Alicia Keys, Underdog | Track Review 🎵

Grammy-winning R&B singer/songwriter Alicia Keys drops an empowering, inspirational, and uplifting first single of 2020 with “Underdog.”

One of my favorite neo-soul artists was none other than Alicia Keys.  It’s no secret that back in the day, my admiration was quite pronounced for the pianist, singer, and songwriter – yeah, I totally had a crush.  Anyways, when the neo-soul faded, like so many contemporary R&B artists, Keys’ sound changed or evolved, at least to some extent.  I’m more of a ‘fan boy’ of old-school Keys but continue to be impressed by her musical prowess.  With all that background provided, Keys has slowly, but surely been readying her return, releasing new singles.  Her latest is the inspirational, storyteller-driven “Underdog.”  

So, I spent quite a bit of time focusing on neo-soul in the paragraph above.  That’s because even though Keys moved beyond the sound, her music still retains the soulfulness.  “Underdog” stylistically encompasses pop, adult contemporary R&B, and singer/songwriter.  Notably, rather than embracing a piano backdrop, this Ed Sheeran co-write is driven by rhythmic acoustic guitar.  The fact that it is a Sheeran co-write may account for the prominence of guitar…

Emphasis should be placed on the singer/songwriter vibes lyrically, considering Keys (and her co-writers) have a socially conscious mindset.  This socially conscious mindset is best exemplified on the song’s centerpiece, the chorus:

“So, I sing a song for the hustlers trading at the bus stop
Single mothers waiting on a check to come
Young teachers, student doctors
Sons on the front line knowing they don’t get to run
This goes out to the underdog
Keep on keeping at what you love
You’ll find that someday soon enough
You will rise up, rise up, yeah.”

Of course, Alicia Keys sets up the underdog on both of the verses superbly.  The big takeaway is the end of both verses, where she suggests, “One conversation, a simple moment / The things that change us if we notice / When we look up sometimes.”

Final Thoughts

The theme of “Underdog” latches from the onset.  The song itself grew on me with successive listens.  Sure, while I still yearn for my Alicia Keys crush days where she was “Fallin’” and experiencing “Heartburn” and other ailments as the product of love and non-love, I applaud the inspiration and the empowerment she exhibits here.  Also, she sings this record well, providing some flashy ad-libs towards the end.

Alicia Keys • “Underdog” – Single • RCA • Release: 1.9.20

Photo Credit: RCA