Words by DeWayne Rogers
Images courtesy of Steed Media Service
Prelude to a love song:
Her graceful gait is breathtaking. The way she elegantly strokes the ivory has been known to cause more than a few heart palpitations. Even the angelic notes she trumpets must be classified as titillating. But the lyrics … oh the lyrics, now they may be the one thing that separates Alicia Keys from the Milli Vanilli’s of the world. There are no frills, no fluff — just inspiring words that come straight from her heart.
(Note to my editor: I know you requested a piece with a completely serious tone on the potency of Keys’ lyrics. I’m also quite sure that the Milli Vanilli quip goes directly against your orders — which means, I’ll probably be reprimanded as soon as this story goes to print. So instead of just biting the bullet for that one minor offense — I mean come on, you can never classify anything Milli Vanilli related as big can you? So I’ve decided to go down in a blaze of glory. And to paraphrase the late, great Frank Sinatra, I’m going to do this piece “my way.”
Now back to Keys. When the Grammy Award-winning artist takes the stage to perform at this year’s BET Awards, few will question her ability to connect with the audience, as well as the millions of viewers who are sure to tune in to the live telecast. What may get overlooked though, are the many valuable life lessons that can be gleaned by simply taking a closer look at her lyrics. So let’s take a journey through Keys’ body of multiplatinum work to see what we can discover.
Chapter 1: Love Questioned
The Lyrics: Fallin’
[2001, Songs in A Minor]
I keep on fallin’ in love with you
Sometimes I love ya
Sometimes you make me blue
Sometimes I feel good
At times I feel used
Loving you darling
Makes me so confused
The Diagnosis: As Keys expressed in “Fallin’,” it’s so easy to become romantically entangled with the wrong person. As soon as you think things are going right, they suddenly take a sharp, dramatic turn to the left and you find yourself careening off of sanity’s cliff. “Should I stay? Should I go? Is this really the right person for me?” These and other questions constantly flood your mind as you begin to doubt yourself almost as much as Ben Affleck’s acting coach. (Hey, I said almost.)
In the end, relationships such as the one described by Keys, can often lead to a tough bout with one of our nation’s most insidious silent killers — the broken heart.
The Cure: Many have been afflicted with a broken heart, but few actually identify any clear-cut path to recovery. Such an approach, or the lack thereof often leads to endless amounts of pain and suffering. It has also been discovered that if left unchecked, a broken heart can actually prove to be more damaging than cigarette smoke, a high cholesterol diet, or even a marriage to Kevin Federline.
So ask yourself this … are you absolutely sure you know how to recover from a broken heart? If not, then I’d suggest you pay close attention to the following steps. Now that Keys has opened the door to awareness through her first hit song, it’s time we tackle the problem head-on. The following five steps may prove to be even more effective than the time I taught Bob Dole how to shake with his left hand.
No. 1 – Remember That You Are Somebody
Many times when suffering an emotional setback, it’s easy to lose sight of your self-worth. Doing so is probably an even bigger mistake than me buying O.J. that pair of gloves for Christmas. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Instead, continue to reinforce all of your positive qualities, and stop blaming yourself for what happened.
No. 2 – Don’t Be Afraid To Let The Tears Flow
In the words of Justin Timberlake (and others), “Cry Me A River” — please … do it. There are moments when tears can actually express more than any word or phrase ever could. So use the tears as a way to release that negative energy and get yourself on the road to recovery.
No. 3 – Don’t Let Your Body Fall Apart
Television has incorrectly reinforced the idea that the perfect cure for heartbreak is to lie in bed and eat a truckload of food. This couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, you’d probably have a better chance at convincing Osama bin Laden that the U.S. ‘just wants to talk,’ than you have at actually getting your heart to mend by using this method. A rejuvenated mind, body, and spirit is precisely what you need. So get plenty of sleep and exercise while maintaining a balanced diet throughout this process.
No. 4 – Resume Your Day-to-Day Activities
There’s no sense in moping around, feeling sorry for yourself. It’s time to dust yourself off, and return to some semblance of a normal life. So whether it was going to the movies, or watching a “Fraggle Rock” marathon on Disney, revisit the activities that brought you joy.
No. 5 – Take Time to Get Over It
Painful experiences don’t disappear overnight — unless of course we’re talking about MC Hammer’s career. So don’t be afraid to take some time to get over the pain. There’s no set timetable, as it could be days or months before you’re finally able to put it behind you.
Chapter 2: Love Realized
The Lyrics: “If I Ain’t Got You”
(2003, The Diary of Alicia Keys)
Some people want it all
But I don’t want nothing at all
If it ain’t you baby
If I ain’t got you baby
Some people want diamond rings
Some just want everything
But everything means nothing
If I ain’t got you, Yeah
The Outlook: Assuming you’ve been able to move past the heartbreak, when new love finds you, you’ll undoubtedly undergo a bittersweet mix of emotions. On the one hand, you’re elated that you were finally able to heal from the disappointments of the past and find someone capable of igniting a new smoldering flame within you. But on the flipside, a part of you still wonders if this new person will end up disappointing you much like the R. Kelly verdict.
But this love feels different, though, and your soul begins to sing a new song, much like Keys offers on her second album with “If I Ain’t Got You.” The love she professes is so deep that she’s willing to give it all up, just to be with that one true love. I haven’t seen such a willingness to sacrifice it all for love since Prince Akeem renounced his throne to Zamunda in Coming To America. A love like this is hard to find. So when you do find it embrace it, much like Keys.
Chapter 3: Love Defended
The Lyrics: “No One”
(2007, As I Am)
You and me together
Through the days and nights
I don’t worry ’cause
Everything’s going to be alright
People keep talking they can say what they like
But all I know is everything’s going to be alright
No one, no one, no one
Can get in the way of what I’m feeling
The Noble Fight: Keys realized in her latest album that love is insincere if it’s not worth fighting for. It’s one thing to simply say “I love you.” But, will you stand up for this love when the naysayers and doubters try to tell you that your relationship is more useless than Michael Jackson’s strength and conditioning coach?
The fact remains that we should all be intensely passionate about the one we love. In fact, there are many public examples of those willing to fight for love that we can draw from. There’s Will and Jada. Brad and Angelina. Aretha Franklin and any fried food. The list just goes on and on, with the main idea remaining the same in every instance: Fight for the one you love.
Final note to my editor: Well I think I’ve cleared everything off my desk now, so the search for a new entertainment editor can officially begin in earnest. Was losing my job worth writing this piece my way? Absolutely. Because in the end, our readers (well ex-readers for me), developed a deeper level of understanding and appreciation for the basic principles that serve as the foundation of Alicia Keys’ success. There’s a reason her songs instantly become megahits shortly after their release. Some credit her stunning good looks. Others argue that it’s the powerful record label and promotional budget backing her. But I contend that it’s her relatable message. Love indeed conquers all, and as long as Keys continues to write songs that speak directly to people’s hearts, she will continue to occupy the upper echelon of this generation’s greatest artists. That much you can bank on. (By the way, would you mind writing a letter of recommendation for me?)
