| ＂ | Now when I listen to “One Of Us,” I start tearing up, and I have to turn it off. It’s too much. It takes me back to that horrible place. Not horrible, but that place where I was hurting so bad. I mean, the lyrics, “One of us would die for love / One of us would give it up,” is that not the saddest thing? | ＂ |
– Max on her reaction to hearing the song [1] | ||
"One Of Us" (registered as "One Of Us/Wanna Do") is a song by American singer Ava Max. It was released on January 12, 2023 as the fifth single from Diamonds & Dancefloors.
Background[]
"One Of Us" was originally leaked on October 13, 2022, after the mass leak in September 2022. On January 10, 2023, Max revealed a snippet of behind the scenes for the visualizer for the song, but it released alongside the album on January 27, 2023.
Composition[]
"One Of Us" is played with a tempo of 145 beats per minute in the key of C. Lyrically, the song is about a relationship that originally started off well, but is starting to fall apart. In the song, Max is willing to risk everything for her lover, but her lover would give her up in a heartbeat. Max describes the sound of the song, along with Weapons, as "a little bit more like like "Kings & Queens".
"One Of Us" originally started off as a ballad [citation needed]. The song's writing and production was the most difficult for Max to pull off. She stated that she "was crying in the studio. [She] went for a walk between writing the lyrics and melodies and recording, because [she] needed some fresh air. It’s the most intense song [she's] ever written, recorded, and probably will perform.“ [2] The title of the song could be a reference to the book "One Of Us Is Lying" by Karen M. McManus.
Visualizer[]
A visualiser for the song was released on January 27, 2023. It depicts the "old" Ava Max, wearing a Max Cut and a wedding dress similar to the one showcased in Sweet but Psycho, in a grave, representing the end of an era. Several red-haired Max's in funeral attire are shown pouring roses into the grave.
Demo Audio[]
Caroline Ailin
Song Meaning[]
In 'One Of Us,' Ava Max sets the stage by portraying a narrative of unrequited love and unequal efforts in a relationship. The lyrics paint a picture of a one-sided commitment where one partner is willing to sacrifice everything, while the other remains distant.
The emotional journey of the song's lyrics delves into the internal conflict of feeling unappreciated and undervalued in a relationship. Ava Max expresses the pain of giving one's all for love, only to be met with indifference and lack of reciprocation.
Ava Max's intent in 'One Of Us' is to shed light on the heartbreaking reality of unbalanced love and the emotional toll it takes on an individual. The song resonates with listeners who have experienced the anguish of loving someone more than they are loved in return, highlighting the universal theme of unrequited affection.
In conclusion, 'One Of Us' by Ava Max serves as a poignant reflection on the complexities of relationships and the agony of unreciprocated love. The song captures the raw emotions of longing, sacrifice, and heartache, leaving a lasting impact on listeners who resonate with its powerful message.
Lyrics[]
[Chorus]
One of us would die for love
One of us would give it up
One of us would risk it all
One of us won’t even call
One of us could say goodbye
Never even bat an eye
One of us is hurting you
And baby that’s the last thing that I wanna do
[Verse 1]
Never, did the thought ever cross
And never, did I think I would stop
Forever, no one tells you the cost of paradise, paradise
Kisses, but they cut like a knife
I wish this was a little more bright
Once sweet words, now they come with a bite
Oh hungry eyes, hungry eyes
[Pre-Chorus]
I would give up the world but it won’t save us
It’s killing me inside out because
[Chorus]
One of us would die for love
One of us would give it up
One of us would risk it all
One of us won’t even call
One of us could say goodbye
Never even bat an eye
One of us is hurting you
And baby that’s the last thing that I wanna do
[Post-Chorus]
Wanna do, wanna do, wanna do
Wanna do, wanna do, wanna do
Wanna do, wanna do, wanna do (Do, do, do, do, ooh)
[Verse 2]
Question, is this how it goes down
In Heaven? Can someone let me out?
I’m begging ‘cause I’m burning with doubt
I’m burning, I’m burning, I’m burning
[Pre-Chorus]
I would give up the world but it won’t save us
It’s killing me inside out because
[Chorus]
One of us would die for love (Die for love)
One of us would give it up (Give it up)
One of us would risk it all
One of us won’t even call (No, no, no)
One of us could say goodbye (Goodbye)
Never even bat an eye
One of us is hurting you
And baby that’s the last thing that I wanna do
[Post-Chorus]
Wanna do, wanna do, wanna do
Wanna do, wanna do, wanna do (Wanna do)
Wanna do, wanna do, wanna do (Do, do, do, do, ooh)
[Outro]
Wanna do, wanna do, wanna do
Wanna do, wanna do, wanna do
Wanna do, wanna do
And baby that’s the last thing that I wanna do
[Verse 1]
What did I, what did I get myself into?
Me oh my, overnight everything turned blue
I was sleepin' on a feelin', like a fool
You had warmth in your arms that could almost drown
Me oh my, didn't lie, but I'm guilty now
If this is Heaven, can somebody let me out? (Ah)
[Pre-Chorus]
Now you're sweet (Touch)
Cuts me deep
'Cause
[Chorus]
One of us would die for love
One of us would give it up
One of us would risk it all
One of us won't even call
One of us could say goodbye
Never even bat an eye
One of us is hurting you
And baby, that's the last thing that I wanna do
[Post-Chorus]
Wanna do, wanna do, wanna do
Wanna do, wanna do, wanna do
Wanna do, wanna do, wanna do
Wanna do, wanna do, wanna
[Verse 2]
What did I, what did I get myself into?
Me oh my, overnight everything turned blue
I was sleepin' on a feelin', like a fool
You had warmth in your arms that could almost drown
Me oh my, didn't lie, but I'm guilty now
If this is Heaven, can somebody let me out? (Ah)
[Pre-Chorus]
Now you're sweet (Touch)
Cuts me deep
'Cause
[Chorus]
One of us would die for love
One of us would give it up
One of us would risk it all
One of us won't even call
One of us could say goodbye
Never even bat an eye
One of us is hurting you
And baby, that's the last thing that I wanna do
[Post-Chorus]
Wanna do, wanna do, wanna do
Wanna do, wanna do, wanna do
Wanna do, wanna do, wanna do
[Outro]
Baby, that's the last thing that I wanna do
Trivia[]
- A writer's demo of the song recorded by Caroline Ailin was leaked. The full high-quality version leaked on January 12, 2025
- "One Of Us" is Max's father's favorite song on the album. [3]
- The song was written in Los Angeles, California.
- It was originally a ballad.[4]
Photoshoot[]
Behind The Scenes[]
References[]
 | |
|---|---|
| Diamonds & Dancefloors Navigation | |
| Links | Album Information • Shop Music • 12 Days of Diamonds & Dancefloors • Album Photoshoot |
| Songs | Million Dollar Baby • Sleepwalker • Maybe You're The Problem • Ghost • Hold Up (Wait A Minute) • Weapons • Diamonds & Dancefloors • In The Dark • Turn Off The Lights • One Of Us • Get Outta My Heart • Cold As Ice • Last Night On Earth • Dancing's Done |
| Outtakes | 2 Sides • Awake or Dreaming • Born in America • Climb • Crazy About Me • Dance For Our Lives • Dancing Feet Don't Cry • Die Alive • Easy • Heartbreak Boulevard • How Can I Dance • Jane • Just Cuz I'm a Woman • Maniac • Never Be Yours • One Night • On My Own • Opposites Attract • Phenomenon • Power • Rich As Fuck • Rock My Body • Scandalous • She's Back • SLAM • Stay Away From Me • Take It All • Time Bomb • Violin (Demo) • What Girls Want • Woman's World • Wrong Time • Unknown Khalid Collaboration |
| Artists | Ava Max |