Music moves in cycles, but some songs just refuse to leave the rotation. If you’ve spent any time on TikTok or Instagram Reels lately, you’ve probably heard those soulful, gravelly opening notes. It’s a sound that feels like a warm blanket and a heartbreak all at once. We are talking about This Is Why I Love You Major—a track that didn't just climb the charts but basically set up permanent residence in the "wedding song" hall of fame.
Honestly, it’s rare for a song to stay this relevant for years.
Major Johnson Finley, known simply as MAJOR., dropped this back in 2016. He didn't just release a song; he released a manifesto for modern romance. But why does it still dominate our feeds today? It isn’t just about the melody. It’s about a specific type of vulnerability that feels almost extinct in the era of "situationships" and cynical dating apps. When MAJOR. sings, you believe him. That’s the secret sauce.
The Story Behind the Soul
Most people don’t know that MAJOR. didn't just write this to get a hit. He was mentored by the legendary Harmony Samuels, a producer who has worked with everyone from Ariana Grande to Jennifer Lopez. When they sat down to create what would become This Is Why I Love You Major, the goal wasn't a club banger. They wanted something timeless.
Samuels often talks about how the industry usually chases the "next big thing," but for this track, they went backward. They looked at the DNA of Stevie Wonder and Nat King Cole. You can hear it in the arrangement. It’s sparse. It doesn’t hide behind heavy 808s or aggressive synth layers. It’s just a piano, some strings, and a voice that sounds like it’s being pushed out of a chest that’s about to burst.
The lyrics are deceptively simple. "You're my morning star / Guidance through the dark." It’s classic songwriting. It works because it doesn't try to be clever; it tries to be honest. In a world of complex metaphors, saying "I love you because you're good to me" is actually a radical act.
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Why the Viral Resurrection Happened
Fast forward to 2024 and 2025. The song has seen a massive second life. This isn't an accident. Short-form video platforms like TikTok thrive on "high-emotion" audio. When someone posts a video of a soldier coming home or a surprise proposal at a rainy airport, they need a soundtrack that does the heavy lifting. This Is Why I Love You Major is the ultimate emotional shortcut.
It’s the "Uptown Funk" of ballads.
But there’s a deeper reason for the resurgence. We are living through a period of massive digital disconnection. People are lonely. Seeing a video of a couple who has been married for fifty years dancing to this song in a kitchen feels like an antidote. It’s aspirational. It’s the "Major effect"—turning a 15-second clip into a tear-jerker.
Comparing the R&B Landscape
If you look at what else was happening in R&B around 2016, you had a lot of "PBR&B"—that moody, dark, slightly toxic vibe popularized by artists like The Weeknd or Bryson Tiller. Those tracks were great for late-night drives, but they weren't exactly "play this at my grandmother's birthday" material.
MAJOR. took the opposite path.
- Vibe: While others went dark, he went light.
- Theme: While others sang about the "hoe phase," he sang about the "forever phase."
- Production: Acoustic-leaning rather than digital-heavy.
This contrast is why the song became a staple in the Black church, at graduation ceremonies, and, most notably, at celebrity weddings. When Patti LaBelle calls you the "son of soul," you’ve clearly tapped into something that transcends a simple Spotify algorithm.
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The Technical Brilliance of the Vocal
Let’s get technical for a second, though not too much. MAJOR.’s vocal performance on This Is Why I Love You Major is a masterclass in dynamic control. He starts in a near-whisper. His grit is intentional. As the song progresses, he moves into his head voice with a clarity that most pop singers would kill for.
It’s the bridge that usually gets people.
When the drums finally kick in and the orchestration swells, he hits those high notes not with a scream, but with a controlled "cry." In vocal pedagogy, this is often called "the sob." It’s a technique that triggers a literal empathetic response in the listener's brain. You don't just hear the song; you feel a physical vibration of sincerity.
Misconceptions About the Artist
A lot of casual listeners think MAJOR. is a one-hit wonder. That’s a mistake. While This Is Why I Love You Major is his "Purple Rain," his discography is deep. He’s a classically trained actor and a powerhouse performer who has toured globally. He’s also been a huge advocate for "Hope-Soul," a sub-genre he basically pioneered to distance his music from the more nihilistic trends in modern music.
He’s even appeared on shows like Star on Fox, proving his range.
Wait. Let's talk about the "remix" culture. There are hundreds of covers of this song. From Sunday Service choirs to bedroom pop stars, everyone tries to tackle it. Most fail. Why? Because they try to over-sing it. They add too many runs. They try to show off. The original works because MAJOR. stays out of the way of the message.
The Cultural Impact on Weddings
If you go to a wedding this year, there is a statistically high chance you will hear this song. It has replaced "At Last" by Etta James for a new generation.
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It fits the "First Dance" criteria perfectly:
- Slow enough to shuffle to if you can't dance.
- Fast enough that it doesn't feel like a funeral.
- Lyrically safe for both your 5-year-old flower girl and your 80-year-old deacon.
What We Can Learn from the "Major" Success
Success in the creative world is usually about timing, but in this case, it’s about timelessness. MAJOR. didn't use the slang of the day. He didn't reference specific technology. He didn't use trendy production tricks that would sound dated three years later.
By aiming for "timeless," he hit "forever."
There is a lesson here for creators in any field. If you build something based on the fundamental human experiences—love, gratitude, devotion—you don't have to worry about staying relevant. The world will come back to you when it gets tired of the noise.
The song reminds us that even in a digital world, we crave the analog. We want the piano. We want the shaky breath before the chorus. We want to know that someone, somewhere, actually feels this way about another person.
How to Experience the Song Properly
If you've only heard the 30-second clip on a reel, you're missing out. To truly get why This Is Why I Love You Major matters, you need the full experience.
- Listen to the live version: MAJOR. is one of those rare artists who actually sounds better live. His Tiny Desk-style performances show off the raw power of his tone.
- Watch the music video: It’s simple, elegant, and focuses entirely on the emotion.
- Read the lyrics away from the music: They read like a poem. It helps you appreciate the structure of the sentiment.
Next time you're feeling a bit jaded about the state of music or the state of the world, put this on. Turn it up. Let the bridge hit you. It’s a reminder that soul music isn't a genre; it's a frequency. And MAJOR. is tuned in perfectly.
If you are planning an event or just need to curate a playlist that doesn't feel disposable, start with this track. Then, look into the rest of his "Even More" album. You’ll find that the sincerity wasn't a fluke—it’s his brand. It’s why he remains a pillar of modern soul, even as the industry shifts around him.