Should've Been Us
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Should've Been Us
| cover = Should've Been Us (Official Single Cover) by Tori Kelly.png
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Tori Kelly
| album = Unbreakable Smile
| released = {{Start date|2015|06|02}}
| format =
| recorded = 2014
| studio =
| venue =
| length = 3:02
| label = Capitol
| writer = {{hlist|Tori Kelly|Ludvig Söderberg|Jakob Jerlström|Oscar Holter|Laleh Pourkarim|Alexander Kronlund|James Alan}}
| producer = {{hlist|The Struts|Oscar Holter}}
| prev_title = Nobody Love
| prev_year = 2015
| next_title = Hollow
| next_year = 2015
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|aE2drlA8vf8|"Should've Been Us"}} }}
}}
"Should've Been Us" is a song recorded by American singer and songwriter Tori Kelly for her debut studio album Unbreakable Smile (2015). The song was written by Kelly with Ludvig Söderberg, Jakob Jerlström, Oscar Holter, Laleh Pourkarim, Alexander Kronlund and James Alan, and produced by The Struts and Holter. "Should've Been Us" was firstly released as the second promotional single along with the album's pre-order on May 12, 2015,{{cite web|url=https://youtube.com/EA0ACPp1Ct4 |title=Tori Kelly - Debut Album Pre-Order & Tour|website=Google|accessdate=28 May 2020}} but later the song was sent to US mainstream radio as the second single from the album on June 2, 2015. A remix of the song featuring American singer Jeremih was released digitally in the United Kingdom on September 10, 2015, as Kelly's first single there.
"Should've Been Us" is a pop song with influences of urban music. Lyrically, the song talks about an unrequited relationship, where she laments the failed romance and what it could have been like with her former lover. The song received generally favorable reviews from music critics, who commended it for being infectious and relatable. The song peaked at number fifty-one on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Kelly's highest-charting single to date in the United States, while also being certified Platinum in the country. While promoting the song on a variety of television programs, as well as award shows, Kelly received high praise from critics, who positively highlighted her vocal performance, most notably at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards.
Background and release
"Should've Been Us" was released when pre-order of her debut album Unbreakable Smile became available on May 11, 2015.{{cite news|title=New Single "Should've Been Us" - Out Now!|url=http://www.torikellymusic.com/2015/05/12/new-single-shouldve-been-us-out-now/|accessdate=January 26, 2016|publisher=ToriKelly.com|date=May 12, 2015}}{{cite news|last1=Segovia|first1=Martha|title=LISTEN: Tori Kelly Releases Second Single from Upcoming Album 'Unbreakable Smile'|url=http://www.confrontmagazine.com/2015/05/listen-tori-kelly-releases-second-single-from-upcoming-album-unbreakable-smile/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150531100737/http://www.confrontmagazine.com/2015/05/listen-tori-kelly-releases-second-single-from-upcoming-album-unbreakable-smile/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=May 31, 2015|accessdate=January 26, 2016|publisher=Confront Magazine|date=May 12, 2015}} The official audio was uploaded on VEVO on the same day.{{cite web|title=Tori Kelly - Should've Been Us|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCIHqfDSOb8|website=YouTube.com|date=May 11, 2015|accessdate=June 21, 2015}} The lyric video for the song was also uploaded to YouTube and Vevo on May 25, 2015.{{cite web|title=Tori Kelly - Should've Been Us (Official Lyric Video)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwTI-Zc0mnM|publisher=YouTube.com|accessdate=21 June 2015}} It was officially sent to mainstream radio in the United States on June 2, 2015, as the second single from the album.{{cite web|url=http://axs.com/tori-kelly-to-headline-best-buy-theater-in-support-of-unbreakable-smil-54963 |title=Tori Kelly to headline Best Buy Theater in support of 'Unbreakable Smile'|last=Hudelson|first=Molly|publisher=AXS|date=May 23, 2015|accessdate=January 26, 2016}} For the British market, a remix of the song was commissioned, featuring American recording artist Jeremih.{{cite news|last1=Schwartz|first1=Danny|title=Tori Kelly - Should Have Been Us Feat. Jeremih [New Song]|url=http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/should-have-been-us-new-song.1966229.html|accessdate=January 26, 2016|publisher=HotNewHipHop|date=September 10, 2015}} It was released digitally on September 10, 2015, as the singer's debut single in the United Kingdom.
Composition and lyrics
The song was written by Tori Kelly, Ludvig Söderberg, Jakob Jerlström, Oscar Holter, Laleh Pourkarim, Alexander Kronlund and James Alan, with production being done by The Strut and Holter. According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by Kobalt Music Group, it was written in the key of F♯ minor, with a steady tempo of 88 beats per minute. Kelly's vocal range spans from the low note of F#3 to the high note of F#5.{{cite web|title=Tori Kelly "Should've Been Us" Sheet Music|url=http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0154804|publisher=MusicNotes.com|accessdate=January 26, 2016}} "Should've Been Us" is a pop and R&B song,{{cite magazine|last1=Floyd|first1=Marcus|title=Renowned for Sound | Album Review: Tori Kelly - Unbreakable Smile|url=http://renownedforsound.com/index.php/album-review-tori-kelly-unbreakable-smile/|accessdate=January 27, 2016|magazine=Renowned for Sound|date=June 28, 2015}}{{cite news|last1=Mak|first1=Melody|title=Album Review: Tori Kelly – Unbreakable Smile|url=http://www.fortitudemagazine.co.uk/music/pop/album-review-tori-kelly-unbreakable-smile/26576/|accessdate=January 27, 2016|publisher=Fortitude Magazine}} with a "jangly, echoing, urban-inspired backing mix."{{cite web|last1=Lamb|first1=Bill|title=Review of Tori Kelly - "Should've Been Us"|url=http://top40.about.com/od/2005archive/fl/Tori-Kelly-Shouldve-Been-Us.htm|publisher=About.com|accessdate=January 26, 2016|date=June 8, 2015|archive-date=September 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906194931/http://top40.about.com/od/2005archive/fl/Tori-Kelly-Shouldve-Been-Us.htm|url-status=dead}} Lyrically, the song tells "the story of the protagonist all dressed up downtown lamenting a failed relationship. She wonders what is happening with her lost love and fully admits she wishes that she could have her heart's desire back." "You got yours, I got mine, but I wonder where you are tonight,"{{cite news|last1=Wass|first1=Mike|title=Tori Kelly Sings About The One That Got Away In "Should've Been Us": Watch The Fiery Video|url=http://www.idolator.com/7597850/tori-kelly-shouldve-been-us-video|accessdate=January 26, 2016|work=Idolator|date=June 22, 2015}} she laments before "exploding" on the chorus, singing: "It should've been us/Shoulda been a fire/Shoulda been the perfect storm."{{cite news|last1=Donnelly|first1=Matthew Scott|title=Tori Kelly's 'Should've Been Us' Lyric Video Is A Foot Fetishist's Dream|url=http://popcrush.com/tori-kelly-shouldve-been-us-lyric-video/|accessdate=January 26, 2016|publisher=PopCrush|date=May 26, 2015}}
Critical reception
The song received generally favorable reviews from music critics. In his AllMusic review, Matt Collar picked the song as one of its highlights, calling it an "unrequited relationship anthem [that is] "universally relatable, utterly infectious song that you immediately want to hear again."{{cite web|last1=Collar|first1=Matt|title=Unbreakable Smile - Tori Kelly | AllMusic|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/unbreakable-smile-mw0002843933|website=AllMusic|accessdate=January 26, 2016}} Bill Lamb of About.com praised the song's "engaging slice of friendly pop fluff," as well as "Kelly's effortless vocals" and the "lyrics that invite singing along." He called it "a breezy pop confection that will sound fun on the radio all summer long," while adding that it "feels safe and calculated to appeal to the broadest possible audience while offending no one." Mike Wass of Idolator commented that "It's great to hear the rising diva finally getting material worthy of her voice." Matthew Scott Donnelly of PopCrush named it "sort of a 'This is How We Do' with an R&B twist, and might just serve as the perfect soundtrack to your latest bout of heartbreak." In agreement with Donnelly, Melody Mak of Fortitude Magazine called it "an expressive catchy break-up song that brings back '90s R&B vibes that is bound to have you singing along out loud."
Music video and live performances
A music video for the song was released on June 22, 2015, and it juxtaposes direct-to-camera emoting and clips of Kelly performing on her tour.{{cite web|title=Tori Kelly's 'Should've Been Us' Video Proves You Can Do a Lot with a Little|url=http://radio.com/2015/06/22/tori-kelly-shouldve-been-us-video/|website=Radio.com|date=June 22, 2015}}{{cite web|last1=Hiramine|first1=Brie|title=Tori Kelly Drops Utterly Fierce "Should've Been Us" Music Video|url=http://www.j-14.com/posts/tori-kelly-releases-should-ve-been-us-music-video-61600|website=J-14|date=June 24, 2015}} Matthew Scott Donnelly of PopCrush further explained the video's story, claiming: "[The video] finds Kelly touring through underpasses, exploring what appear to be abandoned airplane hangars and signing her name in paint-graffiti on a brick wall. And, in the event none of those successfully help her get over the pain of a relationship's end, she finds the support of an eager crowd that cheers her on through a performance of the tune."{{cite news|last1=Donnelly|first1=Matthew Scott|title=Tori Kelly's 'Should've Been Us' Finds The Singer Handling Heartbreak Well|url=http://popcrush.com/tori-kelly-shouldve-been-us/|accessdate=January 27, 2016|publisher=PopCrush|date=June 23, 2015}}
Kelly performed the song on a variety of television shows through the summer of 2015 including Good Morning America on June 22,{{cite web|title=Tori Kelly Performs "Should've Been Us" on GMA; Plus Official Music Video|url=http://singersroom.com/content/2015-06-22/Tori-Kelly-Performs-Shouldve-Been-Us-on-GMA/|website=Singers Room|date=June 22, 2015}} Live! with Kelly and Michael on June 29,{{cite web|last1=Miller|first1=Jordan|title=Tori Kelly Performs On Live With Kelly and Michael|url=http://www.breatheheavy.com/tori-kelly-performs-on-live-with-kelly-michael/|website=Breathe Heavy|date=June 29, 2015}} The View on July 9,{{cite web|last1=Wass|first1=Mike|title=Tori Kelly Performs "Should've Been Us" Live On 'The View'|url=http://www.idolator.com/7599879/tori-kelly-shouldve-been-us-the-view-video|website=Idolator|date=July 9, 2015}}{{cite web|last1=Cantor|first1=Brian|title=Tori Kelly Performs "Should've Been Us" on ABC's 'The View'|url=http://headlineplanet.com/home/2015/07/10/tori-kelly-performs-shouldve-been-us-on-abcs-the-view-watch/|website=Headline Planet|date=July 10, 2015}} and The Late Late Show with James Corden on August 12.{{cite web|title=Tori Kelly Performs 'Should've Been Us' on JAMES CORDEN|url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/VIDEO-Tori-Kelly-Performs-Shouldve-Been-Us-on-JAMES-CORDEN-20150812|website=Broadway World|date=August 12, 2015}}{{cite web|last1=Wass|first1=Mike|title=Tori Kelly Absolutely Nails "Should've Been Us" On 'The Late Late Show With James Corden'|url=http://www.idolator.com/7604073/tori-kelly-shouldve-been-us-late-late-show-james-corden|website=Idolator|date=August 12, 2015}} She also performed the song at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards on August 30, 2015, where she received rave reviews.{{Cite magazine|url = http://www.billboard.com/articles/events/vma/6678735/vmas-tori-kelly-shouldve-been-us-performance-video|title = MTV VMAs: Tori Kelly Performs Show-Stopping 'Should've Been Us'|last = Karsen|first = Shira|date = August 30, 2015|magazine = Billboard|access-date = December 19, 2015}} She also did an acoustic version of the song on the CBBC Official Chart Show in the United Kingdom on October 16, 2015.{{cite web|title=CBBC Official Chart Show - Tori Kelly - Exclusive Performance|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/music/chart-show-tori-kelly-performance|publisher=CBBC|accessdate=January 27, 2016}}
Track listing
{{Track listing
| headline = Digital download – Remix featuring Jeremih{{cite web|url = https://music.apple.com/gb/album/shouldve-been-us-feat-jeremih/1036834784|title = iTunes (UK) - Music - Tori Kelly - Should've Been Us (feat. Jeremih) - Single|access-date = December 22, 2015|date = September 10, 2015|work = iTunes (UK)}}
| title1 = Should've Been Us
| note1 = featuring Jeremih
| length1 = 3:06
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Digital EP – Remixes{{cite web|url = https://music.apple.com/gb/album/shouldve-been-us-remixes-ep/1445314172|title = iTunes (UK) - Music - Tori Kelly - Should've Been Us (Remixes) - EP|access-date = December 22, 2015|date = October 16, 2015|work = iTunes (UK)}}
| title1 = Should've Been Us
| note1 = Lost Kings Remix
| length1 = 3:13
| title2 = Should've Been Us
| note2 = DubVision Remix
| length2 = 4:26
| title3 = Should've Been Us
| note3 = Lincoln Jesser Remix
| length3 = 3:58
| title4 = Should've Been Us
| note4 = Panic City Remix
| length4 = 3:07
| title5 = Should've Been Us
| note5 = Aylen Remix
| length5 = 3:15
| total_length =
}}
Charts
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
| Chart (2015)
! Peak |
|---|
| scope="row"|Australia (ARIA){{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/Issue1321.pdf|archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20150721140100/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20150722-0001/Issue1321.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=2015-07-21|title=ARIA Report: Issue 1321 (Week Commencing 22 June 2015)|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association|accessdate=22 June 2015|page=4}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
| style="text-align:center;"|91 |
| {{singlechart|Canada|64|artist=Tori Kelly|song=Should've Been Us|rowheader=true}} |
| {{singlechart|Billboardcanadachrtop40|37|artist=Tori Kelly|accessdate=September 1, 2015|rowheader=true}} |
| {{singlechart|Billboardcanadahotac|36|artist=Tori Kelly|accessdate=September 1, 2015|rowheader=true}} |
| {{singlechart|Scotland|94|date=2015-10-23|artist=Tori Kelly ft Jeremih|song=Should've Been Us|note=Remix featuring Jeremih|rowheader=true|accessdate=23 October 2015}} |
| scope="row"|UK Singles (Official Charts Company){{cite web |title=The Wayback Machine has not archived that URL. |url=https://fatherandy2.proboards.com/thread/86247/singles-chart-friday-23-october |access-date=26 July 2023 |archive-date=July 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725161112/https://fatherandy2.proboards.com/thread/86247/singles-chart-friday-23-october |url-status=dead }} Remix featuring Jeremih | style="text-align:center;"|111 |
| {{singlechart|Billboardhot100|51|artist=Tori Kelly|rowheader=true|accessdate=September 8, 2015}} |
| {{singlechart|Billboardadultpopsongs|30|artist=Tori Kelly|rowheader=true|accessdate=September 1, 2015}} |
| {{singlechart|Billboarddanceairplay|31|artist=Tori Kelly|rowheader=true|accessdate=August 18, 2015}} |
| {{singlechart|Billboardpopsongs|16|artist=Tori Kelly|rowheader=true|accessdate=August 4, 2015}} |
| {{singlechart|Billboardrhythmic|37|artist=Tori Kelly|rowheader=true|accessdate=August 18, 2015}} |
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|title=Should've Been Usl|artist=Tori Kelly|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=2015|certyear=2019|access-date=15 December 2015}}
{{Certification Table Bottom | nosales=true | noshipments=true | streaming=true}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{Tori Kelly}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Capitol Records singles
Category:Songs written by Ludvig Söderberg
Category:Songs written by Laleh (singer)
Category:Songs written by Alexander Kronlund
Category:Songs written by Tori Kelly