I was fortunate to secure 3 tickets to attend the 3rd Gala for the Pieces Jaunes on Thursday in La Defense Arena Paris. This is a charity event to raise funds for Fondation Des Hospitaux. The star studded event was headlined by Katy Perry and featured John Legend, Lang Lang, Rose from BlackPink, J-Hope from BTS, G-Dragon, Burna Boy, GIMS, J Balvin, Aya Nakamura & many others. It is the first concert event in a stadium that I brought my kids to. The concert starts at 2030 and ended past midnight. We left halfway through Katy Perry’s act to ensure we catch the last train home. The kids were indeed exhausted the next day in school but hopefully it was a core memory.

So, this week’s Friday post is from the act that bring back some of my most cherished memory. It was John Legend performing Ordinary People. This song reminds me of the apartment in Queensway where I used to share with my sister and housemate. It was very central and I would walk through Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park to reach my work at H&M in Brompton Road (no longer there).

John Legend, born John Roger Stephens on December 28, 1978, is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist who has made a significant impact on the music industry. His breakthrough came with the release of his debut album “Get Lifted” in 2004, which included the hit single “Ordinary People”. This ballad, co-written and produced by Legend and will.i.am, explores the complexities of relationships and the challenges faced by couples. The song’s raw emotion and simplicity resonated with audiences, earning Legend three Grammy Awards, including Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. “Ordinary People” showcases Legend’s exceptional vocal prowess and piano skills, with lyrics that address the ups and downs of love, emphasizing the need for compromise and patience in relationships. The song’s music video, directed by Chris Milk and Kanye West, features Legend playing a grand piano in an all-white space while couples and families navigate their conflicts around him, visually reinforcing the song’s themes.