Joji (formerly known as Pink Guy) is a Japanese‑American singer, songwriter, and producer based in Los Angeles, California.
Originally rising to fame as a comedic YouTube personality, he later transitioned into a critically acclaimed music career, blending lo‑fi hip‑hop, R&B, and indie pop into a moody, introspective sound.
He released his debut full‑length studio album in 2018 to widespread acclaim and has since gained global recognition for songs like “Sanctuary”.
With emotionally raw lyrics and atmospheric, genre‑blending production, Joji continues to shape the sound of modern alternative R&B and internet‑era pop music.
About the Song
Slow Dancing in the Dark by Joji is a hauntingly emotional R&B track that explores heartbreak, loneliness, and the struggle to let go of a failing relationship.
The song blends melancholic piano chords with a deep, atmospheric beat, as Joji’s soft, vulnerable vocals convey regret and inner conflict.
Lyrically, it paints a picture of someone clinging to a fading love, “Slow dancing in the dark” as a metaphor for holding on to something that’s already over.
| Details | Information |
| Album | BALLADS 1 |
| Release Date | September 12, 2018 |
| Singer | Joji |
| Producers | Joji & Patrick Wimberly |
Full Lyrics of Slow Dancing in the Dark
Verse 1
I don’t want a friend
I want my life in two (Please, one more night; my life in two)
Waiting to get there
Waiting for you (I done fighted all night; waiting for you)
(I done fighted all night)
Pre-Chorus
When I’m around slow dancing in the dark
Don’t follow me, you’ll end up in my arms
You done made up your mind
I don’t need no more signs
Can you?
Can you?
Chorus
Give me reasons we should be complete
You should be with him, I can’t compete
You looked at me like I was someone else, oh well
Can’t you see? (Can’t you see?)
I don’t wanna slow dance (I don’t wanna slow dance)
In the dark, dark
Verse 2
When you gotta run (Gotta run, gotta run)
Just hear my voice in you (My voice in you)
Shutting me out, you (Shutting me out)
Doing so great (So great, so great)
Yeah
Pre-Chorus
Used to be the one (Used to be the one)
To hold you when you fall, yeah, yeah, yeah (When you fall, when you fall)
I don’t fuck with your tone (I don’t fuck with your tone)
I don’t wanna go home (I don’t wanna go home)
Can it be one night?
Can you?
Can you?
Chorus
Give me reasons we should be complete
You should be with him, I can’t compete
You looked at me like I was someone else, oh well
Can’t you see?
I don’t wanna slow dance (I don’t wanna slow dance)
In the dark, dark
In the dark, dark
Similar Songs Like Slow Dancing In The Rain
If you love the moody, rain‑soaked vibe of Slow Dancing in the Rain, these songs lean into the same emotional, late‑night energy with gentle melodies and raw, heartbreak‑driven lyrics:
- Glimpse of Us: Moody, heartbreak‑driven ballad with aching vocals and emotional buildup.
- Run: Atmospheric, slow‑burn R&B tinged with regret and longing.
- Ew: Minimalist, dark, intimate track with a melancholic, late‑night vibe.
- Daylight: Smooth, romantic, and slow-burning, with gentle melodies and soft production.
Similar Artists Like Joji
If you love Joji’s moody, late‑night R&B vibe, these artists deliver a similar blend of emotional lyrics and hazy, atmospheric production:
- Keshi
Genre: Lo‑fi R&B / pop, alt‑R&B
Top Albums: Gabriel (2022), Requiem (2024), Skeletons (2019 EP), Bandaids (2020 EP) - Still Woozy
Genre: Indie pop/chillwave / electronic
Top Albums: If This Isn’t Nice, I Don’t Know What Is (2021) - Frank Ocean
Genre: Alt‑R&B / art pop
Top Albums: Channel Orange (2012), Blonde (2016) - Hashir
Genre: Lo‑fi R&B / pop
Top Albums: In Limbo (2019 EP), Something You Like (2022 EP)
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Joji Mean in Japanese?
Joji is a Japanese masculine given name that can mean “second son” or be the Japanese pronunciation of the Western name George.
What is Joji Suffering From?
Joji has spoken about struggling with a neurological disorder that can cause stress‑related seizures, as well as mental health challenges linked to years of heavy internet fame and intense performance pressure.
Did Slow Dancing in the Dark Go platinum?
Yes, “Slow Dancing in the Dark” by Joji has gone platinum and beyond, with multiple countries, including the United States, granting it multi‑platinum certifications based on sales and streaming.
