"Only Us" is a song from Act 2 of the 2015 musical Dear Evan Hansen, which first performed on Broadway in 2016. Benj Pasek and Justin Paul composed both the music and lyrics for the song.
Synopsis
Zoe Murphy visits the home of the main character, Evan Hansen, after Evan helped her family deal with the death of Zoe's brother, Connor. During their conversation, Zoe tells Evan that she accepts him even though he has challenges. The two start a relationship, but this relationship is based on Evan's false claim that he was "friends" with Connor.
2021 film version
The song "Only Us" was part of Universal Pictures' 2021 movie version of the musical. Ben Platt performed the song again in the movie, playing the same character he portrayed on stage. Kaitlyn Dever sang the song as Zoe Murphy. The film premiered at the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival on September 9, 2021, and was released in theaters on September 24, 2021. Stephen Chbosky directed the film, based on a screenplay by Levenson. Levenson also worked as an executive producer with Michael Bederman, Pasek & Paul, and Stacey Mindich, who is the show's lead producer. Ben Platt's father, Marc Platt, and Adam Siegel were also producers.
In the film, the scene is shown the same way as in the original musical. During the final chorus, scenes from the future are mixed into the moment, showing Evan and Zoe's relationship growing, such as going to prom and visiting an amusement park.
The version of the song was released as an exclusive download from the movie's soundtrack album on September 3, 2021. This date also marked the album's official release.
Carrie Underwood and Dan + Shay version
Carrie Underwood and Dan + Shay recorded a version of the song for the soundtrack album of the 2021 film. This version was made available as an exclusive download on September 3, 2021. A music video showing Underwood and Dan + Shay recording the song in the studio, along with scenes of Platt and Dever playing Evan and Zoe in the film, was released on September 24, 2021.
Cover versions
- In 2017, Evelyne and Peter Hollens recorded a version of the song and released it as a single.
- In 2018, Rob Fowler and Sharon Sexton, who performed in Bat Out of Hell: The Musical, recorded a version of the song for their album Vision of You.
- In February 2019, Ben Levi Ross and Taylor Trensch, who took on the role of Evan Hansen in the Broadway production, released a special version of the song to celebrate Valentine's Day.
- On April 17, 2020, Bella Ramsey and Jacob Fowler recorded a version of the song.
- In 2021, Samantha Barks and Ramin Karimloo recorded a version of the song for Samantha Barks’ album Into the Unknown.
- In 2021, the group Finding Us recorded a version of the song and released it as a single.