Not Even The King

Album: Girl On Fire (2012)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song finds Keys singing of a love that can't be bought even by royalty. She debuted the studio version on September 7, 2012 at the Stand Up to Cancer telethon.
  • Keys said during an album preview event that she did three takes of this stripped down cut, and the bare version we hear on the album has absolutely no overdubs or extra production.
  • This is one of three songs on Girl On Fire that Keys wrote with Scottish singer-songwriter Emeli Sandé. "She's like my little sister," revealed the New York songstress to The Sun. "I think that's why we actually wrote so many amazing songs together. It's awesome to see a young artist grow and I feel proud I was able to be a part of her story because she's special.
    "I love that we both play, sing and write," she continued. "When you go into the studio with someone it either works or it doesn't. This time it really worked and there was a lot of conversation and planning together. I had some ideas I would play and she had some ideas she would play. It was awesome and so fluid."
  • The piano ballad reappears on Alicia Keys' 2022 Christmas album, Santa Baby. The song's sentiment that true love surpasses anyone's riches captures the gratitude and humility of the holiday season.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Steely Dan

Steely DanFact or Fiction

Did they really trade their guitarist to The Doobie Brothers? Are they named after something naughty? And what's up with the band name?

Gary Louris of The Jayhawks

Gary Louris of The JayhawksSongwriter Interviews

The Jayhawks' song "Big Star" has special meaning to Gary, who explains how longevity and inspiration have trumped adulation.

Chris Fehn of Slipknot

Chris Fehn of SlipknotSongwriter Interviews

A drummer for one of the most successful metal bands of the last decade, Chris talks about what it's like writing and performing with Slipknot. Metal-neck is a factor.

Gilby Clarke

Gilby ClarkeSongwriter Interviews

The Guns N' Roses rhythm guitarist in the early '90s, Gilby talks about the band's implosion and the side projects it spawned.

Janis Ian: Married in London, but not in New York

Janis Ian: Married in London, but not in New YorkSong Writing

Can you be married in one country but not another? Only if you're part of a gay couple. One of the first famous singers to come out as a lesbian, Janis wrote a song about it.

Jason Newsted (ex-Metallica)

Jason Newsted (ex-Metallica)Songwriter Interviews

The former Metallica bassist talks about his first time writing a song with James Hetfield, and how a hand-me-down iPad has changed his songwriting.