Us (James Bay song)

"Us"
duet version with Alicia Keys
Single by James Bay solo or with Alicia Keys
from the album Electric Light
Released 30 March 2018 (2018-03-30)
Format Digital download, streaming
Length 3:01
Label Republic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
James Bay singles chronology
"Pink Lemonade"
(2018)		 "Us"
(2018)		 "Just for Tonight"
(2018)
Alicia Keys singles chronology
"Blended Family (What You Do for Love)"
(2016) Blended Family (What You Do for Love)2016		 "Us"
(2018) Us2018

"Us" is a song recorded by English singer-songwriter James Bay, from his second studio album, Electric Light (2018). The song was released by Republic Records on 30 March 2018 as the third single off the album.

Bay told Entertainment Weekly “I’ve been lucky enough to meet people all over the world and witness the phenomenal strength of crowds. I wrote this song to explore unity and inclusion. Looking through the lens of my own personal relationships, this song turned out to be a particularly important moment on the album for me.”[1]

The song was re-released as a duet with Alicia Keys on 22 May 2018.[2]

Music video

The official music video to accompany the release of "Us" was directed by Bryan Schlam and first released on YouTube on 18 April 2018, through James Bay's official YouTube account.[3]

Throughout the clip, Bay plays piano in an empty room. The visuals cycle through intimate shots of ordinary life: one person stares into a bathroom mirror, another reclines in the grass next to sprinklers, eats at a diner, daydreams in church. The video ends with the diverse cast united for the camera, emphasizing the title "Us" with the words "he", "you", "them", "him" and "her" crossed out.[4]

Reception

Ruth Kiane from Entertainment Weekly said "The guitar-led track is more mellow than up-tempo second single "Pink Lemonade" and electro-inspired album lead "Wild Love" its smooth lyrics and sultry notes fit well into the singer’s oeuvre. “I believe in something, I believe in us,” sings Bay, which is reminiscent of his work on his debut Chaos and the Calm. [1]

Track listing

Album version
No.TitleLength
1."Us" (album version)3:01
Acoustic[5]
No.TitleLength
1."Us" (acoustic)3:01
Duet[6]
No.TitleLength
1."Us" (with Alicia Keys)3:07

Charts

Chart (2018) Peak
position
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[7] 26

Release history

Country Date Format Version Label Ref.
Various 30 March 2018 Digital download, streaming album version Republic [1]
Various 27 April 2018 Digital download, streaming acoustic Republic [5]
Various 22 May 2018 Digital download, streaming duet with Alicia Keys Republic [6]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Kinane, Ruth (29 March 2018). "James Bay performs acoustic version of 'Us' before its release". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  2. ↑ "Us – Single by James Bay & Alicia Keys on iTunes". iTunes Store (US). Retrieved 17 June 2018.
  3. ↑ "James Bay - Us". 18 April 2018. Retrieved 5 July 2018 – via YouTube.
  4. ↑ "James Bay Reflects on Power of Personal Connection in New 'Us' Video". Rolling Stone. 18 April 2018. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  5. 1 2 "James Bay Us (acoustic)". iTunes Store (Aus). Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  6. 1 2 "James Bay & Alicia Key Us". iTunes Store (Aus). Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  7. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – James Bay – Us" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
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