Just the Two of Us (Will Smith song)
Encyclopedia
"Just the Two of Us" is the fourth single from Will Smith
's first solo album, Big Willie Style
. The rap song was inspired by Bill Withers
' and Grover Washington, Jr.
's love song of the same title; Smith's version samples
and incorporates lyrics from the original. Instead of love between a couple, "Just The Two Of Us" focuses on the relationship between a father and son. The song reached #20 in the U.S. on the Billboard
Hot 100, as well as #6 on the Hot 100 Airplay. It was also a Top 5 hit in the UK, where it reached #2. "Just the Two Us" was one of Will Smith's biggest solo hits. Smith originally wrote a children's book with the same title and lyrics. For his album, he performed it in rap form. Instrumentation was provided by "Sauce" from the R&B group "Somethin' For The People". The song was parodied by Dr. Evil
in the 1999 film Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
.
, Magic Johnson
, and Muhammed Ali (whom Smith later played in a biopic
). The video also features Smith's wife Jada
pregnant with the couple's first child Jaden.
Will Smith
Willard Christopher "Will" Smith, Jr. , also known by his stage name The Fresh Prince, is an American actor, producer, and rapper. He has enjoyed success in television, film and music. In April 2007, Newsweek called him the most powerful actor in Hollywood...
's first solo album, Big Willie Style
Big Willie Style
Big Willie Style is the first solo studio album recorded by Will Smith, after spending most of his career as the latter half of DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince...
. The rap song was inspired by Bill Withers
Bill Withers
William Harrison "Bill" Withers, Jr. is an American singer-songwriter and musician who performed and recorded from 1970 until 1985. Some of his best-known songs are "Lean on Me", "Ain't No Sunshine", "Use Me", "Just the Two of Us", "Lovely Day", and "Grandma's Hands"...
' and Grover Washington, Jr.
Grover Washington, Jr.
Grover Washington, Jr. was an American jazz-funk / soul-jazz saxophonist. Along with George Benson, John Klemmer, David Sanborn, Bob James, Chuck Mangione, Herb Alpert, and Spyro Gyra, he is considered by many to be one of the founders of the smooth jazz genre.He wrote some of his material and...
's love song of the same title; Smith's version samples
Sampling (music)
In music, sampling is the act of taking a portion, or sample, of one sound recording and reusing it as an instrument or a different sound recording of a song or piece. Sampling was originally developed by experimental musicians working with musique concrète and electroacoustic music, who physically...
and incorporates lyrics from the original. Instead of love between a couple, "Just The Two Of Us" focuses on the relationship between a father and son. The song reached #20 in the U.S. on the Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
Hot 100, as well as #6 on the Hot 100 Airplay. It was also a Top 5 hit in the UK, where it reached #2. "Just the Two Us" was one of Will Smith's biggest solo hits. Smith originally wrote a children's book with the same title and lyrics. For his album, he performed it in rap form. Instrumentation was provided by "Sauce" from the R&B group "Somethin' For The People". The song was parodied by Dr. Evil
Dr. Evil
Dr. Evil is a fictional character, played by Mike Myers in the Austin Powers film series. He is the antagonist of the movies, and Austin Powers' nemesis. He is a parody of James Bond villains, primarily Donald Pleasence's Ernst Stavro Blofeld . Dr...
in the 1999 film Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, released in 1999, is the second film in the Austin Powers series that began with 1997's Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery and continued with Austin Powers in Goldmember. The film was directed by Jay Roach, co-written by Mike Myers and screenwriter...
.
Track listings
- "Just the Two of Us" (Radio Edit)
- "Just the Two of Us" (Rodney Jerkins Remix) featuring Brian McknightBrian McKnightBrian McKnight is an American singer-songwriter, arranger, producer, and R&B/Pop musician. He is a multi-instrumentalist who plays nine instruments: piano, guitar, bass guitar, drums, percussions, trombone, tuba, flugelhorn and trumpet....
- "Just the Two of Us" (Spanish Version) featuring DLG
- "Just the Two of Us" (Korean Version) featuring Turbo
- "Just the Two of Us" (Instrumental)
Music video
The music video, directed by Bob Giraldi, begins with Smith playing with his son, Trey. Before the song starts, Trey says "Now Dad, this is a very sensitive subject". The remainder of the video features clips of fathers with their children, including Smith playing with his son, and other celebrity fathers, including Babyface, NasNas
Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, who performs under the name Nas , formerly Nasty Nas, is an American rapper and actor. He is regarded as one of the most important figures in hip hop and one of the most skilled and influential rappers of all-time...
, Magic Johnson
Magic Johnson
Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. is a retired American professional basketball player who played point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association . After winning championships in high school and college, Johnson was selected first overall in the 1979 NBA Draft by the Lakers...
, and Muhammed Ali (whom Smith later played in a biopic
Ali (film)
Ali is a 2001 American biographical film directed by Michael Mann. The film tells the story of boxing icon Muhammad Ali, played by Will Smith, from 1964 to 1974 featuring his capture as of the heavyweight title from Sonny Liston , his conversion to Islam, criticism of the Vietnam War, banishment...
). The video also features Smith's wife Jada
Jada Pinkett Smith
Jada Koren Pinkett Smith is an American actress, producer, director, author, singer-songwriter, and businesswoman. She began her career in 1990, when she made a guest appearance in the short-lived sitcom True Colors. She starred in A Different World, produced by Bill Cosby, and she featured...
pregnant with the couple's first child Jaden.