Introduction: Understanding Joji’s Most Successful Song
Welcome to our comprehensive exploration of the mesmerising song Glimpse of Us by Joji.
Released on June 10, 2022, as the lead single from his third studio album SMITHEREENS, this ballad became Joji’s first top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and his most successful release to date.
In this article, we will delve into the captivating lyrics, the meaning behind the song, the fascinating creative process behind its development, and its remarkable commercial success.
Join us on this musical journey as we unravel the emotions and messages embedded within Joji’s heartfelt masterpiece that resonated with millions worldwide.
The Story Behind Joji’s Glimpse of Us
Joji, a talented musician known for his captivating melodies and introspective lyrics, released Glimpse of Us in 2022 as the lead single from his third studio album, SMITHEREENS.
“Glimpse of Us” has a fascinating origin story that began years before its release.
The idea was first conceived on June 14, 2019, by songwriter Riley McDonough, who was struggling emotionally following the murder of singer Christina Grimmie in 2016.
McDonough recorded a voice memo titled “Glimpse,” saying he “called out to God, asking, ‘If I could only catch a glimpse of you.'”
During a subsequent writing session with his brother Connor McDonough, Castle (Joel Castillo), and Alexis Kesselman, Riley rediscovered the voice memo, and the group wrote the song that day.
Two years later, Joji heard the track and added his own unique touch before recording the final version we know today.
It’s worth noting that while Joji performs the song, the primary writing credits belong to the McDonough brothers, Kesselman, and Castle, with Connor McDonough handling production.
This collaborative process resulted in a song that perfectly matched Joji’s introspective style, despite him not being the original composer.
The song quickly gained popularity among fans and critics alike, captivating listeners with its raw emotion and hauntingly beautiful composition.
Before delving into the meaning of the Glimpse of Us lyrics, it’s essential to appreciate Joji’s evolution as a songwriter.
A former internet personality known as Filthy Frank, Joji has grown into a seasoned musician, celebrated for his introspective and melancholic lyricism.
Musical Composition
“Glimpse of Us” stands apart from much of Joji’s previous electronic-influenced work, featuring a stripped-down arrangement that centers on piano and vocals.
The song showcases Joji’s impressive vocal abilities – he moves effortlessly between deep, emotional low notes and soaring high notes throughout the track, creating the song’s distinctive emotional impact.
For those interested in the technical aspects, the sheet music published by Kobalt Music Publishing shows the song is written in the key of A-flat major with a deliberate tempo of 57 beats per minute (quite slow, which enhances the melancholic feel).
Technically speaking, Joji’s vocals span from the low note of B♭3 to the high note of A♭5, covering a range that demonstrates his considerable vocal versatility.
The minimalist production, handled by Connor McDonough, allows Joji’s emotional delivery to take centre stage, creating an intimate listening experience that has been described by critics as “chilling” and “haunting.”
This stripped-back approach, focusing primarily on piano and vocals rather than complex electronic elements, helps convey the raw vulnerability central to the song’s meaning.
The Meaning Behind Glimpse of Us Lyrics
The lyrics of Glimpse of Us paint a vivid picture of love, longing, and the bittersweet nature of relationships.
Joji’s introspective storytelling takes us on a journey of self-reflection and nostalgia.
Each verse encapsulates a unique emotion, while the chorus serves as an anchor, highlighting the central theme of the song.
The song begins with a poignant confession of loss and longing: “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…”
This verse seems to reference a new relationship that, while providing comfort, fails to fill the void left by a previous love.
The protagonist appreciates the support and positivity the new partner brings, yet he can’t help but compare her to the one he truly longs for.
It’s a hauntingly familiar feeling of attempting to move on while being stuck in the past.
Joji also expresses his inner conflict between his current partner and his ex-lover, as he admits that he sometimes sees a glimpse of his past love in his present one.
In the chorus, Joji presents an intricate portrait of emotional conflict:
“‘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 thinkin’ of the way it was…”
Joji is suggesting that in the new partner’s eyes, he’s catching a “glimpse of us” – a fleeting memory of his past relationship.
It’s an incredibly poignant reflection of the difficulty in moving forward when memories continue to eclipse the present.
The chorus serves as the emotional core of the song, emphasizing the overarching theme of the transience of love.
Joji’s haunting vocals and poignant lyrics create a powerful impact, as it conveys the inevitability of change and the fading nature of relationships.
“Glimpse of Us”: A Global Phenomenon
“Glimpse of Us” didn’t just captivate listeners with its emotional depth—it also achieved unprecedented commercial success.
The song debuted at #10 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking Joji’s first top 10 hit in the United States and his fifth entry on the chart overall.
The track made history as the first song by an Asian artist to reach number one on Spotify’s Global chart, where it remained for an impressive 10 consecutive days.
It also became the second song by a Japanese artist to reach the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 after Kyu Sakamoto’s “Sukiyaki” in 1963.
Internationally, “Glimpse of Us” topped charts in Australia, Indonesia, Lithuania, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, and Singapore.
The song’s commercial achievement has been solidified through multiple certifications, including:
- 2× Platinum in the United States (RIAA)
- 2× Platinum in Australia (ARIA)
- 2× Platinum in Canada (Music Canada)
- Platinum in the United Kingdom (BPI)
The song was also nominated for Song of the Year at the 2022 ARIA Awards, recognizing Joji’s Australian heritage on his father’s side.
Alternative Interpretations: Beyond the Surface
While the primary interpretation of “Glimpse of Us” centers on missing an ex-lover while in a new relationship, fans have discovered deeper and alternative meanings within the lyrics.
A particularly compelling theory that gained traction on Reddit suggests the song could be about a long-term relationship that has evolved over time.
In this interpretation, the narrator is reminiscing about how he and his current partner used to be—not about an ex-partner at all.
As one Reddit user eloquently explained: “Anyone who has been in a long-term relationship knows that the honeymoon phase doesn’t last forever. The little things like physical touch, compliments, and all that lovey-dovey stuff soon either go away or no longer mean as much as it did in the start.”
In this reading, when Joji sings about finding “a glimpse of us,” he’s catching rare moments that remind him of the relationship’s early days, when both partners were different people.
The lyrics “Perfect don’t mean that it’s working” take on new meaning—suggesting that even an objectively good relationship can feel lacking when compared to its honeymoon phase.
This interpretation resonates with many listeners in long-term relationships who understand the bittersweetness of growth and change within a partnership, adding another layer of emotional complexity to the song.
The Inspirational Undercurrent in Glimpse of Us
Joji’s Glimpse of Us lyrics carry a potent message about the complexity of human emotions and relationships.
It lays bare the struggle of letting go, the lingering past that sometimes shrouds our present, and the bittersweet battle of moving on.
Its message resonated deeply with fans, making Glimpse of Us one of Joji’s most popular tracks to date.
According to Billboard, the song debuted at #10 on the Hot 100 chart, marking Joji’s first top 10 hit.
The song has also received positive reviews from critics and fans alike, who praised Joji’s emotional delivery and lyrical depth.
Some described the song as a dark love song where Joji compares his current relationship to the previous one and the love he felt for his ex.
While others noted that the song is unique not in terms of its thesis sentiment but rather in how the vocalist builds its narrative up toward that conclusion.
Why “Glimpse of Us” Became Joji’s Defining Song
Joji’s “Glimpse of Us” has earned its place as a modern classic through its masterful blend of raw emotional vulnerability and universal themes.
With its poetic lyrics exploring the complexities of love, memory, and moving on, the song has resonated deeply across cultures and generations.
Whether interpreted as a narrative about an ex-lover or the evolution of a long-term relationship, the song captures the bittersweet nature of human connections and the lingering power of emotional memory.
Its commercial success—breaking streaming records and achieving multi-platinum status globally—proves that deeply personal art can still achieve mainstream recognition.
The collaborative creative process behind “Glimpse of Us” also highlights the power of musical partnership, with Joji’s evocative delivery bringing the McDonough brothers’ original concept to life in a way that has touched millions of listeners worldwide.
As we continue to find our own “glimpses” of past relationships in our present lives, Joji’s haunting ballad will undoubtedly remain a touchstone for anyone navigating the complex landscape of love and longing.
Frequently Asked Questions About “Glimpse of Us”
Who wrote “Glimpse of Us”?
“Glimpse of Us” was written by Riley McDonough, Connor McDonough, Alexis Kesselman, and Joel Castillo (Castle). Joji primarily served as the vocalist, though he did make some adaptations to the song before recording the final version.
What is the meaning behind “Glimpse of Us”?
The song explores the experience of being in a new relationship while still harboring feelings for an ex-partner.
The narrator sees “glimpses” of his past relationship in his current one, despite trying to move forward.
Some fans also interpret it as being about the evolution of a long-term relationship and missing its earlier stages.
When was “Glimpse of Us” released?
“Glimpse of Us” was released on June 10, 2022, as the lead single from Joji’s third studio album, SMITHEREENS.
How successful was “Glimpse of Us” on the charts?
The song peaked at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100, became the first song by an Asian artist to top Spotify’s Global chart, and reached #1 in multiple countries including Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. It has been certified multi-platinum in several countries.
What inspired the creation of “Glimpse of Us”?
Songwriter Riley McDonough initially conceived the idea in June 2019 during a difficult emotional period following the death of singer Christina Grimmie.
He created a voice memo titled “Glimpse” that would later be developed into the full song with his collaborators.
Is “Glimpse of Us” about a real relationship?
While the songwriters and Joji have not explicitly confirmed whether the lyrics reflect specific real-life experiences, the universal themes of lingering attachment and comparison between relationships have resonated with listeners who find the emotional narrative authentic.
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Joji Glimpse of Us Lyrics
Verse 1
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’s so perfect
Do I still wish that it was you?
Perfect don’t mean that it’s workin’
So what can I do? (Ooh)
Pre-Chorus
When you’re out of sight
In my mind
Chorus
‘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 thinkin’ of the way it was
Said I’m fine and said I moved on
I’m only here passing time in her arms
Hopin’ I’ll find a glimpse of us
Verse 2
Tell me he savors your glory
Does he laugh the way I did?
Is this a part of your story?
One that I had never lived
Maybe one day, you’ll feel lonely
And in his eyes, you’ll get a glimpse
Maybe you’ll start slippin’ slowly and find me again
Pre-Chorus
When you’re out of sight
In my mind
Chorus
‘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 thinkin’ of the way it was
Said I’m fine and said I moved on
I’m only here passing time in her arms
Hopin’ I’ll find a glimpse of us
Bridge
Ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh
Chorus
‘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 thinkin’ of the way it was
Said I’m fine and said I moved on
I’m only here passing time in her arms
Hopin’ I’ll find a glimpse of us
