Joji is a singer-songwriter who rose to fame as a YouTube personality and comedian under the name Filthy Frank. He later transitioned to making music, releasing his debut album Ballads 1 in 2018 and his second album Nectar in 2020. His music is known for its melancholic and lo-fi style, often exploring themes of love, loneliness, and regret.
In June 2022, Joji released his first single as a lead artist since Nectar, titled “Glimpse of Us”. The song quickly became a viral hit on TikTok, where users used it as a soundtrack for their relationship-themed videos. The song also charted well on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching the top 10 and becoming Joji’s highest-peaking single to date.
What is the song about?
“Glimpse of Us” is a song about Joji’s struggle to move on from a past lover, whom he still has feelings for. He compares his current relationship to the connection he felt with his ex, and admits that he sometimes sees a glimpse of them in his partner’s eyes. He also wonders if his ex feels the same way, and if they will ever find each other again.
The song’s lyrics are simple but powerful, conveying Joji’s emotional turmoil and longing. Some of the notable lines are:
- She’d take the world off my shoulders / If it was ever hard to move / She’d turn the rain to a rainbow / When I was living in the blue / Why then, if she is so perfect / Do I still wish that it was you?
- ‘Cause sometimes I look in her eyes / And that’s where I find a glimpse of us / And I try to fall for her touch / But I’m thinking of the way it was
- Maybe one day you’ll feel lonely / And in his eyes, you’ll get a glimpse / Maybe you’ll start slipping slowly / And find me again
How did Joji make the song?
Joji co-wrote and co-produced “Glimpse of Us” with Connor McDonough, Riley McDonough, Joel Castillo, and Alexis Kesselman. Connor McDonough is also credited as the sole producer of the song. The song has a soft and mellow sound, with Joji’s vocals layered over acoustic guitar chords and subtle beats. The song also features some background vocals from Riley McDonough, who is Connor’s brother and a member of the pop-rock band Before You Exit.
Joji first teased the song on June 6, 2022, with an Instagram story revealing that new music would be coming later that week. He then posted the song’s title and cover art, along with a pre-save link for the single. The cover art shows Joji holding a Polaroid photo of himself and his ex-lover, with the words “glimpse of us” written on it.
The song was released on June 10, 2022, along with a lyric video on YouTube. The lyric video shows various clips of Joji and his ex-lover in happier times, interspersed with scenes of Joji alone and sad. The video has over 100 million views as of October 2023.
What is the reaction to the song?
The song received positive reviews from critics and fans alike, who praised Joji’s vocals, lyrics, and production. Many people related to the song’s message of being unable to let go of someone who meant a lot to them. Some of the comments on the lyric video are:
- This song hits different when you’re going through something similar
- Joji never fails to make me cry
- This is one of his best songs ever
- I feel this song in my soul
The song also inspired many TikTok users to create their own videos using the song as a background music. Some of the popular trends include:
- Showing pictures or videos of their exes or crushes
- Lip-syncing or singing along to the chorus
- Acting out scenarios where they see their exes with someone else
- Making jokes or memes about the song
The song has over 2 billion streams on Spotify as of October 2023, making it one of Joji’s most successful songs.
Conclusion
Joji’s “Glimpse of Us” is a heartbreaking song about unresolved feelings for a past lover. The song showcases Joji’s talent as a singer-songwriter and producer, as well as his ability to connect with his listeners on an emotional level. The song is also a viral sensation on TikTok, where it has sparked various trends and challenges. If you want to listen to the song or read its lyrics, you can find them here.
