| "Just Fine" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single byMary J. Blige | ||||
| from the albumGrowing Pains | ||||
| Released | October 16, 2007 (2007-10-16) | |||
| Length | 4:02 | |||
| Label | Geffen | |||
| Songwriters |
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| Producers | ||||
| Mary J. Blige singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Just Fine" onYouTube | ||||
"Just Fine" is a song by American singerMary J. Blige. It was written by Blige,Terius "The-Dream" Nash,Jazze Pha andTricky Stewart for her eighth studio album,Growing Pains (2007), while production was helmed by Pha and Stewart. It was released as the album's lead single on October 16, 2007. The song peaked at number 22 on the USBillboard Hot 100 and number 16 on theUK Singles Chart, while also topping the USHot Dance Club Play chart.
Critically acclaimed, "Just Fine" was nominated in theBest Female R&B Vocal Performance category at the50th Annual Grammy Awards, held February 2008, as well as theGrammy forBest Remixed Recording, Non-Classical at the51st Grammy Awards in February 2009. In addition, the song was ranked 41st onRolling Stone's list of the 100 Best Songs of 2007.[1]
"Just Fine" was written by Mary J. Blige along withThe-Dream,Jazze Pha andTricky Stewart,[2] while production was helmed by Pha and Stewart, withKuk Harrell serving as a vocal producer.[2] Initially presented as an incomplete song to Blige, Nash, Pha, and Stewart finished much of the "upbeat"dance pop song within 24 hours.[3] It became one of the first songs which Blige recorded for parent albumGrowing Pains and would set much of the tone for the remaining material.[4] Blige commented on the sound of the song: "When I heard the beat, I was like, 'OK, this is hot. This is making my body move, and I'm having fun."[3]
A cheerful, feel-good jam "about uplifting yourself and having hope for your future, whatever your future is,"[3] Blige tried to "make the song about how I appreciate the good days I do have and where I'm at right now, even though I still have challenges."[3] In a 2007 interview withMTV News, she further elaborated: "That song was written based on me having a good day. You know, I can have 20 bad days. I can have as many bad days as anyone. But I choose to say, "I'm just fine." Right now. So it's OK to have those days. So instead of coming with something ungrateful to the universe, how about I come with something first that's says, 'You know what? It's OK. Enjoy this day if you're having a great day."[5]
"Just Fine" earned generally positive reviews from music critics. Da'Shan Smith fromuDiscoverMusic found that "there can’t be a wedding, office party, cookout, or family reunion function without hearing this gem from Mary [...] Channeling the funk groove ofMarvin Gaye and the disco beat ofMichael Jackson circaOff the Wall, "Just Fine" is a quintessential throwback party anthem."[6] Alexis Petridis fromThe Guardian wrote: "Blige in gleeful party-starting mode, complete with opening get-on-the-dancefloor monologue. "Just Fine"'s rhythm track was apparently inspired by Michael Jackson’s "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough." Its sparse-but-urgent sound and Blige’s exuberance are both completely irresistible."[7] SimilarlyBET.com wrote of the song: "This 2007 hit cheerfully channelsOff the Wall MJ, perfectly encapsulating new-millennium Mary's hard-earned transformation into a persevering, you-go-girl optimist who declares, "I like what I see when I'm looking at me when I'm walking past the mirror"."[8]
| Publication | Accolade | Rank | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rolling Stone | The 100 Best Songs of 2007 | 41 |
| Organization | Year | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BET Awards | 2008 | Video of the Year | Nominated | [9] |
| Grammy Awards | 2008 | Best Female R&B Vocal Performance | Nominated | [10] |
| 2009 | Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical | Nominated | [11] | |
| MTV Video Music Awards | 2008 | Best Hip Hop Video | Nominated | [12] |
| MTV Video Music Awards Japan | 2008 | Best R&B Video | Nominated | [13] |
| NAACP Image Awards | 2008 | Outstanding Music Video | Nominated | [14] |
The official remix was called "Just Fine (Treat 'Em Right Remix)" (which samples "Treat 'Em Right" byChubb Rock) and features a verse fromLil Wayne, and production handled bySwizz Beatz, who also provides background vocals. There are four versions of this remix: The main remix version has Lil Wayne's verse on the beginning after the intro, the second remix version features a verse by Precise, along with Lil Wayne, the third remix version has Lil Wayne's verse on the near end of the song, and the fourth remix version is a no rap version, omitting Lil Wayne's verse.
The second official remix of "Just Fine" featuresLil' Mama, which was a pre-order only track oniTunes when the album was released. An alternate music video for this remix was produced.
Amusic video for "Just Fine" was directed byChris Applebaum and produced by John Hardin for Reactor Films.[15] It was released online on October 8, 2007 and premiered simultaneously onBET,iTunes,VH1 andMTV'sTRL on October 25, 2007.[3] In the visuals, Blige "radiates with positive energy as she enters a mirrored room and begins her own personal fashion show."[16]Billboard found that the clip pays homage to theMichael Jackson in the colorful visual.[16]Entertainment Weekly noted that "groundbreakingCGI it ain’t, but all three MJBs [versions] look fabulous."[17]
On September 7, 2008, the video was nominated forBest Hip-Hop Video at the2008 MTV Video Music Awards, though it eventually lost toLil Wayne's "Lollipop" (2008).[12] The video also was nominated forVideo of the Year at theBET Awards 2008,[9] Best R&B Video at the2008 MTV Video Music Awards Japan,[13] andOutstanding Music Video at the40th NAACP Image Awards.[14]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Just Fine" | 4:10 | ||
| 2. | "Work That" |
| 3:30 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Just Fine" (Remix featuringLil Mama) |
|
| 3:44 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Just Fine" (Treat 'Em Right Remix featuringLil Wayne) |
|
| 5:09 |
Notes
Sample credits
Credits adapted from theGrowing Pains liner notes.[2]
Weekly charts[edit]
| Year-end charts[edit]
|
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[38] | Gold | 15,000‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[39] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
| Region | Date | Format(s) | Version(s) | Label(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | October 16, 2007 | Rhythmic contemporary radio | Original | Geffen | |
| United Kingdom | January 28, 2008 | CD | |||
| United States | February 19, 2008 | Digital download | Treat 'Em Right Remix |
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