The Stories Behind Alicia Keys' Hits | Noteworthy
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- Опубліковано 26 гру 2016
- 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."
This interviewer was GREAT.
Boi Wonder u need love
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?
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 !
Notice how she asks questions back. She is NOT self absorbed.
Always feels like Alicia talks straight from the heart. Great quality!
Aica keys
Happy Halloween love
Lachelle
Love
Yeah she's so authentic
Definitely one of the best music interviews I've ever seen
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!!!
Finally an interview solely on the music.. no drama, no gossip, only what matters. 🙏🏽
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
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
she just gets better with time in every way. great interview.
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.
Kudos to the interviewer! Knowing her work that well made for an insightful interview. NPR: we need more interviews!
this interviewer is very intellectual. i like interviewer who challenges the artists.
This woman is so very talented and beautiful (inside and out). Thanks for giving us a look into her creative process.
Salute to the interviewer, did his due diligence and is clearly a fan of her art, great interview..nicely filmed also
one of the best interviews I have ever seen....this guy is awesome, really honest and calm....and she of course is perfect
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 !
I loved when she mentioned that 'New York' song is not just about New York, but about HOPE...
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.
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.
Oh God why don't we have more journalists like him. He is awesome.
What an artist! What a woman!
Boi - your ignorance and fear are showing big time...
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
Alicia Keys is a legend, like why don't people understand!!
Wonderful interviewer.
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.
love Alicia, love the interviewer, such a fantastic interview. So honest and warm. Wish we had more of this everywhere
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
Such an inspiring person. So much intelligience, she's been through a lot and she deserves all of her success. All hail the queen 😍😍
This is the kind of interview that I really like watching. So raw and intelligent.
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!!!
I love Alicia keys ❤
this is one of the best interviews ever!
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 👍🏼🔥
Probably the most intimate and deepest interview that we will ever see. Great job all around. /¶
I love this - thank you for doing that interview and putting it here!! She is just phenomenal inside and out - so impressed with her openness and her spirit!!
I've loved Alicia Keys for years and years. But this interview has me fallin' in love with her all over again.... geeeeeez... :O
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!
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.
this was absolutely wonderful interview!!!!
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 😍 💛
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.
perfect interview, great tone, connection,energy, and authenticity.
this was a really great interview ! thank you
what a quality interview. my heart was so full throughout the whole time.
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.
What a great journalist, focused on the art and the music.
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.
best interview I've ever seen. humble, honest and completely natural. very impressed :)
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!!!!
This was such a beautiful and organic interview. Thank you.
Very genuine and gifted musician in the true sense of the word.
What a nice interview ! Love it.
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.
In depth, great interview. Excellent questions! Alicia Keys, so down to earth. Love her! ❤️
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.
LOVE Alicia Keys! My queen! This was the best interview of her I have ever watched! So relaxed and real!
such a well done interview - my compliments!
This interview was incredible ❤️
This is an amazing interview😩🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾
This is amazing. Thanks NPR
Amazing Alicia Keys 🎤🎹🎶♥️true artist, classic, soulful and authentic. Beautiful inside out. So much love! Really great interview with so much substance & depth. Love her even more 😍😍
This is a great interview!
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!
Great interview!
Great interview 💛
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.
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.
So intelligent so gifted!what a woman!i love her❤️❤️
Great interview!!!!
Loving this!!
Awesome interview. She’s a real sweetheart 😊
Thanks for allowing us to get to know Alicia Keys a bit more! She's really down to earth. Great 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.
14:50 the signature Alicia vocols that I love
This is amazing!!! ❤❤❤
Loved it!
Wow!! Great interviewer and Alicia is lovely. Such a humble person. Keep going girl :)
Great interview
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.
Great interview. She is adorable.
Beautiful interview
This interview has gotten me head over heels ❤
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
Props to the interviewer
You can really tell that she’s all about the music. ❤️
BEAUTIFUL INTERVIEW... I LOVE THE STORY BEHIND THE MUSIC.. AND ALICIA LOOKS AMAZING LIKE THIS
very good interview. more pleas
Nice interview...
great interview
I loveeeee her story with the piano.....so inspiring to a young pianist
Fantastic Interview 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽, very natural 👌🏽.
This was pure amazing!
Beyond Beautiful!
Alway’s great to listen to your story behind de music...❤️✨🌍😀🙏
good job an interesting interview for once!
So good!
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.
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.