The making of Gracie Abrams’ forthcoming album included an unforgettable night with Taylor Swift.
The Secret of Us, set to be released on Friday, June 21, features a collaboration between Abrams, 24, and Swift, 34, titled “Us.”
In an interview with Billboard published Tuesday, June 18, Abrams recalled being at Swift’s New York City apartment “well past 6 a.m.” after the track was completed, enjoying dinner and drinks, and witnessing a fire break out in her kitchen after a candle fell over.
“She was such a legend – I don’t know how at this hour or in our state she knew what to do. We both had an insane cough from the fire extinguisher fumes for weeks,” said Abrams.
Although the night literally went up in flames, Abrams said they got to preview each other’s music earlier that evening.
She recalled singing and dancing with Swift “like theater kids” to “But Daddy I Love Him” and “lying on the floor in disbelief” after listening to “The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived.”
Abrams said that they began listening to instrumentals created by The National musician Aaron Dessner and immediately began working on their track.
“Something caught our ear at the same time very hard and fast. So we ran to the piano and started writing this song … I used to fantasize about that kind of a thing as a kid,” she told the outlet.
Dessner told Billboard that he enjoyed working on the track due to Abrams and Swift’s chemistry.
“It was just really fun to watch the chemistry of Gracie and Taylor bouncing off each other, Gracie in total wonder and awe watching how Taylor records and produces her vocal performances and builds the world,” he said.
It’s no surprise that Abrams and Swift worked on a song together, as Abrams previously served as an opening act on the Eras tour.
While speaking with PEOPLE’s Janine Rubenstein at the 2024 Grammys, Abrams said being a part of Swift’s tour “changed the course of my life in so many ways.”
“She’s just the most unbelievable performer and the most generous friend and the fact that she…took a chance on me is, I think, why I get to be in this room tonight. It’s not lost on me that her belief in me has really just…done a lot. So, I’m deeply grateful to her, forever,” said Abrams.
