"Save Room" is a song by American singer John Legend, released on August 8, 2006, as the lead single from his second studio album, Once Again (2006). It is an R&B love song written and produced by Legend and will.i.am, with additional writing by Jessyca Wilson and additional production by Kanye West. The song's production samples Gábor Szabó's rendition of the Classics IV song "Stormy," written by Buddy Buie and James B. Cobb, Jr.; the sample's use was suggested by West, who was Legend's label boss and manager at the time.
Release and Format The song was released through GOOD Music and Sony Music. A CD single was issued containing the title track, "Out of Sight," a cover of "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood," "Please Baby Don't" (Sergio Mendes featuring John Legend), and the "Johnny Douglas Radio Edit" of "Ordinary People." In the United Kingdom, "Save Room" was released as a digital-only single, which under chart rules at the time prevented it from entering the UK Singles Chart.
Critical Reception and Accolades The song was a critical success and received a nomination for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance at the 49th Annual Grammy Awards (2007).
Commercial Performance "Save Room" performed well internationally, reaching the top ten in Italy (peak: 6) and the Netherlands (peak: 9 on both the Dutch Top 40 and Single Top 100). On the US Billboard Hot 100, it peaked at number 61. It fared better on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, peaking at number 17, and reached number 10 on the US Adult R&B Songs chart. In the Flemish region of Belgium, it peaked at number 17 on the Ultratip Bubbling Under chart. It also charted in Germany at number 78.
Certification The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified "Save Room" Gold, denoting sales and streaming equivalent units of 500,000.
Music Video A music video for the song was directed by Bryan Barber.
Personnel Credits adapted from the liner notes of Once Again:
- Producers: will.i.am, John Legend, Kanye West
- Vocals: John Legend
- Recording: will.i.am, Padraic Kerin (Spiral Recording, LA); Anthony Kilhoffer (assisted by Gelly Kusuma) (The Record Plant, LA); Anthony "Rocky" Gallo (The Cutting Room)
- Mixing: Tony Maserati (Chung King Studios)
- Guitar: Sharief Hobley
- Live Drums: will.i.am, Swiss Chris
- Horns: Corey Hogan, Ryck Jane (Jenee Dixon), Karesha Crawford
- Additional Keyboards: John Legend
- Background Vocals: Jessyca Wilson, Sasha Allen
Track listing (CD Single)
- "Save Room" — 3:59
- "Out of Sight" — 4:13
- "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" — 5:13
- "Please Baby Don't" (Sergio Mendes featuring John Legend) — 4:12
- "Ordinary People" (Johnny Douglas Radio Edit) — 3:36
