Throughout her career, Keys has won numerous awards including 14 Grammy awards and has sold over 75 million records worldwide. Billboard magazine named her the top R&B artist of the 2000–2009 decade, establishing herself as one of the best-selling artists of her time. In 2010, VH1 included Keys on its list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.
Keys released her first studio album, Songs in A Minor, in June 2001. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and sold 236,000 copies in its first week. The album sold over 6.2 million copies in the United States, where it was certified six times Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It went on to sell over 13 million copies worldwide, establishing Keys' popularity both inside and outside the United States, where she became the best-selling new artist and best-selling R&B artist of 2001. The album's lead single, Fallin', spent six weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. The album's second single, A Woman's Worth, peaked at number three on the same chart. The following year, the album was reissued as Remixed & Unplugged in A Minor, which included eight remixes and seven unplugged versions of the songs from the original.
Songs in A Minor led Keys to win five awards at the 2002 Grammy Awards: Song of the Year, Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, and Best R&B Song for Fallin', Best New Artist, and Best R&B Album; Fallin' was also nominated for Record of the Year. Keys became the second female solo artist to win five Grammy Awards in a single night, following Lauryn Hill at the 41st Grammy Awards. That same year, she collaborated with Christina Aguilera for the latter's upcoming album Stripped on a song entitled Impossible, which Keys wrote, co-produced, and provided with background vocals. During the early 2000s, Keys also made small cameos in television series Charmed and American Dreams.
Keys followed up her debut with The Diary of Alicia Keys, which was released in December 2003. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, selling over 618,000 copies its first week of release, becoming the largest first-week sales for a female artist in 2003. It sold 4.4 million copies in the United States and was certified four times Platinum by the RIAA. It sold nine million copies worldwide, becoming the sixth biggest-selling album by a female artist and the second biggest-selling album by a female R&B artist. The singles You Don't Know My Name and If I Ain't Got You both reached the top five of the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and the third single, Diary, entered the top ten. The fourth single, Karma, was less successful on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 20. If I Ain't Got You became the first single by a female artist to remain on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart for over a year.
Keys won Best R&B Video for If I Ain't Got You at the 2004 MTV Video Music Awards; she performed the song and Higher Ground with Lenny Kravitz and Stevie Wonder. Later that year, Keys released her novel Tears for Water: Songbook of Poems and Lyrics, a collection of unreleased poems from her journals and lyrics. The title derived from one of her poems, "Love and Chains" from the line: "I don't mind drinking my tears for water." She said the title is the foundation of her writing because "everything I have ever written has stemmed from my tears of joy, of pain, of sorrow, of depression, even of question". The book sold over US$500,000 and Keys made The New York Times bestseller list in 2005. The following year, she won a second consecutive award for Best R&B Video at the MTV Video Music Awards for the video Karma. Keys performed If I Ain't Got You and then joined Jamie Foxx and Quincy Jones in a rendition of Georgia on My Mind, the Hoagy Carmichael song made famous by Ray Charles in 1960 at the 2005 Grammy Awards. That evening, she won four Grammy Awards: Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for If I Ain't Got You, Best R&B Song for You Don't Know My Name, Best R&B Album for The Diary of Alicia Keys, and Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals" for My Boo with Usher.
Keys performed and taped her installment of the MTV Unplugged series in July 2005 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. During this session, Keys added new arrangements to her original songs and performed a few choice covers. The session was released on CD and DVD in October 2005. Simply titled Unplugged, the album debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart with 196,000 units sold in its first week of release. The album sold one million copies in the United States, where it was certified Platinum by the RIAA, and two million copies worldwide. The debut of Keys' Unplugged was the highest for an MTV Unplugged album since Nirvana's 1994 MTV Unplugged in New York and the first Unplugged by a female artist to debut at number one. The album's first single, Unbreakable, peaked at number 34 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number four on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. It remained at number one on the Billboard Hot Adult R&B Airplay for 11 weeks.
Keys opened a recording studio in Long Island, New York, called The Oven Studios, which she co-owns with her production and songwriting partner Kerry "Krucial" Brothers. The studio was designed by renowned studio architect John Storyk of WSDG, designer of Jimi Hendrix' Electric Lady Studios. Keys and Brothers are the co-founders of KrucialKeys Enterprises, a production and songwriting team who assisted Keys in creating her albums as well as create music for other artists.
In 2006, Keys won three NAACP Image Awards, including Outstanding Female Artist and Outstanding Song for Unbreakable. She also received the Starlight Award by the Songwriters Hall of Fame. In October 2006, she played the voice of Mommy Martian in the "Mission to Mars" episode of the children's television series The Backyardigans, in which she sang an original song, Almost Everything Is Boinga Here. That same year, Keys nearly suffered a mental breakdown. Her grandmother had died and her family was heavily dependent on her. She felt she needed to "escape" and went to Egypt for three weeks. She explained: "That trip was definitely the most crucial thing I've ever done for myself in my life to date. It was a very difficult time that I was dealing with, and it just came to the point where I really needed to—basically, I just needed to run away, honestly. And I needed to get as far away as possible."
Keys released her third studio album, As I Am, in November 2007; it debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, selling 742,000 copies in its first week. It gained Keys her largest first week sales of her career and became her fourth consecutive number one album, tying her with Britney Spears for the most consecutive number-one debuts on the Billboard 200 by a female artist. The week became the second largest sales week of 2007 and the largest sales week for a female solo artist since singer Norah Jones' album Feels like Home in 2004. The album has sold nearly four million copies in the United States and has been certified three times Platinum by the RIAA. It has sold nearly six million copies worldwide. Keys received five nominations for As I Am at the 2008 American Music Award and ultimately won two. The album's lead single, No One, peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, becoming Keys' third and fifth number-one single on each chart, respectively. The album's second single, Like You'll Never See Me Again, was released in late 2007 and peaked at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. The album's third single, Teenage Love Affair, peaked at number three on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. She released the fourth single, Superwoman, which peaked at number 82 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 12 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.
No One earned Keys the awards for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song at the 2008 Grammy Awards. Keys opened the ceremony singing Frank Sinatra's 1950s song Learnin' the Blues as a "duet" with archival footage of Sinatra in video and No One with John Mayer later in the show. Keys also won Best Female R&B Artist during the show. Keys, along with The White Stripes' guitarist and lead vocalist Jack White, recorded the theme song to Quantum of Solace, the first duet in Bond soundtrack history. In 2008, Keys was ranked in at number 80 the Billboard Hot 100 All-Time Top Artists. She also received three nominations at the 2009 Grammy Awards and won Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for Superwoman.
In an interview with Blender magazine, Keys allegedly said "'Gangsta rap' was a ploy to convince black people to kill each other, 'gangsta rap' didn't exist" and went on to say that it was created by "the government". The magazine also claimed she said that Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G. were "essentially assassinated, their beefs stoked by the government and the media, to stop another great black leader from existing". Keys later wrote a statement clarifying the issues and saying her words were misinterpreted. Later that year, Keys was criticized by anti-smoking campaigners after billboard posters for her forthcoming concerts in Indonesia featured a logo for the A Mild cigarette brand sponsored by tobacco firm Philip Morris. She apologized after discovering that the concert was sponsored by the firm and asked for "corrective actions". In response, the company withdrew its sponsorship.
Keys collaborated with record producer Swizz Beatz to write and produce Million Dollar Bill for Whitney Houston's seventh studio album, I Look to You. Keys had approached Clive Davis for permission to submit a song for the album. Keys also collaborated with recording artist Jay-Z on the song Empire State of Mind from his 2009 album, The Blueprint 3. The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 and became her fourth number-one single on that chart.
The following month, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers honored Keys with the Golden Note Award, an award given to artists "who have achieved extraordinary career milestones". She collaborated with Spanish recording artist Alejandro Sanz for Looking for Paradise, which topped the Hot Latin Songs chart. Keys released her fourth studio album, The Element of Freedom, in December 2009. It debuted at number two on the Billboard 200, selling 417,000 copies in its first week. As part of the promotional drive for the album, she performed at the Cayman Island Jazz Festival on December 5, the final night of the three day festival which will be broadcast on Black Entertainment Television (BET). The album's lead single, Doesn't Mean Anything, has peaked at number 60 on the Billboard Hot 100. Keys was ranked as the top R&B recording artist of the 2000–2009 decade by Billboard magazine and ranked at number five as artist of the decade, while her song, No One, was ranked at number six on the magazine's songs of the decade. In the United Kingdom, The Element of Freedom became Keys' first album to top the UK Albums Chart.
According to Songfacts, Keys said regarding the title of her fifth studio album, Girl On Fire. "Before making this record, in some ways I felt like a lion locked in a cage. I felt like a girl misunderstood that no one really knew, I felt like it was time to stop making excuses for any part of my life that I wanted to change. Once I made that choice I became a Girl on Fire, the lion broke free!!" The title track will be made available on iTunes and radio on September 4, 2012.
In May 2009, Swizz Beatz announced that he and Keys were romantically involved, and in May 2010, a representative for Keys and Swizz Beatz confirmed that they were engaged and expecting a child together. During the time of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the couple took part of a union and had the unborn child blessed in a Zulu ceremony, which took place in the Illovo suburb of South Africa. Keys and Swizz Beatz were married on the French island of Corsica on July 31, 2010. On October 14, 2010, Keys gave birth to a son, Egypt Daoud Ibarr Dean, in New York City.
1997
Slow Down
Alicia Keys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Think that you should know what's on my mind
And ooh, baby, I'm feeling our situation
It's gettin' stronger and we want it
But I gotta take my time
See there's so much about you that I want to explore
Physical attraction, we just can't ignore it (no)
Gotta really make sure that I'm sure
Slow down, babe
Let's take our time (slow down, babe)
Slow down, babe
If you don't mind (baby, slow down)
Slow down, babe
'Fore we make this move
Slow down, babe (before we make this move)
Baby, slow down (I think it's really to soon)
Ooh baby, it's like I've known you forever
My medulla obligata
Is electrified
Ooh baby
Whenever were alone together (whenever we're alone together)
I'm bout' to explode and it feels so right
But I gotta take my time, yeah
See there's so much about you that I want to explore
Physical attraction, we just can't ignore it (no)
But before we go too far across the line
Gotta really make sure that I'm sure, oh
Slow down, babe
Let's take our time (slow down, babe)
Slow down, babe (slow down, baby)
If you don't mind (baby, slow down)
Slow down, babe (you're feeling me)
'Fore we make this move (I'm feeling you too)
Slow down, babe (but before we make this move)
Baby, slow down (I think it's really to soon, soon, yeah)
See I know what is best 'cause I've been here before
Gave myself to someone for all the wrong reasons (reasons)
But this time around, I don't want to do that again
I just wanna make this the way that I've dreamed of
So baby, you got to
Slow down, babe (I'm feeling you)
Let's take our time (ya feeling me too)
Slow down, babe (but before we make this move)
If you don't mind (no, it's really too soon)
Slow down, babe (slow down, babe)
'Fore we make this move (you've got to slow down, baby)
Slow down, babe ('cause before we make this move)
Baby, slow down (I think it's really to soon, yeah)
Slow down
You got to slow down
You got to slow down
Baby, slow down
You got to slow down
You got to slow down
You've got to slow down
Alicia Keys's song Slow Down is about taking one's time when it comes to physical intimacy. In the first verse, the singer tells her partner that she has something to tell them and wants to make sure they know what is on her mind. The situation is getting stronger between them, but she wants to take her time before moving forward physically. The singer acknowledges the physical attraction between them but wants to make sure that they don't cross the line before she is sure.
The chorus of the song repeats the message to slow down and take their time. The singer wants to make sure that they are both comfortable before making a move towards physical intimacy. In the second verse, the singer describes how she feels when she is with her partner. She feels like she has known them forever, and the chemistry between them is intense. However, she still wants to take her time before moving forward.
In the bridge of the song, the singer talks about how she has been in a similar situation before, in which she gave herself to someone for all the wrong reasons. This time around, she wants to make sure that it is the way she has dreamed of. She wants to slow down and take her time to make it right.
Overall, Slow Down is a song about not rushing into physical intimacy and taking time to make sure that it is what both partners truly want.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, ooh baby there's something that I gotta tell you
The singer believes there is important information that needs to be shared with the listener
Maybe you should know what's on my mind
The singer thinks it would benefit the listener to understand their thoughts and feelings
Ooh, baby I'm feeling out situation
The singer is assessing the current state of their relationship
Its gettin' stronger and we're on it
The connection between the artist and listener is growing and they are both actively engaged in the relationship
But I gotta take my time
Despite the intense feelings, the artist wants to proceed with caution and not rush into anything
See there's so much about you that I want to explore
The singer is interested in getting to know the listener more deeply
Physical attraction we just can't ignore it
The singer acknowledges the strong physical chemistry between them
But before we go to far across the line
The artist wants to establish boundaries to ensure they don't move too quickly
I gotta really make sure that I'm sure
The artist wants to be absolutely certain about their feelings and intentions before moving forward
Slow down babe
The artist is urging the listener to take things slowly
Lets take our time (slow down babe)
The singer wants both parties to proceed at a measured pace
If you don't mind (babe slow down)
The artist is checking in with the listener to ensure they are comfortable with the speed of the relationship
Before we make this move
The singer is emphasizing the importance of taking things step by step
Baby slow down (I think it's really to soon)
The singer thinks it's too early to move forward at a faster pace
Ooh baby i'ts like I've known you forever
The connection between the two is intense and feels deep-rooted
My medulla obligata
The artist is referring to the part of the brain that governs feelings of reward and pleasure
Is electrified
The artist is experiencing intense feelings of pleasure or interest
Whenever were alone together
The singer is highlighting the importance of being together without outside distractions
I'm bout' to explode and it feels so right
The singer is overcome with intense feelings of desire and attraction
See there's so much about you that I want to explore
The artist is interested in getting to know the listener on a deeper level
But before we go to far across the line
The artist wants to establish clear boundaries to ensure they don't rush into anything
So baby you got to
The artist is urging the listener to proceed with caution
See I know what is best cause I've been there before
The singer has past experience and is using it to guide their actions and decisions in the present
Gave myself to someone for all the wrong reasons (reasons)
The artist has previously made mistakes in their relationships and doesn't want to repeat them
But this time around I don't want to do that again
The singer is making a conscious effort to avoid past mistakes and make a better relationship
I just want to make this the way that I've dreamed of
The singer has a clear vision of the kind of relationship they want and is working toward making it a reality
Slow down
The singer is restating their desire to take things slowly
You got to slow down
The artist is urging the listener to be cautious and not rush into anything
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Alicia Augello-Cook, Paul L Green, Erika Rose, Kumasi Hillard
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind