Yes J. During Jr., We Will Love You!
A singer, songwriter, electrifying guitar player and producer, J. During Jr. is a man of many talents. The Virginia-based performer’s latest, self-produced single, “Will You Love Me,” poses a simple yet relatable question: If I were to die today, how would I be remembered?
From the first moment, with a classic drummer’s count-in, the song transports the listener to the alternative-rock sounds of the late ’90s. And a rock song it undeniably is, infused with plenty of soul from J. During Jr.’s tasteful and expressive guitar work and warm, seasoned vocals.
The arrangement is straightforward – a couple of electric guitars, an acoustic guitar, an iconic rock organ, drums, and bass. In the final moments, the listener is treated to a few delicate notes from an electric piano. This instrumentation is minimal, yet highly effective; During Jr. keeps the song dynamically engaging through his skilled playing and thoughtful layering. The defining arc throughout the track is the memorable, recurring guitar riff that lends the song its upbeat, easygoing vibe despite its mournful lyrics.
Lyrically, “Will You Love Me” is poignant and direct. The narrator grapples with the fear of running out of time and living with regret. From the opening line, “When the angels come for me,” the listener is immediately confronted with the theme of death, setting the tone for the emotional arc of the song. In the first verse, the narrator wonders if they’ve done or said enough to adequately express their love. By the second, they reflect on the memories their loved one might carry: Would they be remembered for all of who they were? Would they be remembered at all?
This emotional urgency remains in the second verse with the line “If I was to die today,” and adds weight to the song’s core questions: “Was there nothing left to say? Would you still look at me the same? Would you remember all my roles?”
The chorus cuts to the fundamental needs underlying these existential questions – the need for love and security, to be seen and accepted throughout the long journey of life. Ultimately, the narrator longs for the reassurance that they will be loved, no matter what.
Musically, “Will You Love Me” closes with a complexity and lack of resolution, befitting its yearnful lyrics. As the band seems to settle into a cadence that would return to the tonic chord (Eb), instead, the electric piano ascends into an arpeggiated Bbm7. This is a curious and mysterious chord choice for a song in the key of Eb, and as such creates for the listener a sense of emotional tension.
“Will You Love Me” was released in March 2025.