The Beauty of It All: "Just the Two of Us" is Having a Moment

Grover Washington in 1980.
Photo Credit
David Redfern/Redferns/Getty Images

"Just the Two of Us," Grover Washington Jr.'s soulful collaboration with Bill Withers, was one of the top singles of 1981. Now, 40 years after its first release, fans old and new are rediscovering it once more.

Grover Washington Jr., a prominent jazz-funk saxophonist, had notched seven consecutive No. 1 albums on Billboard's jazz chart between 1972 and 1978. But it was 1980's Winelight that really catapulted him into the spotlight, thanks to a guest appearance from Withers, who lent a typically gorgeous vocal to "Just the Two of Us." Withers had a close friendship with the song's co-writer, percussionist Ralph McDonald, and Washington had been one of the first to cover Bill's breakthrough hit "Ain't No Sunshine." He quickly agreed to feature on the track - provided he could help re-write it.

"They had written this song, and I'm a little snobbish about words, so they sent me this song, and said 'We want to do this with Grover, would you consider singing it?'" Withers told Songfacts. "I said, 'Yeah, if you'll let me go in and try to dress these words up a little bit.'...It was trying to put a tuxedo on it."

The result was more than "a tuxedo" - it was a No. 2 smash and a signature song for both artists. Years later, the song became part of two rap tunes - a moving father/son track by Will Smith and a humorous tribute to pint-sized movie villain Mini-Me from his creator Dr. Evil in 1999's Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me.

Now, however, a new generation has discovered the song on TikTok, using its mellow grooves to express themselves. Some are using it to highlight their make-up styles, others are scoring skateboard tricks, and some are simply vibing. But everyone can agree - it only gets better with time.

Check out the lyric video above and remember every word of this classic - then see how new fans are responding to it below!

@sabastiansaul

Fellas get matching nails with your girl 💍##fypシ

♬ Just the Two of Us - Grover Washington, Jr.

@birkruud

Nollie fashion slide. ##foryou ##fyp

♬ Just the Two of Us - Grover Washington, Jr.

@moniqueyvonne

Just the 2 of us // ft @malachiisaiah

♬ Just the Two of Us - Grover Washington, Jr.

@bloodgul

just the two of us

♬ original sound - vintage

Read More

(Diana Ross)
It was a wild couple of days in 1983 when Diana Ross took over Central Park.
Vinnie Zuffante/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
'Cause everybody's living in a material world.
Rock Hall
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has officially announced the class of 2020's inductees!

Facebook Comments