The Diary of Alicia Keys

The Diary of Alicia Keys
Studio album by Alicia Keys
Released December 1, 2003 (2003-12-01)
Studio
Genre
Length 57:45
Label J
Producer
Alicia Keys chronology
Songs in A Minor
(2001)		 The Diary of Alicia Keys
(2003)		 As I Am
(2007)
Singles from The Diary of Alicia Keys
  1. "You Don't Know My Name"
    Released: November 18, 2003
  2. "If I Ain't Got You"
    Released: February 17, 2004
  3. "Diary"
    Released: June 29, 2004
  4. "Karma"
    Released: November 16, 2004

The Diary of Alicia Keys is the second studio album by American recording artist Alicia Keys. It was released in the United States on December 2, 2003 by J Records. Recording sessions for the album took place at various recording studios, and production was handled primarily by Keys with contributions from Kerry Brothers, Jr., Timbaland, Dwayne Wiggins, Dre & Vidal, Easy Mo Bee and Kanye West.

The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 618,000 copies in its first week. It became Keys' second consecutive number-one debut in the United States and spawned three top-ten singles. Upon its release, The Diary of Alicia Keys received generally positive reviews from most music critics and earned Keys three Grammy Awards at the 47th Grammy Awards. With domestic sales of four million copies and worldwide sales of eight million copies, The Diary of Alicia Keys is the thirty-first best-selling album of the 2000s (decade).

Background

Alicia Keys's 2001 debut album, Songs in A Minor, sold over 6.2 million copies and earned five Grammy Awards.[1] Due to the extreme popularity of her debut album, there was a lot of pressure on the album to match or exceed that success.[2] The album proved to be as successful as her debut album, and was nominated for two of the "big four" Grammy Awards: Song of the Year for "If I Ain't Got You", and Album of the Year. The album also sold over twice as many copies in its first week as Songs in A Minor.

Commercial performance

The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart, with first-week sales of 618,000 copies, serving as Keys' second consecutive number-one debut in the United States.[3] It spent 88 weeks on the chart, leaving at number 198 in 2005. It has sold over 4.4 million copies in the US.[4] and more than ten million copies worldwide.[5] The album's four singles, "You Don't Know My Name", "If I Ain't Got You", "Diary" and "Karma", reached the top twenty of the Billboard Hot 100, with three of them becoming top ten hits.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[6]
Blender[1]
Encyclopedia of Popular Music[7]
Entertainment WeeklyB[8]
The Guardian[9]
Los Angeles Times[10]
Q[11]
Rolling Stone[12]
Uncut[13]
USA Today[14]

The Diary of Alicia Keys received generally positive reviews from critics; it holds an average score of 71, based on 17 reviews, at Metacritic.[15] The Times said that the album "confirmed her place in musical history".[16] Critics described Keys' music as neo soul and contemporary R&B.[17] Slant Magazine's Sal Cinquemani said that it "triumphs" the neo soul "achievements" of Songs in A Minor and is "a deft mix of modernism and classicism, not to mention street and class."[18] Q magazine called it "a proper soul album which hooks you with the first pneumatic beat and draws you deeper with every heady atmosphere and vivid emotion."[11] Jon Pareles, writing in The New York Times, claimed that "it has taken The Diary of Alicia Keys ... to testify that soul songwriting can survive" and felt that the album "echoes familiar soul sounds, but Ms. Keys sounds undaunted by her sources, and she's learning fast."[19] Rob Sheffield, writing in Rolling Stone, called the album "an assured, adult statement, steeped in the complicated love life and musical dreams of an ambitious young woman who has absorbed enough Nina Simone and Aretha Franklin records to live up to the soul promise of 'Harlem's Nocturne'."[12] Dimitri Ehrlich of Vibe said that Keys is able to "sustain drama over the course" of the "masterful" album, which appropriates the "minimalist" productions of classic soul.[20] Kris Ex of Blender called it "an enthusiastic album full of masterful strokes and electrifying intensity."[1]

In a mixed review, Josh Tyrangiel of Time said that the album's first six songs are "models of how to make nostalgic music that is not anti-present", but the second half "sags".[21] David Browne, writing in Entertainment Weekly, similarly said that the second half "drifts into a narcotized semi-slumber of one earnest, samey retro-soul piano ballad after another."[8] Laura Sinagra of The Village Voice felt that the album's songs lack hooks and other "surface content", sounding instead like unfinished vocal sketches.[22] Mark Anthony Neal of PopMatters said that it only shows "fleeting glimpses" of Keys' actual sensibilities and said that, although it "clearly evinces Keys’s growth as an artist since Songs in A Minor," the album is "clearly laboring to be relevant to the current marketplace and thus suffers from a serious lack of cohesion.[23] Alexis Petridis, writing in The Guardian, found it creatively safe and marred by "anodyne slow numbers studded with knowing references to old records".[9] Uncut found Keys' lyrics boring and filled with a "litany of cliche and hackneyed need-a-man" wailing.[13] Robert Christgau of The Village Voice rated the album a "dud",[24] indicating "a bad record whose details rarely merit further thought."[25]

Accolades

Blender magazine named it the seventh best album of 2004.[26] Billboard placed the album fifty-fifth in the decade-end ranking of the most successful albums of the 2000s (decade).[27] At the 47th Grammy Awards in 2005, The Diary of Alicia Keys won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Album and also earned Keys two other awards, including Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for "If I Ain't Got You" and Best R&B Song for "You Don't Know My Name". Keys also won two Soul Train Awards, Best R&B/Soul Single ("If I Ain't Got You") and Best R&B/Soul Album by a female artist.[28] In 2007, The National Association of Recording Merchandisers and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame released a list of what they term "The Definitive 200 Albums of All Time"; The Diary of Alicia Keys ranks at number 129 on the list.[29]The Diary of Alicia Keys album was ranked at number 129 on the New York Daily News's list of Top 200 Albums of All Time.[30]

Track listing

The Diary of Alicia Keys – Standard edition
No. TitleWriter(s)Producer(s) Length
1. "Harlem's Nocturne"  Alicia KeysKeys 1:43
2. "Karma"  
Brothers 4:16
3. "Heartburn"  
 3:28
4. "If I Was Your Woman" / "Walk on By"  
 3:06
5. "You Don't Know My Name"  
  • West
  • Keys
 6:06
6. "If I Ain't Got You"  KeysKeys 3:48
7. "Diary" (featuring Tony! Toni! Toné!)
  • Keys
  • Brothers
Keys 4:45
8. "Dragon Days"  KeysKeys 4:36
9. "Wake Up"  
  • Keys
  • Brothers
Keys 4:27
10. "So Simple" (featuring Lellow*)
 3:49
11. "When You Really Love Someone"  
  • Keys
  • Brothers
Keys 4:09
12. "Feeling U, Feeling Me" (Interlude)KeysKeys 2:07
13. "Slow Down"  
  • Keys
  • L. Green
  • Rose
  • Keys
  • Kumasi
 4:18
14. "Samsonite Man"  
  • Keys
  • Rose
  • Keys
  • Brothers
 4:12
15. "Nobody Not Really"  
  • Keys
  • Smith
Keys 2:56
Total length:
 57:45

*Alias for Alicia Keys[31]

Sample credits

Personnel
  • Manny Marroquin – mixing
  • Hugh McCracken – guitar
  • Melissa Meell – cello
  • Lori Miller – violin
  • Walter Millsap III – engineer
  • Ann Mincieli – engineer
  • Cindy Mizelle – backing vocals
  • Caryl Paisner – cello
  • Jermaine Paul – backing vocals
  • William E. Pettaway, Jr. – production coordinator
  • Marion Pinheiro – violin
  • Herb Powers, Jr. – mastering
  • Ricky Quinones – guitar
  • Artie Reynolds – bass
  • Tim Christian Riley – piano
  • Maxine Roach – viola
  • Jeff Robinson – executive producer, management
  • Steve "Styles" Rodriguez – bass
  • Joe Romano – horn
  • Erika Rose – backing vocals
  • Warwick Saint – photography
  • Al Schoonmaker – copyist
  • John "Jubu" Smith – guitar
  • Taneisha Smith – backing vocals
  • Denise Stoudmire – backing vocals
  • Dale Stuckenbruck – violin
  • Timbaland – producer
  • Nicole Tucker – hair stylist
  • Rabeka Tuinei – assistant mixing
  • Pat Viala – mixing
  • Wouri Vice – assistant stylist
  • Marla Weinhoff Studio – set design
  • Peter VanDerwater – viola
  • Arcell Vickers – organ
  • Alexander Vselensky – violin
  • David Watson – horn, saxophone, flute
  • Willie Weeks – bass
  • Kanye West – producer
  • Carl "Rev" Wheeler – Wurlitzer, organ
  • Artie White – guitar
  • Dwayne "D. Wigg" Wiggins – producer, sitar, bass, guitar
  • Jessica Wilson – backing vocals
  • Patti Wilson – stylist
  • Xin Zhao – violin

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2003–05) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[32] 22
Austrian Albums (IFPI)[32] 25
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[32] 13
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[32] 25
Canadian Albums (Billboard) 15
Danish Albums (IFPI)[32] 16
Dutch Albums (MegaCharts)[32] 2
European Top 100 Albums (Billboard)[33] 5
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)[32] 9
French Albums (SNEP)[32] 5
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[34] 10
Greek International Albums (IFPI Greece)[35] 8
Irish Albums (IRMA)[36] 37
Italian Albums (FIMI)[32] 20
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[37] 27
New Zealand Albums (RIANZ)[32] 25
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[32] 7
Polish Albums (OLiS)[38] 19
Portuguese Albums (AFP)[32] 23
Scottish Albums (OCC)[39] 33
Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE)[40] 32
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[32] 24
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[32] 1
UK Albums (OCC)[41] 13
align="center" US Billboard 200[42] 1
align="center" US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[43] 1

Year-end charts

Chart (2003) Peak
position
Dutch Albums (MegaCharts)[44] 58
French Albums (SNEP)[45] 122
UK Albums (OCC)[46] 75
Worldwide Albums (IFPI)[47] 14
Chart (2004) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[48] 82
Australian Urban Albums (ARIA)[49] 10
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[50] 58
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[51] 99
Dutch Albums (MegaCharts)[52] 5
French Albums (SNEP)[53] 23
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[54] 22
UK Albums (OCC)[55] 72
US Billboard 200[56] 4
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[57] 2
Worldwide Albums (IFPI)[58] 49
Chart (2005) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[59] 63
Australian Urban Albums (ARIA)[60] 9
US Billboard 200[61] 84
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard[62] 45

Decade-end charts

Chart (2000–09) Peak
position
Dutch Albums (MegaCharts)[63] 48
US Billboard 200[64] 55
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[65] 39

Certifications

Country Certification
Argentina[66] Gold
Australia[67] Platinum
Belgium[68] Gold
Canada[69] 2× Platinum
Europe[70] Platinum
France[71] Gold
Germany[72] Platinum
Italy[73] Gold
Japan[74] Gold
Netherlands[75] Platinum
New Zealand[76] Gold
Norway[77] Gold
Sweden[78] Gold
Switzerland[79] Platinum
United Kingdom[80] Platinum
United States[81] 4× Platinum

Release history

Country Date Label
United Kingdom December 1, 2003 J Records
Germany
France
Australia
United States December 2, 2003
Canada Sony Music
Japan December 12, 2003 BMG

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Ex, Kris (January 2004). "Review: The Diary of Alicia Keys". Blender. New York (23): 98.
  2. ↑ Norment, Lynn. "Alicia Keys: sounds off on men, love & fame." Ebony 59.3 (January 2004): 134(4). Expanded Academic ASAP. Gale. Hampton University Library. 26 November 2007.
  3. ↑ Martens, Todd (December 10, 2003). "Keys Unlocks Second No. 1 Debut". Billboard. Retrieved 2008-06-07.
  4. ↑ Hope, Clover (January 24, 2006). "Keys Craves 'Strange As Hell' Collaborations". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved November 10, 2008.
  5. ↑ Batey, Angus (November 10, 2007). "The ascent of Alicia Keys". The Times. London. Archived from the original on 2008-05-16.
  6. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "The Diary of Alicia Keys – Alicia Keys". Allmusic. Retrieved on 2009-09-20.
  7. ↑ Larkin, Colin (2011). "Alicia Keys". The Encyclopedia of Popular Music (5th ed.). Omnibus Press. ISBN 0857125958.
  8. 1 2 Browne, David (2003-12-05). "The Diary of Alicia Keys Review". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved on 2009-09-20.
  9. 1 2 Petridis, Alexis (November 27, 2003). "CD: Alicia Keys, The Diary of Alicia Keys". The Guardian. London. Friday Review section, p. 23. Retrieved April 7, 2013.
  10. ↑ Hilburn, Robert (2003-11-20). "Accomplished at 22, finding her own path". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved on 2009-09-20.
  11. 1 2 "Review: The Diary of Alicia Keys". Q. London: 111. January 2004.
  12. 1 2 Sheffield, Rob (2003-12-02). "The Diary of Alicia Keys". Rolling Stone. New York. Retrieved 2012-07-31.
  13. 1 2 "Review: The Diary of Alicia Keys". Uncut. London: 72. February 2004.
  14. ↑ Anon. (January 17, 2004). "The Critics Love December's #1 Album!". Billboard. p. 2. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
  15. ↑ "The Diary Of Alicia Keys Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More at Metacritic". Metacritic. Retrieved on 2009-09-27.
  16. ↑ Iley, Chrissy (2008-02-24). "Alicia Keys the girl who made Bob Dylan weep". The Times. London. Archived from the original on May 11, 2008. Retrieved 2010-05-25.
  17. ↑ Beal Jr., Jim (January 2, 2004). "Keys' 'Diary' from the heart". San Antonio Express-News. Weekender section. Retrieved April 7, 2013.
  18. ↑ Cinquemani, Sal (2003-12-03). "Alicia Keys: The Diary Of Alicia Keys". Slant Magazine. Retrieved on 2009-09-20.
  19. ↑ Pareles, Jon (2003-12-07). "Alicia Keys Fights For Soul's Survival". The New York Times. Retrieved on 2009-09-20.
  20. ↑ Ehrlich, Dimitri. "Review: The Diary of Alicia Keys". Vibe: 127–128. February 2004.
  21. ↑ Tyrangiel, Josh (2003-12-08), "The Princess of Queens". Time. 162 (23):89
  22. ↑ Sinagra, Laura (2003-12-30). "Singing School". The Village Voice. Retrieved on 2009-09-20.
  23. ↑ Neal, Mark Anthony (2003-12-11). "Alicia Keys: The Diary of Alicia Keys". PopMatters. Retrieved on 2009-09-20.
  24. ↑ Christgau, Robert (January 13, 2004). "Consumer Guide: MLK Fever". The Village Voice. New York. Retrieved April 7, 2013.
  25. ↑ Christgau, Robert (2000). "Key to Icons". Robert Christgau. Retrieved April 7, 2013.
  26. ↑ Staff. 50 Greatest CDs of 2004. Blender. Retrieved on 2010-02-19.
  27. ↑ "Best of the 2000s: Billboard 200 Albums". Billboard.com. Showing 41–60. Retrieved 2011-10-15.
  28. ↑ McMenamin, Tony. Usher and Alicia Keys Triumph at Soul Train Awards. Blender. Retrieved on 2010-02-19.
  29. ↑ "Definitive 200". The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. Retrieved 2008-09-15.
  30. ↑ "Top 200 Albums of All Time". New York Daily News. Mortimer Zuckerman. March 7, 2007. Retrieved 2015-10-23.
  31. ↑ Lellow Discography at Discogs. Retrieved on 2009-09-19.
  32. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 "Alicia Keys – The Diary Of Alicia Keys". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
  33. ↑ "EUROCHARTS". Music & Media. AllBusiness.com. December 18, 2003. Retrieved October 26, 2010.
  34. ↑ "Musicline.de – Chartverfolgung – Alicia Keys – The Diary Of Alicia Keys". Media Control (in German). PhonoNet GmbH. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
  35. ↑ "Top 50 International Albums – 6/2004" (in Greek). IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on February 18, 2004. Retrieved November 18, 2010.
  36. ↑ "Top 75 Artist Album, Week Ending 4 December 2003". Irish Recorded Music Association. Chart-Track. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
  37. ↑ "The Diary Of Alicia Keys – Alicia Keys" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved November 29, 2008.
  38. ↑ "Oficjalna lista sprzedaży". OLiS. December 22, 2003. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
  39. ↑ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100: 07 December 2003 – 13 December 2003". The Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 29, 2015.
  40. ↑ "PROMUSICAE Top 100 Albumes – 01/2004" (PDF) (in Spanish). Productores de Música de España. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
  41. ↑ "Chart Stats – Alicia Keys – The Diary Of Alicia Keys". The Official Charts Company. Chart Stats. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
  42. ↑ "Alicia Keys – Chart history" Billboard 200 for Alicia Keys. Retrieved 2 June 2012.
  43. ↑ "Alicia Keys – Chart history" Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums for Alicia Keys. Retrieved 2 June 2012.
  44. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Jaaroverzichten 2003". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 4, 2011.
  45. ↑ "Classement Albums – année 2003" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved June 14, 2011.
  46. ↑ "UK Year-End Charts 2003" (PDF). The Official Charts Company. ChartsPlus. Retrieved July 6, 2011.
  47. ↑ "Top 50 Global Best Selling Albums for 2003" (PDF). International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 17, 2009. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
  48. ↑ "ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 100 Albums 2004". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved June 15, 2011.
  49. ↑ "ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Urban Albums 2004". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved June 15, 2011.
  50. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Jaaroverzichten 2004". Ultratop (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved October 4, 2008.
  51. ↑ "Ultratop.be – Rapports Annuels 2004". Ultratop (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved October 4, 2008.
  52. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Jaaroverzichten 2004". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 4, 2011.
  53. ↑ "Classement Albums – année 2004" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved August 23, 2009.
  54. ↑ "Swiss Year-End Charts 2004". Media Control. Hung Medien. Retrieved October 4, 2008.
  55. ↑ "UK Year-End Charts 2004" (PDF). The Official Charts Company. ChartsPlus. Retrieved April 11, 2009.
  56. ↑ "2004 Year End Charts – Top Billboard 200 Albums". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. December 25, 2004. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
  57. ↑ "2004 Year End Charts – Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. December 25, 2004. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
  58. ↑ "Top 50 Global Best Selling Albums for 2004" (PDF). International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 30, 2009. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
  59. ↑ "ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 100 Albums 2005". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved June 15, 2011.
  60. ↑ "ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Urban Albums 2005". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved June 15, 2011.
  61. ↑ "2005 Year End Charts – Top Billboard 200 Albums". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. December 26, 2005. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
  62. ↑ "2005 Year End Charts – Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. December 26, 2005. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
  63. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Decennium Charts – Albums 2000–2009". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 14, 2011.
  64. ↑ "Decade End Charts – Billboard 200 Albums". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
  65. ↑ "Decade End Charts – Top 100 R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved July 6, 2011.
  66. ↑ "Discos de Oro y Platino" (in Spanish). Argentine Chamber of Phonograms and Videograms Producers. December 1, 2003. Retrieved April 19, 2008.
  67. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2004 Albums". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved April 18, 2008.
  68. ↑ "Gold and platinum certifications – Albums – 2005". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Hung Medien. Retrieved August 23, 2009.
  69. ↑ "CRIA: Gold & Platinum – February 2005". Canadian Recording Industry Association. February 18, 2005. Retrieved April 18, 2008.
  70. ↑ "March 2004 – Platinum Europe Awards". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. January 10, 2005. Retrieved April 18, 2008.
  71. ↑ "Certifications Albums Or – année 2005 – Or" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. June 29, 2005. Retrieved April 20, 2008.
  72. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank ('The+Diary+Of+Alicia+Keys')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved April 19, 2008.
  73. ↑ "The Diary Of Alicia Keys è disco d'oro" (in Italian). Musicalnews.com. February 6, 2004. Retrieved October 18, 2008.
  74. ↑ "List of works certified in February 2004". Recording Industry Association of Japan. February 2004. Retrieved October 25, 2010.
  75. ↑ "Goud/Platina" (in Dutch). NVPI. Archived from the original on 7 June 2008. Retrieved April 19, 2008.
  76. ↑ "New Zealand Top 40 Albums – Chart 1427" (PDF). Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. September 27, 2004. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
  77. ↑ "Salgstroféer" (in Norwegian). International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved April 19, 2008.
  78. ↑ "IFPI Sweden – Guld & Platina – År 2005" (PDF) (in Swedish). International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. August 24, 2005. Retrieved August 23, 2009.
  79. ↑ "Swiss Certifications – Awards 2003". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Hung Medien. Retrieved April 19, 2008.
  80. ↑ "BPI Certified Awards". British Phonographic Industry. January 9, 2004. Retrieved September 14, 2009.
  81. ↑ "RIAA – Gold & Platinum". Recording Industry Association of America. March 28, 2005. Retrieved April 18, 2008.
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