After winning the coveted Best New Artist nod and two additional trophies in the R&B categories at the 2006 Grammys, as well as experiencing a multi-platinum surge in sales with his now-classic debut album, Legend is primed and ready to release his highly-anticipated CD, simply titled Once Again, in late October. Arguably one of the best singer-songwriters on the scene today, we couldn’t resist asking John’s publisher, Cherry Lane Music, to hook us up with this very timely interview.

John, what inspires you to write songs?
I just love making music and I love the possibility and the control of writing songs. Songwriting gives me the chance to make my mark on the world. It’s really empowering and inspiring to be able to do that.

Radio hasn’t always been quick to embrace your music. Do you feel you have been embraced fully by mainstream audiences, though?
My first album has done very well. I sold three million records and received three Grammys. I’m very grateful for that and the response that I’ve gotten. I know the music that I do is not the norm for other artists or the sound of what everyone is doing at Pop radio but for it to succeed the way it has is especially gratifying for me.

A perfect example of left of center is the song, “Save Room.” What time period came to mind when you composed the song?
The first thing that came to me was the track. Will i Am produced the track and it contained a sample of an old sixties pop song [by Gabor Szabo] titled, “Stormy.” As soon as I heard the vibe, it took me back into that era. I wrote a song to complement that vibe and the romanticism. It’s supposed to be borderline cheesy and campy but in a cool, ironic way.

How did you feel about the song being used as an HBO bumper advertising their new fall programming?
I was told they were going to use the song but I forgot. I was about to watch Entourage one night, and I hear my song come on. I thought someone switched the sound to my iPod. It was so cool to me because they played the song for such a long time and incorporated it into the ad campaign. It’s definitely good exposure and I think HBO is the coolest network on TV.

How important is it for you to create songs that will be lasting copyrights for years to come?
That’s the name of the game for me—having a musical legacy and then on the financial side being able to profit from it. That’s something no one can take from you if you don’t give it away. I’ll be able to make money from my music for the rest of my life.

You have a penchant for creating songs that have a retro feel but are relevant today.
You have to make the right production choices. I think what we’ve always done is walk that fine line between retro and fresh. I think that combination has served us well. It’s something I’ve gained by working with people like Will i Am and Kanye West—people who make music for today but have a sense of the classics as well.

Is there a regular process for how you write songs?
I focus best in the studio. Some of my songs are based on a track. Some of it starts with the piano or having somebody play guitar—starting with the chords that they play or I play and building off of that. It’s usually the chords and the melody first; then the lyrics come last.

What are your favorite songs from Once Again?
“Save Room” is one of my favorites. I really love the vibe of it and the direction it took the album. There is a song, “Show Me,” which is my favorite song. It has a spiritual component to it—asking God various questions. I did it with Raphael Saadiq. Another one that is interesting is called “Coming Home,” a kind of a tribute to the troops and a commentary on the war. It talks about a soldier who prays that one day he will make it back home without being killed. I believe this album could be my best songwriting work to date. I think the lyrics are stronger and wittier and more interesting and tell better stories than I’ve told before. I can’t wait for people to hear it.

How does it feel to have so many offers available to you from collaborating with legendary musicians to appearing on high-profile TV shows?
I’ve been able to collaborate with Common, Kanye West and Jay-Z, but also Sergio Mendes, Tony Bennett and Stevie Wonder. Because I’m a musician it allows me flexibility so that I don’t have to remain in one zone. I appreciate all kinds of music from hip-hop to jazz and soul, to classical, gospel, rock and pop. And I’m able to work in all of those different arenas. It feels so natural for me. It’s been amazing that we’ve done all of those things from Oprah, the Super Bowl, etc. I even hung out with Michael Jackson in Bahrain at a celebrity car race. I’ve been around the world, and it’s the music that’s taken me there. It’s been an amazing ride!