27, 2008 @ 4:46 am
Who would have thought that 4 boys from Ireland would have their song played during a History Channel documentary for a civil rights leader in the USA? What a beautiful tribute to MLK JR ! John Legend did a great job !
Ash said,
March 27, 2008 @ 6:17 am
Oh man. “If you can’t fly, run. If you can’t run, walk. If you can’t walk, crawl but by all means keep moving!” The video footage alone is enough to reduce one to tears and the addition of a stripped down, vulnerable arrangement of Pride is a great underscore.
Mike said,
March 27, 2008 @ 6:35 am
I don’t think this is “disrespectful” to the Edge… When you do a cover, you have to change it up a bit. No one could do this song like U2, so why play it exactly like them? I much prefer the original version, but this is a nice version with a different twist. Well done I say!
Fran McMahon said,
March 27, 2008 @ 8:03 am
Boo. John legend is a loser. What is his talent exactly? A five year old could do what he just did. U2’s version is about 10 billion times better. That drum fill alone is better than this lilly white piece of blah. I saw the tv ad for this show yesterday and they had U2’s Pride playing. I guess they suck you in with the good stuff then drop a loaf of john legend on your doorstep. What’s with that name, anyway? John legend…really. How about Tom awesome? Was that taken?
Achtung Bubba said,
March 27, 2008 @ 8:43 am
DISCUSSION QUESTION: Which cover is worse, John Legend’s “Pride” or Jamie Cullum’s cover of Radiohead’s “High & Dry”? Discuss amongst yourselves.
Myself, I appreciate the sentiment behind Legend’s version and find the footage in the video quite moving, but… well, Johnny Cash proved with “One” and “Hurt” that quiet cover versions can still be emotional and powerful, but John Legend shows that that’s not always the case.
m2 said,
March 27, 2008 @ 9:08 am
The great thing about music is that people who’d prefer to hear the same, boring-arse, slowed down version of old songs can continue to do so … and those of us who like to hear new spins on a familiar song can also do it. Ain’t music wonderful?
Meanwhile, I’m going to be ROFLMAO all day at the criticism of the name “John Legend” from someone who loves a band that has men named “Bono” and “The Edge.” Pure comedy!
Max said,
March 27, 2008 @ 9:20 am
All of you saying Johh is a looser and this version is worse than the original one, simply do not get the idea.
It’s not a competition.
He didn’t attempt to do it better, he tried to do HIS version of the track. And he’s done it perfectly, since it sounds nothing like U2 and at the same time it defenitely sounds like “Pride” should sound.
I personally liked this cover.
I only wish he added a little bit more passion when he was playing the solo, ’cause it sounds too much stripped down for me.
Overall it’s a nice, moody version with a calm kind of passion.
8/10.
Jake said,
March 27, 2008 @ 10:25 am
people, people, people! I agree with Matt on this one. No one, particularly John Legend, is trying to erase U2’s version. I personally felt the song had a new power to it with the images of MLK and the stark emotions that John pulled out. It’s nicely done, John is clearly doing his interpretation and I think it is a fitting, touching, and moving tribute to MLK
Melissa said,
March 27, 2008 @ 10:26 am
The commercial for “King” that’s airing right now on the History channel and Sci-Fi (I think) uses the U2 version of Pride.
merli said,
March 27, 2008 @ 11:22 am
i like it.
PiressVox said,
March 27, 2008 @ 12:02 pm
I’m a little surprised with the general reaction here. I adore U2- why would I be here if I didn’t?- but that doesn’t mean we have to slam all other artists who cover their work. I think John’s done a wonderful job of taking one of the most famous U2 songs and transforming it in his genre. Yes, it’s not tha same high-powered riff as Edge plays, but it’s is unmistakably Pride, and wasn’t it Bono who said you have to appreciate the power of a whsiper over a scream?
This song, and moreover, MLK, clearly mean a lot to John, and he handled that emotion wonderfully. I think it’s a beautiful new interpretation, and in no way is it trying to ‘replace’ the original we all love.
Chet said,
March 27, 2008 @ 12:35 pm
Wonderful version. Nice way to honor a great man and I think it’s awesome that John chose to cover ‘Pride’. I totally agree with PiressVox’s comments.
SW said,
March 27, 2008 @ 12:44 pm
I think it’s an amazing version and I’m sure U2 like it. It honors both the man and the band.
Carol Foster said,
March 27, 2008 @ 1:26 pm
I like it! It definitely sounds different but yeah i do like it
Anatole said,
March 27, 2008 @ 3:08 pm
It’s a nice take on the song. I admire John Legend a lot and he’s a great live performer. However, since it cannot escape comparison to the original, I have to say that it does not live up to the original.
But of course, that’s not the point. As a tribute to MLK (hah hah, see what I did there?) it is very heartfelt. And it is especially fitting and moving for a History channnel production.
Ranman52 said,
March 27, 2008 @ 3:24 pm
Nice work Mr. Legend.
K2 said,
March 27, 2008 @ 4:21 pm
Gorgeous, especially in how it’s combined with the historic footage. And I like the fresh take on the song.
Robyn said,
March 27, 2008 @ 4:29 pm
I think it was very nice indeed. It wasn’t U2, nor was it suppose to be. It was a different take on a very beloved song, and I think that John Lengend die a fine rendition of it. I bet it made U2 proud.
Robyn said,
March 27, 2008 @ 4:35 pm
I meant to say Legend did a fine rendition of the song. Sometimes I’m typing too fast , and don’t look over what I have typed, and that’s where the errors come in. No disrespect.
God Bless, Robyn
Silvrlvr said,
March 27, 2008 @ 6:12 pm
A test of a song is whether it can be performed by other artists and still have meaning. (Pride) In the Name of Love passes the test. You can still love U2 and appreciate what other artists do with their work. Yes, I like Edge’s riff, but I also think the fact that the song holds up with just a piano means that it has good bones.
CadmusSorrell.com said,
March 27, 2008 @ 9:01 pm
John Legend cover of Pride (In the Name of Love)…
The History Channel has a documentary on Martin Luther King that will air on April 6th. It’s titled “Pride” and if you’ve seen the commercial for it you’ll hear U2 in the background. For the episode itself John Legend has …
ian said,
March 27, 2008 @ 9:23 pm
i liked it. but i LIKED this version MUCH better:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8Pnlhs7grQ
u2, circa 1984, busting a nut in front of a zealous crowd. SWEET.
dave said,
March 28, 2008 @ 12:10 am
I think it’s great. Good to hear a fresh rendition and tribute of a 20th century classic. I respect John Legend and think he gave it a fresh perspective.
Johnno said,
March 28, 2008 @ 9:30 am
I’m a fan of U2. Some folks need to relax. This is a beautiful cover. Just relax.
Mike said,
March 28, 2008 @ 10:59 am
I am a massive U2 fan _ and I think the vocal here is superb. Any cover is, imo, a complement to the original artist/songwriter
John Walker said,
March 28, 2008 @ 3:04 pm
I am a huge U2 fan. I have been waiting since I discovered them in 1990 for someone to cover them in a creative and moving way, and John Legend has just exceeded my expectations. What an amazing vocal! And, there is so much power in the solo piano. I am glad that I am not a product of corporate conditioning and fast food culture mentality, and can appreciate this cover for what it is: An inspired and highly artistic interpretation of a classic.
Connie said,
March 28, 2008 @ 3:22 pm
I like this version very much. I think that John must be a fan of U2 to think to do this beautiful song. I’m sure U2 is very flatered that someone chose to do a cover of this song. I’ll bet the boys love it.
Brian said,
March 28, 2008 @ 3:41 pm
I’m surprised how much I like this, since I’m usually not a fan of U2 covers (Pet Shop Boys anyone?). I don’t believe U2 has ever performed a “stripped down” version of Pride, but if they did, I’m betting it would sound a lot like this. (uh oh, let the flames fly….
Aida said,
March 28, 2008 @ 5:50 pm
This was pretty good considering John Legend is a different genre. Ofcourse he had to change it up a bit or else there would be no point in doing the cover, and overall I think he did a fine job with it.
Hj. said,
March 28, 2008 @ 8:16 pm
It just seems that John Legend doesn’t have the power in his voice for this song. A
good attempt and respectful, but no comparison. Oddly enough, having the groundbreaking original version by an Irish (white) band would have been much more profound.
tjk said,
March 29, 2008 @ 10:33 am
Thank you Dr. King for all that you did and thank you U2 and John Legend for keeping his memory alive.
u2gek said,
March 31, 2008 @ 7:11 am
I finally watched this after reading all these comments. I have to say, I absolutely loved this. It was very emotional and a testament to the relevance of U2. The footage was wonderful and I loved the closing comment by Dr King.
HAROLD RONCALLO said,
April 1, 2008 @ 2:13 am
BORING!!!!!!!!
Matt said,
April 1, 2008 @ 2:55 pm
Ok. I am a big U2 fan as we all are, but I am so tired ot the people who are drinking the U2 Koolade. I think you would all love a U2 Opera, a U2 Rap song, a U2 Hip Hop Album, a U2 Country Album, a U2 Silent movie, etc…
This song is a classic and U2’s has had many amazing performances of this song.
I think John sang a VERY emotional powerful performance. I also would like to echo the comment, that if you are going to do a remake of a song it should be different otherwise what is the point.
Listen to song and his note choice. When he sings the word PRIDE i got goosebumps…
well done!
mahari seghid said,
April 2, 2008 @ 5:40 am
Well, John Legend is doing a cover he can never be Bono.” Because a song is like a baby and the Father can never be the Mother. But thank you for this fantastic Video, and by the way John looks a lot like the The Young Martin L.King.
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Mahari
supercynic said,
April 3, 2008 @ 2:45 pm
Who am I to speak for U2, but I think they would appreciate John Legend’s version, especially considering the context. U2 has no less than 2 songs about MLK, so I don’t think they’d care who covered the song for use in a documentary about MLK as long as it was tasteful. This certainly is.
Lisa said,
April 7, 2008 @ 3:50 pm
I just think U2’s version is amazing. John’s cover of this song just does not hold up. Not mad that he did the cover, but I would rather and still do listen to the original version by U2.
Barb said,
April 7, 2008 @ 5:58 pm
Sorry!!! John Legend is far from being a loser! This a beautiful version of “PRIDE”. And I’m sure U2 would agree. Especially, Bono. It’s not a competiton. I’m sure they feel honored that “Pride” was picked for this documentary.
Tony said,
April 20, 2008 @ 9:31 am
This is a nice arrangement… different. For any of you saying it’s not so hot, here’s a question: which cover is worse, this or U2 plodding through “Instant Karma?”
Lammy said,
April 26, 2008 @ 7:54 am
I think this one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard and you’re hearing it from a giant U2 fan. John nails it here folks. What an awesome graceful voice.
Peace !!!
Tom said,
May 1, 2008 @ 7:45 am
Brillaint ‘cover’ of this absolutely classic song.
It is a shame that no one in 40 years has picked up the torch left behind my this man.
Marta Luísa Mendes said,
May 2, 2008 @ 7:02 am
I was there twice. In 2006 and 2007 to dinner at The Tea Room, but after I was at the Octagnon Bar. what to say. Simply Brillaint, outstanding food, great envoironment… I felt great.
Marta Luísa Mendes said,
May 2, 2008 @ 7:03 am
About the song. Nice, very nice but definitible not U2
andrew said,
October 24, 2008 @ 3:56 am
Let’s face it ‘Pride’ is a clumsy, clunky song that sounds awful. If it wasn’t for Bono’s pompous blustering lyrics which aren’t even historically accurate, people would ignore it.
AND BONO, TAKE OFF THOSE RIDICULOUS SUN GLASSEDS