Only Us (Dear Evan Hansen song)

"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"
Song by Laura Dreyfuss and Ben Platt
from the album Dear Evan Hansen: Original Broadway Cast Recording
Released2017
Genreshow tune
Length3:49
Songwriter(s)Pasek & Paul
Music video
"Only Us" on YouTube

Synopsis

edit

Zoe 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"
 
Song by Kaitlyn Dever and Ben Platt
from the album Dear Evan Hansen: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
ReleasedSeptember 24, 2021
Recorded2020
Genre
  • Musical
  • theatrical
  • pop
Length3:59
LabelInterscope
Songwriter(s)Pasek & Paul
Producer(s)
Ben Platt singles chronology
"You Will Be Found"
(2021)
"Only Us"
(2021)
"Sincerely, Me"
(2021)
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
ReleasedSeptember 24, 2021
Recorded2021
Genre
  • Musical
  • theatrical
  • pop
Length3:45
LabelInterscope
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

References

edit
  1. ^ Donelson, Marcy. "Dear Evan Hansen [Original Broadway Cast Recording]". AllMusic.
  2. ^ Only Us - Laura Dreyfuss, Ben Platt | Song Info | AllMusic, retrieved 2020-04-24
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ Desk, BBW News (May 18, 2021). "Photos: Check out the New Poster for the DEAR EVAN HANSEN Movie". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved May 21, 2021. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  5. ^ "Dear Evan Hansen (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by Ben Platt, SZA, Sam Smith & Benj Pasek & Justin Paul". 24 September 2021.
  6. ^ Freeman, Jon (September 3, 2021). "Carrie Underwood, Dan + Shay Take on 'Dear Evan Hansen' Song 'Only Us'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  7. ^ Gans, Andrew (December 1, 2017). "Watch Home for the Holidays Stars Cover Dear Evan Hansen's 'Only Us'". Playbill. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  8. ^ "Vision of You by Sharon Sexton & Rob Fowler". December 5, 2018.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ "Only Us - Bella Ramsey & Jacob Fowler (From Dear Evan Hansen)". YouTube.
  11. ^ Wood, Alex (October 1, 2021). "Musical theatre record label launches with new Samantha Barks album and more". WhatsOnStage. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  12. ^ "Only Us by Finding Us & Chad Graham". October 15, 2021.