Joan Osborne: "One Of Us"

What if God was one of us? A question that permeated the 90s through Joan Osborne's hit song of the same title. Explore three piano solo arrangements by Jennifer Eklund of this timeless song.

Joan Osborne: "One Of Us"

About Joan Osborne:

Joan Osborne is an American singer-songwriter known for her soulful vocals, eclectic musical style, and thought-provoking lyrics. Born in 1962 in Kentucky, Osborne rose to prominence in the 1990s with her breakthrough album “Relish,” which featured the Grammy-nominated hit single “One of Us.”

Osborne’s music is characterized by its blend of rock, soul, blues, and folk influences, showcasing her versatile vocal range and emotive delivery. She is celebrated for her ability to infuse her songs with raw emotion and authenticity, drawing listeners in with her powerful performances and insightful storytelling.

In addition to her solo career, Joan Osborne has collaborated with various artists and contributed to numerous projects across different musical genres. She has released several albums over the years, exploring a wide range of musical styles and themes, including covers of classic songs by artists such as Bob Dylan and Motown legends.

Throughout her career, Joan Osborne has earned critical acclaim and a dedicated fan base for her distinctive voice and innovative approach to songwriting. She remains an influential figure in the music industry, admired for her artistic integrity and commitment to creating music that resonates with audiences on a deep level.


About “One of Us”:

“One of Us” is a Grammy-nominated hit song by American singer-songwriter Joan Osborne, released in 1995 as part of her album “Relish.” The song quickly became Osborne’s signature track and achieved widespread success, reaching the top of the charts in several countries.

“One of Us” is characterized by its thought-provoking lyrics, soulful vocals, and memorable melody. The song’s lyrics pose existential questions about the nature of God and humanity, imagining what it would be like if God were to experience life as a mortal being. The chorus, with its memorable refrain “What if God was one of us, just a slob like one of us, just a stranger on the bus trying to make his way home,” captures the song’s central theme of empathy and the search for meaning in everyday life.

Musically, “One of Us” features a bluesy rock sound with a catchy guitar riff and dynamic instrumentation. Joan Osborne’s emotive vocals convey a sense of urgency and contemplation, drawing listeners in with her impassioned delivery.

“One of Us” received critical acclaim and earned Joan Osborne several award nominations, including Grammy nominations for Song of the Year and Record of the Year. The song’s success helped propel Osborne to mainstream recognition and cemented her reputation as a talented singer-songwriter.


“One of Us” (Advanced Piano Solo)

Key features of the advanced version:

  • This is the full recorded version of the song
  • 6 total pages
  • Run time is approximately 4:00

🧐 Sheet music sneak peek:


“One of Us” (Intermediate Piano Solo)

Key features of the intermediate version:

  • This is an abridged version with less complicated rhythms in the left hand
  • 4 total pages
  • Run time is approximately 3:00

🧐 Sheet music sneak peek:


“One of Us” (Easy Piano Solo)

Key features of the easy version:

  • This is an abridged version in the original key appropriate for early intermediates
  • 4 total pages
  • Run time is approximately 3:00

🧐 Sheet music sneak peek:


🎹 Pop Rock Favorites Songbook Series

Do you love pop rock and alternative rock from the 1990s? You’ll definitely want to explore the Pop Rock Favorites Songbook Series. As of this posting, there are 10 volumes available! Take a dive into a few of these books:


🎹 Looking for more 90s Pop Rock piano sheet music?


👋 Did I miss one of your favorites? I’m always open to requests so drop me a comment!


Jennifer Eklund
Written by Jennifer Eklund
Jennifer Eklund holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in music from California State University, Long Beach. She is an avid arranger, composer, and author of the Piano Pronto® method books series as well as a wide variety of supplemental songbooks. She is also a Signature Artist with Musicnotes.com with a large catalog of popular music titles for musicians of all levels.

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