Back to Life (Alicia Keys song)

Last updated
"Back to Life"
Alicia Keys - Back to Life.jpg
Single by Alicia Keys
from the album Queen of Katwe
ReleasedSeptember 1, 2016 (2016-09-01)
Genre
Length4:52
Label RCA
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Alicia Keys
  • Illangelo
Alicia Keys singles chronology
"In Common"
(2016)		"Back to Life"
(2016)		"Blended Family (What You Do for Love)"
(2016)
Music video
"Back to Life (Lyrics)" on YouTube

"Back to Life" is a song by American singer-songwriter Alicia Keys, released on September 1, 2016, for the soundtrack of the sports drama film Queen of Katwe , directed by Mira Nair. The song was written by Alicia Keys, Illangelo, and Billy Walsh. Production of the song was handled by Keys and Illangelo. [1] [2] [3]

Contents

Background and release

“Queen of Katwe” is based on the true story of 10-year-old girl Phiona from Uganda, who becomes an international chess champion. [4] Disney approached Keys to do a song fro the film, and Keys started to work on the song alongside Illangelo and Billy Walsh after seeing the film and after being blown away by its authencity and honesty. [5] [6] The song was announced on August 31, and a featurette featuring Keys singing and discussing the inspiration behind writing the song, was released. [7] [8] Keys further explained that:

I started thinking about this girl, Phiona. This is a young person trying to figure out who she is and where she’s going to be and how that even related to me and my life now. We’re always redefining who we are and redefining who we’re going to be. In so many ways, that’s what brings you back to life. That’s what brings you that feeling of ‘I have to live and I have to be my greatest. [5]

Critical reception

According to OkayAfrica "[t]he new track kicks off with piano, swaying guitars and a subdued melody before shifting gears into a synth-backed dance beat" and "[i]ts second half ends up moving towards the sonic world of Keys’ previous single “In Common,”. [9] Tom Breihan from Stereogum was disappointed that the song isn't a Soul II Soul cover, but he felt that the song "has that group somewhere in its DNA", and went on to say that the song "starts out like a more traditional movie-soundtrack end-credits showstopper, but then a beat drops in and it turns into a slinky dance jam". [10] Rap-Up was positive, commenting that the song features "inspirational strings" over which Keys "belts out a moving ode to resilience". [11] In a review for the Queen of Katwe soundtrack, Alex Reif of LaughingPlace.com referred to the song as a "beautiful ballad". He additionally stated that, despite its appeal, a few of the other songs on the album ended up overshadowing the song. [12] That Grape Juice described the song as "rousing", "inspirational" and "moving" and noted that the "production has many interesting layers" but concluded that the "repetitive chorus prevents this from being anything more than a soundtrack song". [13] Hype commented that the song is "[m]ade-up of a smooth ballad" and it is a "perfect sonic balance". [14] Sarah Murphy from Exlaim wrote that the song features a "cinematic feel with sparse instrumentation and breathy vocals", adding that midway a "drum beat kicks in and gets matched with bubbling synths and booming bass". [15]

Live performances

Keys performed the song on Today on September 3, 2016. [16] Keys performed the song at the Apple Music Festival in Roundhouse, London. [17]

Track listing

  1. "Back to Life" (From Queen of Katwe ) – 4:52

Release history

RegionDateFormatLabelRef.
United StatesSeptember 1, 2016 RCA [18]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alicia Keys</span> American singer and songwriter (born 1981)

Alicia Augello Cook, known professionally as Alicia Keys, is an American singer and songwriter. A classically trained pianist, Keys began composing songs when she was the age of 12 and was signed by Columbia Records at the age of 15. After disputes with the label, she signed with J Records to release her debut studio album, Songs in A Minor (2001). Met with critical acclaim and commercial success, the album sold over 12 million copies worldwide and won five awards at the 44th Annual Grammy Awards. It contained the Billboard Hot 100-number one single "Fallin'." Her second album, The Diary of Alicia Keys (2003) was met with continued success, selling eight million units worldwide and spawning the singles "You Don't Know My Name", "If I Ain't Got You", and "Diary". Its release earned an additional four Grammy Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alicia Keys discography</span>

American singer Alicia Keys has released nine studio albums, eight live albums, one remix album, six reissue albums, three extended plays, seven box sets, 47 singles as lead artist, and six promotional singles. Throughout her career, Keys has sold over 65 million records worldwide. According to Recording Industry Association of America, Keys is the top certified female R&B artist of the millennium, with 20 million certified albums and 38 million certified digital singles in the United States. Billboard ranked her as the second top female artist of the 2000s decade, fourth top R&B/hip-Hop female artist of the 2010s decade and the 60th Greatest Artist of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Health (band)</span> American industrial rock band

Health is an American industrial/noise rock band from Los Angeles, California. The band currently consists of drummer B.J. Miller, vocalist and guitarist Jake Duzsik, and bassist and producer John Famiglietti. It formerly also included Jupiter Keyes, who left in 2015. Originating from the Los Angeles underground experimental music community, they gained prominence with a remix of "Crimewave" by Crystal Castles before releasing a self-titled album in 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phiona Mutesi</span> Ugandan chess player (born c. 1996)

Phiona Mutesi is a Ugandan chess player. She has represented Uganda at four Women's Chess Olympiads, and is one of the first titled female players in Ugandan chess history. Mutesi is the subject of a 2012 book and a 2016 film called Queen of Katwe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Day (50 Cent song)</span> 2012 single by 50 Cent featuring Dr. Dre and Alicia Keys

"New Day" is a song by American hip hop recording artist 50 Cent. The song was released on July 27, 2012, originally as a single from his scrapped album Street King Immortal, but it was eventually removed from the project. The song was produced by Dr. Dre and mixed by Eminem, while co-written by the two along with 50 Cent, Alicia Keys, Royce da 5'9", Swizz Beatz, Andrew Brissett, Amber Streeter from RichGirl and Lawrence Jr from Aftermath Records. The song features a verse from Dr. Dre, while the hook is sung by Alicia Keys. Keys also recorded and released her own version of "New Day" which is featured on her fifth album Girl on Fire (2012).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brand New Me (Alicia Keys song)</span> 2012 single by Alicia Keys

"Brand New Me" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Alicia Keys for her fifth studio album, Girl on Fire (2012). It was sent to radio by RCA Records on November 19, 2012, as the album's second official single. It was co-written by Keys and Scottish singer-songwriter Emeli Sandé. A follow-up to Keys' previous single "Girl on Fire", "Brand New Me" is a soft ballad, which Keys credits as her autobiography. Lyrically, the song is about personal growth and becoming a brand new version of yourself. It has been met with positive reviews. Keys has performed the song on several occasions including the iTunes Festival of 2012 and VH1 Storytellers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alicia Keys videography</span>

American recording artist Alicia Keys has appeared in numerous music videos. Her videography includes more than thirty music videos and three video albums. In 2000, Keys signed a recording contract with J Records and released her debut single "Fallin'", taken from her first studio album Songs in A minor (2001). The plot of its music video had Keys traveling to a prison to visit her incarcerated boyfriend and was continued in the video for her next single, "A Woman's Worth;" both videos marked Keys' first collaboration with director Chris Robinson, who would become a regular collaborator later. In 2004, another regular, American director Diane Martel, directed the accompanying music video for the second single from the singer's second album The Diary of Alicia Keys, "If I Ain't Got You", which featured rapper Method Man as Keys' love interest. It won the Best R&B Video accolade at the 2004 MTV Video Music Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kris Bowers</span> American composer and pianist

Kristopher Bowers is an American composer, pianist and documentary director. He has composed scores for films, including Green Book, King Richard, The Color Purple, and The Wild Robot and television series, among them Bridgerton, Mrs. America, Dear White People, and When They See Us.

<i>Queen of Katwe</i> 2016 film by Mira Nair

Queen of Katwe is a 2016 American biographical sports drama film directed by Mira Nair and written by William Wheeler. Starring David Oyelowo, Lupita Nyong'o, and Madina Nalwanga, the film depicts the life of Phiona Mutesi, a girl living in Katwe, a slum of Kampala, the capital of Uganda. She learns to play chess and becomes a Woman Candidate Master after her victories at World Chess Olympiads.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">In Common</span> 2016 single by Alicia Keys

"In Common" is a song by American singer and songwriter Alicia Keys from her sixth studio album, Here. The song was written by Keys, Illangelo, Billy Walsh and Taylor Parks, and produced by Illangelo. It is a departure from her R&B sound, having a tropical music and dancehall sound, with Latin beat, Afrobeat instrumental, collage of electronic beats, tropicalia-infused rhythms and icy drum patterns as its main instrumentation. Keys uses a hushed tone throughout the song.

<i>Queen of Katwe</i> (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) 2016 soundtrack album by Various artists

Queen of Katwe (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the soundtrack to the 2016 American film Queen of Katwe directed by Mira Nair. It was released by Walt Disney Records on September 23, 2016. The film, produced by Walt Disney Pictures and ESPN Films, stars David Oyelowo, Lupita Nyong'o, and Madina Nalwanga, and depicts the life of Phiona Mutesi, a girl living in Katwe, Uganda, who learns to play chess and becomes a Woman Candidate Master after her victories at World Chess Olympiads. The film is based on inscripts from the ESPN magazine article and a book written by Tim Crothers, based on her life.

<i>Here</i> (Alicia Keys album) 2016 studio album by Alicia Keys

Here is the sixth studio album by American singer and songwriter Alicia Keys. It was released on November 4, 2016, by RCA Records. Keys recorded the album in 2014 at the New York–based Jungle City Studios and Oven Studios with producers Mark Batson, Swizz Beatz, Illangelo, Jimmy Napes, and Pharrell Williams. The singer had finished writing and recording material for the album before she found out she was pregnant, which put the record's release on hold.

"Hallelujah" is a song by American singer and songwriter Alicia Keys. The song was released as the second single from Keys' sixth studio album Here (2016) through RCA Records on June 17, 2016.

The following list is a discography of production by Clams Casino, an American record producer. It includes a list of songs produced and co-produced by year, artist, album and title.

Madina Nalwanga is a Ugandan actress known for her lead role as Phiona Mutesi in Queen of Katwe (2016). The film depicts the life of Mutesi, a Ugandan girl living in a slum in Katwe who learns to play chess and becomes a Woman Candidate Master. This role earned her the Most Promising Actor award at 2017 Africa Movie Academy Awards in Lagos, Nigeria. She also won an NAACP Image Award, a Women Film Critics Circle Award, and was nominated for a Critic's Choice Award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Show Me Love (Alicia Keys and Miguel song)</span> 2019 single by Alicia Keys featuring Miguel

"Show Me Love" is a song by American singers and songwriters Alicia Keys and Miguel. It was written by Keys, Miguel, Tory Lanez, and guitarist-producer Morgan Matthews, while production was handled by Keys and Matthews. The song was released on September 17, 2019 through RCA Records with UMPG as the lead single from Keys' seventh studio album Alicia. It is an R&B ballad involving feelings of desire. A remix version of the song featuring rapper 21 Savage was released on November 4, 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Good Job (song)</span> 2020 single by Alicia Keys

"Good Job" is a song by American singer and songwriter Alicia Keys. It was written by Keys, The-Dream, Swizz Beatz and Avery Chambliss and produced by Keys. The song was released through RCA Records on April 23, 2020, as the fourth single from Keys' seventh studio album Alicia (2020).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert Katende</span> Ugandan chess coach

Robert Katende is a Ugandan chess coach, footballer, and engineer. He is also the executive director of Sports Outreach.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Better You, Better Me</span> 2013 single by Alicia Keys

"Better You, Better Me" is a song by American singer and songwriter Alicia Keys. The song is featured in The Inevitable Defeat of Mister & Pete, a film about two inner-city boys living on their own in New York City and directed by George Tillman, Jr and starring Skylan Brooks, Ethan Dizon, Jennifer Hudson and Anthony Mackie. The film features an original score from Keys and Mark Isham. The song was released through RCA Records as a single on October 11, 2013. Music videos for the song was released on the DVD release of the film.

"Holy War" is a song by American singer and songwriter Alicia Keys. The song was released as the fourth single from Keys' sixth studio album Here (2016) through RCA Records on October 28, 2016.

References

  1. ↑ Reed, Ryan (September 2, 2016). "Hear Alicia Keys' Brooding Ballad 'Back to Life'". Rolling Stone . Retrieved September 25, 2016.
  2. ↑ Lozano, Kevin (September 2, 2016). "Listen to Alicia Keys' New Song "Back to Life"". Pitchfork . Retrieved September 25, 2016.
  3. ↑ "Queen of Katwe (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) [Deluxe Edition]". iTunes . Retrieved September 25, 2016.
  4. ↑ Lawrence, Derek (August 31, 2016). "Queen of Katwe story inspired Alicia Keys to write a new song". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved September 25, 2016.
  5. 1 2 Murray, Cori (September 8, 2016). "Alicia Keys Gets "Back To Life" With Inspirational Song For Queen Of Katwe". Essence . Retrieved September 25, 2016.
  6. ↑ "Alicia Keys Records New Song "Back to Life" for Disney's 'Queen of Katwe'". ThisIS RnB. 2016-09-01. Archived from the original on 2016-09-03. Retrieved 2024-08-19.
  7. ↑ Morales, Wilson (2016-08-31). "Featurette: Alicia Keys' New Song "Back To Life" For Queen Of Katwee". BackFilm. Archived from the original on 2024-08-19. Retrieved 2024-08-19.
  8. ↑ Calvario, Liz (September 3, 2016). "Listen to Alicia Keys Sing the Ballad She Wrote for 'Queen of Katwe'". IndieWire . Retrieved September 25, 2016.
  9. ↑ Killakam (2016-09-02). "Listen to Alicia Keys' New Song 'Back to Life,' Written for the 'Queen of Katwe' Film". OkayAfrica . Archived from the original on 2018-09-08.
  10. ↑ breihan, Tom (2016-09-02). "Alicia Keys – "Back To Life"". Stereogum . Retrieved 2024-08-17.
  11. ↑ Andres (2016-09-02). "New Music: Alicia Keys - 'Back to Life'". Rap-Up. Archived from the original on 2016-09-03. Retrieved 2024-08-13.
  12. ↑ Reif, Alex (September 30, 2016). "Soundtrack Review: Queen of Katwe". LaughingPlace.com. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
  13. ↑ Sam. "New Song: Alicia Keys – 'Back To Life'". That Grape Juice. Archived from the original on 2016-09-02. Retrieved 2024-08-13.
  14. ↑ "Alicia Keys Drops New 'Back To Life' Song [Listen]". Hype . 2016-09-02. Archived from the original on 2020-10-27.
  15. ↑ Murphy, Sarah (September 2, 2016). "Alicia Keys "Back to Life"". Exclaim! . Retrieved September 25, 2016.
  16. ↑ Andres (2016-09-03). "Alicia Keys Performs On 'Today' Concert Series". Rap-Up . Retrieved 2022-08-07.
  17. ↑ Clarke, Betty (2016-09-21). "Alicia Keys Review – Soul Singer Opens Door to Blistering Basement Bash". The Guardian . Retrieved 2022-08-07.
  18. 1 2 "Back to Life (From "Queen of Katwe") – Single". iTunes . Retrieved September 25, 2016.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.