"Just the Two of Us" is a song written by Bill Withers, William Salter, and Ralph MacDonald, and recorded by Grover Washington Jr. with Withers on vocals. It was released in February 1981 through Elektra Records. Show
Background[edit]The song originally appeared on Washington's album Winelight (1980). An edited version reached number 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100, staying there for three weeks, behind "Morning Train (9 to 5)" by Sheena Easton and "Bette Davis Eyes" by Kim Carnes. It was Washington's only Top 40 hit. The song won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song.[1] Bill Withers included the edited version on the 1981 compilation Bill Withers' Greatest Hits and many subsequent greatest hits collections. The Fender Rhodes electric piano, played in the introduction and throughout, is performed by Richard Tee. Composition[edit]The tuning of the song is set to around A=444 Hz, as opposed to the standard A=440 Hz tuning. The song is in the key of F minor. The main chord progression is D♭ major 7, C7, F minor, E♭ minor 7, A♭7. The song is played at around 96 beats per minute. Charts[edit]Certifications[edit]Toshinobu Kubota version[edit]
"Just the Two of Us" was covered by Japanese singer Toshinobu Kubota as a duet with Caron Wheeler in 1991, for his album Kubojah: Parallel World I. The song was listed as "Just the 2 of Us", featuring a reggae-style beat. In 1995, Kubota re-recorded the song with a more R&B-style beat for his album Sunshine, Moonlight. In 1996, he released the song as the second single from the album. The song charted at number 30 on the Oricon Weekly Singles chart and remained on the charts for five weeks.[25] It was included in the setlist during the Oyeees! Tour. During the tour, Joi Cardwell, who sang backing vocals during the tour, performed the song as a duet with Kubota. In 2007, Double performed the song on the MTV Japan Icons Special; during the performance, Kubota walked onto the stage to complete the song with her.[citation needed] In 2012, Kubota performed the song with Japanese singer Yuri, who was also a background vocalist during his "Party Ain't A Party Tour". The performance was included on his concert DVD "Party Ain't A Party", which was released in May 2012.[citation needed] Music video[edit]In 1996, Toshi Kubota and Caron Wheeler shot a music video for the song. The video is set at night, at a party in Kubota's apartment. Wheeler watches the party from the fire escape of the next apartment building. The single version was used for the audio format of the video. There are also shots of other musicians playing their instruments during the party, a group of elderly men playing cards outside the apartment on the sidewalk, and a couple dancing in another room of the apartment. Formats and track listing[edit]
Other cover versions[edit]
Appearances in media[edit]In 2020, "Just the Two of Us" started trending on TikTok,[31][32] which prompted Withers' grandaughter, Jada Salter, to upload a video to the platform commemorating his work.[33] The song appeared in the opening sequence of the 2022 film Hotel Transylvania: Transformania.[34] It has appeared in numerous TV commercials.[which?][citation needed] References[edit]
External links[edit]
Does the song Just the Two of Us have saxophone in it?On this week's free online saxophone lesson you'll be learning a real smoochy classic from Grover Washington Jr, and that's his iconic 1980 sax hook from Just The Two Of Us featuring Bill Withers. This was originally released on Grover's album Winelight.
What instrument plays the solo in Just the Two of Us?The Fender Rhodes electric piano, played in the introduction and throughout, is performed by Richard Tee.
What type of sax was used in Just the Two of Us?Just the two of us - Grover Washington - Alto Sax - free score.
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