Brand New Me (Alicia Keys song)

{{Quote box

| quote = "There may be people in your life that knew you for a long time and they think of you only as the person you used to be and not the person you now are! And this song is a conversation introducing them to the new you. Where nothing can hold you back and no one can hold you down!"|source=—Alicia Keys, on the song's concept

| width = 20em

| align = left

}}

Girl on Fire is Keys' fifth studio album and a follow-up to The Element of Freedom (2009).{{cite web|last=Martinovic|first=Paul|title=Alicia Keys reveals new album title 'Girl on Fire' in message to fans|url=http://www.digitalspy.com.au/music/news/a399480/alicia-keys-reveals-new-album-title-girl-on-fire-in-message-to-fans.html|work=Digital Spy|accessdate=November 21, 2012|date=August 15, 2012}} It is her first release under RCA Records, after a re-organization at parent company Sony Music Entertainment led to her previous label J Records roster being absorbed into RCA.{{cite magazine|last=Mitchell|first=Gail|title=Alicia Keys' 'Girl on Fire': The Billboard Cover Story|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/474337/alicia-keys-girl-on-fire-the-billboard-cover-story|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=November 19, 2012|date=November 2, 2012}} On November 10, 2012, Keys posted the link for the audio of "Brand New Me" while also tweeting the song's official artwork.{{cite web|last=Keys|first=Alicia|title=Blessed2share new track off #AKGirlOnFire, #BrandNewMe. This song is my autobiography SendingLuv!|url=https://twitter.com/aliciakeys/status/267088345941823488|publisher=Twitter|accessdate=November 20, 2012|date=November 9, 2012}} She confirmed that it is the second single from Girl on Fire, stating: "'Brand New Me' is one of my favourites, it's going to be my second single and to me it's like my autobiography. It says everything about everywhere that I've come and who I am now. It's about being completely happy with finding yourself." The song's audio was uploaded to Keys' official VEVO channel. It impacted urban adult contemporary radio on November 19.{{cite web|url=http://a1.aastatic.com/assets/ads/728x90/A/AliciaKeys/Brand_New_Me.gif?1352754753|title=Alicia Keys – Brand New Me|publisher=RCA Records|accessdate=November 21, 2012|format=Graphic Interchange Format|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130729050322/http://a1.aastatic.com/assets/ads/728x90/A/AliciaKeys/Brand_New_Me.gif?1352754753|archive-date=July 29, 2013|url-status=dead}}

{{clear}}

File:Emeli sande.pk.jpg "instant magic".]]

"Brand New Me" is a pop and R&B piano ballad with a duration of three minutes and fifty-three seconds (3:53), which is described as "delicate".{{cite news|last=Stout|first=Gene|url=http://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/alicia-keys-sets-the-world-on-fire-at-wamu-theater/|title=Alicia Keys sets the world on fire at WaMu Theater|work=The Seattle Times|date=March 8, 2013|accessdate=May 24, 2014}} Keys co-wrote the song with Scottish recording artist and writer Emeli Sandé. The pair had previously collaborated on Sandé's album, Our Version of Events (2012) for a song entitled "Hope". Sandé explained: "Writing with Alicia Keys was really great. I was nervous, but she’s a very warm person. She knew how to make people feel at ease."{{cite web|last=Gavin|first=Martin|title=Rising star Emeli Sandé on her debut album|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/going-out/music/emeli-sande-tells-story-of-debut-678264|work=Daily Mirror|accessdate=November 20, 2012|date=February 10, 2012}} They also collaborated on two other songs from Girl on Fire. Of working with Sandé, Keys called it "instant magic" stating: "I have to say, myself and Emeli Sande – when we met and we really began to write together, it was instant magic and that doesn't happen all the time."{{cite web|title=Alicia Keys and Emeli Sande make magic music|url=http://www.tv3.ie/entertainment_article.php?locID=1.803.810&article=88357|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130218051127/http://www.tv3.ie/entertainment_article.php?locID=1.803.810&article=88357|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 18, 2013|work=Xposé|publisher=tv3.ie|accessdate=November 20, 2012|date=November 15, 2012}}{{cite web|title=Alicia Keys – Alicia Keys and Emeli Sande make magic music|url=http://www.contactmusic.com/news/alicia-keys-and-emeli-sande-make-magic-music_3374805|publisher=contactmusic.com|accessdate=November 20, 2012|date=November 15, 2012}}

Lyrically, the song speaks about growing and evolving. Keys sings about being a brand new version of herself, where nobody has control of her mind, heart and soul. On her official website, the singer wrote: "Brand new me is about the journey it takes to get to a place where you are proud to be a new you."{{cite web|last=Keys|first=Alicia|title=Listen to Alicia's New Single "Brand New Me"|url=http://aliciakeys.com/listen-to-alicias-new-single-brand-new-me/|publisher=aliciakeys.com|accessdate=November 20, 2012|date=November 10, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130116105518/http://aliciakeys.com/listen-to-alicias-new-single-brand-new-me/|archive-date=January 16, 2013|url-status=dead}} She sings over the soft piano melody: "It's {{sic|hide=y|been a|while|expected=been a while}}, I'm not who I was before/You look surprised your words don't burn me anymore/Been meaning to tell ya, but I guess it's plain to see/Don't be mad, it's just a brand-new kinda me/Can't be bad, I've found a brand-new kinda free."{{cite web|last=Edward Nero|first=Mark|title=New Music: Alicia Keys – 'Brand New Me'|url=http://randb.about.com/b/2012/11/11/new-music-alicia-keys-brand-new-me.htm|work=About|accessdate=November 20, 2012|date=November 11, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121119015548/http://randb.about.com/b/2012/11/11/new-music-alicia-keys-brand-new-me.htm|archive-date=November 19, 2012|url-status=dead}} According to Andy Kellman of Allmusic, Keys regards "Brand New Me" as her autobiography.{{cite web|last=Kellman|first=Andy|title=Girl on Fire – Alicia Keys : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards : Allmusic|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/girl-on-fire-mw0002419336|publisher=AllMusic|accessdate=November 20, 2012}}

Melissa Maerz of Entertainment Weekly called the song "triumphant" and wrote that Keys "shows off her trills and her cocky attitude".{{cite magazine|last=Maerz|first=Melissa|title=Girl on Fire – review – Alicia Keys Review|url=https://ew.com/article/2012/11/28/girl-fire-review-alicia-keys/|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=November 21, 2012|date=November 20, 2012}} {{Nowrap|X. Alexander}} of Idolator wrote: "We like Alicia Keys just the way she’s always been, but if she wants to be a 'Brand New Me' more power to her" and called the song "a graceful piano ballad of the sort we know and love from Alicia." Carl Williott, also from Idolator, praised the track for not being generic, calling it: "the restrained type of pop song that’s becoming harder to find amidst the deluge of hyper-processed vocals and pseudo-dubstep."{{cite web|last=Williot|first=Carl|title=Alicia Keys' "Brand New Me": Hear The Album Version|url=http://idolator.com/7263712/alicia-keys-brand-new-me-listen-stream|work=Idolator|accessdate=November 20, 2012|date=November 9, 2012}}

Mark Edward Nero of About.com praised the song for its empowering message of independence and compared it to her previous single, "Girl on Fire", writing: "Although the song couldn't be more different from the album's title track when it comes to tone and mood, the two songs share a theme of self-empowerment and independence." Scott Shetler of PopCrush noted Keys' vocals to be "breathy".{{cite web|last=Shetler|first=Scott|title=Alicia Keys Unveils New Piano Ballad 'Brand New Me'|url=http://popcrush.com/alicia-keys-brand-new-me/|work=Popcrush|accessdate=November 20, 2012|date=November 8, 2012}} Keenan Higgins of Vibe wrote that it is lyrically "one of her most powerful & inspirational songs to date" and said: "Be prepared to feel a boost of self-worth and intense inspiration with the sound of Alicia's crisp, confident vocals."{{cite web|last=Higgins|first=Keenan|title=New Music: Alicia Keys – "Brand New Me" {{!}} Vibe|url=http://www.vibe.com/article/new-music-alicia-keys-brand-new-me|work=Vibe|accessdate=November 20, 2012|date=November 9, 2012}}

The music video premiered on BET's 106 & Park on December 17, 2012.{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2012/12/17/video-alicia-keys-brand-new-me/ |title=Video: Alicia Keys – 'Brand New Me' |publisher=Rap-Up.com |date=December 17, 2012 |accessdate=July 22, 2013}} The video opens with Keys looking uncomfortable as she sits down at her piano while "getting her a massive mop of curls prepped before a shoot". The director shows her affection, but she pulls away. Following her shoot, Keys strolls around the music video set in a quest for "self-discovery" and at one point is seen viewing herself in a handful of mirrors. She then rips off her curly wig, revealing her own hair. The clip ends with a smiling Keys returning to her piano as herself, as a note that says "The journey continues..." appears.{{cite magazine|title=Alicia Keys Finds Liberation in 'Brand New Me' Clip|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/alicia-keys-finds-liberation-in-brand-new-me-clip-20121218|magazine=Rolling Stone|accessdate=December 18, 2012|date=December 18, 2012}}

Rolling Stone called the music video a "triumphant turn at reinvention" from Keys. David Greenwald of Billboard said Keys is "starting a fresh story" with "style to match".{{cite magazine|last=Greenwald|first=David|title=Alicia Keys Bows New Looks in 'Brand New Me' Video: Watch|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/1481337/alicia-keys-bows-new-looks-in-brand-new-me-video-watch|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=December 18, 2012|date=December 18, 2012}}

Keys premiered the track at the iTunes Festival with a live performance on September 28, 2012, along with another new track from the album entitled "Not Even the King".{{cite web|last=Alexander|first=X|title=Alicia Keys Performs Brand New Track 'Brand New Me' At iTunes Festival|url=http://idolator.com/6960001/alicia-keys-brand-new-me|work=Idolator|accessdate=November 20, 2012|date=September 29, 2012}} A writer from the website Idolator commented that it was the best part of her set at the festival. On October 16, she performed the song during the 'City Advantage Love the Journey Concert' at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall in New York City. Georgette Cline of AOL reported that her performance of "Brand New Me" earned her a standing ovation from the crowd.{{cite web |url=http://www.theboombox.com/2012/10/16/alicia-keys-girl-on-fire/ |title=Alicia Keys Offers a Sonic Journey With 'Girl on Fire' at New York's Lincoln Center |publisher=TheBoomBox.com. (AOL Music). |last=Cline |first=Georgette |date=October 16, 2012 |accessdate=November 10, 2012}}

On November 12, Keys performed the song on VH1 Storytellers, as well as "Not Even the King" and other songs. Josh Stillman of Entertainment Weekly praised her appearance on the show as a whole; he wrote: "She carries herself onstage with cool and confidence – not showy or attention-seeking, merely comfortable – and speaks in a voice so smooth you could drape it over your shoulders." He noted that Keys was backed by a six-piece band for songs such as "No One" and "If I Ain't Got You", but stripped down the mood for the "passionate solo renditions" of "Not Even the King" and "Brand New Me".{{cite magazine|last=Stillman|first=Josh|title=On the Scene: Alicia Keys' VH1 Storytellers|url=http://music-mix.ew.com/2012/11/12/alicia-keys-vh1-storytellers/|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|accessdate=November 20, 2012|date=November 12, 2012}} Keys has announced plans to tour the UK in May 2013, and has confirmed that "Brand New Me" is on the setlist along with several other songs from Girl on Fire as well as her older hits.{{cite web|last=Adejobi|first=Alicia|title=Alicia Keys Announces First UK Tour Since Giving Birth To Son Egypt|url=http://www.entertainmentwise.com/news/95028/Alicia-Keys-Announces-First-UK-Tour-Since-Giving-Birth-To-Son-Egypt|work=Entertainmentwise|publisher=Gigwise|accessdate=November 20, 2012|date=November 19, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121128220529/http://www.entertainmentwise.com/news/95028/Alicia-Keys-Announces-First-UK-Tour-Since-Giving-Birth-To-Son-Egypt|archive-date=November 28, 2012}}

In celebration of her thirty-second birthday, Keys released a remix of "Brand New Me" entitled "BNM Part 2", on January 25, 2013. Speaking about the remix and her birthday, Keys said: "I’ve been so overwhelmed by all of your birthday love that I HAD to do something extra special for you! Love to you!!!"{{cite web |url=http://www.rap-up.com/2013/01/25/new-music-alicia-keys-bnm-brand-new-me-part-2/ |title=New Music – Alicia Keys – BNM – Brand New Me Part 2 |work=Rap-up |publisher=SPIN Music Group, A division of Buzz Media |date=January 25, 2013 |accessdate=February 3, 2013}} The up-tempo dance-inspired remix samples "Gypsy Woman (She's Homeless)" (1991) by American recording artist Crystal Waters. Vibe commented that the remix is a "definite departure" from the original song and features "highly stylized elements and a lot of bleeps and pops".{{cite web|author1=Vibe|title=New Music: Alicia Keys - "Brand New Me Part 2"|url=http://www.vibe.com/article/new-music-alicia-keys-brand-new-me-part-2|work=Vibe|accessdate=November 1, 2014|date=January 25, 2013}} Jake Updegraff writing for RyanSeacrest.com noted that the remix version "has an upbeat tone to it that makes the song much different from the original".{{cite web|author1=Updegraff, Jake|title=Listen to Alicia Key's New Song "BNM Part 2"|url=http://www.ryanseacrest.com/2013/01/29/listen-to-alicia-keys-new-song-bnm-part-2/|publisher=RyanSeacrest.com|accessdate=November 1, 2014|date=January 29, 2013}} Complex wrote that Keys sings "in a up-tempo fashion" and described the production as "funky" and "techno".{{cite web|author1=Frydenlund, Zahc|title=Listen: Alicia Keys "Brand New Me Part 2"|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/01/listen-alicia-keys-brand-new-me-part-2|publisher=Complex|accessdate=November 16, 2014|date=January 26, 2013}}

On January 31, 2013, Keys invited husband Swizz Beatz and close friend Jada Pinkett Smith to Brooklyn in New York City to film a music video for the remix. It was directed by Taj Stansberry.{{cite web|url=http://www.videostatic.com/production/2013/02/15/alicia-keys-brand-new-me-part-2-taj-dir |title=Alicia Keys 'Brand New Me Part 2' (TAJ, Dir.) |publisher=VideoStatic |date=February 15, 2013 |accessdate=July 22, 2013}} The video remains unreleased; Keys continued to promote Girl on Fire, releasing music videos for "New Day", "Fire We Make" and "Tears Always Win".

{{Track listing

| headline = Digital download{{cite web |url=http://hmv.com/hmvweb/displayProductDetails.do?ctx=280;1;-1;-1;-1&sku=950908 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130125082635/http://hmv.com/hmvweb/displayProductDetails.do?ctx=280;1;-1;-1;-1&sku=950908 |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 25, 2013 |title=Alicia Keys: Girl On Fire (2012): CD |publisher=HMV |accessdate=November 27, 2012 }}

| title1 = Brand New Me

| note1 =

| producer1 =

| length1 = 3:53

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Official streaming remix

| title1 = Brand New Me

| note1 = Part II

| producer1 =

| length1 = 3:09

}}

Credits adapted from the Girl on Fire liner notes.{{cite AV media notes |title=Girl on Fire |title-link=Girl on Fire (album) |others=Alicia Keys |year=2012 |first=Alicia |last=Keys |author-link=Alicia Keys |type=Album booklet |publisher=RCA Records |location=New York City }}

;Recording

• Recorded and mixed at Oven Studios, New York City, New York

;Personnel

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

• Lead vocals, background vocals, production, piano – Alicia Keys
• Vocal recording – Ann Mincieli
• Vocal mixing – Manny Marroquin

{{col-2}}

• Mixing assistant – Chris Galland
• Songwriting – Alicia Keys, Emeli Sandé
• Assistant vocal engineers – Val Brathwaite, Ramon Rivas

{{col-end}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|artist=Alicia Keys|title=Brand New Me|award=Gold|relyear=2012|certyear=2024|access-date=March 7, 2024}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|streaming=true|noshipments=true}}

{{reflist}}

• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjY1GQmbbD0 Brand New Me (Audio)] on YouTube

{{Alicia Keys singles}}

{{authority control}}

Category:2012 singles

Category:Alicia Keys songs

Category:Songs written by Alicia Keys

Category:RCA Records singles

Category:Songs written by Emeli Sandé

Category:Music videos directed by Diane Martel

Category:Contemporary R&B ballads

Category:Pop ballads

Category:2012 songs

Category:2010s ballads

Category:Song recordings produced by Alicia Keys