The Stories Behind Alicia Keys' Hits | Noteworthy
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- Опубликовано: 1 окт 2024
- There are a few elements that reliably form the basis for an Alicia Keys song: heartache or infatuation, an essential tenderness and emotion made heavy with wisdom, a patiently unfurling melody and, of course, that voice, yearning and ready to break, even as it remains in control. Even though these building blocks have helped her stand apart from pop trends while forging a remarkable career, Keys says the making of a classic song is still a mystery to her.
Fifteen years after the release of her first album; 15 years after her first single, "Fallin'" went to No. 1 on the pop charts and became repertoire for televised singing competitions; 15 years after that first armful of Grammys, Alicia Keys says her songwriting has not become any more scientific. "Every time I write a song, I never know how it happens. And I kinda always wanna be like that," she tells Jason King in the latest episode of NPR Music's documentary series Noteworthy. "Some people are very mathematical writers, which is very intriguing. ... It's so opposite from me."
But, Keys says, "there are ingredients that make it more digestible. And for me, [that's] mostly a piano and a voice." Keys was drawn to the piano from an early age, and reaped benefits from the hours of practice she put in while friends were outside playing. "It provided me... focus, the ability to pay attention for a long enough period of time to make progress," she says. "And the actual knowledge of music, which then unlocked the ability to be able to write my own music and put my own chords and things I heard in my own head to different lyrics I felt. And I never, ever had to wait for anybody to write something for me."
In the earliest phases of her career, she says, artistic control was the first thing on her mind: "I would go into sessions already prepared with, 'Here's different groups of chords: I wrote this, I wrote this, I wrote this, I wrote this, I wrote this,' because they didn't believe that I could do all these things, that I could play and that I could produce and that I could actually write. I was like 15 years old, and they were like, 'I'm sure you have a cute little idea but let's get to the real music.'"
Since then, she says, she's learned that "if you try to control things too much, you miss the magic." Part of that has been a slow embrace of collaboration, though it was hard to let anyone into her writing process. "It's so vulnerable," she tells King. "Who wants to just bare their entire fears, insecurities, mistakes in front of people who can look at you and judge you and whatever? That's super, super scary."
![Cody Johnson - I'm Gonna Love You (with Carrie Underwood) [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/yy9PuYMU29g/mqdefault.jpg)
This is a FANTASTIC interview. What happened to interviews like this? Thank you so much NPR. You're a shinning star in the world of journalism.
Boi Wonder Yo you bitter, son
This insight is spot on. NPR NPR NPR! (Further, this interviewer is very skilled. He makes it look easy, and Alicia... my goodness, she's a light.)
I already have, twice ;)
Markus Arike I could but I'd rather leave it up as an example for everyone to see. I mean trolls are trolls and while this one is hateful I'm not feeling remotely intimidated or pushed around by it. I'm just not moved at all by it. It's sad actually. It's weak and insecure, and not the least bit of anything in my eyes. I rather just let it sit here and be the pathetic representation of humanity that it is since there's nothing that can be done for this kind of thing. Can't be kind, can't fight back. Doesn't matter. A troll like this is already getting more attention than it deserves ;) I could only hope for good things in this troll's life because if this is the life it has today that's really sad and I feel like humanity failed it.
+Brian Anderson I agree completely, but seeing my name next to that filth of a comment, two comments, is really, really bumming me out!!! YT won't do anything about it, but I don't want my name attached to his weird agenda. See what I mean?
Always feels like Alicia talks straight from the heart. Great quality!
Aica keys
Happy Halloween love
Lachelle
Love
Yeah she's so authentic
Don't you just want to hug her...
Steve S this lady humbles me🤗
I bet she smells like lilacs, lavender and cocoa butter
YES!
Yep since 2001. 🌹🌷
Yes In the bed
This interviewer was GREAT.
Boi Wonder u need love
Notice how she asks questions back. She is NOT self absorbed.
This is what we need!!!! I don't care who dating who, who started a twitter beef and all that other bullshit. I love hearing the backstories and history behind the craft and artistry.
💯💯💯
Yes!!!!!
madmann1000 AMEN!
Agree!!!
For goodness' sake if only MORE interviews were like this, knowledgeable interviewer, questions with substance, and meaningful dialogue with an incredible artist. Is that asking for too much? LoL.
True
I felt that !
Definitely one of the best music interviews I've ever seen
Love this.. Need more interviews like this that focus on the music and the art!
Marta Hagen 100%.
Yesssss!!
I totally agree!
And well spoken, clever questions too!
4real
Tiny desk concert with Alicia anytime soon?....please!
Tiny desk with Alicia Keys is now released :)
linolafettatnet big thanks for the tip👋🏼😌
@@knutroald5332 You are welcome :) Enjoy the music :)
Your wish has been granted
She’s an angel on earth.
Finally an interview solely on the music.. no drama, no gossip, only what matters. 🙏🏽
this interviewer is very intellectual. i like interviewer who challenges the artists.
she just gets better with time in every way. great interview.
This woman is so very talented and beautiful (inside and out). Thanks for giving us a look into her creative process.
Shout out to everybody involved in this project. I love Alicia Keys. Let's also give credit to the interviewer. He asked great questions and carried out a very fluid conversation. Thumbs up to the videographer as well.
Alicia Keys is a legend, like why don't people understand!!
one of the best interviews I have ever seen....this guy is awesome, really honest and calm....and she of course is perfect
I loved when she mentioned that 'New York' song is not just about New York, but about HOPE...
Kudos to the interviewer! Knowing her work that well made for an insightful interview. NPR: we need more interviews!
Salute to the interviewer, did his due diligence and is clearly a fan of her art, great interview..nicely filmed also
What an artist! What a woman!
Boi - your ignorance and fear are showing big time...
Oh God why don't we have more journalists like him. He is awesome.
Wonderful interviewer.
I love Alicia keys ❤
Funny, a composer once told me music is "mathematical". Having a jazz musician as a father, it was a difficult concept to understand. But, I was indeed intrigued. Never heard it again until watching this video! Thanks for posting NPR
Best interviewer I've seen so far. He's actually LISTENING to the interviewee and not to respond but to prompt more from her!! Yes, SUBSCRIBED !
Somebody, please! Where can I get the full recording of that performance of "Hallelujah" that was played at the end!?!? Please release it!! My God!
NPR setting the bar again with an intelligent, engaging and honest interview. Alicia is so natural and forthcoming. She has really come into her element.
Such an inspiring person. So much intelligience, she's been through a lot and she deserves all of her success. All hail the queen 😍😍
the only reason I like alicia so much is her ORIGINALITY. Other performers would sell out themselves, change their identity, but Alicia maintains her ORIGINALITY.
This is a amazing interview. Reminds me of the classic interviews when it was focus STRICTLY on the art and nothing more. What was the book he mentioned in the interview? I may go back and watch it again but I just wanted to ask.
Probably the most intimate and deepest interview that we will ever see. Great job all around. /¶
My favorite part was when they examined that empire state of mind song. I wish they focused on it more, there are sooo many questions i have about that record. We have not had a song as good as that in a looong time. But solid interview. Alicia is one of those human beings you want to sit down and just chop it up with there is a wealth of information to gain from her
I've loved Alicia Keys for years and years. But this interview has me fallin' in love with her all over again.... geeeeeez... :O
holy shit that final part when alicia sing i need a full performance pls is not something that i want, is something that i need!!!
the 15 minute thing is bs. we need more parts of this interview.
I like her so much more with out all the makeup. She's like a real person. She's got actual talent she doesn't need to cover her up. Unlike most of other singers who are only a mouth piece.
Pu Koh It's the way she presents herself and she makes sure that the topic is mostly about her music. She does talk about her family but not as much. She sees her career as work and treats it like work. That's why she seems different. The others can do it too but they choose not to. Also, she has kept her relationships private or away from public scrutiny. That's why she's known for her music. She doesn't do loud and over the top performances either. Everything adds up and gives us a certain image of her. This is obviously how she wants to be known and seen. If she wanted a different public image, she would've made different decisions.
love Alicia, love the interviewer, such a fantastic interview. So honest and warm. Wish we had more of this everywhere
Fallin' always reminded me of James Brown's Man's Man's World. I came to appreciate Alicia Keys later than I should have.
Freeman Burgess she used a sample of A Man’s Man’s World on Fallin.
What a great journalist, focused on the art and the music.
So intelligent so gifted!what a woman!i love her❤️❤️
Props to the interviewer
This was amazing. I really have to give Alicia Keys credit for tearing me away from a country music saturated environment and giving me a broad view of what R&B could be.
I'm not the biggest fan of her discography overall, but it's undeniable to me that "If I Ain't Got You" is a timeless, classic gem.
14:50 the signature Alicia vocols that I love
Very genuine and gifted musician in the true sense of the word.
perfect interview, great tone, connection,energy, and authenticity.
this is one of the best interviews ever!
This woman is both incredibly talented and naturally beautiful! Listening to her songs is like listening to an angel: thank you for enlightening our existence with your great voice and music.
I’m totally blown away.
Keys conservative/RNB approach by keeping the piano alive and creating rather than computer generating melodies is beyond compare.
True trademarks of a prodigy 👍🏼🔥
Honestly I judged her for how I BELIEVED she fell in LOVE with her Husband."My Bad" ALECIA is just a GREAT PERSON & A TRUE ARTIST PERIOD!! & this interview truly shows it..
Whole interview wonderful but The END, her voice that piano and that soul!!! Chills... Alicia's voice has always had soulful nuances that strike me deep and personally, forever love her 😍 💛
One of the last of the real mohicans. Great person naturally talented and beautiful.
You can really tell that she’s all about the music. ❤️
The only thing i will be sad about my life is that I will never be able to marry her!.
This is the kind of interview that I really like watching. So raw and intelligent.
What did we ever do to deserve Alicia
Great conversation and capturing of the moment to all involved.
Boi Wonder Damn son! Bitter af
She is a true artist with the likes of Celine .Christina. j Hudson. marry j blige .Alexander Burke .
She's is a musical genius...
Alicia Keys my God. I love, love, love everything about this Super Woman. Her music speaks to my soul. I got teary eyed watching this interview.
True musician, true talent.
I love her.
I like her.
I fall in love with her.
I like her .
I love her.
Thank you.~
Thank you much.
Thank you very much.
sorry but thats a simp talking
Wow! She looks so beautiful in this interview! I've always loved the natural look of women but man, she looks better than ever with this.
Made that comment after watching one minute. Now I've watched the whole interview, and now I'm in love.
That synthesizer over her right shoulder looks amazing. Now I have to lustily peruse the Moog website.
Love this gentleman's interviewing style, he knows how to have a natural conversation instead of a random number of interogative questions...refreshing.
Lol, wouldn't have made this comment if I'd known so many people had made it so eloquently. Anyway, taking up space.
this was absolutely wonderful interview!!!!
One of the greatest in musics history, my personal favorite female singer of all times
Prolly maybe her best ever interview. Insightful as fuck.
In depth, great interview. Excellent questions! Alicia Keys, so down to earth. Love her! ❤️
"Empire State of Mind" is a song performed by American rapper Jay-Z and featuring vocals by American singer Alicia Keys that was written by Angela Hunte and Jane't Sewell-Ulepic.
First of all, empire state of mind is a whole alicia song outside of the version with jay z and second these are all the writers and it includes her Alexander Shuckburgh / Alicia Augello Cook / Angela Hunte / Bert Keyes / Janet Sewell / Shawn Carter / Sylvia Robinson
Somebody has the link of the book that the interviewer mentions on the minute 5:38? I would love to read it.
I actually found it on Amazon. You can find it here: www.amazon.com/Anthem-Movements-Solidarity-African-Diaspora/dp/081477041X
I always don't get tired of watching Alicia
What is the interviewer's name?
Yulia Yankova Jason King 1:55
Beyond Beautiful!
Alicia is a queen and Songs in a Minor was a revelation for me. This album i did not connect with at all
She reminds me of so many different women I know.. And it's all the good ones :)
Keys is one of the true genuine musicians who has broken into the stratosphere of mainstream music. Classically trained. True to her sound. Uses her celebrity to bring attention to meaningful causes.
Such a beautiful soul
I first heard her on Empire State of Mind when it first released, then her tributes to Jay Z and Tupac, then Holy War, and now I am writing this comment as I watch and listen to her talk. WOW. She is amazing in every way.
As a Brazilian who just came back from NYC I could figure it out that the song is not only about New York (despite of the fact that the chorus keeps repeating the name of the city). "Empire State Of Mind" really speaks for itself, it is a song about HOPE to do whatever you have to do to feel "brand new" and "inspired" "Empire State" meaning the metaphor of bigness. Loved so much that she validated my perspective in this amazing interview. So much love for Alicia and for her brave spirit of putting out great songs and for pursuing her dream (over college lol). Oh this is lovely!
Its rear i see this good of a interview in music. A conversation, not a monologue, about many aspects of music tied back to the artists view and stories.
I could listen to her talk all day
R.E.S.P.E.C.T ❤
Alicia is everything 😍
I love"In Common" "Superwoman" & "Fallin"
..can't quite decide. Whether it's Wisdom, flourishing from you, or whether it's you, personifying Wisdom herself? My conviction inclines to the latter.
Make-up free, and natural, is an arresting type of Beauty. It cuts through the superficial, and wears you splendidly.
I cannot button the top button of my shirt. I always feel like I’m being strangled.
She is So Beautiful.. I Love her spirit and personality
Good lord, woman, you are magical! Thank you :*
one of the best interviews and interviewer and interviewee I've ever seen
Boi Wonder You're better than that man.
Boi Wonder not her fault she was born mixed...lol
childish as hell. that's why some people doesn't recieve the blessings they potentially deserve because they do wrong in life
She's Awesome and true to her self. LOVE Alicia Keys.So Soulful sings from her heart.and she just gets better and better. God Bless her and her family.
This interview was incredible ❤️
Who's the interviewer? He's brilliant
Awesome interview. She’s a real sweetheart 😊
Wonderful. What a bright spirit. I just luv her talent, spirit her reason and her natural ability to show up. The interviewer is very professional. U both make me really proud.
Name of the last song before rolling credits ? Anyone ?
She adds incredible energy and emotion when she sings 🎵🎵🎵
Omg it’s inspiring hearing her talking about learning piano and playing piano being that I’m learning it now. Giving me so much hope
Please make more interviews like this. I love, love, love the music, but the story, emotions, and process to create is just as good. Please, please, please make more!!!!
WHAT IS THE NAME OF THE INTERVIEWER?! They are sooo good!
Her music matches her looks, just naturally beautiful