Should've Been Us

Album: Unbreakable Smile (2015)
Charted: 51
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This '90s-R&B-influenced song finds Kelly lamenting a breakup. She can't help wondering what their relationship could have potentially blossomed into. Kelly wrote the song with Swedish singer-songwriter Laleh, the production team The Struts who have also worked with Tove Lo, Oscar Holter, Alexander Kronlund and James Alan.
  • The song was released as the second single from Unbreakable Smile and the follow-up to "Nobody Love." Kelly explained to Ryan Seacrest: "When we're sitting as a team and kind of figuring out what song should be next, we had a couple of options and we were about to go with a happier vibe and I was like, 'Nobody Love' is already so upbeat and fun.' So ['Should've Been Us'] gives more of what's on the album too. It's more in-depth lyrically, I think, and it just gives more of a darker side to it, more edge."
  • This achieved additional momentum after Kelly sung the tune on the VMAs. The song leapt from #75 to #51 on the Hot 100 in the week after her performance.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear: Teddy Bears and Teddy Boys in Songs

Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear: Teddy Bears and Teddy Boys in SongsSong Writing

Elvis, Little Richard and Cheryl Cole have all sung about Teddy Bears, but there is also a terrifying Teddy song from 1932 and a touching trucker Teddy tune from 1976.

Michael Schenker

Michael SchenkerSongwriter Interviews

The Scorpions and UFO guitarist is also a very prolific songwriter - he explains how he writes with his various groups, and why he was so keen to get out of Germany and into England.

Edwin McCain

Edwin McCainSongwriter Interviews

"I'll Be" was what Edwin called his "Hail Mary" song. He says it proves "intention of the songwriter is 180 degrees from potential interpretation by an audience."

Wang Chung Pick The Top Songs Of The '80s

Wang Chung Pick The Top Songs Of The '80sSongwriter Interviews

'80s music ambassadors Wang Chung pick their top tracks of the decade, explaining what makes each one so special.

Stephen Christian of Anberlin

Stephen Christian of AnberlinSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer/lyricist for Anberlin breaks down "Impossible" and covers some tracks from their 2012 album Vital.

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."