Just Cruisin'

"Just Cruisin'"
Single by Will Smith
from the album Big Willie Style (UK edition only) and Men in Black: The Album
B-side	"Men in Black"
Released	November 25, 1997 (1997-11-25)
Length	4:00
Label	Columbia
Songwriter(s)	Will Smith, Nasir Jones, Kenneth Stover
Producer(s)	Poke & Tone
Will Smith singles chronology
"Men in Black" (1997) "Just Cruisin'" (1997) "Gettin' Jiggy wit It" (1998)

"Just Cruisin'" is a song by American rapper and actor Will Smith. It features on Men in Black: The Album and the UK release of his debut studio album, Big Willie Style (1997). Released on November 25, 1997, in Europe only, the song reached the top 40 in several countries, including Norway and Sweden, where the single peaked within the top 20. In New Zealand, the song was issued as a double A-side with "Gettin' Jiggy wit It" and peaked at number six.

Background

"Just Cruisin'" first appeared on the soundtrack Men in Black: The Album and was also available on the UK release on Big Willie Style. The song was written by Will Smith and Nas, while production was handled by The Trackmasters, then known as Poke & Tone; the vocals are performed by actress Tichina Arnold.

Commercial performance

"Just Cruisin'" found moderate international success, reaching the top 20 in Norway and Sweden and peaking at number 23 on the UK Singles Chart.^[1][2]

Critical reception

British magazine Music Week rated the song four out of five, noting that it "profiles Smith at his laid-back best."^[3]

Music video

An accompanying music video directed by Robert Caruso was released and got some playing time on the likes of MTV and BET. The video features Smith driving around Los Angeles and New York City in his car. The car can transform into a boat or a fighter jet and can also clean itself at the touch of a button.

Track listings

• UK CD1

1. "Just Cruisin'" (original version) – 4:00
2. "Just Cruisin'" (Trackmasters Remix) – 4:11
3. "Just Cruisin'" (instrumental) – 3:59
4. "Big Willie Style" (Snippets) – 2:36

• UK CD2

1. "Just Cruisin'" (original version) – 4:00
2. "Big Willie Style" (album version) – 3:48
3. "It's All Good" (album version) – 4:11

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1997–1998) Peak position Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[4] 37 Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[5] 5 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[6] 32 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[7] 26 France (SNEP)[8] 24 Germany (GfK)[9] 27 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[10] 33 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[11] 45 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[12] with "Gettin' Jiggy wit It"[13] 6 Norway (VG-lista)[1] 13 Scotland (OCC)[14] 46 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[15] 7 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[16] 32 UK Singles (OCC)[2] 23 UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)[17] 6

Year-end charts Chart (1998) Position New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[13] 17

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref.
Europe	November 25, 1997 (1997-11-25)	CD	Columbia	[9]
United Kingdom	December 1, 1997 (1997-12-01)	CD cassette		[18]

References

1. "Will Smith – Just Cruisin'". VG-lista. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
2. "Will Smith: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
3. "Reviews: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. October 4, 1997. p. 30. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
4. "Will Smith – Just Cruisin'" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
5. "Will Smith – Just Cruisin'" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
6. "Will Smith – Just Cruisin'" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
7. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles". Music & Media. Vol. 14, no. 51. December 20, 1997. p. 12.
8. "Will Smith – Just Cruisin'" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
9. "Will Smith – Just Cruisin'" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
10. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 50, 1997" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
11. "Will Smith – Just Cruisin'" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
12. "Will Smith – Just Cruisin'". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
13. "End of Year Charts 1998". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
14. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
15. "Will Smith – Just Cruisin'". Singles Top 100. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
16. "Will Smith – Just Cruisin'". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
17. "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
18. "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. November 29, 1997. p. 35.