11 Incredible JUST Songs, Vol. 3 | Playlist

11 Incredible JUST Songs, Vol. 3 features songs by Doris Troy, Jack Harlow, Lil Uzi Vert, Morgan Wallen, and Ryan Gosling. 

Quoting myself, in September 2022, I asserted, “Even with two volumes under our belt, there are more just songs where that came from, so, volume 3 is in the realm of possibility!” Well, folks, the time has come to get  J-U-S-T again! Every song title in 11 Incredible JUST Songs, Vol. 3 must feature the word just.  Simple and uncomplicated, right? Right! This third volume arrives two and a half years after 11 Incredible JUST Songs, Vol. 1 (2022) and 11 Incredible JUST Songs, Vol. 2 (2022). 11 Incredible JUST Songs, Vol. 3 features songs by Doris Troy, Jack Harlow, Lil Uzi Vert, Morgan Wallen, and Ryan Gosling. This JUST list encompasses country, gospel, pop, R&B, and rap.  There’s a little bit of everything! So, without further ado, let’s dive right into these incredible JUST songs!

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~ Table of Contents ~

1. Morgan Wallen, “Just In Case”	2. Jack Harlow, “Just Us” (Ft. Doja Cat)	3. Lil Uzi Vert, “Just Wanna Rock”	4. The Main Ingredient, “Just Don’t Want To Be Lonely”
5. Ryan Gosling, “I’m Just Ken”	6. John Conlin, “Love Me Just a Little”	7. Jerry Butler, “Just Because I Really Love You”	8. The Kid LAROI, “What Just Happened”
9. Montell Fish, “I Just Wanna Feel Your Love Again”	10. Doris Troy, “Just One Look”	11. Willie Neal Johnson & The Keynotes, “Just a Rehearsal”

 

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1. Morgan Wallen, “Just In Case”

I’m The Problem // Big Loud / Mercury // 2025 

“I always take it to the edge, then I back it up / They don’t know I got a reason for actin’ up.” Morgan Wallen is nothing short of polarizing for many reasons.  Yet, the Grammy-nominated country musician is extremely successful. Mr. East Tennessee is making bank, period. “Just In Case” appears as the fifth track on his fourth studio album, I’m The Problem. “I ain’t felt a damn thing, baby, after us,” he continues singing in the second verse, “Yeah, I’m just hopin’ you’ll come back to us.” “Just In Case” is NOT your grandfather’s (or father’s, if he is of a certain age) country music.  Eight songwriters are credited, including Wallen.  Another songwriter, Charlie Handsome (Ryan Vojtesak), and Joey Moi produced this smooth, soulful country-pop cut.

One constant regarding Morgan Wallen is the voice.  He delivers smooth vocals with his signature, East Tennessee twang. As the excerpted lyrics suggest, matters of the heart are firmly in play.  Backtracking to the first verse, Wallen states, after leaving with someone who he doesn’t know, hypothetically, “I could forget you, girl, for good / Even though I should.” But does he? Of course not.  The chorus says it all, and beautifully, I might add:

“I never let my heart go all the way

Every time I try, I just hit the brakes

And there’s always a couple tryna take your place

But I never fall in love, baby, just in case.”

In the bridge, he also backs up his reservations: “Yeah, I could have three words on my tongue, But I won’t ever say ‘em.” Perhaps Morgan Wallen is the problem, but there is nothing problematic about the enjoyable and relatable “Just In Case”.  No, it’s not the country of old but many will still enjoy it, nonetheless.

Appears in :

• Morgan Wallen, Just In Case: Bangerz N Bopz 31 (2025) 

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2. Jack Harlow, “Just Us” (Ft. Doja Cat)

“Just Us” // Generation Now / Atlantic Recording Corporation // 2025

“I wish it was just us in this bitch / but they can’t trust us in this bitch / ‘Cause I’m tryna bust nuts in this, huh.” It does not take long for Grammy-nominated rapper Jack Harlow to ‘reveal his cards’ on “Just Us”. He gets ‘nasty’ early on in the chorus. Sometimes, his sexually charged lines feel, um, clumsy – would not be the first time. He collaborates with Grammy-winning rapper/singer Doja Cat.  Hollywood Cole, Tay Keith, Angel Lopez, Ojivolta, and Dylan Graham produced “Just Us.” The musical backdrop is warm on this sexy, hip-hop song. Notably, it samples the 2021 song “NOTE TO THE CITY. (INTERLUDE)” by Boslen featuring Rascals. 

Busting nuts is the only ear-catching, slightly WTF moment from Harlow.  He censors their rendezvous in the chorus, where “clutchin’” and “adjusting” happen, comments on her huskiness, and admits, “I know it sounds like Zack and Cody / This life’s sweet, I mean high key.” That is all before the first verse, where Jack admits, “I’m all on you, falling out my seat.” I enjoy Doja Cat’s aggressive tone, whether or not all of the rhymes land. She delivers some memorable, eyebrow-raising lyrics, regarding sex, of course. “Two hands on my ‘fro, starin’ into my soul / Leg up on the chair, hand on that arm, tongue in that throat,” she spits early in the second verse, adding, the likes of “Insatiable, I’m like Pac-Man / We go back further than Backgammon,” and “You mad cute, I wan’ fuck / Don’t ice box me, let’s touch.”  In the outro, Harlow makes numerous music/song references to Musiq Soulchild (“Just Friends”), Bobby V. (“Slow Down”), and The Temptations.  While “Just Us” is enjoyable enough, it is not game-changing, groundbreaking, or innovative.  It is what it is.

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3. Lil Uzi Vert, “Just Wanna Rock”

Pink Tape //  Generation Now / Atlantic // 2023 

“Damn / Damn / (MC, make another hit) Whoa / This ain’t what you want (Project-Project X) / This ain’t what you want / This ain’t what you want.” WOO… methinks… Anyways, Grammy-nominated rapper Lil Uzi Vert is truly one of a kind.  They do their own thing on “Just Wanna Rock,” the promo single from their 2023 LP, Pink Tape. Best described as an experimental trap cut with club elements (this is one you just have to hear), “Just Wanna Rock” runs just two minutes in change.  The energy from Lil Uzi Vert is turned up as they spit over malicious synths, minor key production (McVertt and Synthetic), and a hard-hitting beat.  Do they say much in their rhymes? Absolutely not! “I just wanna rock, body-ody, yeah (Shake it down) / Shawty got that body-ody, ah, ah, ah (Shake it down),” they rap in the sole verse, adding, “Hit it once, no ties (Shake it-shake it) / How the fuck you gon’ kill my vibe?” Perhaps the most colorful moment of his performance is the repeated, “Buh, buh, buh, buh(s)” in the outro. “Just Wanna Rock” is, um, interesting! 

  

Appears in : 

• 13 Songs You Don’t WANNA Miss (2023)
• 13 Songs That Totally ROCK (2023) 

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4. The Main Ingredient, “Just Don’t Want To Be Lonely”

Euphrates River // RCA // 1974

“I don’t mind when you say / That you’re going away / I just don’t wanna be lonely.” Indeed, The Main Ingredient. Later, “Let the stairs find you there / Waiting at the end of the room / I just don’t wanna be lonely.” Noted! “Just Don’t Want To Be Lonely” is one of the soul collective’s most popular songs. It’s the eighth track from the soul collective’s sixth album, Euphrates River, released in 1974. A pop hit, it peaked at no. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. John C. Freeman, Bobby Eli, and Vinnie Barrett penned the oldie, originally recorded by Ronnie Dawson. A big bass line is one of the best features of the song. There are also terrific guitar riffs and a mean groove established by the drums and percussion.  The rhythm section is tight. In addition to the rhythm section, the orchestra sounds sweet – the strings soar. From a music theory perspective, the harmonic scheme is sweet, with some distinct moments that catch the ear.  Beyond the instrumental and technical aspects, Cuba Gooding Sr. excels as a frontman.  His vocals are buttery smooth. Even before singing one note, he exhibits plenty of personality in the intro (“Hey, say, wait a minute / Where you going with that suitcase”).  Besides bringing the melodies to life, Gooding Sr. also drops some great vocal ad-libs.  He gets epic support from The Main Ingredient, who lock into celestial vocal harmonies.  The songwriting is electrifying too, as the emphasis is on love and avoiding loneliness.  The chorus is the centerpiece:

“I’d rather be loved and needed
Depended on to give a love
I can’t give when you’re gone
When you’re gone
I just don’t want to be lonely
I’d rather be loved.”

Word. “Just Don’t Want To Be Lonely” is The Main Ingredient at its best.

Appears in :

• The Main Ingredient, Just Don’t Want to Be Lonely: Covers No. 3 (2024)
• The Main Ingredient, Just Don’t Want To Be Lonely: Throwback Vibez 185 (2024)
• 11 Lovely, Lonely Songs, Part 1 (2024)
• 13 More Songs Driven by the Power of BE (2025) 

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5. Ryan Gosling, “I’m Just Ken”

Barbie The Album // Atlantic / Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc. // 2023 

“Can you feel the Ken-ergy?” One of the best (if not the best) moments of Barbie The Album arrives courtesy of Ryan Gosling on “I’m Just Ken”. Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt pen and produce a bop where the actor, embracing his full-on Ken-ness, is in reflective mode.  It is interesting because we don’t associate Ken dolls (himbos) with having the self-awareness to be introspective – transcend beyond the six-pack abs and perfect body most of us won’t have. But Ryan, aka Ken, does just that… in his own way, mind you. “I have feelings that I can’t explain / Drivin’ me insane,” he sings, adding, “All my life, been so polite / But I’ll sleep alone tonight.” Interesting, isn’t it? In the second verse, he admits to wanting love, asking, “And is my moment finally here, or am I dreaming?” Of course, the chorus is a big deal, where Ken admits, “Anywhere else I’d be a ten / Is it my destiny to live and die a life of blonde fragility? /… What will it take for her to see the man behind the tan and fight for me.” Aww !  Basically, “I’m Just Ken” is that fierce pop joint you didn’t know you needed in your life!

Appears in :     

• Ryan Gosling, I’m Just Ken: FIERCE Pop + Rock 32 (2023)  
• Awesome Songs: July 2023
• 13 Compelling Songs About Specific People (2023) 
• 51 Best Songs of 2023

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6. John Conlin, “Love Me Just a Little”

“Love Me Just a Little” // John Conlin // 2024 

“Only asking you for one thing / I just want it to mean something, oh.” Honestly, that doesn’t seem like too much to ask, John Conlin. Unfortunately, love is often NOT that simple.  The Toronto musician delivers a relatable, well-rounded pop song with “Love Me Just a Little” penned with Suzie Buist. The talented Canadian produced it alongside Olle Romo. The sound is a huge selling point.  The groove sho’ nuff grooves early on, while those picturesque keys are everything. Conlin has a fantastic backdrop to sing over and sing he does! His vocals are strong and characterized by an authentic and expressive performance. “Love Me Just a Little” is relatable, thanks to not only Conlin’s vocal performance but also, the love-driven lyrics.  “Always telling me how I’m so fine, say anything to get that invite / Know you’re gonna waste my time,” he sings in the first verse, adding in the second, “Lonely nights, I wanna give in / Someone touching my skin / But I been there, and it doesn’t make sense, link up just to have it all end / Never hear from them again.” Nobody likes a ghost ! The melodies are tuneful throughout, especially in the chorus:

“Oh my god, I’m bleeding every single feeling out

Love me just a little

No one wants to slow dance, what happened to romance?

Love me just a little, just a little right now.”

The ending of the record is particularly grand, given Conlin’s ad-libs and vocal riffs, as well as the level of energy. All told, John Conlin brings the heat on “Love Me Just a Little”. 

Appears in :

• John Conlin, Love Me Just a Little: Beaming with Pride 6 (2024)
• Bops That Pop: February 2024
• 50 Bops from 2024 That Make You Beam with Pride
• Intriguing Songs Fueled by LOVE, Vol. 2 (2024)

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7. Jerry Butler, “Just Because I Really Love You”

The Ice Man Cometh // UMG Recordings, Inc. // 1968

“Just because I really love you / I let you treat me bad, let you make me sad.” Love will make you do crazy things or allow yourself to be mistreated.  That’s what Jerry Butler (1939 – ) asserts in his classic, “Just Because I Really Love You”. “Just Because I Really Love You” is the fifth track from his 1968 album, The Ice Man Cometh.  Butler penned “Just Because…” alongside Kenneth Gamble, Mikki Farrow, and Thomas Randolph Bell.  Notably, it was produced by the iconic duo Gamble & Huff (Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff).  The instrumental arrangement and production are superb: articulated, biting horns, robust bass, sweet rhythm guitar, and glorious keys. As epic as the musical accompaniment is, the ‘star of the show’ is Jerry!

“Oh, little girl, I don’t think you mean / To hurt me the way you do,” Butler sings, adding, “So, I let you take a whole lot of liberties / A man in love should never do.” Word.  He questions his decision to give her free reign, singing, “Tell me, isn’t a beautiful illusion / Holding a man in the palm of your little hand?” Food for thought.  The lyrics are memorable throughout, brought to life masterfully by Butler.  He gives his all from a vocal perspective. There is no shortage of authenticity and personality from the legendary musician. His ad-libs towards the end of the song are among his best, showing just how much he loves this woman.  A non-single from The Ice Man Cometh, that doesn’t hold “Just Because I Really Love You” back from being the crème de la crème of the Jerry Butler catalog.

Appears in :

• Jerry Butler, Just Because I Really Love You: Throwback Vibez 172 (2024)
• Eye This List of Must-Hear “I” Songs, Vol. 2 (2024)
• 13 Intriguing Because Songs (2025)

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8. The Kid LAROI, “What Just Happened”

THE FIRST TIME // Columbia // 2023

“What Just Happened” prefaced THE FIRST TIME, the debut album by Grammy-nominated Australian rapper/singer, The Kid LAROI (Charlton Howard). Blake Slatkin, Omer Fedi, and Shellback produced the single that begins with Howard singing abruptly, accompanied by rhythmic electric guitar.  He sings the chorus, setting the tone of the record. “What Just Happened” features its fair share of fine, melodic moments.  After initially being accompanied by guitar, the addition of drums and bass ups the ante. Also, upping the ante is the attitude and swagger of The Kid, who drops a couple of f-bombs (“Yeah, we both know you don’t give a fuck / Friends with my girl, but you wanna fuck”). Howard’s second verse is even more rhythmic than the first. The contrast keeps the song engaging.  The pre-chorus marks another tuneful moment (“Stop it, but you won’t, won’t won’t / Love it, ‘cause you’re co-cold…”), while the chorus marks one of the best moments of the song:

“I don’t know if we just crossed the line

‘Cause I don’t even know what just happened

Everything I said last night was lies

‘Cause I don’t even know what just happened.”

The Kid LAROI doesn’t reinvent the wheel or pop with “What Just Happened”, but this is an enjoyable, memorable, and well-rounded song.

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9. Montell Fish, “I Just Wanna Feel Your Love Again”

“I Just Wanna Feel Your Love Again” // Lord’s Child // 2023

A slow tempo complements a song that possesses a theme of being brokenhearted, right? Right. Alternative musician Montell Fish keeps the BPMs low on “I Just Wanna Feel Your Love Again”.  In this four-minute-long record, Fish handles the production.  The backdrop is lovely, with lush strings featured in the intro, supplanted by guitar accompaniment.  The first vocal section of “I Just Wanna Feel Your Love Again” we hear is the chorus:  

“I just wanna feel your love again 

I just wanna feel your touch again 

But, deep down, I know you’ll leave me every time 

But, if that’s the price, I might just turn my eyes”

Ultimately, the chorus is tender and beautiful. In the verse, Fish laments being without her… This is relatable, though nothing brand-new thematically. The verse is followed by a bridge, where Fish sings in an undertone.  The rub is that sometimes it sounds as if he mumbles or doesn’t properly annunciate.  This seems to be intentional. Yes, the lyrics are important, but the vibe – this feeling of desiring a lost love – is also important to convey.  Following the final chorus, there is an outro that sounds raw and separates itself from everything else. Still, it is firmly entrenched in the narrative. All told, Fish delivers an interesting track. 

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10. Doris Troy, “Just One Look”

Sings Just One Look And Other Memorable Selections // Atlantic // 1963

“Just one look, and I feel so hard / In love with you, oh-oh, oh-oh.” ‘Oh-oh’ indeed, Doris Troy (1937 – 2004).  The late soul musician had one claim to fame: “Just One Look”, the third track from her 1963 debut album, Sings Just One Look And Other Memorable Selections. She and Gregory Carroll penned it.  Artie Ripp produced.  Notably, “Just One Look” marked her sole entry on the pop charts. It peaked at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.  The good news is this sole hit by Troy is the bomb! She sings with incredible passion and soul.  The melodies are memorable from an initial listen and pleasing to the ears. The lyrics are simple and uncomplicated, yet relatable and unforgettable. Matters of the heart drive the narrative: “Say you will, will be mine / Forever and always, oh-oh-oh-oh.” The bridge keeps “Just One Look” engaging, providing contrast to the verses. She sings, “I thought I was dreamin’ / but I was wrong, yeah, yeah, yeah / Oh, but I’m gonna keep on schemin’ / ‘Til I can make you, make you my own.” Oh, snap! Besides superb vocals and ear-catching lyrics from Taylor, the accompaniment is awesome, too.  Groovy and oozing with the vintage soul aesthetic, Doris has ample fuel for her fire.  Ultimately, “Just One Look” speaks for itself.  Yes, it sucks that Troy never earned another hit, but, when your sole hit is the caliber of this one, you count your blessings.  She says it best herself in the chorus/outro: “Just one look, that’s all it took.”

Appears in :

• Doris Troy, Just One Look: 1 Hit WONDERful 36 (2024)
• 11 Songs Associated with Number One, Vol. 3 (2025)

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11. Willie Neal Johnson & The Keynotes, “Just a Rehearsal”

Just A Rehearsal // Malaco // 1985

“This is just a rehearsal, when we get to heaven, y’all / We’re gonna really sing.” Think about that key line from the Willie Neal Johnson and the Gospel Keynotes classic, “Just a Rehearsal”.  For those who believe, our life on Earth is the rehearsal for what is to come – eternity – ideally in heaven as opposed to hell.  Willie Neal Johnson and the Gospel Keynotes already sounded amazing when they recorded this song, which appeared on their 1985 album, Just a Rehearsal.

Willie Neal asserts in the first verse, “I like to sing each and every night / Sometimes this old voice, it just won’t act right.”  I have no true doubt; we are mere mortals! Johnson and company go on to add, however, “Gonna keep on singing so the world will see / When we make it to heaven, we’ll sing in perfect harmony.” Hallelujah ! Backed by a spirited groove, and a bright major key backdrop, it is hard not to feel uplifted and optimistic about eternal life in heaven.  Even if you don’t believe, you’ve got to appreciate the faith exuded by Willie Neal Johnson and the Gospel Keynotes.  The authenticity is lit ! Also, worth checking out is Paul Porter performing this beloved black gospel classic.

Appears in :

• Willie Neal Johnson, Just a Rehearsal: Music Lifts 5 (2023)

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11 Incredible JUST Songs, Vol. 3 (2025) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Atlantic Recording Corporation, Big Loud, Columbia, Generation Now, John Conlin, Lord’s Child, Mercury, RCA, UMG Recordings, Inc., Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc.; David Wilson from Pexels; AcatXIo from Pixabay]

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