Should Have Been Bigger: Joe Jonas’ Underrated “Just In Love”

Mike Wass | March 12, 2019 4:47 pm
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With the Jonas Brothers making a triumphant return to pop with the chart-topping “Sucker,” now is as good a time as any to reflect on Joe Jonas’ underrated solo output. In 2011, the 29-year-old decided it was time to get to work on his debut LP and opted for Justin Timberlake-channeling R&B/pop. Fastlife arrived later that year preceded by two singles. “See No More” was certainly on-trend sonically, but it was severely lacking in hooks, not to mention a memorable chorus. He turned it around, however, with “Just In Love.”

Produced by Rob Knox (JT’s The 20/20 Experience), the insidiously catchy bop finds the sweet spot between crunchy R&B beats, pop hooks and the then-prevalent electronic sound. Joe crooned his heart out as he told a lucky lady exactly how he felt. “You are worth too much to lose, baby if you’re still confused,” the heartthrob assured her. “Girl, I’m just in love with you.” When you factor in a racy — given his squeaky clean image at the time — video, the track seemed like a sure bet. Particularly when a remix was commissioned featuring Lil Wayne.

Unfortunately, by that time, momentum had been lost and the song fizzled out completely on the charts. Fastlife debuted at a respectable number 15 on the Billboard 200 shortly thereafter, but no further singles were released from the album and it remains Joe’s one and only solo offering. It’s a shame because he had bops. Perhaps “Sucker” can be the launching pad for album number two? Revisit “Just In Love” below.

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