“2 Much” is a song by Justin Bieber from his 6th studio album Justice.
Background[]
The song starts of with a sample of the speech 'Injustice Anywhere Is a Threat to Justice Everywhere' by Martin Luther King, Jr. (1963).Bieber told Vogue that he wanted to "amplify Martin Luther King Jr.'s voice to this generation," as he felt the message resonates in today's climate.
King’s daughter, Bernice King, later said she approved the quote along with the album’s longer interlude, while Bieber committed to work with the King Center among other social-justice organizations. Aldae admitted he didn’t plan on putting the quote in “2 Much.” “At first I was a little confused when I saw MLK in the credits,” he says. “A lot of classic albums have an insert at the beginning, something to bring you into the album. People close to me have told me there was a disconnect between those two things, but to me, it was just like, ‘Yo, welcome to my album.’ MLK, one of the greatest speakers of all time. Why not?”[1]
Audio[]
Background[]
Opening track “2 Much,” first began with Gian Stone over Zoom. “Nobody else really did melodies in that session. So, I did. Basically, I go in and sing gibberish. This particular song, my take of the melody is what’s on the record,” offers Gregory Hein. “We spent eight hours on that song. That’s a good turnaround time; I’ve spent years on other songs.
“What was done that day stayed. No lyrics were changed. Once we had the demo, I told the guys, ‘I love the song, but I don’t think the production is right. Do you mind if I take it to Skrillex?’” he continues. “Sonny rearranged the music and came up with these gut-wrenching chords. I remember playing it for Justin, and he was like ‘wow, this song is a little too good.’ He cut it two days later.” Yet before arriving on the final product, “2 Much” actually underwent several “different versions where Sonny tried drums. But sometimes you don’t need drums. The lyrics and melody are there. I always tell people not everything needs to be this elaborately-produced song. They often forget the voice is such an instrument. Let it carry the song, and let the melody breathe. People try to bandage songs with drums and a bunch of layers.”[2]
The song title was written down on a note in the documental Justin Bieber: Next Chapter. It contains an excerpt of “The Letter From The Birmingham Jail 1963” .
Lyrics[]
[Intro: Martin Luther King Jr.]
Injustice anywhere is threat to justice everywhere
[Verse 1: Justin Bieber]
Maybe I stared too much, maybe not long enough
Funny how I forget to blink
When you let down your hair, there's like no ones there
I'm know I'm where I'm s'posed to be
[Pre-Chorus: Justin Bieber]
Say "Love you" under my breath
More times than you can digest
Music every time I hear your name, oh
Your head's layin' right on my chest
Sun's up, but I still ain't got no rest
[Chorus: Justin Bieber]
Don't wanna close my eyes, I'm scared I'll miss too much
Don't wanna fall asleep, I'd rather fall in love
When I can't feel you, I feel out of touch
Two seconds without you's like two months
Don't wanna close my eyes, I'm scared I'll miss too much
Don't wanna fall asleep, I'd rather fall in love
'Cause eternity with you ain't long enough
Two seconds without you's like two months
And that's too much
[Verse 2: Justin Bieber]
Love the way you love your mom
Take on all your friends problems
Still somehow stop the world for us, oh
I still relieve that second
I made my biggest blessing
Prayed for you, look what God has turned
[Pre-Chorus: Justin Bieber]
Say "Love you" under my breath
More times than you can digest
Music every time I hear your name, oh
Your head's layin' right on my chest
Sun's up, but I still ain't got no rest
[Chorus: Justin Bieber]
Don't wanna close my eyes, I'm scared I'll miss too much
Don't wanna fall asleep, I'd rather fall in love
When I can't feel you, I feel out of touch
Two seconds without you's like two months
Don't wanna close my eyes, I'm scared I'll miss too much
Don't wanna fall asleep, I'd rather fall in love
'Cause eternity with you ain't long enough
Two seconds without you's like two months
And that's too much
Performances[]
- Justin Bieber - Live from Paris (pre-recorded performance on March 2, 2021) (April 13, 2021)
- Drew House x Balenciaga party (September 14, 2021)
- Homecoming Big Game Weekend (February 11, 2022)
- Justice World Tour (2022)
Charts[]
| Charts | Peak |
|---|---|
| US Rolling Stones 100 | 29 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 68 |
Credits[]
Credits adapted from Tidal.[3]
- Producer: Skrillex
- Composer: Alexander Izquierdo • Freddy Wexler • Gian Stone • Gregory "Aldae" Hein • Josh Gudwin • Justin Bieber • Martin Luther King Jr. • Sonny Moore • Valentin Brunn
- Lyricist: Alexander Izquierdo • Freddy Wexler • Gian Stone • Gregory "Aldae" Hein • Josh Gudwin • Justin Bieber • Martin Luther King Jr. • Sonny Moore • Valentin Brunn
- Assistant Mixer: Heidi Wang
- Associated Performer: Gregory "Aldae" Hein • Josh Gudwin • Justin Bieber • Virtual Riot
- Asst. Recording Engineer: Ryan Lytle
- Background Vocalist: Gregory "Aldae" Hein
- Engineer: Chris 'TEK' O'Ryan
- Mastering Engineer: : Colin Leonard
- Mixer: Josh Gudwin
- Piano: Virtual Riot
- Production Coordinator: Drew Gold
- Studio Personnel: Chris 'TEK' O'Ryan • Colin Leonard • Drew Gold • Heidi Wang • Josh Gudwin • Ryan Lytle
- Vocal Producer: Josh Gudwin
- Vocals: Justin Bieber
References[]
- ↑ Curto, Justin (March 25, 2021). "How Justin Bieber Pivoted Back to Pop on Justice". Vulture.
- ↑ Scott, Jason (April 9, 2021). "ALDAE Reaches New Heights As Vital Co-Writer On Justin Bieber’s ‘Justice’". American Songwriter.
- ↑ "Credits • Justice (The Complete Edition) • Justin Bieber – TIDAL". Tidal.
