Released on August 12, 2013, as the third single from his album Love in the Future , "All of Me" is a piano ballad that has become one of the most successful and enduring love songs of the 21st century. It was co-written by Legend (John Stephens) and Toby Gad , a renowned songwriter behind hits like Beyoncé’s "If I Were a Boy". Inspiration and Meaning
The song was written as a dedicated gift to Legend’s then-fiancée, model Chrissy Teigen. The lyrics explore themes of total commitment, mutual vulnerability, and unconditional love—celebrating a partner’s "perfect imperfections". Legend described the core message as the balance of loss and gain in love: "Even when I lose, I'm winning... you give your all to me, I give my all to you". Production and Composition John Legend - All of Me
: Its raw honesty has made it one of the most popular "first dance" songs at weddings worldwide. Released on August 12, 2013, as the third
: According to co-writer Toby Gad, the initial writing process was remarkably fast, taking only about three hours as they bounced lyrics back and forth. The Cinematic Music Video The lyrics explore themes of total commitment, mutual
The official music video , directed by Nabil Elderkin , adds a deeply personal layer to the song: