Us (James Bay song)

"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.

"Us"
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)

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]

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 "me", "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.[2]

Track listing
Digital download
No.TitleLength
1."Us" (album version)3:01
Digital download – acoustic version[5]
No.TitleLength
1."Us" (acoustic)3:01

Charts

Weekly charts
Chart (2018) Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[6] 4

Year-end charts
Chart (2019) Position
Portugal (AFP)[7] 781

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Portugal (AFP)[8] Gold 5,000
United Kingdom (BPI)[9] Silver 200,000

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 [5]

Duet with Alicia Keys
"Us"
Single by James Bay and Alicia Keys
Released22 May 2018 (2018-05-22)
Length3:07
LabelRepublic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • James Bay
  • Paul Epworth
  • Jon Green
Alicia Keys singles chronology
"Blended Family (What You Do for Love)"
(2016)		 "Us"
(2018)		 "Raise a Man"
(2019)

The song was re-released as a duet with Alicia Keys on 22 May 2018.[10][11][12][13]

Live performances

Track listing
Digital download – duet version[14]
No.TitleLength
1."Us" (with Alicia Keys)3:07

Charts
Chart (2018) Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratip Wallonia)[15] 4

Release history
Country Date Format Label Ref.
Various 22 May 2018
  • Digital download
  • streaming
 Republic [14]

References
  1. "James Bay - Us Lyrics". Genius.
  2. Kinane, Ruth (29 March 2018). "James Bay performs acoustic version of 'Us' before its release". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 5 July 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. "James Bay Us (acoustic)". iTunes Store (Aus). Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  6. "Ultratop.be – James Bay – Us" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  7. "Top AFP - Audiogest - Top 3000 Singles + EPs Digitais" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  8. "Portuguese single certifications – James Bay – Us" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  9. "British single certifications – James Bay – Us". British Phonographic Industry. Select singles in the Format field. Select Silver in the Certification field. Type Us in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  10. "Us – Single by James Bay & Alicia Keys on iTunes". iTunes Store (US). Retrieved 17 June 2018.
  11. https://meaww.com/alicia-keys-james-bay-the-voice-finale-surprise-performance
  12. Reed, Ryan (May 23, 2018). "'The Voice': See Alicia Keys Surprise James Bay With 'Us' Duet During Finale". Rolling Stone.
  13. Enos, Morgan (May 23, 2018). "James Bay and Alicia Keys Release 'Us' After Teaming Up For 'Voice' Performance: Listen". Billboard.
  14. "James Bay & Alicia Key Us". iTunes Store (Aus). Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  15. "Ultratop.be – James Bay & Alicia Keys – Us" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
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