You know that feeling when a song just hits you right in the chest? Not because of some fancy beat or a viral TikTok dance, but because the person singing it sounds like they’re actually laying their entire soul on the line? That’s exactly what happens with jennifer hudson songs giving myself.
Released back in 2008 as part of her self-titled debut album, this track wasn’t just another R&B ballad. It was a moment. Honestly, it still is. While everyone else was chasing the high-energy "Spotlight" or the club vibes of "Pocketbook," "Giving Myself" was the quiet giant in the room. It’s the kind of song that makes you stop what you’re doing and just listen.
The Robin Thicke Connection You Might Not Know
Here’s a fun piece of trivia: this song was actually written and produced by Robin Thicke.
Yeah, that Robin Thicke. Before he was "Blurred Lines" famous, he was a prolific songwriter for the heavy hitters. He brought in his frequent collaborator Pro Jay to help out with the production. Thicke even did the background vocals. It’s funny because you can kind of hear his DNA in the melody—it’s got that old-school, blue-eyed soul vibe—but the second Jennifer opens her mouth, it becomes hers entirely.
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She "Jennifer Hudson-ed" it. That’s how Thicke described the recording process. He basically sat her down, sang her the demo, and she just took it to a different stratosphere.
Why This Song Felt So Raw
The timing of this track is pretty heavy if you think about it. Her debut album dropped in September 2008. Just a month later, her life was turned upside down by an unimaginable family tragedy. When "Giving Myself" was eventually pushed as the third and final single in June 2009, the lyrics took on a whole new weight.
"I never been who I wanted to be... I never felt completely free... No one's ever had all of me."
When she sings about finally being able to let someone "all the way inside," it feels earned. It’s a pop-soul ballad, sure, but it’s also a declaration of vulnerability. Critics at the time were a bit mixed—Digital Spy called it "sappy," which, honestly, seems a bit harsh—but others, like The Washington Post, saw it for what it was: a "devotional soul showcase."
Technical Brilliance Without the Gimmicks
Let’s talk about the actual sound. There’s no heavy synth. No "guest rapper" verse inserted to boost radio play.
- The Piano: It’s the anchor. It gives her room to breathe.
- The Organ: Larry Cox’s organ work adds that gospel-adjacent warmth.
- The Vocals: This is where she shows why she’s an EGOT winner.
She doesn't just belt. Anyone can belt. She builds. It starts in this soft, almost whispered place and grows until she’s practically begging the listener to feel her sincerity.
The Chart Performance (and why it didn't matter)
If we’re looking at the numbers, "Giving Myself" didn’t set the world on fire like "Spotlight." It peaked at number 84 on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
But here’s the thing about jennifer hudson songs giving myself: chart positions are a terrible way to measure impact for an artist like Hudson. This song became a staple for weddings. It became a go-to for American Idol hopefuls who wanted to prove they had "the range." It’s a legacy song.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Lyrics
A lot of people think this is just a standard "I love you" song. But if you look at the bridge, it’s about self-identity.
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"Finally I can be me... I can just let my love spill over."
It’s about the relief of no longer having to perform or hide. For an artist who came into the public eye through a high-pressure reality show like American Idol, where you're constantly judged on a weekly basis, that sentiment carries a lot of weight. She’s not just giving herself to a partner; she’s giving her authentic self to the world.
Why We’re Still Talking About It in 2026
Even now, years after its release, the song pops up in my "Throwback R&B" playlists and it doesn't feel dated. That’s the magic of using real instruments. Tony Reyes’ guitar and the live drums give it a timeless quality that some of the more "produced" tracks from that era lack.
Hudson’s voice is a superpower. She’s mentioned in interviews that her voice is the one thing that is "solely only mine." When you listen to "Giving Myself," you’re hearing that identity in its purest form.
How to Truly Appreciate This Track
If you want to experience this song the right way, don't just put it on as background noise while you're doing dishes.
- Find the Live Version: Search for her Walmart Soundcheck performance. Seeing her physical presence while she hits those notes adds a whole other layer.
- Listen for the Nuance: Pay attention to the first 60 seconds. Everyone knows she can scream, but the control she shows in the beginning is actually the more impressive part.
- Check the Credits: Look up the other tracks Robin Thicke wrote for her. Their creative chemistry was actually a big part of why that first album felt so cohesive.
If you haven't revisited this one in a while, go give it a spin. It’s a masterclass in how to do a ballad without losing your edge.
Next Steps:
If you're building a "Power Ballad" playlist, try pairing "Giving Myself" with Fantasia's "When I See U" or Jazmine Sullivan's "Lions, Tigers & Bears." These women all released incredible work around the same era, and hearing them back-to-back shows just how high the bar was for R&B in the late 2000s.