Jon Batiste continued to show the world how hard he works this week with the release of a brand new single and music video, “I NEED YOU”. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert bandleader and music consultant for Pixar‘s Soul released the single on Friday, less than two months ahead of his forthcoming album, WE ARE, due out March 19th via Verve Records.
The video for “I NEED YOU” begins, of course, with soulful lines from Batiste’s piano while he walks into an art gallery and admires a photo of swing dancers. After a few measures, a jazzy bass brings the photo to live, along with Batiste’s feet. Before long, Batiste begins singing the song’s powerful chorus while dance party spills out of the photo and into the gallery.
Just as the choreography melds styles from different eras, “I NEED YOU” shows off Batiste’s multi-generational inspirations. Present are elements of early jazz, soul, and swing, while his vocal delivery on the song’s verses elicit a more hip-hop and spoken word feel. Of course, his powerful vocals and piano take center stage on the track, highlighting his mastery of those two instruments.
“This song is a vibe cleanse,” exclaimed Batiste in a press release, according to uDiscover Music. He continued, “After 2020, this is like a warm hug. Let’s bring the vibes back!”
Below, check out the Alan Ferguson-directed video for “I NEED YOU” and scroll down for full credits and lyrics.
Jon Batiste – “I NEED YOU” – [Official Music Video]
We got a lot of living
We’re working overtime
Don’t need another million
You got the gold mine
I love the way you’re living
‘Cause you’re so genuwine
You got that something special
Didn’t you know?
I just need you, you, you
Imagine when I was a lil’ nappy head boy
And I never put down my saxophone
Mark turned me down on the boulevard
I couldn’t wait to blow my own horn
It ain’t wrong for you to sing along
Singing this song till you die
In this world with a lot of problems
All we need is a lil’ loving
Thank you, thank you
Oh, you make me thank you
Thank you for your love
We got a lot of living
We’re working overtime
Don’t need another million
You got the gold mine
I love the way you’re living
‘Cause you’re so genuwine
You got that something special
Didn’t you know?
I just need you, you
Oh yeah
I need you, you, yeah-yeah
I need you, you, yeah-yeah
I need you, you, yeah-yeah
I need you, you
You, you, you, you, yeah-yeah
View Lyrics
Jon Batiste – “I NEED YOU” – Video Credits
Director: Alan Ferguson (@alanfergusonrolep)
Executive Producer: Gaetan Rousseau (@gaetannyc)
Production Manager: Panita Chanrasmi-Lefebvre (@panitapravda)
Director of Photography: Adrien Bertolle (@adrien_bertolle)
Sound Mixer/Playback: Nathan Bonetto (@bricks_theme)
Production Designer: Rebekka Fellah (@bexsue)
Art Director: Lex LeBlanc (@thelexleblanc)
Make Up Artist: Chichi Saito (@chichisaito)
Hair Stylist: Naoko Suzuki (@glambynaoko)
Wardrobe Stylist: Wintter Alex (@wintteralex)
Choreographer: Jemel McWilliams (@jemelmcwilliams)
Production Company: Residency+Paradoxal (@residency_and_paradoxal)
