1997 was a great year for Parental musical gems. Similar to my post: Love Like Food for My Soul (Happy Mother’s Day), I have a similar connection to one of the greatest Father songs of all time next to Isn’t She Lovely and Dance with my Father, is Just the Two of Us by Will Smith.
This song was huge when it was released. Big Willie Style was a super smash after Men in Black and Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It ran the radio for almost a year. By the time July came around in 1998, a touching video of Will Smith in a studio with his first son Trey, and an all-star cast of fathers with their children went on constant replay. With Muhammad Ali, Brian McKnight, Montell Jordan, Babyface, Keenen Wayans, Magic Johnson, and many more in the video with their children, it’s heartwarming and classic.
Will Smith knew how to hit the sweet spot with his music at the time. An amazing sample, beautiful imagery, simple rhymes, clear message, clean lyrics, and it being an ode for Fathers everywhere made Just the Two of Us a classic. I still sing parts of the second verse today whenever the song comes to mind almost 20 years later. I want my future kids to remember me as fondly as I remember this song. Me and you against the world. You and I.
This goes out to all the Fathers out there. Whether you are in your child’s life or not, it is never to late to show them love. You are loved and valued. You have more worth and impact than you even know.
Turn Your Brightness Up!
#BeMagnificent🔆
Just The Two Of Us
I knew I’d meet death before I’d let you meet harm
Although questions arose in my mind, would I be man enough?
Against wrong, choose right and be standin up
From the hospital that first night
Took a hour just ta get the carseat in right
People drivin all fast, got me kinda upset
Got you home safe, placed you in your basonette
That night I don’t think one wink I slept
As I slipped out my bed, to your crib I crept
Touched your head gently, felt my heart melt
Cause I know I loved you more than life itself
Then to my knees, and I begged the Lord please
Let me be a good daddy, all he needs
Love, knowledge, discipline too
I pledge my life to you
[Chorus:]
Just the two of us, we can make it if we try
Just the two of us, (Just the two of us)
Just the two of us, building castles in the sky
Just the two of us, you and I
Five years old, bringin comedy
Everytime I look at you I think man, a little me
Just like me
Wait an see gonna be tall
Makes me laugh cause you got your dads ears an all
Sometimes I wonder, what you gonna be
A General, a Doctor, maybe a MC
Haha, I wanna kiss you all the time
But I will test that butt when you cut outta line, trudat
Uh-uh-uh why you do dat?
I try to be a tough dad, but you be makin me laugh
Crazy joy, when I see the eyes of my baby boy
I pledge to you, I will always do
Everything I can
Show you how to be a man
Dignity, integrity, honor an
An I don’t mind if you lose, long as you came with it
An you can cry, ain’t no shame it it
It didn’t work out with me an your mom
But yo, push come to shove
You was conceived in love
So if the world attacks, and you slide off track
Remember one fact, I got your back
[Chorus]
It’s a full-time job to be a good dad
You got so much more stuff than I had
I gotta study just to keep with the changin times
101 Dalmations on your CD-ROM
See me-I’m
Tryin to pretend I know
On my PC where that CD go
But yo, ain’t nuthin promised, one day I’ll be gone
Feel the strife, but trust life does go wrong
But just in case
It’s my place
To impart
One day some girl’s gonna break your heart
And ooh ain’t no pain like from the opposite sex
Gonna hurt bad, but don’t take it out on the next, son
Throughout life people will make you mad
Disrespect you and treat you bad
Let God deal with the things they do
Cause hate in your heart will consume you too
Always tell the truth, say your prayers
Hold doors, pull out chairs, easy on the swears
You’re living proof that dreams do come true
I love you and I’m here for you
[Chorus to fade]
(This is a good song dad, how much am I gettin paid for this?)