11 Incredible JUST Songs, Vol. 1

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11 Incredible JUST Songs, Vol. 1 features Ariana Grande, Grover Washington Jr., Lady Gaga, Matt Jaffe & NEIKID.

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Let’s get right to it, folks! The keyword on the 79^th musical compendium to grace The Musical Hype in the year of our Lord, 2022, is J-U-S-T, JUST! That’s right, every song title must feature the word JUST. Simple, right? That’s honestly all that 🎧 11 Incredible JUST Songs, Vol. 1 is about. Obviously, there are plenty of ‘just’ songs out there, so, you can expect another volume or two of JUST songs.

Bitmoji Image 🎧 11 Incredible JUST Songs, Vol. 1 features music courtesy of 🎙 Ariana Grande, 🎙 Grover Washington Jr., 🎙 Lady Gaga, 🎙 Matt Jaffe, and 🎙 NEIKID among others. This JUST list encompasses dance, jazz, pop, R&B, and rap. There’s a little bit of everything! So, without further ado, let’s dive right into these JUST songs, shall we?

1. Lady Gaga, “Just Dance” (Ft. Colby O’Donis)

💿 The Fame • 🏷 Interscope • 📅 2008

“I had a little bit too much, much / All of the people start to rush,” 🎙 Lady Gaga asserts in the first verse of her 2008, debut single, 🎵 “Just Dance.” The 🏆 Academy/Grammy award winner continues singing, “A dizzy twister dance, can’t find my drink or man / Where are my keys? I lost my phone, phone.” Clearly, Lady Gaga is drunk AF, having a little too much fun at the club. Her inebriation is our listening pleasure. She’s assisted by 🎙 Colby O’Donis on this 💿 The Fame stand out. What’s interesting is that O’Donis’ career stalled, while Gaga’s ascended and remains electric to this day.

Speaking of electric, rather electronic, the production by 🎛 RedOne is the perfect fuel for Lady Gaga’s fire. Unsurprisingly, the biggest moment of “Just Dance” – where everyone wants to take their booty to the dance floor – is the chorus. Basically, after getting drunk, she’s going to dance, baby!

“Just dance

Gonna be okay, da-da-doo-doot-n

Just dance

Spin that record, babe, da-da-doo-doot-n…”

As you can imagine – or listen/read the lyrics – more craziness happens at the club. In the second verse, she questions “How’d I turn my shirt inside out?” Colby arrives in the third verse, bringing some swagger and trying to get some, of course: “I’ma hit it, I’ma beat it up, latch onto it until tomorrow, yeah / Shorty, I can see that you got so much energy / The way you twirlin’ up them hips ‘round and ‘round / And there is no reason at all why you can’t leave here with me.” Oh, sugar-honey-iced-tea! “JUST DANCE!”

Appears in 🔻:

Lady Gaga, “Just Dance”: Dance Hitz 🕺 💃 🎶 4 (2022)

2. NEIKID, Anne-Marie & Latto, “I Just Called”

🎵 “I Just Called” • 🏷 Warner Music UK • 🗓 2022

There is a reason that sampling and interpolation are all the rage – the songs being sampled are awesome! Swedish collective 🎙 NEIKID made an awesome choice interpolating the 🎙 Stevie Wonder classic, 🎵 “I Just Called to Say I Love You” on a new record, 🎵 “I Just Called”. NEIKID is joined by 🎙 Anne-Marie and 🎙 Latto on this two-and-a-half-minute pop joint. Let’s just say, the girls flip what Stevie Wonder said in his original, just a little bit! The girls are mad!

Anne-Marie draws first blood, introducing “I Just Called.” Following her intro, she shares her beef with this fellow, clearly her ex. “‘Cause, you moved so far away, just like a few blocks / Picket fence and perfect girl, even a ring on your door.” Yeah – she’s not happy. She prefaces her final statement to the lame-o in the pre-chorus, before unveiling in the chorus, “I just called / To say / I hate you…” She goes on to say she’s moved on, she won’t bother him anymore, etc. Then, Latto comes through, confident AF, and piggybacks off the Anne-Marie chorus: “How do you bag the baddest, treat it like it’s average? / I could do you nasty, but I’m movin’ past it.” All of this over the exuberant, major-key production work of NEIKID and 🎛 Adam von Mentzer. All in all, NEIKID, Anne-Marie, and Latto deliver a catchy, exuberant, ex-expunging single with “I Just Called.”

Appears in 🔻:

Just: 5ive Songs No. 43 (2022)

3. Troye Sivan, “could cry just thinkin about you (full version)”

🎵 “could cry just thinkin about you (Full Version)” • 🏷 EMI Recorded Music Australia • 🗓 2021

“Every guy I want looks something just like you…” In 2021, 🎙 Troye Sivan finally unveiled and a full-length version of his 💿 In a Dream (EP) song, 🎵 “could cry just thinkin about you (Full Version)”. Sivan wrote “could cry just thinkin about you (Full Version)” alongside 🎼 ✍ Teo Helm (Helm produces too). In its ‘full version,’ the song expands north of two-and-a-half minutes in duration. With added verses, we get gorgeous vocals by Sivan, singing expressively without over-singing. He sells the music with a sense of poise, as well as thoughtful, emotional, and relatable lyrics.

“We wrote a life all by ourselves,” he sings in the first verse, adding, “Wish I could put it back on the self.” In the second verse, he closes with “But life’s a blackening wave drifting us further than we are / And now, we’re knee-deep in this mess.” That final line appears at the beginning of the original, by the way. So, we’ve got eye candy (shirtless Troye on the cover and music video) + a full-length version of a song that should’ve been full-length to begin with it. What more can you ask for? “Could cry just thinkin about you (Full Version)” is just what the doctor ordered, even if it is a “summer bummer” for the artist himself.

Appears in 🔻:

4. P!nk, “Just Give Me a Reason” (Ft. Nate Ruess)

💿 The Truth About Love • 🏷 RCA • 📅 2012

“It’s in the stars / It’s been written in the scars on our hearts…” 🎙 Nate Ruess (of fun.) duets with 🎙 P!nk on the fine 🎵 “Just Give Me a Reason.” “Just Give Me a Reason” was written by P!nk, Ruess, and Jeff Bhasker. Bhasker produces the no. 1 hit from P!nk’s 2012 album, 💿 The Truth About Love. “Just Give Me a Reason” spent three weeks atop the Hot 100, ultimately charting for 36 weeks. Furthermore, this awesome record was nominated for two 🏆 Grammys: Song of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. Also, it’s worth noting, both Ruess and P!nk are 🏆 Grammy winners, despite not winning for this song.

“Just give me a reason

Just a little bit’s enough

Just a second – we’re not broken,

And we can learn to love again…”

Sigh, what a beautiful, memorable chorus! P!nk sings the first verse and chorus, which focuses on L-O-V-E, of course. Ruess sings the second verse, responding to P!nk’s initial verse (“I’m sorry I don’t understand / Where all of this is coming from / I thought that we were fine”). By the second iteration of the chorus, the vocalists join forces and showcase unbelievable vocal range and chemistry. The harmonies between the two are a highlight, particularly atop that excellent production. The reason to play this song over and over again is that it is JUST awesome!

5. Keedron Bryant, “I Just Wanna Live”

💿 Reunions • 🏷 Warner • 🗓 2020

“I’m a young black man / Doing all that I can / …I’m being hunted as prey / My people don’t want no trouble / We’ve had enough struggle.” A moving, viral clip can indeed do big things. 🎙 Keedron Bryant, a Florida teen R&B/gospel singer is a living testament to this. The 13-year-old went viral thanks to a song written by his mom (🎼 ✍ Johnnetta Rayshele Bryant) that perfectly captures the feelings of the black community, particularly black males, given so many incidents of racial injustice, inequality, and police brutality.

Bryant would land a major-label record deal with Warner, which is absolutely impressive given both his age and the impact of 🎵 “I Just Wanna Live” itself. His debut EP, 💿 I Just Wanna Live, features three versions of his viral hit. The main version commences the album. Here, Bryant sounds absolutely amazing – much more mature and seasoned beyond his youth. His tone is gorgeous, while the ad-libs and runs only amplify the authenticity, emotions, and investment into the record. Additionally, 🎛 Dem Jointz gives him a soulful backdrop that’s modern yet throwback.

Appears in 🔻:

6. Ariana Grande, “Just like magic”

💿 Positions • 🏷 Republic • 🗓 2020

“Say it’s tricky at the top, gotta keep a slim ego for a thick wallet / Losing friends left and right, but I just send ‘em love and light.” BOOM! 🎵 “Just like magic” is one of many highlights on 💿 Positions. Positions, of course, is the 2020, platinum-certified album by 🎙 Ariana Grande.

First and foremost, the vocals are top rate – angelic! Ariana sings with ease simultaneously packing a mean punch. “Just like magic, just like magic,” Grande sings in the chorus, continuing, “Middle finger to my thumb and then I snap it.” Even as Ari exudes an attitude, as well as her potty-mouthed ways, she manages to keep a halo on head – at least to some extent.

Appears in 🔻:

Just: 5ive Songs No. 43 (2022)

7. $uicide Boy$, “That Just Isn’t Empirically Possible”

💿 Stop Staring at the Shadows • 🏷 **G*59 • 📅 2020**

Some stellar samples help to fuel the fire on the 🎙 $uicide Boy$’ intriguing 2020 song, 🎵 “That Just Isn’t Empirically Possible.” “That Just Isn’t Empirically Possible” marks one of the best song titles on 💿 Stop Staring at the Shadows. Not only is the song title awesome, but so is the record itself. 🎛 Budd Dwyer ($crim) continuing his production prowess, we get more electrifying rhymes on this two-minute gem.

🎙 Lord of Loneliness admits, “I’m at my breaking point, I cannot take this shit no more / I’m ready to fucking explode.” Yeah, the depression and mental unrest is totally real… Things remain unsettling from the perspective of 🎙 Yung Mane, who opens the second verse by referencing “Percocet, Roxicodone, with some Xanax that I had crushed up in some dust…” Phew!

8. Matt Jaffe, “Just An Echo”

🎵 “Just An Echo” • 🏷 Matt Jaffe • 🗓 2022

“You look at me with such conviction…” Honestly, even sans context, isn’t that a clever, thought-provoking lyric? It instantly piques interest and makes you conjure up an image – imagine a scene. It graces the second verse of 🎵 “Just An Echo”, the brilliant, must-hear single from independent pop singer/songwriter, 🎙 Matt Jaffe. Jaffe totally outdoes himself on “Just an Echo,” which will blow you away the first time you hear it.

The musicianship that he showcases is awe-inspiring. That includes the instrumental, the vocals, and the songwriting. The palette of sounds is quite impressive. Love the pulsating synths, which fade in at the beginning. There is also an awesome groove established at the onset – always a pro. One of the biggest triumphs, instrumentally, is the massive guitar. Of course, there are also those awesome vocals by Jaffe, who not only has a beautiful timbre but epic vocal production supporting him. The songwriting is the final piece of excellence, including an awesome melody that is tuneful throughout. The most tuneful section, as to be expected, is the chorus. It’s incredibly catchy, and I heart the playful vocals. All in all, the writing is thoughtful; the lyrics are marvelously penned by Jaffe. Have you experienced Matt Jaffe in your life yet? If not, 🎵 “Just An Echo” is the perfect opportunity – seize it, it’s epic!

Appears in 🔻:

9. The Chainsmokers, “Something Just Like This” (Ft. Coldplay)

💿 Memories…Do Not Open • 🏷 Columbia • 📅 2017

One of the bright spots on 🎙 The Chainsmokers’ questionable debut album, 💿 Memories…Do Not Open, is 🎵 “Something Just Like This”, featuring 🎙 Coldplay. 🎙 Chris Martin naturally handles lead duties. Martin utilizes his lower register, which works, but truly soars once he switches to his calling card, his falsetto. The record’s best moments come on the chorus, which is chocked-full of exuberance, courtesy of the vocals, synths, and driving rhythm. The production is superb throughout.

“But she said, where’d you wanna go?

How much you wanna risk?

I’m not looking for somebody

With some superhuman gifts

Some superhero

Some fairytale bliss

Just something I can turn to

Somebody I can kiss.”

Appears in 🔻:

21 Songs With ‘Like’ in their Titles

10. Monica, “Just Right for Me” (Ft. Lil Wayne)

💿 Code Red • 🏷 RCA • 📅 2015

“Cause you’re just right for me / Boy, you know your love’s the best.” By the time 💿 Code Red arrived in 2015, 🎙 Monica’s best, most lucrative days were long over. That’s no disrespect as the 🏆 Grammy winner has had one hell of a career. Unfortunately, the album was overlooked, alongside not ranking among her best. Even so, she shined on soulful single, 🎵 “Just Right for Me,” tapping 🏆 Grammy-winning rapper Lil Wayne for the assist. Sigh, that’s one way to RIGHT the ship!

Sure, Lil Wayne sets my girl up with a true-to-self, kick ass verse (“Uh, she so good for me / Mr. Good Stuff, Mrs. Good Stuffin’, good lovin’”). That said, the propelling force that inspires Mo is an iconic soul group, 🎙 Smokey Robinson & The Miracles. No, Smokey didn’t go in the studio and cut some fresh vocals – “Just Right for Me” samples The Miracles’ beloved, late 60s gem, 🎵 “Much Better Off”. Monica brilliantly sings over the sample, with contemporary, trap/R&B production, courtesy of her cousin, 🎛 Polow Da Don.

“Baby, baby, baby

Can’t no one come take me from my baby

Like I can give my heart and all my time

Gotta keep my lovin’ on your mind.”

Likewise, Weezy rides the beat with ease.

Appears in 🔻:

13 Intriguing Right or Left Songs

11. Grover Washington, Jr., “Just the Two of Us” (Ft. Bill Withers)

💿 Winelight • 🏷 Elektra • 📅 1980

“I see the crystal raindrops fall / And the beauty of it all / Is when the sun comes shining through…” The late, great 🎙 Bill Withers earned one no. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100: 🎵 “Lean on Me”. Even so, Bill had many more hits, some of which just missed that no. 1 spot. One such hit features him in a collaborative role. You see, 🎵 “Just the Two of Us” is credited to late, great, smooth jazz saxophonist, 🎙 Grover Washington, Jr. The pop classic appears as the penultimate track on Washington’s double-platinum, 1980 album, 💿 Winelight. Worth noting, this album is the jazz musician’s only certified album by the RIAA.

There’s no doubt in my mind that “Just the Two of Us” is a big reason why Winelight is the rare multiplatinum jazz album. The record is stunning. The backdrop balances jazz, but also feels right in the R&B sphere of the 1980s. The sound is lush, classy, and incredibly refined. Bill Withers handles the vocals like a champ, hardly, if ever, breaking a sweat. Withers plays a sizable role, as to be expected, particularly in the unforgettable, incredibly tuneful chorus:

“Just the two of us

We can make it if we try

Just the two of us

(Just the two of us)

Just the two of us

Building castles in the sky

Just the two of us

You and I.”

Beyond Withers’ awesome vocals, Grover Washington, Jr. shows why he was one of the best saxophonists in the game. His tone is stunning; utterly celestial, magnificent, sublime – you get the picture!

Appears in 🔻:

Grover Washington, Jr., “Just the Two of Us”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 71 (2022)

11 Incredible JUST Songs, Vol. 1 [📷**: Brent Faulkner, Columbia, Elektra, EMI Recorded Music Australia, G*59, Interscope, Matt Jaffe, The Musical Hype, RCA, Republic, Warner]**

11 Incredible JUST Songs, Vol. 1 | Playlist 🎧

Published by the musical hype on August 17, 2022August 17, 2022