Best of Me (Alicia Keys song) explained

Best of Me
Cover:Alicia Keys - Best of Me (Single Cover).jpeg
Type:single
Artist:Alicia Keys
Album:Keys
Genre:R&B
Label:RCA
Producer:
Chronology:Alicia Keys
Prev Title:Lala
Prev Year:2021
Next Title:City of Gods
Next Year:2022

"Best of Me" is a song by American singer and songwriter Alicia Keys. It was written by Keys, Andrew Hale, Sade, Raphael Saadiq, and Stuart Matthewman. Keys released two versions of the song, "Originals", produced solely by her, and "Unlocked", produced alongside Mike Will Made It, through RCA Records on October 28, 2021.[1] The song serves as the second single from Keys' eighth studio album Keys.

Background and release

Keys announced the song on social media on September 28, posting the single's cover art.[2] In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Keys commented that: Additionally, in November 2021, Keys released a lullaby version of the song on Sweet Dreams extended play.[3]

Composition

The song samples "Cherish the Day" by Sade. Rap-Up described the song as a "slow-burning groove"[4] while Jon Pareles from The New York Times described it as having "steady, diligent beat".[5]

Critical reception

Writing for The New York Times, Pareles found that "the track is hypnotic and open-ended, fading rather than resolving, as if it could go on and on".[5] In his review of the album, Liam Inscoe-Jones from The Line of Best Fit wrote that the “broody” song “conjures an ice-cold vibe through clattering, propulsive drums and a deep bed of whirring synths; it’s simple, but conjures one hell of a mood with it”. He also commented that the remix version of the song “change[s] so little that you have to squint to spot the difference”.[6]

Live performances

Keys performed the song at Mercedes-EQ Concert Experience at Mercedes-Benz Manhattan on November 6, 2021.[7] Keys performed the song at Apollo Theater for Sirius XM Small Stage Series.[8] On December 10, Keys performed the song at Expo 2020 in Dubal, United Arab Emirates.[9] Keys performed the song during iHeartRadio Album Release Party airing on December 9,[10] as well as on Today on December 14, 2021.[11]

Track listing

  1. "Best of Me" (Originals) – 3:58
  2. "Best of Me" (Unlocked) – 3:49

Music video

Keys released a music video for the original version on October 29, 2021.[13]

Charts

Year-end charts

Notes and References

  1. Kreps . Daniel . Alicia Keys Teases Double-Sided Album 'Keys' With Two Versions of New Single 'Best of Me' . . 2021-10-30 . 2021-10-29.
  2. aliciakeys . 1453809715687821313 . "Best Of Me" out tonight. The next song off of #KEYS. Get ready for the Original and Unlocked versions out Midnight ET!.
  3. Web site: Alicia Keys: Sweet Dreams - EP. Apple Music. 2022-03-05.
  4. Web site: Alicia Keys Debuts New Single 'Best Of Me' . . 2021-10-30 . 2021-10-28.
  5. Web site: Jon Pareles . Giovanni Russonello . Lindsay Zoladz . Alicia Keys's Hypnotic Love Jam, and 12 More New Songs . . 2021-10-30 . 2021-10-29.
  6. Web site: Alicia Keys Continues to Settle Into a Fruitful Groove on the Unique Double Album KEYS. Inscoe-Jones, Liam. 2021-12-08 . The Line of Best Fit. 2022-03-05.
  7. Web site: Uwumarogie, Victoria . Alicia Keys And The Mercedes-Benz EQS, The Brand's First Electric Vehicle, Shine During Concert Experience . . 2021-11-28 . 2021-11-09.
  8. Web site: Alicia Keys - Best of Me [LIVE @ SiriusXM] | Small Stage Series ]. YouTube. 2022-03-06.
  9. Web site: Marsden, Rhodri . Review: Alicia Keys Mesmerises Expo 2020 Dubai with Old Hits and a New Album . . 2021-12-11 . 2021-12-11.
  10. Web site: Brooks . Hayden . Alicia Keys Explains Why Her New Double Album Feels Like 'A Homecoming' . . 2024-07-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240708110340/https://foxsportsabq.iheart.com/alternate/amp/2021-12-09-alicia-keys-explains-why-her-new-double-album-feels-like-a-homecoming/ . 2024-07-08 . 2021-12-10.
  11. Web site: Alicia Keys Performs New Song 'Best of Me' Live on TODAY Plaza. 2021-12-14 . Today. 2022-03-05.
  12. Web site: Best of Me - Single by Alicia Keys. Spotify. October 29, 2021. November 7, 2021.
  13. Web site: Sheridan, Wade . Alicia Keys, Swizz Beatz Are in Love in New 'Best of Me' Video . . 2021-11-05 . 2021-10-29.
  14. 2022 Year End Chart: Adult R&B Songs. Billboard. June 26, 2021.
  15. Web site: Urban/R&B Future Releases . All Access Music Group . https://archive.today/20211030155652/https://www.allaccess.com/urban/future-releases . 2021-10-30 . 2021-11-05 . dead .