Un-thinkable (I'm Ready)

Album: The Element of Freedom (2009)
Charted: 21
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This dreamy ballad about contemplating a relationship features background vocals provided by Drake. The Canadian rapper/singer told Rap-Up.com about his collaboration with Keys: "They reached out and she said she really wanted me to do something on her project. But she wanted me to do me, not do an Alicia Keys record. And man, she gave me one of the best studio experiences of my life." He continued: "I came in there and instead of being like, 'Here's the beat, get to work,' she was just like, 'Play me your favorite songs and lets battle.' It's almost like the transition from [listening to] great music to making a song - like, no one even noticed it, because she started playing the keys and I just started writing the melodies."
  • The Jake Nava directed video was shot in Piru, California. The clip is set in a small suburban town and tackles issues of interracial dating. Nava said: "Alicia is a true artist and I was very pleased that she was brave enough to go with this unusual concept."
    Chad Michael Murray, who is best known for portraying Lucas Scott in One Tree Hill, plays Keys' love interest.
  • The song was partly inspired by Drake's feelings for his Young Money label mate Nicki Minaj and also regarding Keys and her future husband, the producer Swiss Beatz. The Canadian MC told Bet.com: "It is [about Minaj], I'm not gonna lie. The concept came from a conversation that we had, or conversations we have. I wrote it based off two things: number one, based off that, and then two, based off Alicia [Keys] and Swizz and their situation and it just seemed fitting. It was like the perfect concept."
  • Drake also expressed his feelings for Minaj in his own song Miss Me where he raps "I love Nicki Minaj/ I told her I'd admit it/ I hope one day we get married just to say we f---ing did it."

Comments: 3

  • AnonymousI thought this song was about having an affair. Like deadass
  • Jason from Soulful City , MalaysiaNoo.. how could a song be so into...feelings..
  • Vm from Lake Worth, FlThis song is so drink champagne and strawberries smooth!
    I love her for it!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Jon Anderson

Jon AndersonSongwriter Interviews

Jon Anderson breaks down the Yes classic "Seen All Good People" and talks about his 1000 Hands album, which features Chick Corea, Rick Derringer, Ian Anderson, and many other luminaries.

Lori McKenna

Lori McKennaSongwriter Interviews

Lori's songs have been recorded by Faith Hill and Sara Evans. She's performed on the CMAs and on Oprah. She also has five kids.

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17Songwriter Interviews

Martyn talks about producing Tina Turner, some Heaven 17 hits, and his work with the British Electric Foundation.

Dave Edmunds

Dave EdmundsSongwriter Interviews

A renowned guitarist and rock revivalist, Dave took "I Hear You Knocking" to the top of the UK charts and was the first to record Elvis Costello's "Girls Talk."

Paul Stanley of Kiss, Soul Station

Paul Stanley of Kiss, Soul StationSongwriter Interviews

Paul Stanley on his soul music project, the Kiss songs with the biggest soul influence, and the non-make-up era of the band.

Chris Frantz of Talking Heads

Chris Frantz of Talking HeadsSongwriter Interviews

Talking Heads drummer Chris Frantz on where the term "new wave" originated, the story of "Naive Melody," and why they never recorded another cover song after "Take Me To The River."