Us (Gracie Abrams song)

"Us" (stylized as "us.") is a song by the American singer-songwriter Gracie Abrams from her second studio album, The Secret of Us (2024). The track features the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, who wrote it with Abrams and Aaron Dessner and handled the production with the two and Jack Antonoff.

Background
"Us" marks the first collaboration between Gracie Abrams and Taylor Swift. The collaboration originated during Abrams' time as an opening act for Swift on the North American leg of her Eras Tour in 2023. On June 23, 2024, when the tour was on its third night at Wembley Stadium, London (UK), Abrams joined Swift onstage for the first live performance of the song. Part of the show's acoustic surprise song set, the performance featured Abrams on piano and Swift on guitar. Abrams has frequently cited Swift as a major influence on her music. The experience of touring with Swift significantly influenced Abrams' writing process for her new album.

The song was co-written and produced with longtime collaborators Aaron Dessner and Jack Antonoff. Additional contributions to the track include Rob Moose, Laura Sisk, James McAlister, and Jonathan Low. During the writing session for "Us," a candle accidentally started a fire in Swift's apartment, which the two extinguished together. The incident was captured in a video shared by Abrams. The track was ultimately recorded at Dessner's Long Pond Studios in Hudson Valley, New York.

Composition
"Us" is a song that features introspective lyrics and a mellow, acoustic-driven production. The song explores themes of love, heartbreak, and personal growth. The lyrics are reflective, addressing the complexities of a past relationship and the lingering feelings of loss and yearning. Musically, the track features a mix of fingerpicked guitar, subtle strings, and a gentle piano, elements characteristic of Aaron Dessner's production style. Dessner played multiple instruments on the track, including acoustic guitar, electric guitar, mandolin, piano, synthesizer, drum programming, and mellotron. Jack Antonoff contributed with cello, drums, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, percussion, synthesizer, and programming. Rob Moose added layers of richness with his performances on viola and violin.

Critical reception
Upon release, "Us" received positive reviews from music critics. Rolling Stone described the track as a standout on the album, noting its "emotional resonance and beautifully crafted melodies".

Billboard described the track as "an anthemic folk number, with a polished pop production." Nylon noted that their voices "reflect on past relationships and question if their exes miss the connection as much as they do."

Critics also highlighted the production work of Dessner and Antonoff as key elements that enhance the song's emotional impact. The New York Times commended the song's lyrical depth, noting how the reflective and introspective lyrics resonate with listeners.

In a review from Variety, the publication described the song as a "lush and introspective ballad" that effectively combines the strengths of both artists. Billboard noted that the song's polished production and harmonious vocals make it a standout track on Abrams' album.

Commercial performance
Upon its release, "Us" quickly gained attention on streaming platforms, becoming the best-performing song from The Secret of Us on Spotify within a day of its release. The song's success was also noted in an article by Forbes, which emphasized its immediate impact on the charts and its significant streaming numbers.

Personnel

 * Gracie Abrams – vocals, piano, songwriter, producer
 * Taylor Swift – vocals, songwriter, producer
 * Aaron Dessner – producer, songwriter, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, mandolin, piano, synthesizer, drum programming, Mellotron
 * Jack Antonoff – producer, cello, drums, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, percussion, programmer, synthesizer, Mellotron
 * Rob Moose – viola, violin, recording engineer
 * James McAlister – drum programming, sound effects, programming, recording engineer
 * Laura Sisk – recording engineer
 * Jonathan Low– recording engineer
 * Bella Blasko – recording engineer
 * Oli Jacobs – additional engineer
 * Jack Manning – additional engineer
 * Serban Ghenea – mixing
 * Bryce Bordone – mix engineer
 * Randy Merrill – mastering engineer