"Only Us" is a song from Act 2 of the 2015 musical Dear Evan Hansen, which premiered on Broadway in 2016. Benj Pasek and Justin Paul wrote both the music and lyrics to the song.[1]
"Only Us" | |
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Song by Laura Dreyfuss and Ben Platt | |
from the album Dear Evan Hansen: Original Broadway Cast Recording | |
Released | 2017 |
Genre | show tune |
Length | 3:49 |
Songwriter(s) | Pasek & Paul |
Music video | |
"Only Us" on YouTube |
Synopsis
editZoe Murphy visits the home of the main protagonist, Evan Hansen, after everything the latter had done to help her family in the wake of Zoe's brother, Connor's death. During their conversation, Zoe expresses her accepting Evan for who he is despite his difficulties and the two begin a relationship together, even though it's all being driven by Evan's lie that he was "friends" with Connor.[2]
2021 film version
edit"Only Us" | ||||
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Song by Kaitlyn Dever and Ben Platt | ||||
from the album Dear Evan Hansen: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack | ||||
Released | September 24, 2021 | |||
Recorded | 2020 | |||
Genre |
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Length | 3:59 | |||
Label | Interscope | |||
Songwriter(s) | Pasek & Paul | |||
Producer(s) |
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Ben Platt singles chronology | ||||
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Audio | ||||
"Only Us" (2021 film version) on YouTube |
"Only Us" was featured in Universal Pictures' 2021 film adaptation of the musical, starring Ben Platt, who reprised his performance in the title role and was sung by him and Kaitlyn Dever as Zoe Murphy. The film, which premiered at the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival on September 9, 2021,[3] followed by a theatrical release on September 24, 2021, is directed by Stephen Chbosky from a screenplay by Levenson, who also serves as an executive producer with Michael Bederman, Pasek & Paul and the show's lead producer Stacey Mindich. Ben's father Marc Platt and Adam Siegel serve as producers.[4]
In the film, the scene plays out the same. However, during the final chorus, there are flash forwards intercut into the scene, showing the growth of Evan and Zoe's relationship by going to prom and on a date to an amusement park.
This version of the song was made available as an exclusive download from the soundtrack album on September 3, 2021, alongside Carrie Underwood and Dan + Shay's version. The album was released on the same day as the film.[5]
Carrie Underwood and Dan + Shay version
edit"Only Us" | |
---|---|
Song by Carrie Underwood and Dan + Shay | |
from the album Dear Evan Hansen: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack | |
Released | September 24, 2021 |
Recorded | 2021 |
Genre |
|
Length | 3:45 |
Label | Interscope |
Songwriter(s) | Pasek & Paul |
Producer(s) | Dan Smyers |
Music video | |
"Only Us" (Carrie Underwood/Dan + Shay version) on YouTube |
Carrie Underwood and Dan + Shay also recorded a cover of the song for the soundtrack album of the 2021 film version. It was released as an exclusive download on September 3, 2021. A music video of their version, showing Underwood and Dan + Shay recording the song in the studio, intercut with footage of Platt and Dever as Evan and Zoe in the film, was released on September 24, 2021.[6]
Cover versions
edit- In 2017, Evelyne and Peter Hollens released a cover of the song as a single.[7]
- In 2018, Bat Out of Hell: The Musical stars Rob Fowler and Sharon Sexton recorded a cover of the song for their album Vision of You.[8]
- Ben Levi Ross and Taylor Trensch, both of whom took over the role of Evan Hansen on stage in the Broadway production, released a special "same-sex" cover of the song on February 14, 2019, in honor of Valentine's Day.[9]
- In April 17, 2020, Bella Ramsey and Jacob Fowler released a cover of the song.[10]
- In 2021, Samantha Barks and Ramin Karimloo recorded a cover of the song for the former's album Into the Unknown.[11]
- In 2021, Finding Us recorded a cover of the song and released it as a single.[12]
References
edit- ^ Donelson, Marcy. "Dear Evan Hansen [Original Broadway Cast Recording]". AllMusic.
- ^ Only Us - Laura Dreyfuss, Ben Platt | Song Info | AllMusic, retrieved 2020-04-24
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (July 20, 2021). "Toronto Festival Unveils 'Dear Evan Hansen' As Opening-Night Premiere, Zhang Yimou's 'One Second' As Closer; Check Out First Slated Films". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
- ^ Desk, BBW News (May 18, 2021). "Photos: Check out the New Poster for the DEAR EVAN HANSEN Movie". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
- ^ "Dear Evan Hansen (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by Ben Platt, SZA, Sam Smith & Benj Pasek & Justin Paul". 24 September 2021.
- ^ Freeman, Jon (September 3, 2021). "Carrie Underwood, Dan + Shay Take on 'Dear Evan Hansen' Song 'Only Us'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
- ^ Gans, Andrew (December 1, 2017). "Watch Home for the Holidays Stars Cover Dear Evan Hansen's 'Only Us'". Playbill. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
- ^ "Vision of You by Sharon Sexton & Rob Fowler". December 5, 2018.
- ^ Feinberg, Ruthie (February 14, 2019). "Watch a Special Rendition of Dear Evan Hansen's 'Only Us' From Ben Levi Ross and Taylor Trensch". Playbill. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
- ^ "Only Us - Bella Ramsey & Jacob Fowler (From Dear Evan Hansen)". YouTube.
- ^ Wood, Alex (October 1, 2021). "Musical theatre record label launches with new Samantha Barks album and more". WhatsOnStage. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
- ^ "Only Us by Finding Us & Chad Graham". October 15, 2021.