Musicians of all genres have written songs about love, heartbreak, partying, and dancing – among other topics – and many of them started with J. Here are some of the best songs that start with J.
“Jump” by Van Halen
Song year: 1983
At the mention of the song “Jump,” it’s hard not to picture a frenetic David Lee Roth, the lead singer of the rock n’ roll band Van Halen, dancing and jumping across the stage while he yells into the camera and breaks into a split.
The iconic 1983 song from their album “1984” is an upbeat pop anthem that encourages the listener to overcome adversity and figuratively get moving. Rolling Stone listed “Jump” as the 177th greatest song of all time.
“Just a Friend” by Biz Markie
Song year: 1989
Biz Markie has had us all crooning along with him since 1989 about unrequited love. “Just a Friend,” his 1989 single from his album The Biz Never Sleeps, was a pop sensation that reached number nine on the Billboard Hot 100.
In the song, Biz raps the verses and sings the chorus. He laments that the woman he wants to date is romantically involved with another man, but she dishonestly proclaims the other man is just a friend.
The RIAA certified the song as platinum, and Rolling Stone named it the 480th best song of all time.
“Just Dance” by Lady Gaga
Song year: 2008
Lady Gaga released “Just Dance,” from her debut album The Fame, in 2008. It quickly became one of her signature songs as well as one of the most successful songs ever. It was also Gaga’s first number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100.
“Just Dance” talks about being intoxicated in a dance club. Gaga can’t find her drink, keys, or cell phone – but decides to put her worries aside and enjoy the moment by dancing.
“Jimmy Cooks” by Drake ft. 21 Savage
Song year: 2022
Hip hop superstar Drake released “Jimmy Cooks,” from his album Honestly, Nevermind in 2022. The song features his partner in crime and frequent collaborator 21 Savage. The track reached number one on the Billboard 100.
The lyrics reference Drake’s career journey from acting to rap music. Before Drake was a famous actor, he portrayed a character on television named Jimmy Brooks. The song starts off as a low-key hip-hop track, but it takes a darker turn when Savage jumps on the second verse.
“Just the Way You Are” by Bruno Mars
Song year: 2010
Rhythm & Blues sensation Bruno Mars released “Just the Way You Are” from his debut album Doo-Wop & Hooligans. The song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, and Mars won a Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance at the 2011 Grammy Awards.
“Just the Way You Are” is a romantic song that has Mars crooning to a woman that he loves her the way she is and that he wouldn’t change anything about her.
“Jolene” by Dolly Parton
Song year: 1973
Country musician Dolly Parton released “Jolene” in 1973 from her album of the same name. Rolling Stone named it the 63rd-best song of all time.
“Jolene” is about a beautiful, auburn-haired woman named Jolene who flirts with Parton’s significant other. The man talks about Jolene in his sleep, and Parton fears that she may lose him. Parton begs Jolene not to steal her man because she will never be able to love again.
“Jolene” became Parton’s signature song.
“Juicy” by Notorious B.I.G.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JZom_gVfuw
Song year: 1994
Notorious B.I.G., aka Biggie Smalls, released the standout song “Juicy” in 1994. It was the first single from his debut album Ready to Die. In the song, he raps about growing up in poverty and dealing drugs and how he is now a rich and successful rapper.
The feel-good track became one of Biggie’s signature songs. Rolling Stone named “Juicy” the eighth-best hip-hop song of all time.
“Jack & Diane” by John Cougar (John Mellencamp)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h04CH9YZcpI
Song year: 1982
Rocker John Mellencamp released “Jack & Diane” in 1982. The song, from his album American Fool, became one of the top 365 Songs of the Century and reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
“Jack & Diane” is about two young teenagers, Jack and Diane, growing up in The Heartland of Mid-America. Jack is on a path to becoming a football star, and the couple dreams of running off to live in the city. The track became Mellencamp’s signature song.
“Just Give Me a Reason” by Pink ft. Nate Ruess
Song year: 2013
Pop singer Pink released “Just Give Me a Reason” in 2013. The standout song was from her album The Truth About Love and featured the lead singer from the band Fun, Nate Reuss.
“Just Give Me a Reason” is a ballad about a failing relationship. Pink and Reuss plead with their romantic partner to give a reason why the relationship cannot survive. The song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, and Pink snagged a couple of Grammy nominations.
“Just a Dream” by Nelly
Song year: 2010
Rapper and singer Nelly released “Just a Dream” in 2010. In the song from his album 5.0, Nelly reminisces about a failed relationship. His wife left him because she knew the relationship wasn’t working well. Nelly dreams of one day reconciling with the love of his life.
“Just a Dream” reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of Nelly’s most successful songs.
“Just a Little Bit” by 50 Cent
Song year: 2005
“Just a Little Bit” is a 2010 song from rapper 50 Cent’s second album, The Massacre.
In the song, 50 raps about partying, dancing in the club, and taking a lady friend home for some romance. 50 wants to dabble in a few different activities but keep it to just a little bit. The lyrics get a little risque as he describes what he wants to do with her.
“Just a Little Bit” reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100.
“Just a Gigolo” by David Lee Roth
Song year: 1985
Rocker David Lee Roth left the band Van Halen and launched a solo career in the 1980s. His debut album, Crazy from the Heat, featured a cover of the classic song “Just a Gigolo/I Ain’t Got Nobody.
The classic song about the life of a male escort was a departure from Roth’s traditional rock n’ roll style. “Just a Gigolo” was famous before Roth’s cover – Louis Prima famously sang the song in the 1950s.
“Jump Around” by House of Pain
Song year: 1992
Hip Hop Group House of Pain, with lead artist Everlast, released the classic hip hop anthem “ Jump Around” in 1992.
In the song, Everlast explains that he came to the party and wants everyone to stand up and start jumping. “Jump Around” became a staple in nightclubs, bars, and entertainment venues for its upbeat, crowd-hyping properties. It reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and is the group’s signature song.
“Jane Says” by Jane’s Addiction
Song year: 1988
“Jane Says” is a 1988 song from the American rock n’ roll band Jane’s Addiction. The song, from their debut album Jane’s Addiction, tells the story of a woman named Jane.
Jane says she is going to leave an abusive relationship with a man named Sergio, quit taking drugs, and move to Spain after she saves enough money. “Jane Says” became one of the group’s classic songs and reached number 6 on the Billboard Alternative chart.
“Jamming” by Bob Marley & The Wailers
Song year: 1977
“Jamming” is one of the all-time classic reggae songs. Jamaican singer Bob Marley and his group, The Wailers, released the song in 1977 from their album Exodus.
The song is about jamming, which in Jamaican culture can mean getting together with close ones and partying. In the catchy chorus, Marley celebrates that he is jamming and hopes that anyone who wants to join likes jamming also.
“Joy to the World” by Pentatonix
Song year: 2015
“Joy to the World” is a three-hundred-year-old English Christmas carol. It is one of the most popular Christmas carols of all time and many artists have recorded covers of it. Perhaps the best of those covers is the 2015 effort from the acapella group Pentatonix.
Pentatonix released “Joy to the World” in 2015 from the Deluxe Edition of their album That’s Christmas to Me. Their cover put a modern spin on the timeless classic with the group’s signature harmonizing and beatbox.
“Just the Two of Us” by Grover Washington Jr. and Bill Withers
Song year: 1981
“Just the Two of Us” is a rhythm and blues, soul, and jazz song from 1981. Saxophonist Grover Washginton Jr. enlisted singer Bill Withers for the mellow song. “Just the Two of Us” is about the power of a romantic relationship and how two people who support each other can get through anything.
“Just the Two of Us” reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of Withers’ signature songs.
“Juice” by Lizzo
Song year: 2019
Rapper and singer Lizzo released “Juice” in 2019. The upbeat, funk-inspired song is from her album Cuz I love you. “Juice” is a self-esteem anthem – Lizzo brags that she has the energy and confidence she was born with and that it’s not her fault she’s cool.
“Juice” reached number 82 on the Billboard Hot 100, and the RIAA certified the song as platinum in 2021.
“Jive Talkin’” by the Bee Gees
Song year: 1975
The Bee Gees, the rock-pop music group with Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb, released “Jive Talkin” in 1975. The song, from their album Main Course, was a classic pop anthem in the 1970s.
It irreverently talks about dishonestly. The Gibb brothers knew that someone was lying to them, and they decided to make a pop song about it.
“Jive Talkin” hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
“Johnny Angel” by Shelley Fabares
Song year: 1962
Pop singer Shelley Fabares released “Johnny Angel” in 1962. The song, from her album solo album Shelley!, is an ode to admiration from afar.
Fabares is in love with a man named Johnny, but he is unaware of her affection. In Fabares’ eyes, Johnny is so desirable he’s almost angelic. She gets a little carried away in her hope that he’ll love her someday, but she makes an all-time classic pop anthem in the meantime.
“Japan” by Famous Dex
Song year: 2018
American rapper Famous Dex wasn’t ashamed to rap about his love of the prescription drug Xanax in the 2018 hit “Japan” from his debut studio album Dex Meets Dexter.
In “Japan,” Dex raps that his real name is Dexter, he has a bunch of diamonds, and he just got fifty thousand in Japan. It’s unclear whether he’s talking about a fifty-thousand-dollar concert fee or fifty thousand fans. The song hit number twenty-eight on the Billboard Hot 100.
“Just Can’t Get Enough” by Black Eyed Peas
Song year: 2011
Pop sensation Black Eyed Peas released “Just Can’t Get Enough” in 2011. The song, from the album The Beginning, reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and solidified the group’s standing as pop music royalty.
“Just Can’t Get Enough” is about the desire to be with a loved one who isn’t near. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, and the Black Eyed Peas composed an anthem about it.
“Juicy” by Doja Cat & Tyga
Song year: 2019
Rhythm and blues singer and rapper Doja Cat released “Juicy” in 2019. The song, featuring fellow rapper Tyga, was the lead single from her debut album Amala and one of the songs that made her an international sensation.
“Juicy ” is Doja Cat’s expression of self-confidence for having a full-bodied physique, with the chorus about the visibility of her buttocks. The RIAA certified the song as platinum.
“Jumpman” by Drake and Future
Song year: 2015
Hip-hop A-Listers Drake and Future released their classic What a Time to Be Alive mixtape in 2015. “Jumpman,” a reference to the Michael Jordan logo, was the best song from the album.
“Jumpman” is a braggadocious anthem about being rich, flying private jets, traveling abroad, and generally having lots of money. The song reached number twelve on the Billboard Hot 100.
“Jackie Chan” by Tiësto & Dzeko ft. Preme & Post Malone
Song year: 2018
“Jackie Chan” was originally released on Preme’s debut album and featured Post Malone’s vocals. Upon hearing the song, DJs Tiësto and Dzeko saw its potential to become a hit in clubs worldwide.
“Jackie Chan” is a reference to the Chinese martial arts legend Jackie Chan. Post Malone playfully raps that a lady wants to hang out and kick it like Jackie Chan.
“Just a Cloud Away” by Pharrell Williams
Song year: 2013
According to legendary producer and rhythm singer Pharrell Williams, things will always get better. That’s what he promises on “Just a Cloud Away,” a 2013 track from the Despicable Me 2 soundtrack.
“Just a Cloud Away” is a lesson in positivity. Pharrell acknowledges that we’ve all been through hard times, but they’re temporary.
“John” by Lil’ Wayne ft. Rick Ross
Song year: 2011
Rap superstar Lil’ Wayne brought his partner Rick Ross along for the track “John,” a 2011 energetic anthem from the Carter IV album.
The song is a partial dedication to English musician John Lennon of the Beatles. Wayne requests that if he dies early that people remember him like Lennon. “John” reached number twenty-two on the Billboard Hot 100.
Best Songs Starting With J, Final Thoughts
From Shelley Fabares in 1962 to Drake in 2022, musicians across the spectrum have produced incredible songs starting with the letter J. Enjoy these songs as we wait for the next “J” classics.