Music Review: Alicia Keys "A Woman's Worth"
Alicia Keys
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A Woman's Worth
Album: Songs In A Minor
Year: 2002
Alicia Keys lectures men on how to treat women in the clunky "A Woman's Worth."
Yearning strings start single, leading into a strong-willed guitar. She states her expectations of a fulfilling relationship: romantic dinners by candlelight, a sensous bubble bath together, trips to the islands and thoughtful but expensive jewelry. If her boyfriend takes the time to be with her and buy her stuff, it will be because he believes she's deserving of it.
In the b-section, she advises men to make their girlfriends top priority. On a contradictory note, she thinks men shouldn't be concerned about how much they spend. She tells the men they will be dumped if they don't acknowledge their girlfriends.
Keys "mmm's" as she goes into the chorus. She notes a mature man will recongnize a woman for her intelligence. She also adds a woman can be indenpendent even if the man is opening the door for her. She says the man and woman are equals to each other. But the men must respect the women.
The background singers boom "a woman's worth" without any buildup. It's a clumsy moment, given they are absent for a majority of the song and then belt out of nowhere.
Keys "mmm hmmm's" a bit more and continues with the second verse. She says if her boyfriend is courteous of her needs, she will be affectionate and tender in return. As long as he's faithful and keeps his promises, she will support him through his tough times. Keys is willing to be considerate of her man as he is to her.
In the b-section, she adds women will go above and beyond in the relationship. She advises men not to be complacent. Otherwise, it could be gone and they will regret it.
She tells the men in the bridge that the advice is common sense and to pay attention to the moral of the single. The background singers punctuate each couple words after the lyrics. A satsifying crescendo is finally achieved as they boom once again "worth!"
The chorus ends the single.
While the message of "A Woman's Worth" is favorable, the execution of it is not. The background singers are the focus in the chorus, rather than Keys. It's jarring to hear them blast the words and then go away again. Keys doesn't quite gain control of her own song back and slips into "oohing" as a way to seperate herself. It's not enough to salvage the song from mediocrity.
Album: Songs In A Minor
Year: 2002
Alicia Keys lectures men on how to treat women in the clunky "A Woman's Worth."
Yearning strings start single, leading into a strong-willed guitar. She states her expectations of a fulfilling relationship: romantic dinners by candlelight, a sensous bubble bath together, trips to the islands and thoughtful but expensive jewelry. If her boyfriend takes the time to be with her and buy her stuff, it will be because he believes she's deserving of it.
"You could buy me diamonds/You could buy me pearls/Take me on a cruise around the world/Baby you know I'm worth it/Dinner lit by candle/Run my bubble bath/Make love tenderly to last, to last/'Cause baby you know I'm worth it."
In the b-section, she advises men to make their girlfriends top priority. On a contradictory note, she thinks men shouldn't be concerned about how much they spend. She tells the men they will be dumped if they don't acknowledge their girlfriends.
"Wanna please, wanna keep, wanna treat, your woman right/Not just dough but to show that you know she is worth your time/You will lose if you chose to refuse to put her first/She will if she can find a man who knows her worth."
Keys "mmm's" as she goes into the chorus. She notes a mature man will recongnize a woman for her intelligence. She also adds a woman can be indenpendent even if the man is opening the door for her. She says the man and woman are equals to each other. But the men must respect the women.
"'Cause a real man, knows a real woman when he sees her/And a real woman knows a real man ain't afraid to please her/And a real woman knows a real man always comes first/And a real man just can't deny a woman's worth."
The background singers boom "a woman's worth" without any buildup. It's a clumsy moment, given they are absent for a majority of the song and then belt out of nowhere.
Keys "mmm hmmm's" a bit more and continues with the second verse. She says if her boyfriend is courteous of her needs, she will be affectionate and tender in return. As long as he's faithful and keeps his promises, she will support him through his tough times. Keys is willing to be considerate of her man as he is to her.
"If you treat me fairly/I'll give you all my goods/Treat you like a real woman should/
Baby I know you're worth it/If you never play me/Promise not to bluff/I'll hold you down when s*** gets rough/'Cause baby I know you're worth it."
In the b-section, she adds women will go above and beyond in the relationship. She advises men not to be complacent. Otherwise, it could be gone and they will regret it.
"She walks the mile, makes you smile, all the while being true/Don't take for granted the passions that she has for you/You will lose if you chose to refuse to put her first/She will if she can find a man who knows her worth."
She tells the men in the bridge that the advice is common sense and to pay attention to the moral of the single. The background singers punctuate each couple words after the lyrics. A satsifying crescendo is finally achieved as they boom once again "worth!"
"No need to read between the lines spelled out for you (spelled out for you)/Just hear this song cause you can't go wrong when you value (better value)/A woman's (woman's)/Woman's (woman's)/Worth!"
The chorus ends the single.
While the message of "A Woman's Worth" is favorable, the execution of it is not. The background singers are the focus in the chorus, rather than Keys. It's jarring to hear them blast the words and then go away again. Keys doesn't quite gain control of her own song back and slips into "oohing" as a way to seperate herself. It's not enough to salvage the song from mediocrity.