:No One (Alicia Keys song)

{{listen|title="No One"| pos= left|filename=Noone.ogg}}

"No One" was written and produced by Alicia Keys, Kerry Brothers Jr., and George M. Harry. Keys told MTV News Canada that the song, "is really talking about the way that in relationships, the way that so many things are around you all the time to try to distract you. And even though people may talk and say whatever they may want to say, but then no one can get in the way of this."{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.ca/news/article.jhtml?id=4065 |title=Afternoon Fix: Celebrity Birthdays, the 'In the Valley of Elah' Movie Minute, the latest news, and more. |publisher=MTV Canada |date=October 1, 2007 |access-date=October 14, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071004003043/http://www.mtv.ca/news/article.jhtml?id=4065 |archive-date=October 4, 2007}} Keys said that it was a song that "just wrote itself". It was one of the last songs written for the album.{{cite magazine |last=Mitchell |first=Gail |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xw4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA26 |title=Keys to Success |magazine=Billboard |date=November 10, 2007 |page=26 |issn=0006-2510 |via=Google Books}}

The song was first heard in August 2007 after Keys included a clip of the song in a newsletter on her official website and fan club. It was released officially on September 10, 2007, and its radio premiere was on Atlanta's WVEE on August 29. Keys performed a medley of "No One" with George Michael's "Freedom! '90" at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards on September 9. Remixes of the song featuring Lil' Kim, Damian Marley, Junior Reid, Beenie Man, Barbee, and Kanye West exist. The official remix has a different but similar beat from the original version and features rapper Cassidy; it was produced by Swizz Beatz.

"No One" received critical acclaim upon release. Popjustice viewed the song as "one of [Keys'] best singles to date and possibly one of the eight best ballads of 2007".{{cite web |url=https://www.popjustice.com/songs/alicia-keys-no-one/ |title=Alicia Keys – 'No One' |publisher=Popjustice |date=September 18, 2007 |access-date=August 25, 2015}} Chuck Taylor of Billboard wrote that the song "shows the soulful chanteuse acting her age, in the best possible way" and that Keys "hold[s] back on the mastery of vocal craft to let cool, crisp production lead", adding that it "heralds her youth, while maintaining Keys' lockdown on penetrating hooks and soul-sopped production with a buoyancy that makes it a blast to sing along with."{{cite magazine |last=Taylor |first=Chuck |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/00s/2007/BB-2007-09-29.pdf |title=The Billboard Reviews: Singles |magazine=Billboard |volume=119 |issue=39 |date=September 29, 2007 |page=54 |issn=0006-2510 |via=World Radio History}} Anthony Venutolo of The Star-Ledger felt that on "No One", Keys "attempts to offer uplift through cliches".{{cite web |last=Venutolo |first=Anthony |url=http://www.nj.com/entertainment/music/index.ssf/2007/11/as_she_is_isnt_the_best_she_ca.html |title=As she is isn't the best she can be |work=The Star-Ledger |date=November 9, 2007 |access-date=August 25, 2015}}

Alex Fletcher of Digital Spy gave the song four stars out of five and called it "simplistic yet beautiful, fluttering, piano-tinkling ballad", the lyrics of which "expose Keys' vulnerability and current loved-up status".{{cite web |last=Fletcher |first=Alex |url=http://www.digitalspy.com/music/single-reviews/review/a79390/alicia-keys-no-one/ |title=Alicia Keys: 'No-One' |work=Digital Spy |date=November 7, 2007 |access-date=December 30, 2017}} David Mead of Paste commented that the song "showcases a new depth and width to the tone of her voice, which seems to get closer to that of Aretha Franklin with each album."{{cite web |last=Mead |first=David |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2007/11/as-i-am.html |title=Alicia Keys: As I Am |work=Paste |date=November 12, 2007 |access-date=August 25, 2015}} Nekesa Mumbi Moody of The Washington Post cited "No One" as one of the "gems" of the album and stated it "recalls a Bob Marley groove".{{cite news |last=Moody |first=Nekesa Mumbi |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/09/AR2007110901680.html |title=Music Review: Alicia Keys CD 'As I Am' |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=November 9, 2007 |access-date=August 25, 2015}}

"No One" was ranked at number three on Entertainment Weekly{{'}}s recap of "The 10 Best Songs of 2007",{{cite magazine |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20162677_20164082_20166984_2,00.html |title=The 10 Best Songs of 2007 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=December 18, 2007 |access-date=December 29, 2007 |archive-date=June 14, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614054310/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20162677_20164082_20166984_2,00.html |url-status=dead }} while it was voted number 23 on The Village Voice{{'}}s 2007 Pazz & Jop critics' poll (tied with Modest Mouse's "Dashboard", R. Kelly's "I'm a Flirt" (Remix) featuring T.I. and T-Pain, and Avril Lavigne's "Girlfriend").{{cite web |url=http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/pnj/pjres07.php |title=The 2007 Pazz & Jop Critics Poll – Singles |publisher=Robert Christgau |access-date=June 13, 2009}} Popjustice placed it at number 47 on their list of "The Greatest Singles of 2007".{{cite web |url=https://www.popjustice.com/articles/the-greatest-singles-of-2007/49720/ |title=The Greatest Singles of 2007 |publisher=Popjustice |date=December 20, 2007 |access-date=December 30, 2017}} In November 2012, Complex placed it at number one on their list of "The 25 Best Alicia Keys Songs", commenting that the "production was supreme, her vocals were at their strongest, and beyond technical merit".{{cite web|title=The 25 Best Alicia Keys Songs|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2012/11/the-25-best-alicia-keys-songs/no-one#./no-one?&_suid=140181544876609512029706106788|work=Complex|access-date=June 3, 2014|date=Nov 13, 2012}}

In November 2012, The Grio ranked it at number four on their list of "Alicia Keys' 15 Greatest Songs".{{cite web|url=http://thegrio.com/2012/11/27/girl-on-fire-alicia-keys-15-greatest-songs/#s:ak-no-one|title='Girl On Fire': Alicia Keys' 15 greatest songs|date=27 November 2012|publisher=The Grio|access-date=August 25, 2015}} BET included the song at number two on its list of "The 25 Best Alicia Keys Songs", because "Alicia's soaring, power-packed alto contrast[s] beautifully with the soft piano cascades to create an undeniable anthem".{{cite web|url=https://www.bet.com/photo-gallery/o6mgb1/the-25-best-alicia-keys-songs/9ykh6a|title=The 25 Best Alicia Keys Songs|publisher=BET|date=January 25, 2012|access-date=August 25, 2015}} PopCrush placed it at number two on its list of "Top 10 Alicia Keys Songs".{{cite web|url=http://popcrush.com/alicia-keys-songs/|title=Top 10 Alicia Keys Songs|work=PopCrush|date=8 May 2013 |access-date=August 25, 2015}}

A the 50th Annual Grammy Awards the Keys won both her two nominations with the song for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song, achieving a total of eleven Grammies in her career.{{Cite web |last=Mayfield |first=Taj |date=October 31, 2021 |title=GRAMMY Rewind: Watch Alicia Keys Win Best Female R&B Vocal Performance For "No One" In 2008ì |url=https://www.grammy.com/news/grammy-rewind-watch-alicia-keys-win-best-female-rb-vocal-performance-2008-no-one-video |access-date=August 18, 2024 |website=grammy.com}} The song also won the People's Choice Awards for Favorite R&B Song and two ASCAP Awards for her songwriting credits.{{cite news |last=Carter |first=Kelley L. |date=January 7, 2009 |title=People's Choice Awards finds stars in a sharing mood |url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2009-01-07-peoples-choice_N.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090225052448/http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2009-01-07-peoples-choice_N.htm |archive-date=February 25, 2009 |access-date=January 8, 2009 |work=USA Today |publisher=Gannett Company}}{{cite web |title=22nd Annual ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards |url=http://www.ascap.com/eventsawards/awards/rsawards/2009/hiphop.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090725091821/http://www.ascap.com/eventsawards/awards/rsawards/2009/hiphop.aspx |archive-date=July 25, 2009 |access-date=July 8, 2010 |publisher=Ascap.com}}{{cite web |date=April 23, 2009 |title=ASCAP Celebrates Pop Music Hitmakers At Star-Studded Event In Hollywood |url=http://www.ascap.com/press/2009/0423_popawards.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090426195946/http://www.ascap.com/press/2009/0423_popawards.aspx |archive-date=April 26, 2009 |access-date=April 28, 2009 |work=ASCAP}}

The relative music video was nominated at the MTV Video Music Awards Japan and at the MuchMusic Video Awards.

File:Alicia Keys Sing.jpg

With only one full day of airplay, "No One" debuted at number 65 on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart on the issue dated September 8, 2007. Seven weeks later, it reached the top position for 10 weeks—becoming Keys' fifth number-one single on the chart—before being knocked out by her own song "Like You'll Never See Me Again" during the first charting week of 2008. The song initially debuted at number 15 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles for the week of September 15, 2007, and managed to jump to the Billboard Hot 100 at number 71 the following week without the benefit of download sales.{{cite magazine |last=Hasty |first=Katie |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1049338/soulja-boy-remains-no-1-amid-static-top-four |title=Soulja Boy Remains No. 1 Amid Static Top Four |magazine=Billboard |date=September 13, 2007 |access-date=March 24, 2013}} The following week, it rose to number 15 because of digital downloads, and reached the top spot the charting week of December 1, 2007, staying atop for five weeks. In the week between October 22–25, 2007, "No One" gained 14.3% in radio airplay and audience impressions which marks the single at number one.{{cite web |url=http://blogs.usatoday.com/listenup/2007/10/alicia-extends-.html |title=Alicia extends airplay lead; Kanye streaks to second |work=USA Today |date=October 30, 2007 |access-date=November 1, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080508040103/http://blogs.usatoday.com/listenup/2007/10/alicia-extends-.html |archive-date=May 8, 2008}} It is Keys' first solo single to reach number one on the Hot 100 since her debut single "Fallin'" (2001) and her third single to top the chart. It is also the overall biggest hit that peaked in 2007.{{cite magazine | url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100-60th-anniversary | title=Hot 100 60th Anniversary | magazine=Billboard }}

Additionally, "No One" went on to top several other Billboard charts, including the Pop 100 chart, the Pop 100 Airplay chart, the Mainstream Top 40, and the Rhythmic Airplay chart. By June 2014, the song had sold four million copies in the United States.{{cite web |last=Grein |first=Paul |url=https://www.yahoo.com/music/blogs/chart-watch/chart-watch-rude-summer-hit-top-10-214615906.html |title=Chart Watch: 'Rude,' 'Summer' Hit Top 10 |publisher=Yahoo! Music |date=June 5, 2014 |access-date=August 28, 2017}} "No One" was the most listened-to song on US radio of 2008, with 3.08 billion listeners.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/alicia-keys-flo-rida-top-nielsen-year-end-charts-20081216 |title=Alicia Keys, Flo Rida Top Nielsen Year-End Charts |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=December 16, 2008 |access-date=December 30, 2017}} Billboard ranked it at number 48 on the list of "The All-Time Top 100 Songs" in 2013 and at number 14 on the list of the "Top Billboard Hot 100 R&B/Hip-Hop Songs" in 2008.{{cite magazine |last=Bronson |first=Fred |title=Hot 100 60th Anniversary |magazine=Billboard |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100-60th-anniversary}} In 2009, the song was placed at number six on the Billboard Hot 100 decade-end chart.

The single was commercially successful in Europe as well, peaking at number two on the European Hot 100 Singles as well as reaching the top position in Hungary and Switzerland, and peaked within the top ten of the charts in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, the Republic of Ireland, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. In the latter country, "No One" has re-entered the UK Singles Chart twice since its official release, both times due to exposure on British television (firstly after being performed by an auditionee on Britain's Got Talent and secondly after Keys herself performed it within a medley on The X Factor). In May 2009, it re-entered at number 54 on the UK Singles Chart, and in December 2009 it re-entered at number 51 on the chart.

It also charted highly in Oceania, peaking within the top ten of the charts in Australia and New Zealand. According to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), "No One" has sold 5.6 million copies.{{cite web |url=http://www.ifpi.org/content/library/DMR2009.pdf |title=Top 10 Digital Single Tracks 2008 |page=7 |publisher=International Federation of the Phonographic Industry |year=2009 |access-date=October 4, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924033145/http://www.ifpi.org/content/library/DMR2009.pdf |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |url-status=live}}

File:Alicia Keys 1.jpg

The music video for "No One", directed by Justin Francis, premiered on BET on September 24, 2007; it debuted on 106 and Park at number 10 the following day, and eventually peaked at number one. It premiered on Yahoo! Music on September 25 at number five and peaked at number one, and it premiered on Total Request Live on October 4 and peaked at number one. It debuted on VH1's VSpot Top 20 Countdown at number three, peaking at number one. The video was ranked at number 22 on VH1's "Top 40 Videos of 2007" and at number two on BET's "Notarized: Top 100 Videos of 2007".{{cite web |url=http://musicslut.blogspot.com/2007/12/vh1s-top-40-videos-of-2007.html |title=VH1's 'Top 40 Videos Of 2007' |publisher=The Music Slut |date=December 12, 2007 |access-date=December 18, 2007}}{{cite web |url=http://www.bet.com/OnTV/ONTV_notarized_article.htm |title=Top 100 Videos of 2007 |publisher=BET |date=December 31, 2007 |access-date=October 30, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080115114654/http://www.bet.com/OnTV/ONTV_notarized_article.htm |archive-date=January 15, 2008}}

The video consists of four settings: the first one shows Keys lying on a chair in an empty room; the second one is a room filled with musical instruments in which Keys sings accompanied by a Roland Jupiter-8 keyboard; in the third one Keys is initially alone, playing the piano on a rainy street, and she later finds herself surrounded with dozens of people; in the fourth and final one Keys is in a blue-lit nightclub. The video ends with a gear divided into four fractions, each one featuring a previously shown setting, with Keys lying on the chair in the same room shown at the beginning of the video.

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

• European CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=No One|others=Alicia Keys|year=2007|type= European CD single|publisher=J Records|id=88697 18246 2}}

1. "No One" (Album Version) – 4:13
2. "No One" (Curtis Lynch Reggae Mix) – 3:59

• European limited-edition CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=No One|others=Alicia Keys|year=2007|type= European limited-edition CD single|publisher=J Records|id=88697233962}}

1. "No One" (Album Version) – 4:13
2. "No One" (Salaam Remi Mix) (featuring Junior Reid) – 4:50

• European / Australian CD maxi single{{cite AV media notes|title=No One|others=Alicia Keys|year=2007|type= European / Australian CD maxi single|publisher=J Records|id=88697 18247 2}}

1. "No One" (Album Version) – 4:13
2. "No One" (Curtis Lynch Reggae Mix) – 3:59
3. "Superwoman" (Live) – 4:02
4. "No One" (Video)

{{col-2}}

• US 12-inch single{{cite AV media notes|title=No One|others=Alicia Keys|year=2007|type=US 12-inch single|publisher=J Records|id=88697 20102 1}}

:A1. "No One" (Radio Mix) – 4:07

:A2. "No One" (Instrumental) – 4:07

:B1. "No One" (Curtis Lynch Reggae Remix) – 3:59

:B2. "No One" (Curtis Lynch Reggae Remix – Instrumental) – 4:03

• Digital EP{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/no-one-ep/273048053/|title=No One – EP by Alicia Keys|work=Apple Music|date=23 October 2007}}

1. "No One" – 4:14
2. "No One" (Salaam Remi Mix) (featuring Junior Reid) – 4:51
3. "No One" (Curtis Lynch Reggae Remix) – 3:56
4. "Superwoman" (Live) – 4:29
5. "No One" (Music Video)

{{col-end}}

Credits adapted from the liner notes of As I Am.{{cite AV media notes |title=As I Am |type=liner notes |others=Alicia Keys |publisher=J Records |year=2007 |id=88697 11513 2}}

{{Div col}}

• Alicia Keys – production, vocals, piano, Jupiter synth, vocoder, Mellotron, programmed strings
• Kerry "Krucial" Brothers – production, programmed drums
• Dirty Harry – co-production
• Steve Mostyn – acoustic guitar, bass guitar
• Ann Mincieli – engineering, recording
• Brendan Dekora – engineering assistance
• Zach Hancock – engineering assistance
• Stuart White – engineering assistance
• Manny Marroquin – mixing
• Jared Robbins – mix assistance
• Dave Kutch – mastering

{{Div col end}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "No One"}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|title=|artist=|type=single|award=Platinum|number=6|relyear=2007|certyear=2021|access-date=February 3, 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Belgium|artist=Alicia Keys|title=No One|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2007|relmonth=9|certyear=2008|certmonth=2|date=February 16, 2008|access-date=August 23, 2017}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|artist=Alicia Keys|title=No One|award=Platinum|number=2|type=single|relyear=2007|date=May 28, 2008|access-date=August 23, 2017|certyear=2008|digital=true}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|artist=Alicia Keys|title=No One|award=Platinum|number=2|type=ringtone|relyear=2007|certyear=2008|note=Ringtone|refname=CAN2|accessdate=28 April 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|artist=Alicia Keys|title=No One|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=2007|relmonth=9|certref={{cite web |url=http://www.ifpi.dk/?q=content/guld-og-platin-i-april |title=Guld og platin i april |language=da |publisher=IFPI Denmark |date=May 1, 2008 |access-date=August 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170823165438/http://www.ifpi.dk/?q=content%2Fguld-og-platin-i-april |archive-date=August 23, 2017 |url-status=live }}}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=France|artist=Alicia Keys|title=No One|award=Gold|type=single|digital=true|relyear=2007|certyear=2018|certmonth=2|access-date=March 7, 2018}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|artist=Alicia Keys|title=No One|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2007|certyear=2008|access-date=August 23, 2017}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|salesamount=157,109|salesref={{efn|In Italy, the certification for "No One" is based only on 2010–2021 digital sales and streams; 70,000 units are required for a platinum certification. Prior to 2010, the single sold 87,109 units in the country.{{cite web|url=http://www.musicaedischi.it/mdonline/7267.pdf |title=Music in Italy |publisher=Federation of the Italian Music Industry |access-date=October 11, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125084131/http://www.musicaedischi.it/mdonline/7267.pdf |archive-date=January 25, 2016 }}}}|artist=Alicia Keys|title=No One|award=Platinum|type=single|digital=true|relyear=2007|certyear=2021|access-date=October 8, 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|note=Digital|artist=Alicia Keys|title=No One|award=Gold|type=single|digital=true|relyear=2009|certyear=2011|certmonth=11|access-date=September 12, 2021}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|artist=Alicia Keys|title=No One (Radio Edit)|award=Gold|type=ringtone|relyear=2007|certyear=2010|certmonth=12|note=Full-length ringtone|access-date=January 20, 2011}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Mexico|artist=Alicia Keys|title=No One|award=Platinum|number=2|type=single|relyear=2007|certyear=2020|access-date=November 13, 2020}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|relyear=2007|title=No One|artist=Alicia Keys|type=single|award=Platinum|number=4|source=radioscope|certyear=2024|access-date=December 20, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Portugal|artist=Alicia Keys|title=No One|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=2007|relmonth=9|certyear=2022|id=file_2022-05-13-15-04-29.pdf|access-date=24 May 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|artist=Alicia Keys|title=No One|award=Platinum|number=2|digital=true|type=single|relyear=2007|certyear=2008|certweek=15|access-date=August 30, 2022|refname=PROMUSICAE}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|artist=Alicia Keys|title=No One|award=Platinum|note=reissue|type=single|relyear=2007|certyear=2024|access-date=July 10, 2024|refname=PROMUSICAE1}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Sweden|artist=Alicia Keys|title=No One|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=2007|certyear=2009|date=January 9, 2009|access-date=August 23, 2017}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Alicia Keys|title=No One|award=Platinum|number=2|type=single|relyear=2007|certyear=2022|id=12070-1542-1|access-date=September 6, 2022}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Alicia Keys|title=No One|award=Diamond|type=single|relyear=2007|date=August 16, 2024|access-date=August 16, 2024|certyear=2024|refname=RIAA}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Alicia Keys|title=No One|award=Platinum|number=2|type=single|relyear=2007|date=July 30, 2008|access-date=August 20, 2020|certyear=2008|digital=true|note=Mastertone|refname=RIAA1}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}

{{div col|colwidth=35em}}

• List of best-selling singles in the United States
• List of Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles of 2007
• List of Billboard Mainstream Top 40 number-one songs of 2008
• List of Hot 100 Airplay number-one singles of 2007 (U.S.)
• List of Hot 100 Airplay number-one singles of 2008 (U.S.)
• List of number-one digital singles of 2007 (Italy)
• List of number-one digital songs of 2007 (U.S.)
• List of number-one hits of 2007 (Switzerland)
• List of number-one R&B singles of 2007 (U.S.)

{{div col end}}

{{Notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

• [http://aliciakeys.com Official website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120620032046/http://aliciakeys.com/ |date=2012-06-20 }}

{{Alicia Keys songs}}

{{Grammy Award for Best R&B Song}}

{{authority control}}

Category:2007 songs

Category:2007 singles

Category:2000s ballads

Category:Alicia Keys songs

Category:Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles

Category:Contemporary R&B ballads

Category:J Records singles

Category:Music videos directed by Justin Francis

Category:Number-one singles in Hungary

Category:Number-one singles in Switzerland

Category:Songs written by Alicia Keys

Category:Songs written by Kerry Brothers Jr.

Category:Song recordings produced by Alicia Keys