"Us"
Single by Jennifer Lopez
ReleasedFebruary 2, 2018 (2018-02-02)
RecordedMarch 2017
Genre
Length3:13
LabelEpic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Poo Bear
  • Skrillex
Jennifer Lopez singles chronology
"Amor, Amor, Amor"
(2017) 		"Us"
(2018) 		"Se Acabó el Amor"
(2018)
Audio video
"Us" on YouTube

"Us" is a song by American singer Jennifer Lopez. It was written and produced by Poo Bear and Skrillex. The song was released digitally on February 2, 2018, by Epic Records. The song premiered at Calibash 2018, sung part in Spanish and part in English however the version released as a single is sung in English. Lopez performed the song live at DirecTV's pre-Super Bowl Super Saturday Night concert, and despite teasing a remix with Scottish DJ Calvin Harris, no remixes or further promotion took place. "Us" debuted at number five on the Finland Digital Songs chart and top-thirty on the Hot Canadian Digital Songs.

Background and composition

In March 2017, Lopez revealed through an Instagram post that she was in the studio with Skrillex and Poo Bear.[1] In the video, she could be heard singing along to the hook "could it be us?"[2] "Us" is Lopez's first English single since "Ain't Your Mama" (2016).[3] The dance-pop song was written and produced by Skrillex and Poo Bear. Describing its composition, David Klemow of the website Dancing Astronaut observed its use of "playful vocal chops in the melody and comfortable percussion rhythms."[4] Described as a "hopeful love song", it features lyrics about longing for more.[5] Lopez revealed that the song is inspired by her relationship with then-boyfriend Alex Rodriguez.[6] "Us" is characterized by a "pulsing beat", with its chorus being followed by a "synth-and-drum-driven breakdown".[5] It is performed in the key of G minor[7] with a tempo of 124 beats per minute.[8] The song was previewed during Lopez's set at Calibash 2018, where the first verse was sung in Spanish. She also teased a remix by Calvin Harris.[9] At the time of writing, the version of "Us" released for streaming and download is sung entirely in English and no further versions or remixes spawned.

Reception

Mike Nied of Idolator praised the song's "strong vocals and a fiery production" and compared it to her 2011 single, "On the Floor", calling it "another massive pop moment".[5] Billboard writer Kat Bein observed: "It sounds a lot like Skrillex and Poo Bear's previous work, using similar vocal pitch techniques to create counter melodies and a cartoonishly-joyous hook (...) This tune has the island warmth you need to get through the rest of winter."[1] Hugh McIntyre of Fuse described its production as "simultaneously odd and alluring", writing: "Unlike many of her other recent pop efforts, Lopez's vocals soar higher than the music, which is kept decidedly mid-tempo. Whether or not it ends up being one of her biggest hits, 'Us' perfectly defines the superstar's career, while still feeling incredibly fresh and forward-thinking. It's pop, it's dance, it's Latin-influenced...it's J.Lo!"[3]

Live performances

Lopez first performed the song during her set at Calibash 2018, which took place at the Staples Center. At the time, its title was not revealed.[9] On February 3, 2018, Lopez headlined DirecTV's pre-Super Bowl Super Saturday Night concert, where she gave her first televised performance of "Us".[10]

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[11]

Charts

Chart (2018) Peak
position
Canada (Hot Canadian Digital Songs)[12] 28
Finland Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[13] 5

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Us"
Region Date Format Label Ref.
United States February 2, 2018
Epic [14][11]

References

  1. ^ a b Bein, Kat (February 2, 2018). "Jennifer Lopez Drops Skrillex & Poo Bear-Produced New Single 'Us': Listen". Billboard. Eldridge Industries. Archived from the original on February 2, 2018. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
  2. ^ Bein, Kat (March 31, 2017). "J.Lo & Skrillex Tease a Collaboration Straight From the Studio: Watch". Billboard. Eldridge Industries. Archived from the original on April 8, 2018. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
  3. ^ a b McIntyre, Hugh (February 2, 2018). "Jennifer Lopez Returns To Dance-Pop With New English Single 'Us': Listen". Fuse. Archived from the original on January 7, 2020. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
  4. ^ Klemow, David (February 1, 2018). "Jennifer Lopez delivers 'Us' produced by Skrillex and Poo Bear". Dancing Astronaut. Archived from the original on February 5, 2018. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
  5. ^ a b c Nied, Mike (February 2, 2018). "Jennifer Lopez Takes It To The Dance Floor On Skrillex-Assisted "Us"". Idolator. Hive Media. Archived from the original on June 26, 2022. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
  6. ^ Taylor, Weatherby (February 4, 2018). "Jennifer Lopez Performs Live Debut of Skrillex Collab 'Us,' Tributes Prince at Dazzling Pre-Super Bowl Show". Billboard. Eldridge Industries. Archived from the original on February 4, 2018. Retrieved February 4, 2018.
  7. ^ "JENNIFER LOPEZ – Us Chords and Lyrics". ChordZone.org. Archived from the original on 2018-03-08. Retrieved 2018-03-07.
  8. ^ "Spot On Track – The Spotify Tracker". www.spotontrack.com. Archived from the original on 2020-01-07. Retrieved 2018-03-07.
  9. ^ a b Bein, Kat (January 23, 2018). "J. Lo Debuts Skrillex Collab, Promises Remix From Calvin Harris: Watch". Billboard. Eldridge Industries. Archived from the original on January 25, 2018. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
  10. ^ Blas, Lorena (February 4, 2018). "JLo gives a shout-out to A-Rod, covers Prince at pre-Super Bowl show". USA Today. Gannett Company. Archived from the original on February 4, 2018. Retrieved February 4, 2018.
  11. ^ a b "Try the TIDAL Web Player". Archived from the original on 2021-07-09. Retrieved 2022-06-26.
  12. ^ "Hot Canadian Digital Song Sales". Billboard. Archived from the original on 29 May 2018. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  13. ^ "Finland Digital Song Sales". Billboard.biz. Archived from the original on 2022-06-26. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
  14. ^ "Us". Amazon. Archived from the original on 2022-06-26. Retrieved 2022-06-26.
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