"Just the Two of Us" is a song by American rapper & actorWill 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 byBill Withers' andGrover Washington, Jr.'slove song of the same title; Smith's versionsamples 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 theR&B groupSomethin' for the People with Fuzzy providing the chorus and ad-libs, while Sauce is a credited as aproducer on the track.
The song reached number 20 on the USBillboard 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 byDr. Evil in the 1999 filmAustin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me. It was also sampled in "Pretty Girl Rock" byKeri Hilson.
The music video, directed byBob Giraldi, begins with Smith playing with his son, Trey.[2] 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, includingBabyface,Montell Jordan,James Lassiter,Keenen Wayans,Brian McKnight,Magic Johnson, andMuhammad Ali (whom Smith later played in the 2001 biopicAli). The video also features Smith's wifeJada Pinkett Smith pregnant with the couple's first childJaden; and includes Will's father, younger brother, and two sisters.
^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)
^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)
^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)
^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)
^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)
^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)
^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)
^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)
^"AddVance Notice".Radio & Records. No. 1246. May 1, 1998. p. 62.
^"New Releases".Radio & Records. No. 1249. May 22, 1998. pp. 38, 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...
