What About Us (Pink song)

"What About Us"
A black-and-white image of a group of people sitting close and embracing each other. The words WHAT ABOUT US are written in black capital letters at the top, while P!NK is written in white capital letters in the lower part of the image.
Single by Pink
from the album Beautiful Trauma
ReleasedAugust 10, 2017 (2017-08-10)
Genre
Length4:29
LabelRCA
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Steve Mac
Pink singles chronology
"Waterfall"
(2017) 		"What About Us"
(2017) 		"Beautiful Trauma"
(2017)
Music video
"What About Us" on YouTube

"What About Us" is a song recorded by the American singer-songwriter Pink for her seventh studio album Beautiful Trauma (2017). RCA Records released the song for digital download and streaming on August 10, 2017, as the album's lead single. The song, which was written by Pink, Johnny McDaid, and its producer Steve Mac, is an electronic dance music (EDM) track with upbeat dance production that blends repetitive chords, synthesizers, and drum machine beats. Pink, who was inspired by the politics of the time, composed it as a political protest song with poetic and inclusive lyrics. The song's lyrics explore Pink's belief that the United States' government had failed its people and sent a message about those who feel unheard or forgotten.

Music critics gave "What About Us" mostly positive reviews; many of them commended the production and Pink's vocal performance while others appreciated the song's political message and the anthemic nature of the composition. It peaked at number 13 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and gave Pink her record-breaking ninth number-one song on the Adult Pop Songs chart, surpassing Katy Perry as the soloist with the most chart-topping songs on the chart. The song also reached number one on the national charts of eight countries, including Australia, Poland and Switzerland, and peaked within the top 10 in 12 other territories, including Canada and the United Kingdom. It is certified Diamond in France, eight-times Platinum in Australia, five-times Platinum in Canada, and Platinum or higher in fourteen additional countries. "What About Us" was nominated for Best Pop Solo Performance at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards.

An accompanying music video for "What About Us" was directed by Georgia Hudson and released on August 16, 2017. It depicts Pink and members of minority groups performing several choreographed routines in an abandoned city while being chased by searchlights from hovering helicopters. The video received positive reviews from critics, who praised the choreography and the representation of oppressed groups, as well as the song's political theme. To promote the song, Pink performed it live at the 2017 MTV Video Music Awards, on Saturday Night Live, and on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, among other televised appearances, as well as her Beautiful Trauma World Tour (2018–2019). The song has been covered several times during live performances by other artists, including Kelly Clarkson and Liam Payne.

  1. ^ Molanphy, Chris (March 10, 2023). "Raise Your Glass Edition". Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia (Podcast). Slate. Retrieved April 17, 2023.