Editor’s note: Arachnophonia (“Arachno” = spider / “-phonia” = sound) is a regular feature on our blog where members of the UR community can share their thoughts about resources from the Parsons Music Library‘s collection.
All links included in these posts will take you to either the library catalog record for the item in question or to additional relevant information from around the web.
Today’s installment of Arachnophonia is by student manager Rocio (class of 2027) and features a song from Grover Washington Jr.’s 1980 album Winelight. Thanks, Rocio!
Grover Washington Jr.
Winelight
“Just the Two of Us”
While I was walking through the vinyl section of the library, I ran into a major throwback: the record featuring “Just the Two of Us.” It’s one of those songs that can totally lock you in or give you just the right amount of motivation at the beginning of the semester. Just you, the music, and your assignment lining up perfectly and locking in. That said, it’s way too early in the semester to be stressing about procrastination and deadlines when it’s literally only week one.
I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but with 2026 feeling like the new 2016, nostalgia is definitely in the air. Naturally, I had to bring this jazzy vinyl back into rotation.
For a little background: “Just the Two of Us” was released (as a single) in 1981 by Grover Washington Jr., featuring Bill Withers, and it’s one of those rare songs that blends jazz, soul, and R&B so smoothly that it never really goes out of style. AND it won a Grammy Award! In addition, this record has been sampled and referenced countless times since, which probably explains why it still feels so familiar even decades later.
This vinyl is perfect whether you’re listening in a library study room, vibing with your AirPods on (yes, you can do that in this library, kind of iconic if you ask me), or checking it out to play in your dorm and fully romanticize your evening. It’s low-key, timeless, and the kind of sound that makes studying, just existing, or feeling a little cooler.
