Music Review: Alicia Keys "Girlfriend"
Alicia Keys
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Girlfriend
Album: Songs In A Minor
Year: 2002
Alicia Keys feels threatened by her boyfriend's best girl friend in the clever "Girlfriend."
The "Brooklyn Zoo" sample by O.D.B. begins the single, setting a skittish tone. In the first verse, she tells him that she's making a big deal out of nothing. He's known her since they were little kids. Together, they dealt with friends leaving them to join other cliques, rejections from crushes and team sports, and fight with parents. She accepts that his girl friend is an important person in his life.
In the pre-chorus, Keys says that his girl friend is last person he calls at night and first one in the morning. They share moments where they talk about personal things, which they would never tell anyone else. She sees that her boyfriend has a crush on her and won't admit it. She's afraid he will drop her without a second thought.
In the chorus, she says she is bitter that they don't have a close, special bond like he does with her. She has a part of him that Keys can't touch.
In the second verse, her boyfriend explains that his best friend is protective of him. She's "testing" him to see if really does care about her. He says she didn't mean any harm or cause to problems. However, Keys notes that his girl friend is flirting with him. It's only a ploy for his girl friend. She could very well respond that he's not really in love with Keys.
In the pre-chorus, her boyfriend tells her she has nothing to worry about. Keys has been a wonderul presence in his life. She can he's being honest and not saying what she wants to hear. She says that it's been bothering her, although it shouldn't. They are friends and nothing more.
The chorus is sung again.
Jermaine Dupri adds that she won't divulge her feelings entirely. You say you're jealous but you can't tell me why/You say you're jealous but you can't tell me why/You say you're jealous but you can't tell me why."
Keys then says it's making her insecure while using a lyric from the sample.
The chorus is sung once more to end the single.
O.D.B.'s profanity and violent delivery hid the jumpy, attention-getting beat. The song deserved better treatment. With Keys, the song is allowed to breathe. It's given an equal spotlight with her voice. Her serene, gullible vocals reveal the denial she has. Although she is skeptical of her boyfriend's reasons, she tries to convince herself she believes him.
It appears her boyfriend is in denial about his feelings, too. It's as though his best friend is his first priority than his girlfriend. He and his girl friend have everything but the physical affection. Keys is aware it could lead to it, even though he dismisses it.
"Girlfriend" also flips the cliche. Instead of the the best girl friend being jealous, it's the girlfriend who already has the guy.
"Girlfriend" is creative and thoughtful, which is a rarity for the R&B genre.
Album: Songs In A Minor
Year: 2002
Alicia Keys feels threatened by her boyfriend's best girl friend in the clever "Girlfriend."
The "Brooklyn Zoo" sample by O.D.B. begins the single, setting a skittish tone. In the first verse, she tells him that she's making a big deal out of nothing. He's known her since they were little kids. Together, they dealt with friends leaving them to join other cliques, rejections from crushes and team sports, and fight with parents. She accepts that his girl friend is an important person in his life.
"Baby, silly for me to feel this way about you and her/'Cause I know she's been such a good friend/I know she has helped you through."
In the pre-chorus, Keys says that his girl friend is last person he calls at night and first one in the morning. They share moments where they talk about personal things, which they would never tell anyone else. She sees that her boyfriend has a crush on her and won't admit it. She's afraid he will drop her without a second thought.
"Talkin' late on the phone/Every night you've been callin'/Private moments alone/And your heart soon be fallin'/And I know she's a friend/But I can't shake the feeling/That I could be losing your heart."
In the chorus, she says she is bitter that they don't have a close, special bond like he does with her. She has a part of him that Keys can't touch.
"I think I'm jealous of your girlfriend/Although she's just a girl that is your friend/I think I'm jealous of your girlfriend/She shares a special part of you."
In the second verse, her boyfriend explains that his best friend is protective of him. She's "testing" him to see if really does care about her. He says she didn't mean any harm or cause to problems. However, Keys notes that his girl friend is flirting with him. It's only a ploy for his girl friend. She could very well respond that he's not really in love with Keys.
"You said that she's one well to see/How deep you're in love with me/And intentions were not to get in between/But I see possibilities."
In the pre-chorus, her boyfriend tells her she has nothing to worry about. Keys has been a wonderul presence in his life. She can he's being honest and not saying what she wants to hear. She says that it's been bothering her, although it shouldn't. They are friends and nothing more.
"And you say that you feel/I'm the best thing in your life/And I know it's real, I see it in your eyes/There's no reason for me to even feel this way/I know you just enjoy her company."
The chorus is sung again.
Jermaine Dupri adds that she won't divulge her feelings entirely. You say you're jealous but you can't tell me why/You say you're jealous but you can't tell me why/You say you're jealous but you can't tell me why."
Keys then says it's making her insecure while using a lyric from the sample.
"It's enough to make a nigga go crazy."
The chorus is sung once more to end the single.
O.D.B.'s profanity and violent delivery hid the jumpy, attention-getting beat. The song deserved better treatment. With Keys, the song is allowed to breathe. It's given an equal spotlight with her voice. Her serene, gullible vocals reveal the denial she has. Although she is skeptical of her boyfriend's reasons, she tries to convince herself she believes him.
It appears her boyfriend is in denial about his feelings, too. It's as though his best friend is his first priority than his girlfriend. He and his girl friend have everything but the physical affection. Keys is aware it could lead to it, even though he dismisses it.
"Girlfriend" also flips the cliche. Instead of the the best girl friend being jealous, it's the girlfriend who already has the guy.
"Girlfriend" is creative and thoughtful, which is a rarity for the R&B genre.