Today we throw back to the week of May 4, 2013, the most recent year I’ll cover in Throwback Weekends (at least until we hit 2024). Next week I’ll loop back around to 1963.
Pink’s ‘Just Give Me a Reason’ was the third single from The Truth About Love, one of the best albums of that year. The song was initially planned as a solo performance, with Nate Ruess of the band fun. as a co-songwriter, but Pink felt the track would work better as a conversation between two performers.
Ruess was reluctant to sing on the track, citing an aversion to duets, but agreed to record a demo version. I’m not sure if that vocal was eventually used on the final track or if the process convinced Ruess to fully participate, but Pink says she “tricked him into doing it” and Ruess says its “hard to argue against her,” so it sounds like the man was gently coerced into his second #1 hit (the first being fun.’s ‘We Are Young’).
‘Just Give Me a Reason’ was Pink’s fourth #1 single, and her last to date. The song spent three weeks at #1 and ten weeks on the Hot 100.
Right from the start
You were a thief, you stole my heart
And I, your willing victim
I let you see the parts of me that weren’t all that pretty
And with every touch, you fixed them
[Pre-Chorus: P!nk]
Now you’ve been talking in your sleep
Oh, oh
Things you never say to me
Oh, oh
Tell me that you’ve had enough
Of our love, our love
[Chorus: P!nk]
Just give me a reason
Just a little bit’s enough
Just a second – we’re not broken, just bent
And we can learn to love again
It’s in the stars
It’s been written in the scars on our hearts
We’re not broken, just bent
And we can learn to love again
[Verse 2: Nate Ruess]
I’m sorry I don’t understand
Where all of this is coming from
I thought that we were fine
(Oh, we had everything)
Your head is running wild again
My dear, we still have everything
And it’s all in your mind
(Yeah, but this is happening)
[Pre-Chorus: Both]
You’ve been having real bad dreams
Oh, oh
You used to lie so close to me
Oh, oh
There’s nothing more than empty sheets
Between our love, our love
Oh, our love, our love, love
[Chorus: Both]
Just give me a reason
Just a little bit’s enough
Just a second – we’re not broken, just bent
And we can learn to love again
I’ve never stopped
You’re still written in the scars on my heart
You’re not broken, just bent
And we can learn to love again
[Bridge: Both]
Oh, tears ducts and rust
I’ll fix it for us
We’re collecting dust, but our love’s enough
You’re holding it in
You’re pouring a drink
No, nothing is as bad as it seems
We’ll come clean
[Chorus: Both]
Just give me a reason
Just a little bit’s enough
Just a second – we’re not broken, just bent
And we can learn to love again
It’s in the stars
It’s been written in the scars on our hearts
That we’re not broken, just bent
And we can learn to love again
[Chorus: Both]
Just give me a reason
Just a little bit’s enough
Just a second we’re not broken, just bent
And we can learn to love again
It’s in the stars
It’s still written in the scars on our hearts
That we’re not broken, just bent
And we can learn to love again
[Outro: P!nk]
Oh-oh, we can learn to love again
Oh-oh, can learn to love again
Oh-oh
That we’re not broken, just bent
And we can learn to love again
Meet Me In Montauk 
A great song and a wonderful cap to your first full rotation of the new random weekend theme!
Love Pink! Surprised she hasn’t had another #1 in the past decade as she continues to drop ear candy. Not to mention, nobody performs like her. 💗💗💗