Top 100 Soul/R&B Songs
#90: Alicia Keys 'You Don't Know My Name'
Alicia Keys first caught my attention when I saw her performance on a BET Christmas special where she performed a reworked version of "Little Drummer Boy." It was obvious to anyone who saw that performance that this girl barely out of adolescence was going to make a huge splash on the music scene. Once she was signed to Clive Davis' J Records, Alicia began racking up number one hits, booking stadium-level concert halls, and grabbed up more Grammys than you could shake a stick at. Once her songs from Songs In A Minor started getting featured on "Lite FM" stations, I knew it was a wrap. I have made mention of my disappointment with Alicia in the past as have many of you, partly because I always expect so much more from her. It's almost as if you can see the music welling up in her body before your eyes, only to be given a milquetoast offering like her latest album, As I Am. And to those who disagree I would say that I see the point of maintaining a more "mainstream" (read: "not willing to take risks") sound in order to hit your fans over the head with something bold and substantial later, but after four albums, I want to be amazed by your musical offerings, not your barber shop-originating "conspiracy theories."
Despite all of this, it was I who was shocked and finally amazed at Alicia's sound when "You Don't Know My Name" was released in 2003 from her third studio work, The Diary of Alicia Keys. Not only was this song beautifully crafted as though the talent bottled up in Alicia for all these long years had finally been able to shine through, but she channeled the heart of a 70's-era songwriter (Roberta Flack and Carole King come to mind) with such authenticity that I was proud of Alicia for a moment. Add to this equation under-the-radar cutie Mos Def looking dapper as ever and loving up Alicia in dimly-lit rooms and them sharing stolen moments in the shadows, and you have a damn-near perfect video. It's too bad this perfection didn't last, but who knows what she'll have in store for the people. Perhaps that same assertiveness with which she described the government's role in the creation of gangsta rap can be used to take more risks on her next LP. Until then we'll always know her name.
Tags: alicia keys, mos def
Comments
By far her best song. I get goose bumps when I hear this song.
Love | April 17, 2008 12:34 AM | PermalinkThis is the only song Alicia has ever made that I really liked. I can listen to this over and over a million times and never get tired of it.
Jamie | April 16, 2008 9:15 PM | PermalinkI definitely miss Pan Pan. I remember taking folks there every time they came to Harlem so they could get their cholesterol intake on. lol
Good times. And good song.
Will | April 15, 2008 11:19 AM | PermalinkI've never been a fan of Keys. I've liked a song here and there but to be honest I REALLY like her AS I AM project. Don't get me wrong I still think she is overrated as all hell but this is a good cd.
blknitenmd | April 15, 2008 9:18 AM | PermalinkHow old is this chick supposed to be, really? Cuz I been saying for the longest she has to be older than they say due to the fact that she was on that show. The show was called the So So Def 12 Soulful Nights Xmas. On that show, JD introduced her as a 17-year-old prodigy. That show aired in '96. So wouldn't this make her at least 29? I'm just saying?
Sho | April 15, 2008 12:54 AM | PermalinkVery glad to see this song on the list. I'm extremely picky with my R&B but I believe this is one of the most beautiful songs shes ever done.
I loved this song so much, that sometimes I would just listen to the acapella version alone.
Chuck | April 15, 2008 12:13 AM | PermalinkThis song made you join in on all the "oooh-ooh-ooooo-wooo-wooooooo"s and made every background singer show out w/ the ad-libs(including yours truly). But seriously...the video was fitting of the song.
I wish she stuck w/ the doo-wop sound a lil more though.
LoLo B | April 14, 2008 10:55 PM | PermalinkThis song was probably the one I played the most.Her first album was good, her second was mmm mm, and As I Am was a hot ass no!I know AK got talent, but she put me to sleep.
Sharonda | April 14, 2008 8:31 PM | PermalinkI agree with your comments ill mami. I've tried to give Alicia lots of wiggle room in which to gorw as a person and artist.
I have to admit that I'm running out of patience. In the past, I've felt as if she was searching for her own distinctive style and I'm just no impressed.
It's difficult because she is talented and I think a nice young woman. Loved this song, the homage to Cooley High and the wonder Dante Smith, especially Peter Pan Diner where I spent alot of time growing up.
Danielle | April 14, 2008 6:56 PM | PermalinkIt is so funny, I can remember where I was when I heard her version of Little Drummer Boy and I can remember desperately wanting to know who she was. Needless to say, four album later she has been probably one of my biggest musical disappointments.
Sometimes, I wonder though if she is more at fault or is j records/Clive Davis. Davis has had some great singers signed to his label. Deborah Cox, Monica, Angie Stone (questionable live though), Alicia, Fantasia, and even Whitney. None of these singers have produced a classic album. I have not absolving them from fault, i.e. Fantasia and Monica. But in my opinion something in the water is not quite right at j records.
J | April 14, 2008 6:30 PM | PermalinkI am really enjoying this countdown and the commentary!
Milquetoast-now that's the word of the day.(LOL) I have to say that out of all the highly-regarded acts in music right now, I'm the least impressed with Alicia Keys. However, I really liked this song and Diary from her second album. In fact, they're still the only two songs of hers I have ever liked off top. Kanye's production and Alicia's voice were a perfect match. Its a shame actually that he doesn't produce more R&B songs. Its also a shame that in the midst of her more bland commercial hits, this song probably won't even make the greatest hits album to come five years from now.
0731 | April 14, 2008 5:24 PM | Permalink