Just the Two of Us (Will Smith song)

Last updated
"Just the Two of Us"
Just The Two Of Us Single CD Cover.jpg
Single by Will Smith
from the album Big Willie Style
ReleasedJuly 20, 1998 (1998-07-20) [1]
Recorded1997—1998
Genre
Length
  • 5:15 (album version)
  • 4:19 (radio edit)
Label Columbia
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Sauce
Will Smith singles chronology
"Gettin' Jiggy wit It"
(1998)		"Just the Two of Us"
(1998)		"Miami"
(1998)

"Just the Two of Us" is a song by American rapper & actor Will Smith. It was released as the fourth single from his debut solo studio album, Big Willie Style (1997), on July 20, 1998. The 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 features Fuzzy and Sauce from the R&B group Somethin' for the People with Fuzzy providing the chorus and ad-libs, while Sauce is a credited as a producer on the track.

Contents

The song reached number 20 on the US Billboard Hot 100. It was also a top-five hit in the UK, reaching number two, and entered the top 20 in Iceland, Ireland, and New Zealand. The accompanying music video features Smith playing with his son, Trey, as well as numerous clips of several other famous men with their children. The song was parodied by Eminem in his track "'97 Bonnie & Clyde" [2] and by Dr. Evil in the 1999 film Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me . It was also sampled in "Pretty Girl Rock" by Keri Hilson.

Music video

The music video, directed by Bob Giraldi, begins with Smith playing with his son, Trey. [3] 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 Trey, and other celebrity fathers, including Babyface, Montell Jordan, James Lassiter, Keenen Wayans, Brian McKnight, Magic Johnson, and Muhammad Ali (whom Smith later played in the 2001 biopic Ali ). The video also features Smith's wife Jada Pinkett Smith pregnant with the couple's first child Jaden; and includes Will's father, younger brother, and two sisters.

Track listings

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
New Zealand (RMNZ) [42] Gold5,000*
United Kingdom (BPI) [43] Silver200,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref.
United StatesMay 4, 1998 Urban radio Columbia [44]
May 26, 1998 [45]
United KingdomJuly 20, 1998
  • CD
  • cassette
 [1]
United StatesSeptember 22, 1998
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 [46]

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References

  1. 1 2 "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music Week . July 18, 1998. p. 29. Retrieved July 6, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Eminem - '97 Bonnie & Clyde".
  3. ↑ Williams, Austin (March 31, 2022). "Will Smith's "Just The Two Of Us," And The Protection That Comes With His Love". Vibe.
  4. ↑ Just the Two of Us (US CD single liner notes). Will Smith. Columbia Records. 1998. 44K 79038.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  5. ↑ Just the Two of Us (US 12-inch single sleeve). Will Smith. Columbia Records. 1998. 44 79038.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  6. ↑ Just the Two of Us (US cassette single sleeve). Will Smith. Columbia Records. 1998. 44T 79038.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  7. ↑ Just the Two of Us (UK CD1 liner notes). Will Smith. Columbia Records. 1998. 666209 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. ↑ Just the Two of Us (UK CD2 liner notes). Will Smith. Columbia Records. 1998. 666209 5.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  9. ↑ Just the Two of Us (UK cassette single sleeve). Will Smith. Columbia Records. 1998. 666209 4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. ↑ Just the Two of Us (European CD1 liner notes). Will Smith. Columbia Records. 1998. COL 665760 1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. ↑ Just the Two of Us (European CD2 liner notes). Will Smith. Columbia Records. 1998. COL 665760 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  12. ↑ Just the Two of Us (Australian CD single liner notes). Will Smith. Columbia Records. 1998. 665541 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
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  41. ↑ "Most Played Rhythmic Top 40 Songs of 1998". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 6, no. 52. December 25, 1998. p. 46.
  42. ↑ "New Zealand single certifications – Will Smith – Just the Two of Us". Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved 2024-11-20.
  43. ↑ "British single certifications – Will Smith – Just the Two of Us". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  44. ↑ "AddVance Notice". Radio & Records . No. 1246. May 1, 1998. p. 62.
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  46. ↑ Sandiford-Waller, Theda (September 19, 1998). "Hot 100 Spotlight". Billboard . Vol. 110, no. 38. p. 105. ...Will Smith's "Just The Two Of Us" (Columbia) will arrive in stores. Also due Sept. 22...
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