WHEN CARRIE UNDERWOOD AND DAN + SHAY SING ONLY US, HEARTS BREAK IN THE FIRST LINE.
Her voice trembles, his voice catches, and together they create something achingly pure. No showmanship. No sparkle. Just two voices and a piano redefining what a duet can feel like. Over 4.7 million viewers have cried watching this. One fan wrote: “They’re not just singing — they’re speaking to our souls.” Watch the video in the comments and feel it yourself 👇🏻
Carrie Underwood and Dan + Shay’s Soul-Stirring “Only Us”: The Intimate Duet That Has Touched Millions
In a rare and beautiful crossover moment, country superstars Carrie Underwood and Dan + Shay teamed up for a breathtaking rendition of “Only Us” from the Tony Award-winning musical Dear Evan Hansen. Released in September 2021 as part of the film’s original motion picture soundtrack, their collaboration transformed the Broadway ballad into a heartfelt country-infused masterpiece. The accompanying in-studio performance video—simple, stripped-down, and profoundly emotional—has resonated deeply with fans, amassing millions of views and countless tears along the way.
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“Only Us,” originally written by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul for the 2015 Broadway hit, is a tender duet about embracing new love and letting go of the past. In the story, it’s sung by characters Evan Hansen and Zoe Murphy, capturing vulnerability and hope. For the 2021 film adaptation starring Ben Platt and Kaitlyn Dever, the soundtrack featured bonus tracks by pop and country artists, including this standout version by Underwood and Dan + Shay. Produced by Dan Smyers (one half of the duo), the recording blends Underwood’s crystalline, emotive vocals with Dan + Shay’s signature harmonious warmth, creating a version that’s both soaring and intimate.
The magic truly unfolds in the official in-studio video. No elaborate stage, no glittering lights—just Underwood, Dan Smyers, and Shay Mooney gathered around microphones, with gentle piano accompaniment underscoring every note. Underwood opens with delicate restraint: “What if it’s us / And only us / And what came before won’t count anymore or matter?” Her voice builds with subtle cracks of emotion, conveying raw longing. As Dan + Shay join in, their harmonies weave seamlessly, Shay Mooney’s lead catching on the higher notes while Smyers adds depth. There’s a palpable chemistry; they exchange smiles, nods, and glances that feel like a genuine conversation. Underwood’s belts on the chorus—”We can just watch the whole world disappear / ‘Til you’re the only one I still know how to see”—carry an aching purity, while the duo’s responses feel like heartfelt replies.
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This simplicity is what elevates it. No gimmicks, just voices and piano allowing the lyrics to breathe. Fans often describe it as “heartbreakingly pure,” with Underwood’s occasional voice cracks and the duo’s catches adding authenticity—moments where emotion overrides perfection. One viewer commented, “They’re not just singing. They’re having a conversation with our souls,” echoing the sentiment that this feels like witnessing vulnerability in real time. It’s the kind of performance that couples play at weddings, saying “I do” to lines like “Maybe we’re just tiny specks in a great big world / But maybe we’re enough.”
The collaboration was a dream come true for all involved. Dan + Shay, longtime “super fans” of Underwood, called it “quite possibly the coolest thing that’s ever happened to us.” Underwood reciprocated the excitement, praising Smyers’ production and the joy of singing with her “friends.” Interspersed with clips from the film in the video, it bridges Broadway’s emotional depth with country’s storytelling tradition, making the song accessible to new audiences while honoring its origins.
Since its release, the video has exploded in popularity, surpassing millions of views across YouTube and social platforms. People return to it for comfort during tough times, sharing stories of love, loss, and renewal. In a genre full of high-energy anthems, this quiet duet stands out—proving that sometimes, the most powerful performances are the ones that feel like whispered confessions.
Underwood, with her history of emotional ballads like “Cry Pretty,” and Dan + Shay, known for romantic hits like “Speechless,” were perfectly suited to reimagine “Only Us.” Their version doesn’t overshadow the original; it complements it, adding layers of maturity and vocal prowess. As the Dear Evan Hansen soundtrack introduced the musical to broader listeners, this track became a gateway, reminding everyone of music’s power to heal and connect.
Years later, it remains a go-to for playlists about love and hope. Over millions have cried to it because it captures something universal: the beauty of choosing “only us” amid life’s chaos. No wonder one line—”I don’t need you to sell me on reasons to want you”—hits so hard; in Underwood and Dan + Shay’s hands, it’s not just sung—it’s lived.
