Us (James Bay song)

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"Us"
Duet single cover
Single by James Bay
from the album Electric Light
Released30 March 2018 (2018-03-30)
Genre
[1]
Length3:01
LabelRepublic
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) 		"Us"
(2018) 		"Raise a Man"
(2019)

"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.

Background and release

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."[2]

The song was re-released as a duet with Alicia Keys on 22 May 2018.[3][4][5][6]

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.[7]

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 "me", "you", "them", "him" and "her" crossed out.[8]

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.[2]

Live performances

  • The Voice (American season 14)[4][5]

Track listing

Digital download
No.TitleLength
1."Us" (album version)3:01
Digital download – acoustic version[9]
No.TitleLength
1."Us" (acoustic)3:01
Digital download – duet version[10]
No.TitleLength
1."Us" (with Alicia Keys)3:07

Charts

Chart (2018) Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[11]
Duet version 		4

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[12] Gold 45,000‡
Italy (FIMI)[13] Gold 35,000‡
Poland (ZPAV)[14] Gold 25,000‡
Portugal (AFP)[15] Gold 5,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[16] Gold 400,000‡
United States (RIAA)[17] Platinum 1,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Country Date Format Version Label Ref.
Various 30 March 2018
Original Republic [2]
27 April 2018 Acoustic [9]
Various 22 May 2018
  • Digital download
  • streaming
 Duet Republic [10]

References

  1. Genius
    .
  2. ^ a b c Kinane, Ruth (29 March 2018). "James Bay performs acoustic version of 'Us' before its release". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  3. ^ "Us – Single by James Bay & Alicia Keys on iTunes". iTunes Store (US). 22 May 2018. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
  4. ^ a b "Alicia Keys joins James Bay for surprise performance of 'Us' on the Voice finale".
  5. ^
    Rolling Stone
    .
  6. ^ Enos, Morgan (May 23, 2018). "James Bay and Alicia Keys Release 'Us' After Teaming Up For 'Voice' Performance: Listen". Billboard.
  7. ^ "James Bay - Us". 18 April 2018. Retrieved 5 July 2018 – via YouTube.
  8. ^ "James Bay Reflects on Power of Personal Connection in New 'Us' Video". Rolling Stone. 18 April 2018. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  9. ^ a b "James Bay Us (acoustic)". iTunes Store (Aus). 27 April 2018. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  10. ^ a b "James Bay & Alicia Key Us". iTunes Store (Aus). 22 May 2018. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  11. ^ "James Bay – Us" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  12. ^ "Danish single certifications – James Bay – Us". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
  13. ^ "Italian single certifications – James Bay – Us" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
  14. ^ "Wyróżnienia – Złote płyty CD - Archiwum - Przyznane w 2022 roku" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  15. ^ "Portuguese single certifications – James Bay – Us" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  16. ^ "British single certifications – James Bay – Us". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  17. ^ "American single certifications – James Bay – Us". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
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