ABOUT THE SPEAKER
John Legend - Singer, musician, composer
With his philanthropic work, John Legend is leveraging his stardom to raise social consciousness and make a positive impact on a global scale.

Why you should listen

Fueled by a lean, immediate sound and a message rooted in optimism, John Legend has become a true superstar with blockbuster tours, high-profile collaborations, nine Grammys and an Oscar (for Best Original Song, “Glory” in 2015’s Selma).

Legend is well-known for his philanthropic work, which includes the Show Me Campaign, an organization that seeks to provide every child with access to a quality education. Most recently, Legend launched #FREEAMERICA, a multi-year cultural change campaign focused on ending mass incarceration. As a respected artist, Legend is using his platform to engage stakeholders from all areas of the criminal justice system to work towards that goal.

More profile about the speaker
John Legend | Speaker | TED.com
TED Talks Education

John Legend: "True Colors"

Filmed:
2,020,796 views

In a heart-melting moment, TED Talks Education host John Legend sits at the piano to sing "True Colors," giving the lyrics a special meaning for kids and teachers. "So don't be afraid / to let them show / your true colors / are beautiful, like a rainbow."
- Singer, musician, composer
With his philanthropic work, John Legend is leveraging his stardom to raise social consciousness and make a positive impact on a global scale. Full bio

Double-click the English transcript below to play the video.

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(Music)
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♪ You with the sad eyes ♪
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♪ Don't be discouraged ♪
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♪ Oh, I realize ♪
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♪ It’s hard to take courage ♪
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♪ In a world full of people ♪
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♪ You can lose sight of it all ♪
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♪ And the darkness inside you ♪
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♪ Can make you feel so small ♪
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♪ But I see your true colors ♪
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♪ Shining through ♪
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♪ I see your true colors ♪
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♪ And that's why I love you ♪
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♪ So don't be afraid to let them show ♪
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♪ Your true colors ♪
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♪ True colors are beautiful ♪
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♪ Like a rainbow ♪
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♪ Show me a smile, then ♪
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♪ Don't be unhappy ♪
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♪ Can't remember when ♪
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♪ I last saw you laughing ♪
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♪ If this world makes you crazy ♪
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♪ And you've taken all you can bear ♪
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♪ You can call me up ♪
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♪ Because you know I'll be there ♪
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♪ And I'll see your true colors ♪
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♪ Shining through ♪
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♪ I see your true colors ♪
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♪ And that's why I love you ♪
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♪ So don't be afraid to let them show ♪
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♪ Your true colors ♪
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♪ True colors are beautiful ♪
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♪ Like a rainbow ♪
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♪ If this world makes you crazy ♪
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♪ And you've taken all you can bear ♪
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♪ You can call me up ♪
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♪ Because you know I'll be there ♪
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♪ And I'll see your true colors ♪
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♪ Shining through ♪
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♪ I see your true colors ♪
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♪ And that's why I love you ♪
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♪ So don't be afraid to let them show ♪
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♪ Your true colors ♪
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♪ True colors are beautiful ♪
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♪ Like a rainbow ♪
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♪ So don't be afraid to let them show ♪
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♪ True colors ♪
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♪ True colors ♪
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♪ True colors ♪
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♪ True colors are beautiful ♪
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♪ Like a rainbow ♪
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(Applause)
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Translated by Joseph Geni
Reviewed by Morton Bast

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ABOUT THE SPEAKER
John Legend - Singer, musician, composer
With his philanthropic work, John Legend is leveraging his stardom to raise social consciousness and make a positive impact on a global scale.

Why you should listen

Fueled by a lean, immediate sound and a message rooted in optimism, John Legend has become a true superstar with blockbuster tours, high-profile collaborations, nine Grammys and an Oscar (for Best Original Song, “Glory” in 2015’s Selma).

Legend is well-known for his philanthropic work, which includes the Show Me Campaign, an organization that seeks to provide every child with access to a quality education. Most recently, Legend launched #FREEAMERICA, a multi-year cultural change campaign focused on ending mass incarceration. As a respected artist, Legend is using his platform to engage stakeholders from all areas of the criminal justice system to work towards that goal.

More profile about the speaker
John Legend | Speaker | TED.com