Song’s Backstory
I first got the idea years ago while working in NYC. A co-worker said, “Hey, just in case…” about something, and I laughed and said, “Man, I hate that guy.” He looked confused and asked, “Who?” I said, “Justin Case.” We both cracked up, and somehow that dumb little moment stuck with me. Funny enough, not long after that, I started hearing similar wordplay pop up in commercials and thought, “Man… I missed that one.”
During the early COVID songwriting days, I kept coming back to the idea and trying to write a song around “Justin,” but every version felt forced or too gimmicky. After an American Songwriter writers camp, I was digging through old song ideas and found it again. This time I stopped trying to outsmart it and just let the personality lead the song.
I wanted it to be fun and clever on the surface, but still say something real underneath, that sometimes behind all the excuses, jokes, and walls we put up… it’s “Justin Me.”
Write it like it happened.
Lyrics
Justin Me
BY: Jeffrey A Cox (BMI)
Intro:
Here we go, you’ll catch on quick
V1:
Justin Time
But somehow, I still rolled in late
Boots hit the barstool
Drownin... Justin Whiskey
Bartender laughed, said, Boy... some girl called
I said, Yeah... she’s probably... Justin Denial
Funny how I end up... Justin Tricky places
Say I’m fine, but it might be... Justin Me
Heart’s got dents, but they’re hard to see
Ain’t nothin fancy, baby... it’s Justin Us
Pre-CH:
I tell myself I’ve learned my lesson
Justin Guessin... I lean back and laugh
Life keeps dealin cards I never ask for
Justin Chance. Justin Fate. It all comes fast
CH:
All these Justins in my life
Every one a different fight
If you read between the lines
It’s Justin Me
Somehow you see through it all
Every trick and every wall
And you still see
Justin Me
V2:
Started small... Justin Kiss
Isn’t how I planned this
Told myself, slow down, you know how it goes
It’s Justin Love, I suppose
Keepin my guard up... Justin Case
Got one foot out... Justin Place
Swear I’m done draggin round the past
But it comes back around... Justin Time
Bridge:
They say, Man, you ever grow up
I say, Yeah... when I’ve had Justin Nough
Ain’t quittin, I’m Justin Tryin
Standin tall even when I’m lyin
To myself about how far I’ve come
Justin Once... I’ll get this right
CH:
All these Justins in my life
Every one a different fight
If you read between the lines
It’s Justin Me
Somehow you still choose to stay
Even when I lose my way
So, here’s to you for lovin
Justin Me
Outro:
Yeah... still standin
Glass in hand
Name’s Justin
That’s Justin Me
