Musical Analysis #2

No One
By: Alicia Keys

 Released: September 10, 2007
Genre: R&B
Songwriter: 
  • Alicia Keys, 
  • Kerry Brothers Jr., 
  • George M. Harry
  • Producer: 
  • Alicia Keys & 
  • Kerry "Krucial" Brothers

  • "No One"  By Alicia Keys, I hold this song near and dear to my heart. When this song first came out we would hear it on the radio. My daughter memorized it and would sing along to it every time it played. 

  • She passed away when she was 4 years old. One of the nights we were listening to this song and I listened very carefully to the lyrics I felt like she was telling us everything will be ok and she will still be close to our family. Also not for me to worry about her that she will be ok.



    • Lyrics

    Click here for full lyrics.

    "No One" was written and produced by Alicia Keys, Kerry Brothers Jr., and George M. Harry. Keys told MTV News Canada that the song, "is really talking about the way that in relationships, the way that so many things are around you all the time to try to distract you. And even though people may talk and say whatever they may want to say, but then no one can get in the way of this." Keys said that it was a song that "just wrote itself". It was one of the last songs written for the album. Click here for full lyrics.

    Rhythm

    According to enotes "It's also a very rhythmic song. There's repetition in the lyrics and the instruments."

    Melody

    According to enotes "No One" is a very emotional song, and the sounds are a little bit stretched to evoke feelings of longing.

    Meter

    The meter in the going is grouped into 4.

    As it states in Wikipedia: "The single topped the US Billboard Hot 100 for five consecutive weeks and the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart for 10 consecutive weeks, while charting inside the top 10 in most major markets."

    "No One" was the most listened-to song on US radio of 2008, with 3.08 million listeners. It is one of the best-selling singles of all time, having sold 5.6 million copies by 2008. The song won Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song at the 50th Grammy Awards on February 10, 2008.

    Sources:

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_One_%28Alicia_Keys_song%29

    Arts. (n.d.). Retrieved February 15, 2021, from https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/how-can-analyze-song-no-one-by-alica-keys-regard-634232

    Harry, G., Brothers, K., & Keys, A. (n.d.). Alicia keys "no one" sheet music in E major (TRANSPOSABLE) - download & print. Retrieved February 15, 2021, from https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0060124

    Comments

    1. Megan and the MusicFebruary 17, 2021 at 6:11 PM

      Arlene, I am so sorry for the loss of your daughter. This is a beautiful song and definitely matches the thought of her telling you that, "I don't worry cause everything's gonna be alright."

      Alicia Keys is such a powerhouse of a female music artist, she's always made an impact with all of her songs with her voice and piano skills.

      The rhythm in the background is very steady and repetitive like you mentioned and I think this song is more about the words, meaning and how it makes the audience feel rather than the musical genius of it.

      It's catchy and easy to sing along to which is why it was the most listened to song in 2008 (not saying I'd be able to accomplish the vocals that she does, but you know what I mean - I can sing it loud in my car in tune or not).

      I thought this web article was interesting, "Finally, the fourth is the people who the song has reached and helped them through a tough time" as it describes the different rooms of a song.

      Now listening to this song again and learning about more musical elements, this song isn't complicated, but it gives you the feeling of raw emotion. "However, the heart of it is within the person, thinking and putting themselves into each word." Each word of this song is meaningful to her and her audience.

      Link: https://iwantmypopculture.com/2016/12/07/video-review-alicia-keys-no-one/

      Great song choice. Thank you for sharing your story!

      -M

      ReplyDelete
    2. Jazmyn BFebruary 17, 2021 at 10:57 PM

      Hi Arlene, I am incredibly sorry for the loss of your daughter, but I am so thankful that you are able to find joy and security through the lyrics of this song. Similarly to you, I have also had a deep appreciation for this song since it was released in 2007, and it seems that we enjoy a lot of the same aspects of this song! Before reading your statement in the "Melody" portion of your blog, I had never noticed the effect that Keys creates for the listener by lengthening her notes just slightly, in order to create a more sorrowful effect. I also think that the simplicity of the instrumental background and the rhythm allows the lyrics and vocals to stand out more and have a greater impact on the listener. I really enjoyed listening to this song again, and reading your analysis of it!

      ReplyDelete
    3. Musical RobinFebruary 17, 2021 at 11:16 PM

      Hi Arlene,

      "No One" is a very successful hit song, and its instrumental are available in karaoke versions. The single rhythm and steady drum beat makes it easy to follow. I found a post online about its song meaning and analysis by Jessica Shelton at https://www.songmeaningsandfacts.com/no-one-by-alicia-keys/. It states that "No One" mainly focuses on the belief that the person you love will always stay close to you no matter what happens. As mother, I understand our deep natural forever love to our children wherever they are. It’s amazing to see that love is a forever powerful topic in music and literatures.

      I like the instrumental with background vocals accompanying Alicia Keys’ bright, deep, and resonant vocal. I also noticed some vibrato in her singing. The harmonic texture of this song is impressive, and I think it’s homophonic with dominating melody and accompaniment supports. Thanks for sharing a beautiful song!

      Robin

      ReplyDelete

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