Alicia Keys - "Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart" Music Video & Performance

"Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart" is the new single from Alicia Keys. It is the second single from "Elements of Freedom" which is due in stores on the 15th of December. The first single, "Doesn't Mean Anything" wasn't a certified hit, but that won't be the case with "Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart". I really like the track. Alicia Keys sounds really good and it is really catchy. I like depth of the lyrics and the video - it is classic Alicia Keys. I wasn't too excited about the album when I first heard "Doesn't Mean Anything", but that changed when I heard this track and Alicia talk about the album. I'm really anxious to hear it.

I really like the video; it is really simple and works with the lyrics and music. I really like all the different looks Alicia has, but I think she looks absolutely stunning when she is riding the motorcycle and when she is on the roof in the purple...wow! I also like that Alicia is at a piano for some shots, she is very talented and I'm glad that it is portrayed. I'm not to sure about the scene with the dog, it was a bit random and odd, but it made more sense after seeing the end of the video. The video is an improvement from her last video; she looks amazing, the concept is simple and cool. I like it. Alicia Keys is back!

Earlier this week, Alicia performed the single on Dancing With The Stars, and here is that performance:

Alicia Keys - Yahoo! Music Set & Interview

Alicia Keys is promoting her new singles, "Doesn't Mean Anything" and "Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart" from her fourth studio album, "Elements of Freedom" which is due on December 15th. Alicia recently played a six song set for Yahoo! Music as well as an interview.

Since I am a huge fan, it was great to see Alicia perform some of her past hits including, "If I Ain't Got You", "You Don't Know My Name", "No One" and "Fallin'". As I've stated, I don't think her new singles measure up to her potential, although they are still good songs. I really enjoyed the interview - it reaffirmed all the reasons why I love Alicia. I always find comfort in her music and am really anxious to hear the new album as I can relate to some of the themes she explores and will find comfort and strength. The themes she is going to explore include: balance, growth, changing and testing yourself to get to a new place. I'm really stoked and December 15th can't come soon enough. But for now, enjoy the interview and the songs.

Interview:

"Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart":

"Doesn't Mean Anything":

"Empire State of Mind" and "You Don't Know My Name":

"No One":

"If I Ain't Got You":

"Fallin'":

Jay-Z and Alicia Keys - "Empire State of Mind" Music Video

"Empire State of Mind" by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys is one of my favorite songs right now. I can't help but smile and sing it every single time I hear it. And now we have a music video to go along with it. Enjoy.

I wonder if they will release a sing-a-long version with the lyrics and a Yankee cap bouncing back and forth?

Jay-Z and Alicia Keys - "Empire State of Mind" @ World Series Game 2

I'm not a big fan of baseball, but the World Series does have great performances. At game 2 yesterday, Jay-Z and Alicia Keys performed "Empire State of Mind" at Yankee Stadium. All the pieces fell into place - two New York native superstars performing at one of New York's iconic venues and a song about New York that even mentions the Yankee baseball cap. And the Yankees were able to pull off the win, tying the series. It was all about New York. But enough about baseball, here's the performance.

Now that is the Alicia Keys I know and love. Hopefully there is more of that to come!

(There is another game on Saturday, and I'm really excited to hear the cast of Glee sing the Anthem!)

Alicia Keys - "Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart"

Being a huge fan of Alicia Keys, I was not very impressed with the lead single, "Doesn't Mean Anything",  from her fourth studio album, "The Element of Freedom". And it looks like I was not the only one. The single has only reached #60 on the charts, and has failed to gain much airplay. I will admit that it does grow on you, but it is not what I or the public expects.

The good news is that Alicia has decided to push the album's release back two weeks and work on more material. The album is now scheduled to be released on the 15th of December. She is also going to start promoting the second single from the album, "Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart".

After a few listens, I like "Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart" more than "Doesn't Mean Anything", but it is STILL missing something. I don't know about her singing, her vocals don't sound as pure and powerful as they did on her first two albums. I noticed this on her last album, and it seems to be going in the wrong direction for me. I do like the vibe and production of the song - there are some great sounds going on in the background. I like the beat, it's simple, but it works. I also like the chorus and the bridge. I don't think it's the best song she's put out, but it isn't the worst. I like it and I'm sure it will grow on me, although it won't give me goosebumps like "Fallin'", "If I Ain't Got You", "Where Do We Go From Here", "Karma", "Wake Up", "Diary", "Troubles", "The Life", "Butterflyz", "Caged Bird" and others do.

What do you think of "Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart"?

Jay-Z and Alicia Keys - "Empire State of Mind" Music Video Preview

Earlier this month, I posted some clips from the video shoot for "Empire State of Mind" by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys. And we have a sneak peak at the video:

Alicia Keys - "Doesn't Mean Anything" Music Video

Alicia Keys will be releasing her fourth studio album "The Element of Freedom" on December 1. The lead single is called "Doesn't Mean Anything" and it is growing on me. When I first heard the single, I was not very impressed. I am huge fan of Alicia Keys and have high expectations, and this song just didn't do it for me, but now, it's alright. It is not a classic hit, but it is a good song.

"This beautiful city seems empty. All the people in the world and you can still feel lonely. What's the point of having it all without the person you love. Sometimes you just need to start again in order to fly." - Alicia Keys

I really like the first half of the video. It is really simple, just Alicia singing at the piano. She looks amazing, the scenes of New York are breathtaking, and the piano is see-through, how cool is that! And then it gets weird. Things disappear. Alicia pops up in some mystic looking desert, walking on a pathway. She looks amazing, like a superstar, but she doesn't fit in with the scene. There is also a white grand piano. Then she is climbing a mountain, she reaches the top, and she is alone - which isn't exactly the theme of the song. And the video seems to linger and won't end. I don't know, I was really into the video when it started, but when thing started to disappear, so did my understand and appreciation. I don't get the imagery, symbolism, and don't really know if it fits the tone, theme and lyrics of the song. For me, she missed the mark with this video.

I'm really curious as to what you all think. As I've said before, I'm a HUGE fan of Alicia, but the single wasn't an instant hit for me, and neither is the video. What are your thoughts and opinions?

Alicia Keys and Jay-Z - Empire State of Mind

Alicia Keys is ready to take over MTV and BET with her videos. On Monday I posted pictures of Alicia Keys on the set of her video for "Doesn't Mean A Thing". And Now Alicia is in New York, shooting the music video for "Empire State of Mind" with Jay-Z. The song is the second single off his album, The Blueprint 3.

In case you haven't heard the song, here it is:

And here are three clips from the music video shoot:

I can't wait to see the finished product. It's a great song. Alicia Keys looks stunning behind the piano. As you can tell by the crowd, this song has a great chorus and is one that you'll be singing with your friends, strangers and large crowds. I'm sure the song and video will get plenty of airplay.

And here is a clip of Jay-Z performing the song in concert at Madison Square Garden with Bridget Kelly filling in for Alicia Keys. (And check out the super sexy cover of "Use Somebody" by Bridget Kelly)

Alicia Keys - Keep A Child Alive

As you may know, Alicia Keys is one of my heroes. She is a Global Ambassador and Co-Founder of an amazing organization called "Keep A Child Alive" and here's a message from her:


Alicia Keys from keepachildalive on Vimeo.

(Taken from http://keepachildalive.org/)


Be sure to check out her new single, "Doesn't Mean Anything".

Alicia Keys - Doesn't Mean Anything

Alicia Keys is one of my personal heroes. She is a talented musician, lyricist, singer and composer, and has remained gracious, humble and grounded. She has won 5 American Music Awards, 4 BET Music Awards, 10 Billboard Music Awards, 3 World Music Awards, 13 NAACP Image Awards, and 12 Grammy Awards. She has sold 14 million albums in the US, and another 16 million worldwide. And she is only 28!

Alicia Keys is also a great philanthropist and is an ambassador and co-founder of "Keep A Child Alive", which aims to provide for children in Africa that have been affected by HIV/AIDS. In 2009, she received  the BET Humanitarian Award.

I could go on and on about how much I love Alicia and how gracious she is to her fans, but let's stick to the music for now..

On December 1st, Alicia Keys will be releasing her 4th studio album, called "The Element of Freedom". About two weeks ago, she posted audio from the lead single, "Doesn't Mean Anything" and today is day 2 of the music video shoot.

Here are two pictures of Alicia at the music video shoot (originally posted on Twitter by @AliciaKeys)

Take a listen and share your thoughts on the song:




My thoughts: I am a huge fan of Alicia, but this song falls short for me. The lyrics are great, but it sounds like "If I Ain't Got You" part 2. The music and arrangement are lacking. It sounds very similar to "No One" but without the power! It sounds like an unfinished demo. Her vocals are better than but it's missing something - it sounds empty. This will not be a classic Alicia hit. Sorry Alicia, I still think you are amazing, brilliant and talented, but this is not a strong first single. It's alright, but not strong enough for a single.

What do you all think?

Who Sang it Better: Wild Horses

Here's the deal: Same song, three different artists and renditions.... Who Sang It Better??


Contestant Number 1: The Rolling Stones




Contestant Number 2: Alicia Keys and Adam Levine



Contestant Number 3: Susan Boyle



So, Who Sang it Better? The Rolling Stones? Alicia Keys and Adam Levine? Susan Boyle?

Leave your votes in the comments. And thank you for playing!