Summary
"I Just Need U" (stylized as "I just need U."[1]) is a song by Christian hip hop musician TobyMac. It was released as a single on January 5, 2018.[2] The song debuted at No. 1 on the Hot Christian Songs chart, becoming his sixth No. 1 on the chart.[3] It spent 30 weeks on the overall chart.[4]
| "I Just Need U" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by TobyMac | ||||
| from the album The Elements | ||||
| Released | January 5, 2018 | |||
| Genre | Christian hip hop, Christian rock, Christian pop | |||
| Length | 3:46 | |||
| Label | ForeFront, EMI CMG | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) |
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| TobyMac singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "I Just Need U" on YouTube | ||||
Background edit
On December 21, 2017, Toby posted a photo on his Instagram page revealing that he is planning on releasing a new single at the beginning of 2018.[5] On January 1, 2018, he officially confirmed the release of the single with a tease of the cover.[6] The song was released on January 5, 2018.[7]
The song is about finding God rather than relying on his own strength. He wrote the song with Bryan Fowler and Finding Favour's Blake NeeSmith. He expresses how important the song means to him in an interview:[8]
"'I Just Need U' is where I land time and time again after my futile attempts to handle life on my own. I am a born defector learning every day that the sweetest place and the only right place for me is turning back and falling into the arms of a loving God."
In another interview with Billboard, he told about the story of the song and how it was put together:[9]
"['I Just Need U'] started in a session writing for the band Finding Favour, but they said it wasn't for them. I thought about [it] and began plowing through my feelings. The world tricks us into thinking certain things will fulfill us, [but] time and again I end up hungry. But when I look to my faith, I begin to find a permanent fulfillment. There's depth and there's soul, which is what you would expect from a seasoned artist."
Music video edit
A music video for "I Just Need U" was released on March 24, 2018.[10] The visual features Toby driving through the scenic Southern California desert.[11] As of November 2021,the video has over 65 million views on YouTube.
Track listing edit
- Digital download[12]
- "I just need U." – 3:46
- Digital download (Capital Kings Remix)[13]
- "I just need U." – 3:05
Charts edit
Weekly charts edit
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Year-end charts edit
Decade-end charts edit
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Certifications edit
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[25] | Gold | 500,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References edit
- ^ "I just need U." Spotify. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
- ^ "I just need U. – Single". Apple Music. 5 January 2018. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
- ^ "TobyMac's 'I just need U' Soars to No.1 on Billboard". SpiritSongFest. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
- ^ "Hot Christian Songs - August 11, 2018". Billboard. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
- ^ "officialtobymac-HARD AT WORK". Instagram. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
- ^ "officialtobymac-newyear". Instagram. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
- ^ "officialtobymac-my new song". Instagram. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
- ^ "I Just Need U by tobyMac". SongsFacts. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
- ^ "tobyMac Breaks Down How He Earned His First No. 1 Hit In Over Five Years". Billboard. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
- ^ "TobyMac - I just need U." Retrieved May 4, 2018 – via YouTube.
- ^ "TobyMac Premieres "I Just Need U." Music Video". 23 March 2018. Retrieved May 4, 2018 – via TheChristianBeat.
- ^ "I just need U./TobyMac TIDAL". Tidal. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
- ^ "I just need U. (Capital Kings Remix)". Tidal. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
- ^ "TobyMac Chart History (Hot Christian Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
- ^ "TobyMac Chart History (Christian Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
- ^ "TobyMac - Christian AC History". Billboard. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
- ^ "TobyMac Chart History (Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
- ^ "Cross Rhythms– Year-End 2018". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved July 8, 2019.
- ^ "Hot Christian Songs – Year-End 2018". Billboard. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
- ^ "Christian Airplay - Year-End 2018 - Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
- ^ "Christian Pop Songs - Year-End 2018 - Billboard". Billboard. Archived from the original on 7 August 2019. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
- ^ "Christian AC - Year-End 2018 - Billboard". Billboard. Archived from the original on 7 August 2019. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
- ^ "Weekend 22 - Year-End 2018". Retrieved 2 January 2019.
- ^ "Hot Christian Songs – Decade-End 2010s". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 31, 2019. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
- ^ "American single certifications – tobyMac – I Just Need U". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved April 23, 2019.