Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down

"Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down"
Single by Alicia Keys
from the album The Element of Freedom
B-side "We're Almost There"
Released February 22, 2010
(see release history)
Format Digital download
Recorded 2009
Genre R&B, soul
Length 3:36
Label RCA, J
Writer(s)
Producer(s)
  • Keys
  • Shuckburgh [1]
Alicia Keys singles chronology
"Put It in a Love Song"
(2009)		 "Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down"
(2010)		 "Un-Thinkable (I'm Ready)"
(2010)

"Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down" is a song performed by American recording artist Alicia Keys. It is an answer song to the Billboard Hot 100 number-one hit "Empire State of Mind" by Jay-Z, on which Keys is featured. It was only officially released in the United Kingdom as the second single from her 2009 album The Element of Freedom although it gained international airplay and download sales.

Before the official release date of "Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down", it climbed as high as number four on the UK Singles Chart on downloads alone. The success of the song from a high volume of album downloads, led to the song being announced as the second single from The Element of Freedom in the UK. The single was released on February 22, 2010.[2] It also appears on the soundtrack for Sex and the City 2.[3] Keys and "Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down" are featured on new HP Beats Commercial.[4]

Background

Following the release of "Empire State of Mind" in January 2010, Keys stated that she was planning to release a second version of the song featuring only her vocals, as a single the following month.[2] The original takes of Keys' version, entitled "Empire State of Mind Part 2", included both Keys' vocals and a new rap verse from Jay-Z,[5] but the final product did not include Jay-Z.[6] Discussing the record, Keys claimed that it acts as a dichotomy of strength and vulnerability, commenting that "The music is really strong, and the drums are really aggressive, but my voice is vulnerable and delicate".[2]

“ I definitely wanted to give my version of it and my vision of how I see New York and how it feels to me. I wanted to do it for my style—more broken down, more on piano, more voice and intimacy—so that's what I did. I imagined, 'If I was able to sing this whole song, how would I do it?' So I just sat down at my piano and I kind of broke it down and started singing about New York as I see it, and it turned out great. ”
— Keys on recording "Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down"[7]

Critical reception

"Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down" was generally well received by contemporary music critics in their reviews for The Element of Freedom.[8][9][10] Allison Stewart of The Washington Post noted that the track, which is a pop ballad, had replaced "Empire State of Mind" sports team references and ruminations with "even milder and less controversial string of generalities", highlighting Keys' version's lyrics "If I could make it here/I could make it anywhere".[11] Greg Kot of Hartford Courant wrote that Keys' version "retains the soaring vocal hook" but the track "loses its swagger" without Jay-Z.[12]

Chart performance

On December 20, 2009, due to high downloads of "Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down", the song entered the UK Singles Chart at number fifty-two. As of February 14, 2010 it has reached a new peak of number four on downloads alone (her highest charting solo single since "Fallin" reached number three in 2001). It became Keys' eighth top ten hit in the UK and second from The Element of Freedom.[13] It ended up spending eight straight weeks within the top 10 in the country, the longest stay for any of her songs including the original version, Jay-Z's, "Empire State of Mind" in which she is featured. So far, it has spent 26 consecutive weeks within the top 40 as well as 52 weeks within the top 100, becoming Keys' most successful single ever. In December 2010 the song was announced as the thirteenth biggest selling single of the year in the UK, surpassing a number of chart-toppers and shaping as the biggest selling non-top-two single with 575,500 copies sold. In May 2011, the song would re-enter the top 100 by jumping from No. 189 to No. 93 in its 76th charting week.[14] On January 21, 2010 the single entered the Irish Singles Chart at forty-six and reached eight.[15] It also debuted on the Billboard R&B charts at number seventy-seven and peaked at number fifty-five on the Billboard Hot 100 without an official release.[16]

Live performances

On November 29, Keys performed the song's chorus in a medley alongside "Doesn't Mean Anything" and "No One", on the sixth season of the United Kingdom television show, The X Factor.[17] Keys performed the full version of the song on 4Music Favourites. Keys also performed the song on Saturday Night Live along with "Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart".[18] Stephen Colbert and Keys also performed the song together on The Colbert Report with Colbert adding his own verses on December 15, 2009.[19] For the 2010 Radio 1 Big Weekend, the track's chorus was changed from "New York..." to "North Wales..." and the new version waxes lyrical about all that the North Wales coast has to offer. Lyrics include; "Yes, today I travelled north from Harlech to the Menai Bridge. What a pretty drive, with so much to see it’s such a privilege."[20] On June 28, 2011, Keys performed the song on Good Morning America. Keys also performed the song as the final number at the six-hour 12-12-12: The Concert for Sandy Relief on December 12, 2012.[21]

Music video

There has been no official music video shot for "Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down". However, due to the success of the song, leading to the song being released as a single, the 4Music Favourites performance was shown on music channels as the music video.[22]

Covers

UK R&B artist Lemar covered on the BBC 1Xtra Live Lounge on February 3, 2010.[23] In June 2014, American artist Alice Ripley and Ripley The Band recorded a guitar version of the song and released it on their Soundcloud page.[24] The Bryan Ferry Orchestra has performed the song on the album The Great Gatsby Jazz Recordings: A Selection of Yellow Cocktail Music (2013).[25]

September 11th remembrance

During football games on September 11, 2011, State Farm used this song in one of its advertisements. The commercial was directed by Spike Lee and featured children from New York City. In addition the full track was listed on iTunes as a benefit to the National Fallen Firefighters Association.

Track listings

UK digital download[26]
No. Title Length
1. "Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down"   3:36
German CD single & digital download[27][28]
No. Title Length
1. "Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down"   3:36
2. "We're Almost There"   3:35

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts

Chart (2009-2010) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[29] 75
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[30] 55
Belgium (Ultratip Flanders)[31] 18
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[32] 20
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[33] 40
Denmark (Tracklisten)[34] 17
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[35] 6
Germany (Official German Charts)[36] 35
Ireland (IRMA)[37] 8
Israel (Media Forest)[38] 10
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[39] 65
Scotland (Official Charts Company)[40] 4
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[41] 59
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[42] 19
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[43] 4
US Billboard Hot 100[44] 55
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[45] 18
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[46] 76

Year-end charts

Chart (2010) Position
Dutch Singles Chart[47] 35
European Hot 100 Singles[48] 56
Swiss Singles Chart[49] 75
UK Singles Chart[50] 13
US Adult Contemporary Songs[51] 45

Certifications

Country Certifications
Denmark[52] Platinum
Germany[53] Gold
Italy[54] Gold
United Kingdom[55] Platinum

See also

Release history

Country Date Format Label
United Kingdom February 3, 2010 Radio airplay
United Kingdom February 22, 2010[2][56] Digital download RCA Records
Sweden March 22, 2010[1] Sony Music
Germany May 28, 2010 [57][58] CD single

References

  1. 1 2 Steffen Hung. "Alicia Keys - Empire State Of Mind (Part II) Broken Down". swedishcharts.com. Retrieved 2012-02-15.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Balls, David (2010-01-13). "Keys to release solo version of 'Empire'". Digital Spy. Digital Spy Limited. Retrieved June 19, 2011.
  3. ↑ Jocelyn Vena (April 21, 2010). "'Sex And The City 2' Soundtrack Features Alicia Keys, Jennifer Hudson". MTV News. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
  4. ↑ Anthony Osei (February 11, 2011). "Video: Alicia Keys in HP Beats Audio Ad". Complex.com. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
  5. ↑ Vena, Jocelyn (2009-11-05). "Jay-Z and Alicia Keys Record 'Empire State of Mind Part 2'". MTV. Viacom. Retrieved June 19, 2011.
  6. ↑ Aswad, Jem; Vena, Jocelyn (2009-12-04). "Alicia Keys Collabos with Beyoncé, Drake Hit the Net". MTV. Viacom. Retrieved June 19, 2011.
  7. ↑ Graff, Gary (2010-02-01). "Interview: Alicia Keys, singer". The Scotsman. UK: Johnston Press Digital Publishing. Retrieved June 19, 2011.
  8. ↑ Christgau, Robert. "The Element of Freedom". Consumer Guide. Robert Christgau. Retrieved April 27, 2010.
  9. ↑ Radlift, Ben (December 14, 2009). "ALICIA KEYS: "The Element of Freedom"". The New York Times. Retrieved April 27, 2010.
  10. ↑ Ragogna, Mike (December 14, 2009). "HuffPost Reviews: Alicia Keys, Robin Thicke, Avatar, and Pixies, Plus Conversations with Julian Lennon and Precious Composer Mario Grigorov, and more". The Huffington Post. HuffingtonPost.com, Inc. Retrieved April 27, 2010.
  11. ↑ Stewart, Allison (December 15, 2009). "'Element' is another safe, uninspiring album from R&B star Alicia Keys". The Washington Post. The Washington Post Company. Retrieved April 27, 2010.
  12. ↑ Kot, Greg (December 15, 2009). "Review: Album Well-Crafted, But Alicia Keys Doesn't Let 'Freedom' Ring". Hartford Courant. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
  13. ↑ Alicia Keys "Empire State of Min (Part II)" Chartstats. Accessdate=2010-03-13.
  14. ↑ "Official UK Singles Top 100 - 18th February 2012 | The UK Charts | Top 40 | Official Charts Company". Theofficialcharts.com. Retrieved 2012-02-15.
  15. ↑ Irish searchable database search: "EMPIRE STATE OF MIND (PART II)" IRMA. Accessdate=2010-03-13.
  16. ↑ Billboard charts for "Empire State of Mind (Part II)" Billboard. Nielsen SoundScan. Accessdate=2010-03-13.
  17. ↑ The X Factor ITV Season 6, Episode 26. November 29, 2009.
  18. ↑ "Music - New Music News, Reviews, Pictures, and Videos". Rolling Stone.
  19. ↑ "Alicia Keys - Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down". colbertnation.com.
  20. ↑ "North Wales replaces New York in Alicia Keys' hit". WalesOnline.co.uk. May 18, 2010. Retrieved June 30, 2011.
  21. ↑ Anderson, Kyle (13 December 2012). "Bruce Springsteen, the Who, Billy Joel, and Beatlevana: On the scene at 12-12-12". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 17 December 2012.
  22. ↑ YouTube. youtube.com.
  23. ↑ "Radio 1Xtra Programmes - Max, Lemar in the Live Lounge". BBC. 2010-02-03. Retrieved 2012-02-15.
  24. ↑ Pat Cerasaro. "Alice Ripley Releases Acoustic Cover Of 'Empire State Of Mind'". BroadwayWorld.com.
  25. ↑ "The Great Gatsby Jazz Recordings: A Selection of Yellow Cocktail Music - The Bryan Ferry Orchestra - Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards - AllMusic". AllMusic.
  26. ↑ Empire State Of Mind (Part II) Broken Down: Alicia Keys: Amazon.co.uk: MP3 Downloads
  27. ↑ "Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down: Amazon.de: Musik". amazon.de.
  28. ↑ "Empire State Of Mind (Part II) Broken Down". amazon.de.
  29. ↑ ARIA Report. Retrieved 2012-04-28
  30. ↑ "Austriancharts.at – Alicia Keys – Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 2010-06-16.
  31. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Alicia Keys – Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved 2010-05-10..
  32. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Alicia Keys – Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 2010-05-10.
  33. ↑ "Alicia Keys – Chart history" Canadian Hot 100 for Alicia Keys. Retrieved 2010-03-13.
  34. ↑ "Danishcharts.com – Alicia Keys – Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down". Tracklisten. Retrieved 2011-01-29.
  35. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Alicia Keys search results" (in Dutch) Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 2010-04-02.
  36. ↑ "Musicline.de – Alicia Keys Single-Chartverfolgung" (in German). Media Control Charts. PhonoNet GmbH. Retrieved 2010-06-11.
  37. ↑ "Chart Track: Week 7, 2010". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 2010-03-13.
  38. ↑ "Alicia Keys – Empire State Of Mind Media Forest". Israeli Airplay Chart. Media Forest. Retrieved 2010-03-13.
  39. ↑ "Alicia Keys – Chart history" Japan Hot 100 for Alicia Keys. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
  40. ↑ "Archive Chart: 2010-02-14". Scottish Singles Top 40. Retrieved 2015-06-29.
  41. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Alicia Keys – Empire State Of Mind (Part II) Broken Down". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 2010-03-13.
  42. ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Alicia Keys – Empire State Of Mind (Part II) Broken Down". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 2010-06-12.
  43. ↑ "Alicia Keys: Artist Chart History" Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2010-03-13.
  44. ↑ "Alicia Keys – Chart history" Billboard Hot 100 for Alicia Keys. Retrieved 2010-03-13.
  45. ↑ "Alicia Keys – Chart history" Billboard Adult Contemporary for Alicia Keys. Retrieved 2010-03-13.
  46. ↑ "Alicia Keys – Chart history" Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs for Alicia Keys. Retrieved 2010-03-13..
  47. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl - Jaaroverzichten - Singles 2010" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 25, 2011.
  48. ↑ "2010 Year End Charts – European Hot 100 Singles". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved June 22, 2011.
  49. ↑ "Swiss Year-End Charts 2010". Media Control. Hung Medien. Retrieved June 10, 2011.
  50. ↑ "UK Year-End Charts 2010" (PDF). The Official Charts Company. ChartsPlus. Retrieved June 22, 2011.
  51. ↑ "Adult Contemporary Songs: 2010 Year-End Charts". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 2010-12-31. Retrieved 2014-02-11.
  52. ↑ "Certificeringer" (in Danish). IFPI Denmark. Retrieved 25 April 2012.
  53. ↑ "Bundesverband Musikindustrie: Gold-/Platin-Datenbank". Musikindustrie.de. Retrieved 2014-02-11.
  54. ↑ "Certified songs and albums in Italy". FIMI. Retrieved 2014-12-19.
  55. ↑ "Certified Awards". Bpi.co.uk. Retrieved 2014-02-11.
  56. ↑ "hmvdigital UK - Empire State Of Mind (Part II) Broken Down by Alicia Keys". Hmvdigital.com. 2010-02-22. Retrieved 2012-02-15.
  57. ↑ "Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down: Alicia Keys: Amazon.de: Musik". Amazon.de. Retrieved 2012-02-15.
  58. ↑ "Bravado - Empire State Of Mind (Part II) Broken Down - Alicia Keys - Single CD (2-Track) - Musik". Bravado.de. 2010-05-28. Retrieved 2012-02-15.

External links

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