Gracie Abrams and Taylor Swift release duet “Us”

The first official collaboration between Gracie Abrams And Taylor Swift is finally in our ears.

Abrams, 24, released her second album, The secret of uson Friday, June 21, including her duet with 34-year-old Swift titled “Us.”

Although Swift’s voice is only heard sporadically, her distinctive style can be heard throughout the track, which serves as a look back at a failed relationship that ended quickly and brightly.

“Do you miss us?” Abrams and Swift both ask in the chorus. “I felt it / You held it / Do you miss us? / I wonder if you regret keeping us a secret.”

The second verse is reminiscent of songs from Swift’s 11th studio album, The “Tortured Poets” sectionwhich they released in April. “It felt like something old / It felt like something sacred, like bleeding souls / So it felt like what I know,” the duo sings. “You’re 29 years old / So how can you be so cold when I open up my home?”

In the pre-chorus that follows, Swift’s vocals become more prominent. “And when the story is clear, the flames always end in ashes / And what seemed like fate, give it 10 months and you’ll have it behind you / Babylon lovers hanging, missed calls on the line / I gave you mine,” the lyrics say.

The track ends with Abrams asking one final barrage of questions. “I felt it, you held it, do you miss us?” she asks. “The pain, the reign, the flame of us? / The outline, so, sometimes, do you miss us? / The best way, so, sometimes, do you miss us?”

The song was co-written by Abrams, Swift and Swift’s frequent collaborator. Aaron DessnerCo-founder of The NationalThe trio also produced the track with Swift’s other long-time collaborator, Jack Antonoff.

Abrams recently explained how the creation of “Us” came about by a happy coincidence.

“Something struck us very strongly and quickly at the same time,” said Abrams Billboard about working with Dessner, 48. “So we ran to the piano and started writing this song.”

Abrams added: “I always dreamed of something like this when I was a kid.”

Dessner — 12 of the 13 songs on The secret of us – raved about the experience of witnessing the artistic connection between Abrams and Swift.

“It was just fun to watch the chemistry between Gracie and Taylor,” said Dessner Billboard“Gracie is completely amazed and impressed when she sees Taylor recording and producing her vocal performances and creating the world.”

Dessner co-produced and co-wrote Swift’s 2020 albums, folklore And Always, and was not only instrumental in their latest album, The “Tortured Poets” section.

Abrams and Swift have been friends ever since Abrams first worked for Swift on the first North American leg of her Epoch Tour – but the whole thing almost went up in flames.

At a recent dinner party at Swift’s Tribeca apartment, Abrams said a candle tipped over around 6 a.m. after a night of drinking. Swift reacted quickly, grabbing a fire extinguisher to put out the potentially dangerous situation.

“She was such a legend,” Abrams said Billboard“I don’t know how she knew what to do at that hour or in our condition.”

However, Abrams added, “We both had a terrible cough for weeks because of the fumes from the fire extinguisher.”

Abrams will tour with Swift later this year to support her at the band’s final North American concerts. Epoch Tour. The secret of us is available now.