Karma (Alicia Keys song) explained

Karma
Cover:	Alicia Keys - Karma single cover.jpg
Type:	single
Artist:	Alicia Keys
Album:	The Diary of Alicia Keys
Studio:	KrucialKeys Quad Recording (New York City, New York)
Genre:	R&B alternative hip hop classical
Length:	4:16
Label:	J
Producer:	Brothers, Jr.
Prev Title:	My Boo
Prev Year:	2004
Next Title:	Unbreakable
Next Year:	2005

"Karma" is a song by American singer and songwriter Alicia Keys, taken from her second studio album, The Diary of Alicia Keys (2003). Written by Keys, Kerry Brothers, Jr., and Taneisha Smith, the song takes influence from hip hop and classical music. It was released as the album's fourth and final single on November 1, 2004, by J Records. Peaking at number 20 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 17 on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, it's the album's only single not to top a Billboard chart. A mashup of "Karma" with Stevie Wonder's 1972 hit "Superstition" titled "Karmastition", produced by Go Home Productions, was also released.

Composition

Sheet music for "Karma" sets the key of D minor at 100bpm.^[1]

Content

In the song, the narrator's lover who had left her returns and wants to start a new relationship, but she has moved on. Her lover is now in the position she was once in, and in being rejected receives their just deserts ("what goes around comes around"). The title references the popular conception of karma as getting what one deserves.

Music video

The music video for "Karma", directed by Chris Robinson and Keys herself, was filmed over three days in August 2004, with parts shot in New York City and at Casa de Campo resort's Altos de Chavón amphitheatre, in La Romana, Dominican Republic.^[2] At the 2005 MTV Video Music Awards, the video earned Keys the award for Best R&B Video.

Track listings and formats

• US 12-inch single^[3]

A1. "Karma" (album version) – 4:12

A2. "Karma" (instrumental) – 4:11

B1. "Karma" (KrucialKeys DJ mix) – 3:20

B2. "Karma" (acappella) – 3:45

• European CD single^[4]

1. "Karma" – 4:15
2. "Diary" (Hani mix) – 3:49

• European CD maxi-single^[5]

1. "Karma" (radio edit) – 3:37
2. "Diary" (Hani mix) – 3:49
3. "Karma" (the Reggaeton mix) – 3:32
4. "Karma" (club mix) – 3:18
5. "Karma" (video)

Personnel

• Alicia Keys – lead vocals, backing vocals, piano
• Kerry "Krucial" Brothers – producer, digital programming, engineer, instrumentation
• Manny Marroquin – mixing
• Herb Powers Jr. – mastering
• Joe Romano – horn
• David Watson – horn

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2004 - 2005)	Peak position
Canada CHR/Pop Top 30 (Radio & Records)^[6]	7
Canada Hot AC Top 30 (Radio & Records)^[7]	8
Greece (IFPI)^[8]	31

Year-end charts

Chart (2005)	Position
US Billboard Hot 100^[9]	56
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)^[10]	38
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)^[11]	25
US Rhythmic Top 40 (Billboard)^[12]	88

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label
United States	November 1, 2004		J	^[13]
	November 8, 2004	Rhythmic contemporary radio		^[14]
	November 22, 2004	Contemporary hit radio		^[15]
Germany	February 7, 2005		Sony BMG

See also

• Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 2005

External links

• Karma at Discogs

Notes and References

1. Web site: Karma - Alicia Keys. Musicnotes.com.
2. Web site: Alicia Keys Goes Gritty And Exotic For New Video . . September 13, 2004 . November 8, 2012.
3. Karma. Alicia Keys. 2004. US 12-inch single vinyl disc. J Records. 82876-62467-1.
4. Karma. Alicia Keys. 2004. European CD single liner notes. J Records. 82876 67307 2.
5. Karma. Alicia Keys. 2004. European CD Maxi-single liner notes. Sony BMG Music Entertainment, MBK Entertainment, J Records. 82876 673062.
6. R&R Canada CHR/Pop Top 30 . . 1604 . 25 . April 29, 2005 . October 15, 2020.
7. R&R Canada Hot AC Top 30 . . 1608 . 51 . May 27, 2005 . May 10, 2024.
8. Web site: Top 50 Singles Εβδομάδα 27/2–5/3 . . el . July 3, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20050303003841/http://www.ifpi.gr/chart03.htm . March 3, 2005 . dead.
9. Web site: 2005 Year End Charts – Hot 100 Songs . Billboard.biz . November 26, 2005 . November 8, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120927031913/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/yearendcharts/2005/hsititl.jsp . September 27, 2012.
10. Web site: 2005 Year End Charts – Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs . Billboard.biz . November 26, 2005 . November 8, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121001172251/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/yearendcharts/2005/bsititl.jsp . October 1, 2012.
11. 2005 The Year in Charts: Top Mainstream Top 40 Songs. Billboard Radio Monitor. 13. 50. 26. December 16, 2005.
12. 2005 The Year in Charts: Top Rhythmic Top 40 Songs. Billboard Radio Monitor. 13. 50. 34. December 16, 2005.
13. Going for Adds . Radio & Records . 1579 . 19 . October 29, 2004 . May 25, 2021.
14. Going for Adds . Radio & Records . 1580 . 20 . November 5, 2004 . May 25, 2021.
15. Going for Adds . Radio & Records . 1582 . 21 . November 19, 2004 . May 25, 2021.