The tragic passing of Jarad Anthony Higgins, better known as Juice WRLD, in December 2019 sent shockwaves through the music industry and left millions of fans mourning the loss of a young talent taken too soon. However, despite his untimely departure, Juice WRLD’s influence continues to reverberate through the realm of hip-hop and beyond, with his music serving as a poignant reminder of his artistry and the indelible mark he left on the world.
It happens to be a strange feeling when a flat-out smash record simultaneously forces a smile on your face and tightens your throat with sadness. Juice WRLD and Marshmello’s “Come & Go” was released seven months after the painful demise of the rapper who was born ‘Jarad Higgins”.
The fiercely creative and motivated artist, who had already released three albums since bursting onto the scene in 2018, was freshly 21 and on the precipice of utter superstardom when he died at the end of 2019. If you don’t know the backstory and you aren’t paying attention to the lyrics, “Come & Go” seems like a dancefloor banger — thanks in large part to Marshmello, the highly sought-after electronic music producer and certified hitmaker.
The song starts ethereal and slow, but soon builds into an anthem. Hip-hop beats come in as the words speed up around the 40-second mark. Then, 13 seconds later, alt-pop guitar plays and hand claps guide the listener to the hyper percussion that precedes a drop made excellent by crunchy guitar and rave-ready bass. Sonically, it feels like leaving a dream state by being jolted awake. The song becomes suddenly loud, proud, and fun as hell. But if you let this line sink in — “I pray to God that he make me a better man / Maybe one day I’ma stand for somethin’ ” — tears are only narrowly avoidable. “Come & Go” is a blast, but it’s also a jarring reminder of greatness cut short.
“Come and go” was released on July 9, 2020, as the fourth single from Juice Wrld’s posthumous third studio album, Legends never die.
It debuted at number two on the Billboard hot 100, matching “Lucid Dreams” as his highest-charting song.
It is also the second song by Marshmellow to chart in the top 10 of the Hot 100, matching “Happier” (with Bastille) as his highest-charting song.
| Chart (2020–2021) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia | 4 |
| Australia Urban | 3 |
| Austria | 15 |
| Belgium | 47 |
| Belgium | 13 |
| Global 200 | 26 |
| Canada | 4 |
| Canada | 19 |
| Canada | 38 |
| Czech Republic | 12 |
| Denmark | 15 |
| Finland | 18 |
| France | 146 |
| Germany | 38 |
| Greece | 22 |
Juicewrld might be gone but his music continues to breathe. In the wake of Juice WRLD’s passing, “Come & Go” has taken on new meaning for fans and critics alike. It serves as a poignant reminder of the talent and potential that was lost with his untimely death, while also celebrating the enduring legacy he left behind. Through his music, Juice WRLD continues to inspire millions of listeners around the world, proving that his spirit lives on through the power of his art.
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