Us (James Bay song) - Misplaced Pages

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2018 single by James Bay

"Us"

Duet single cover

Single by James Bay

from the album Electric Light

Released

30 March 2018 (2018-03-30)

Genre

Length

3:01

Label

Republic

Songwriter(s)

James Bay
Jonathan Green

Producer(s)

James Bay
Paul Epworth
Jon Green

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)

"Calma (Alicia Remix)"
(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."

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

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.

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.

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.

Live performances

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (May 2018)

The Voice (American season 14)

Track listing

Digital download
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Us" (album version)	3:01

Digital download – acoustic version
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Us" (acoustic)	3:01

Digital download – duet version
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Us" (with Alicia Keys)	3:07

Charts

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

Certifications


Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)	2× Platinum	80,000
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)	Gold	45,000
Italy (FIMI)	Gold	35,000
New Zealand (RMNZ)	Platinum	30,000
Poland (ZPAV)	Gold	25,000
Portugal (AFP)	Gold	5,000
Spain (PROMUSICAE)	Gold	30,000
United Kingdom (BPI)	Platinum	600,000
United States (RIAA)	Platinum	1,000,000
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Country	Date	Format	Version	Label
Various	30 March 2018	Digital download streaming	Original	Republic
Various	27 April 2018	Digital download streaming	Acoustic	Republic
Various	22 May 2018	Digital download streaming	Duet	Republic

References

"James Bay - Us Lyrics". Genius.
^ Kinane, Ruth (29 March 2018). "James Bay performs acoustic version of 'Us' before its release". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
"Us – Single by James Bay & Alicia Keys on iTunes". iTunes Store (US). 22 May 2018. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
^ "Alicia Keys joins James Bay for surprise performance of 'Us' on the Voice finale".
^ Reed, Ryan (May 23, 2018). "'The Voice': See Alicia Keys Surprise James Bay With 'Us' Duet During Finale". Rolling Stone.
Enos, Morgan (May 23, 2018). "James Bay and Alicia Keys Release 'Us' After Teaming Up For 'Voice' Performance: Listen". Billboard.
"James Bay - Us". 18 April 2018. Retrieved 5 July 2018 – via YouTube.
"James Bay Reflects on Power of Personal Connection in New 'Us' Video". Rolling Stone. 18 April 2018. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
^ "James Bay Us (acoustic)". iTunes Store (Aus). 27 April 2018. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
^ "James Bay & Alicia Key Us". iTunes Store (Aus). 22 May 2018. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
"James Bay – Us" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
"Brazilian single certifications – James Bay – Us" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
"Danish single certifications – James Bay – Us". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
"Italian single certifications – James Bay – Us" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
"New Zealand single certifications – James Bay – Us". Radioscope. Retrieved 21 December 2024. Type Us in the "Search:" field.
"Wyróżnienia – Złote płyty CD - Archiwum - Przyznane w 2022 roku" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
"Portuguese single certifications – James Bay – Us" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
"Spanish single certifications – James Bay – Us". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
"British single certifications – James Bay – Us". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
"American single certifications – James Bay – Us". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 23 February 2024.

v t e James Bay
Discography
Studio albums	Chaos and the Calm Electric Light Leap Changes All the Time
Extended plays	Oh My Messy Mind
Singles	"Let It Go" "Hold Back the River" "Scars" "If You Ever Want to Be in Love" "Best Fake Smile" "Running" "Wild Love" "Pink Lemonade" "Us" "Peer Pressure" "Bad"
Featured singles	"Chasing Stars"

v t e Alicia Keys songs
Discography
Songs in A Minor	"Girlfriend" "How Come You Don't Call Me" "Fallin'" "A Woman's Worth"
The Diary of Alicia Keys	"Karma" "If I Was Your Woman / Walk On By" "You Don't Know My Name" "If I Ain't Got You" "Diary"
Unplugged	"Unbreakable" "Every Little Bit Hurts" "Wild Horses" "Love It or Leave It Alone / Welcome to Jamrock"
As I Am	"Superwoman" "No One" "Like You'll Never See Me Again" "Teenage Love Affair"
The Element of Freedom	"Doesn't Mean Anything" "Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart" "Wait Til You See My Smile" "Un-Thinkable (I'm Ready)" "Put It in a Love Song" "Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down" "We're Almost There"
Girl on Fire	"Brand New Me" "New Day" "Girl on Fire" "Fire We Make" "Tears Always Win" "Not Even the King"
Here	"Blended Family (What You Do for Love)" "In Common"
Alicia	"Show Me Love" "Time Machine" "Underdog" "So Done" "Perfect Way to Die" "Good Job" "Love Looks Better" "A Beautiful Noise" "Wasted Energy"
Keys	"Lala" "Best of Me" "Trillions" "Come for Me"
Santa Baby	"December Back 2 June" "The Christmas Song"
As featured artist	"Brotha" "Calma" "Empire State of Mind" "Fireworks" "Gangsta Lovin'" "Ghetto Story" "I Will Pray (Pregherò)" "International Party" "Looking for Paradise" "New Day" "What's Going On"
Other songs	"28 Thousand Days" "America the Beautiful" "Another Way to Die" "Back to Life" "City of Gods" "Die Without You" "Don't Give Up (Africa)" "Finally" "Lifeline" "If This World Were Mine" "It's On Again" "Kaleidoscope" "Little Drummer Girl" "My Boo" "People Get Ready" "Rapture" "Someday We'll All Be Free" "Speechless" "Us" "Wake Me Up" "We Are Here" "We Gotta Pray"
Category

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