Us

"Us" by James Bay is a profound exploration of unity, hope, and the strength found in human connection amidst personal and societal turmoil. Bay himself stated, "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 lyrics convey a feeling of being lost and overwhelmed by the world ('Sometimes I'm beaten, sometimes I'm broken'), seeking guidance on how to navigate life without being consumed by its pain. The central message is a powerful declaration of faith in the resilience of a relationship, whether it be a romantic partner or a broader sense of community, as a source of strength and guidance. The recurring plea, "Tell me how to be in this world," is answered by the steadfast chorus, "I believe in something, I believe in us." This juxtaposition highlights the song's core theme: that while the world may be confusing and hurtful, the bond between people provides the necessary hope and direction to persevere. The song extends beyond a personal relationship to a more universal message about sticking together, inspired by Bay's experience with the collective strength of his audiences while touring.

The narrative begins with an admission of vulnerability and defeat. The singer feels beaten down and broken, perceiving his surroundings, specifically the city, as ephemeral and insubstantial, like smoke. This sense of disillusionment leads to a desperate search for answers or a hidden 'code' to make things better, as hope begins to fade. He questions how to exist in a world fraught with challenges and how to breathe without feeling the pain that seems inherent to life. This questioning is immediately followed by a powerful declaration of faith, not in a grand concept, but in the intimate and personal connection of 'us'.

The song then shifts to a scene of aftermath, referencing 'wreckage' and 'dust'. Despite the chaos, the noise of riots, and the pervasive worry, a singular voice cuts through—the voice of his partner. This voice provides guidance, a lifeline in a turbulent world, teaching him how to navigate his existence and how to endure. The chorus repeats the central theme: a plea for instruction on how to live and feel without hurt, anchored by the unwavering belief in the strength of their relationship. This belief is a light in the darkness, a promise that even when all other lights go out, they will find a way through together.

A nostalgic verse transports the listener to a simpler time of youth. It paints a picture of being kids who lived for simple joys ('just for kicks'), learning about love and intimacy in innocent settings like cinema seats. They ran through 'painted gold' streets, a metaphor for a time when life felt full of promise and they never imagined the complexities and hardships of growing up. This memory serves as a stark contrast to the present struggles, reinforcing the question of how to be in this changed world. The song concludes by doubling down on its core message, a powerful and repeated affirmation of belief in 'something' and, most importantly, in 'us', making it a resolute anthem of unity and hope against adversity.

"Us" was released on March 30, 2018, as the third single from James Bay's second studio album, Electric Light. The song was co-written and co-produced by James Bay and his longtime collaborator, Jon Green. Final production elements were added by Paul Epworth, known for his work with artists like Adele and Florence + The Machine. The track was composed at Baltic Studios in East London. Bay has explained that the inspiration for the song came from his experiences on tour, where he witnessed the "phenomenal strength of crowds" and wanted to explore themes of unity and inclusion. He elaborated that while looking at his personal relationships, the song became a very important piece of the album. In a TikTok video, Bay mentioned the song's creation was unusually fast, stating it "just sort of arrived" and was written with Jon Green in about 20 minutes. The song quickly became a fan favorite during live performances before its official release. A notable duet version with Alicia Keys was released on May 22, 2018, after they performed it together on the finale of *The Voice*.

The song's structure alternates between verses with a more conversational, free-flowing rhythm and a powerful, rhythmically defined chorus. The rhyme scheme is generally simple and effective, often using couplets (AABB) or near rhymes to maintain a natural, narrative feel, such as "beaten" and "secret" or "broken" and "smoke". The verses are delivered with a lyrical rhythm that feels reflective and questioning, mirroring the lyrical content. In contrast, the chorus employs a strong, steady tempo, emphasized by heavy drums and clapping, creating an anthemic and unifying feel. The line "I believe in something, I believe in us" is rhythmically straightforward and impactful, making it a memorable hook. This interplay between the rhythm of the verses and the chorus creates a dynamic emotional journey, moving from a feeling of uncertainty and vulnerability to one of strength and collective hope. The pacing builds throughout the song, culminating in a powerful climax that reinforces the song's uplifting message.

Musically, "Us" is a dynamic track that builds from a mellow, guitar-led verse into a powerful, anthemic chorus. Bay's vocal delivery is a key stylistic element, shifting from a tender, almost vulnerable croon in the verses to a full-throated, powerful, and raspy belt in the chorus, effectively conveying a wide emotional range from desperation to conviction. The production blends pop-rock and indie sensibilities, featuring a prominent piano melody, heavy drums, and handclaps that add weight and a communal, gospel-like feel to the chorus. The arrangement strategically swells, adding layers of instrumentation to heighten the emotional impact of the chorus, creating a sound that is both intimate and stadium-sized. Lyrically, the song employs direct address and rhetorical questions ("Is there a secret? Is there a code?") to create a sense of raw intimacy and earnest searching. This is contrasted with the declarative and affirming statements of the chorus ("I believe in us"), which act as a powerful resolution to the verses' uncertainty.

"Us" served as a key single from James Bay's second album, Electric Light, showcasing a continued evolution of his sound. While perhaps not reaching the same chart heights as his debut singles, the song resonated strongly with fans and became a favorite at his live shows. Its cultural impact was significantly boosted by a duet version with R&B superstar Alicia Keys, which they performed together on the season finale of the popular TV show *The Voice* in May 2018. This high-profile performance introduced the song to a massive television audience and highlighted its message of unity. The song has also been featured in several TV shows, including *After*, *Life Sentence*, and *All American*, embedding it within various cultural narratives. The official music video, directed by Bryan Schlam, further emphasized the song's theme of inclusion by featuring a diverse cast of people, reinforcing the message that strength comes from togetherness.

The lyrics of "Us" are rich with metaphors that illustrate the song's themes of struggle and hope.

• Smoke and Wreckage: The line "sometimes this city is nothing but smoke" symbolizes a sense of disillusionment, impermanence, and confusion in the modern world. Later, the imagery of "wreckage" and "dust" suggests the aftermath of a significant struggle or emotional turmoil, a landscape of chaos from which the singer seeks escape.
• A Guiding Voice: Amidst the metaphorical "riots" and "noise," the singular, clear voice of a loved one represents a beacon of hope, clarity, and guidance. It's the anchor that keeps the narrator grounded in a turbulent environment.
• Light and Dark: The classic symbolism of light and dark is used to represent hope and despair. The line, "Tell me when the light goes out, that even in the dark we will find a way out," is a direct plea for reassurance that their bond can overcome the darkest of times, reinforcing the song's central message of hope.
• Streets Painted Gold: The reminiscence of youth includes "running through streets that were painted gold," a metaphor for a past filled with innocence, promise, and a perception of endless opportunity, contrasting sharply with the present's harsh realities.

The most significant recurring motif in "Us" is the lyrical phrase "I believe in something, I believe in us." This line serves as the song's central thesis and emotional anchor. Its repetition in the chorus transforms it from a personal declaration into a powerful, universal anthem of hope and unity. Each time it appears, it acts as the answer to the questions and desperation expressed in the verses. Another recurring lyrical idea is the plea for guidance: "Tell me how to be in this world / Tell me how to breathe in and feel no hurt." This recurring question highlights the narrator's vulnerability and deep reliance on the connection of 'us' for strength and navigation through life's hardships. The imagery of overcoming noise and chaos—"Over the riots, above all the noise"—also recurs, reinforcing the idea that this specific human connection provides a sanctuary and a clear signal through the static of a difficult world. The music video visually reinforces this theme by ending with the words "me," "you," "them," "him," and "her" crossed out, leaving only "Us" intact.