ICU

Album: What I Didn't Tell You (2022)
Charted: 62
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • American actress and singer-songwriter Coco Jones first gained national attention when she appeared as a contestant on the Disney Channel's singing competition Next Big Thing in 2010. She went on to sign a recording contract with Hollywood Records.

    Jones broke through as an actress in the Disney Channel film Let It Shine in 2012, in which she played the lead role of Roxie. She also contributed several songs to the film's soundtrack, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top Soundtracks chart.

    Since then, Jones has continued to pursue both acting and music. She has appeared in a number of television shows and movies, including the Disney series So Random! and Good Luck Charlie, and the Peacock series Bel-Air, a re-imagination of the 1990-96 sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

    Jones signed with Def Jam in March 2022. "ICU" is the second single from her major-label debut EP, What I Didn't Tell You, released in November 2022.
  • Jones released the ballad on October 21, 2022. It became her first entry on the Hot 100 when it debuted at #88 on the April 1, 2023-dated chart. TikTok contributed to the song's success.
  • Jones sings about a lover who's marked her heart big time. She belts out lyrics about the struggle of being in or out of a relationship.

    Maybe I need you, I breathe you, turning my heart blue
    Maybe I need you, but I live you, I see you


    According to Jones, "ICU" is all about the push and pull of a relationship where things have changed. "We're growing in our careers and personal goals, but also growing apart at the same time," she explained.
  • "ICU" doesn't mean Intensive Care Unit in this case; it stands for "I See You." Jones thinks about her lover every waking hour whenever they separate.
  • During an Instagram Live chat with Hello Beautiful, Jones spilled the tea about the intimate track. "The song is about one of my longest relationships and how we kind of grew into things we wanted to be," she remarked. "Like I'm in my bag and he's in his bag. We're getting to these things, and now we don't see each other, and we don't trust each other as much. Our careers are going well, but it's deteriorating our relationship."
  • Jones' strong and passionate voice glides over DJ Camper's guitar-led beat that makes you sway side to side. Darhyl "DJ" Camper Jr. has also worked with the likes of Big Sean ("Fire"), Nicki Minaj ("Favorite") and Mary J. Blige ("Thick Of It").
  • Coco Jones nabbed Justin Timberlake for the song's remix. The "Can't Stop The Feeling!" star steps into the spotlight midway through the song, gliding over the smooth R&B production.
  • "ICU" won for Best R&B Performance at the Grammy Awards in 2024. Coco Jones was up for Best New Artist but lost to Victoria Monét.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Emilio Castillo from Tower of Power

Emilio Castillo from Tower of PowerSongwriter Interviews

Emilio talks about what it's like to write and perform with the Tower of Power horns, and why every struggling band should have a friend like Huey Lewis.

Brenda Russell

Brenda RussellSongwriter Interviews

Brenda talks about the inspiration that drove her to write hit songs like "Get Here" and "Piano in the Dark," and why a lack of formal music training can be a songwriter's best asset.

Song Cities

Song CitiesMusic Quiz

Nirvana, Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen are among those who wrote songs with cities that show up in this quiz.

Mark Arm of Mudhoney

Mark Arm of MudhoneySongwriter Interviews

When he was asked to write a song for the Singles soundtrack, Mark thought the Seattle grunge scene was already overblown, so that's what he wrote about.

Bill Medley of The Righteous Brothers

Bill Medley of The Righteous BrothersSongwriter Interviews

Medley looks back on "Unchained Melody" and "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" - his huge hits from the '60s that were later revived in movies.

Cy Curnin of The Fixx

Cy Curnin of The FixxSongwriter Interviews

The man who brought us "Red Skies" and "Saved By Zero" is now an organic farmer in France.