Alicia Keys finds herself
Photos courtesy of AP and Reuters
In her latest single, “Brand New Me,” Alicia Keys feels that she has changed for the better. She now feels free and sure of herself, and wants to be accepted on her own terms.
This week’s Karaoke Korner takes a look at some vocabulary words used in the lyrics.
ABOUT ALICIA KEYS
Name: Alicia Augello Cook
Nationality: American
Style: Pop, soul
Label: RCA
Albums: Girl on Fire (2012), The Element of Freedom (2009), As I Am (2007), The Diary of Alicia Keys (2003), Songs in A Minor (2001)
In brief: Born in New York City, this 31-year-old singer-songwriter and actress attended New York’s Professional Performing Arts School. Alicia’s first album, Songs in A Minor, was released in 2001. The album sold more than 12 million copies worldwide and won five Grammy Awards the following year. Since then, Alicia has released a string of smash hits, including “If I Ain’t Got You,” “No One,” “Doesn’t Mean Anything” and “Empire State of Mind.” Billboard magazine recently ranked Alicia as the top R&B artist of the 2000’s. Her new album features the hits “Girl on Fire” and “Brand New Me.”
If you like Alicia Keys, check out: Adele, Whitney Houston and Amy Winehouse
Website: www.aliciakeys.com
“Brand New Me”
By Alicia Keys
It’s been a while
I’m not who I was before
You look surprised
Your words don’t burn me anymore
Been meaning to tell you
But I guess it’s clear to see
Don’t be mad
It’s just the brand new kind of me
Can’t be bad
I found a brand new kind of free
Careful with your ego
He’s the one that we should blame
Had to grab my heart back
God know something had to change
I thought that you’d be happy
I found the one thing I need
Why you mad
It’s just the brand new kind of me
Chorus
It took a long, long time to get here
It took a brave, brave girl to try
It took one too many excuses
One too many lies
Don’t be surprised
If I talk a little louder
If I speak up when you’re wrong
If I walk a little taller
I’ve been under you too long
If you noticed that I’m different
Don’t take it personally
Don’t be mad
It’s just the brand new kind of me
It ain’t bad,
I found a brand new kind of free
(Chorus)
If you were a friend
You’d want to get know me again
If you were worth a while
You’d be happy to see me smile
I’m not expecting sorry
I’m too busy finding myself
I got this, I found me
I don’t need your opinion
I’m not waiting for your OK
I’ll never be perfect
But at least now I’m brave
Now my heart is open
I can finally breathe
Don’t be mad
It’s just the brand new kind of free
That ain’t bad
I found a brand new kind of me
Don’t be mad
It’s a brand new time for me
Exercises
Find words used in the lyrics that are adjective forms of the following words.
1. length ……………….
2. madness ……………….
3. surprise ……………….
4. clarity ……………….
Vocabulary
- ego (n): your sense of your own value and importance
blame (v): to think or say that somebody or something is responsible for something bad
Idioms
find yourself: to become able to act independently and with confidence
sure of yourself: very confident
on your own terms: according to the conditions that you decide
