Music

Visit the Coachella Valley on Sunday and you might be John Legend's valentine.

The R&B and soul singer performs at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio on Sunday for his second year of Valentine's Day weekend shows.

So what is the main quality that a love song needs to be great?

"There has to be honesty," Legend said in a recent phone interview. "When I say that I mean emotional honesty and people have to believe whatever you're saying. I think that just comes from writing it with sincerity and with the understanding of the human heart and the human emotion and the way people really interact with each other."

Legend, who is from Ohio, started playing the piano as a toddler. He worked with Lauryn Hill and Kanye West on recordings and broke through to become a multi-platinum solo artist with hits such as "Ordinary People" and "Green Light."

He is working with The Roots on an upcoming album called the "Wake Up Sessions."

Story continues below

John Legend

Legend said some of his favorite songs to perform live are "So High" and "Everybody Knows."

"I think I enjoy those heartfelt ballads because you can tell in the audience that they really feel them and then I feel them as well and you just feel a connection," he said.

The singer also stays connected with fans by giving them a slice of his life. He posts videos of life on the road, performances with other artists and what it's like backstage at various events.

"I think each artist has to make a decision about how much they want to be engaged with their fans. For me I enjoy it," Legend said. "I let them into my world a bit. I think it helps them get to know me better and understand where I'm coming from and I think it makes them appreciate what I do even more."