“Just the Two of Us” was released via Elektra Records on 1 February 1980. The song in question was covered by Washington on his own debut album, 1972’s Inner City Blues. was the first artist ever to actually cover one of Withers’ songs. And that would be the classic “ Ain’t No Sunshine” (1971). “Just the Two of Us” marks Grover Washington Jr.’s first and only collaboration with Bill Withers. However, as an interesting side note, Washington Jr.
As such on this particular track, which is considered to be his signature song, featured artist Bill Withers (1938-2020) was enlisted to lay down the vocals. (1943-1999) was actually an instrumentalist by profession, specializing in play of the saxophone. So conclusively, “Just the Two of Us” may have an underlying premise of the vocalist trying to establish or maintain a romance with the addressee. But whereas the verses harp on his loving feelings for her, such is not the actual thesis sentiment of the track. Rather that would be his belief that the two of them can take on the world as a couple, which is actually a recurring theme in love songs, though in this case perhaps put more effectively than most. And this is not because she doesn’t like him but rather due to a lack of faith in love, or something like that.Īnother way of looking at it, as put forth above, is that the two of them have an established relationship with issues. In any event, that’s why Bill is like “we can make it if we try”, you know, just the two of them. Or phrased differently, the odds may well be against the pair, but if they remain strong in each other they can beat them. And honestly, that does sound like something a guy would perhaps say to a girl who is considering letting him go. The way the situation reads is that she is not as keen on the idea as he is. trying to convince her to take him on as a partner. The third verse seemingly drives the theory home that this may not be an established relationship per se but rather a case of the vocalist kickin’ it to the addressee, i.e. So the passage fundamentally concludes with the vocalist telling the addressee that even though things may not look perfect at the moment, it also isn’t a good idea to let this opportunity for love to pass them by. Still, this lets the listener know that this isn’t a fairytale romance but rather one based in the real world, where disappointments exist and therefore must also be acknowledged. The beginning of the second verse further buttresses this postulation, as Withers is basically admonishing the addressee not to harp on less than ideal aspects of the past. But all lyrics in the verse considered, he may also be speaking to past issues which predate their romance, i.e.
Verse 1Īnd in a roundabout way, that theory is verified in the first verse whereas Bill puts forth that he has pleasant thoughts alright, when he thinks of the addressee “sometime”. You know, not all the time – but “sometime”. So reading in between the lines, we are able to ascertain that this piece may be a bit more realistic than your usual love song.
the vocalist espousing that he and the addressee ‘can make it if they try’. But even therein, the underlying logic behind making such a statement within a romantic context is that this may well be a relationship with issues.
Also, don’t be fooled by the relative of the chorus/refrain, because the lyrics of the verses aren’t what we would classify as elementary, as they are highly metaphorical. The chorus may be catchy and straightforward, i.e.
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