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Underdog (Alicia Keys song)

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"Underdog"
Single by Alicia Keys
from the album Alicia
ReleasedJanuary 9, 2020 (2020-01-09)
Genre
Length3:24
LabelRCA
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Alicia Keys
  • Johnny McDaid
Alicia Keys singles chronology
"Time Machine"
(2019) 		"Underdog"
(2020) 		"Good Job"
(2020)
Music video
"Underdog" on YouTube
Music video
"Underdog (Reggae Remix)" on YouTube
Music video
"Underdog (Reggaeton Remix)" on YouTube

"Underdog" is a song by American singer-songwriter Alicia Keys. It was written by Keys, Johnny McDaid, Ed Sheeran, Amy Wadge, Jonny Coffer and Foy Vance, and produced by Keys and McDaid for her seventh studio album Alicia (2020). Released on January 9, 2020, as the album's third single, "Underdog" became a top 40 hit in many countries and was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, indicating 1,000,000 units recorded in the US.

Background and release

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"Underdog" was recorded for Keys' seventh studio album Alicia (2020). Speaking on the meaning behind the song, she told Rolling Stone:

I love this song so much because it's about real life and real people and our experiences. We've all been in a place in our lives where we've had to defy the odds. It's never easy. One of my favorite lyrics in the song is, 'They say I would never make it but I was built to break the mold.' I don't think there's a person on the planet that hasn't felt that way.[1]

"Underdog" was released on January 9, 2020, as the third single from Alicia.[2] Meg Bishop from Minnesota Daily wrote that on the song, Keys "implores listeners to view people in their true context, below the surface of one glance".[3] The single was featured in a TV ad for Amazon Music.[4] On March 27, 2020, the song was remixed by Keys and featured reggae singers Protoje and Chronixx.[5] On May 14, 2021, 16 months after the song's original release date, another remix of the song was released featuring American singer Nicky Jam and Puerto Rican singer Rauw Alejandro.[6] In November 2021, Keys released a lullaby version of the song on Sweet Dreams extended play.[7]

Critical reception

[edit]

Reviewing for NME, Nick Levine called "Underdog" a "slick pop-R&B single" with "unpretentious and affecting" lyrics.[8] USA Today's Gary Dinges named it among the songs from Alicia that "take on new meaning when you listen to them within the scope of the pandemic and social strife plaguing the country".[9] Adi Mehta from Entertainment Voice wrote that the song's "main melody is hopelessly trite" but "Keys manages to sound so sleek and modest".[10] Konstantinos Pappis from Our Culture Mag wrote that the “uplifting” song is “anchored by Keys’ ability to sell everyday stories about perseverance” and named it one of the album's highlights.[11]

Live performances

[edit]

Keys performed "Underdog" with Brittany Howard backing the performance on acoustic guitar at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards and on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on January 29, 2020.[12][13] Keys performed "Underdog" at BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge on February 6, 2020.[14] Keys performed the song at a concert to promote the Alicia album held at Bush Hall in London as well as on The Graham Norton Show on February 7, 2020.[15][16] In March, Keys performed an acoustic rendition of the song in iHeart Living Room Concert for America on the 29th and in #KidsTogether: The Nickelodeon Town Hall on the 30th.[17][18]

Keys performed "Underdog" at fundraising concert From Milan with Love on May 3, at a Salesforce virtual event Leading Through Change on May 21, and Front Row From Home on radio station 106.1 BLI on May 28, 2020.[19][20][21][22] Keys performed the song on Super Soul Sunday on March 29, 2020.[23][24] On June 7, 2020, Keys performed the song on Dear Class of 2020.[25] In June 2020, Keys performed the song on NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts.[26] Keys performed the song during her Verzuz battle with John Legend on June 19, 2020.[27] Keys performed the song on The Late Late Show with James Corden on September 25, 2020.[28] Keys performed the song during the Alicia Keys Rocks New Year's Eve concert on BBC One on December 31, 2020. The song is performed as part of Alicia + Keys World Tour.[29]

Music video

[edit]

A corresponding music video directed by Wendy Morgan[30] was released the same day. Thematizing the idea of overcoming challenging situations,[1] the video captures ordinary people hustling to improve their circumstances and is intercut with a dynamic performance from Keys.[30]

Commercial performance

[edit]

On February 7, 2020, "Underdog" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at position 93, making it the second single from Alicia to chart on the Hot 100.[31] "Underdog" later peaked at number 69.[32]

Track listings

[edit]
  • Digital download[33]
  1. "Underdog" – 3:24
  • Digital download[34]
  1. "Underdog" (Acoustic Version) – 3:30
  • Digital download[35]
  1. "Underdog" (Remix) (featuring Chronixx and Protoje) – 2:59
  • Digital download[36]
  1. "Underdog" (Nicky Jam & Rauw Alejandro Remix) (featuring Nicky Jam & Rauw Alejandro) – 3:25

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Austria (IFPI Austria)[71] Platinum 30,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[72] Gold 40,000‡
France (SNEP)[73]
Remix version 		Gold 100,000‡
Germany (BVMI)[74] Gold 200,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[75] Gold 15,000‡
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[76] Gold 10,000‡
United States (RIAA)[77] Platinum 1,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ a b Shaffer, Claire (January 9, 2020). "Alicia Keys Stands Up for the 'Underdog' in New Video" (and Alicia Keys statement therein). Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 9, 2020.
  2. ^ Tilchen, Jordyn (January 10, 2020). "Alicia Keys Proves There's Power to Being an 'Underdog' in New Video". MTV News. Archived from the original on November 27, 2020. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  3. ^ Bishop, Meg (2020-09-29). "Review: Alicia Keys' New Album Is a Ritual in Self-care". Minnesota Daily. Retrieved 2021-12-12.
  4. ^ Anon. "Amazon Music TV Commercial, 'A Voice Is All You Need: Alicia Keys'". iSpot.tv. Archived from the original on April 4, 2020. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
  5. ^ Collins, Latoya (March 27, 2020). "Alicia Keys Recruits Chronixx & Protoje For 'Underdog (Remix)': Listen". DancehallMag. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  6. ^ Underdog (Nicky Jam & Rauw Alejandro Remix) [feat. Nicky Jam & Rauw Alejandro] - Single by Alicia Keys, 14 May 2021, retrieved 2021-05-14
  7. ^ "Alicia Keys: Sweet Dreams - EP". Apple Music. Retrieved 2021-12-12.
  8. ^ Levine, Nick (September 18, 2020). "Alicia Keys – 'ALICIA' Review: An Enriching Blend of Empathy, Positivity and Self-Knowledge". NME. Archived from the original on October 11, 2020. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  9. ^ Dinges, Gary (September 18, 2020). "'Alicia': In self-titled album, Alicia Keys offers messages of hope in times of despair". USA Today. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
  10. ^ Mehta, Adi (2020-09-18). "Alicia Keys Demonstrates Optimism, Empathy and Elegance on 'Alicia'". Entertainment Voice. Retrieved 2021-08-01.
  11. ^ Pappis, Konstantinos (2020-09-22). "Album Review: Alicia Keys, 'ALICIA'". Our Culture Mag. Retrieved 2022-03-05.
  12. ^ Martoccio, Angie (January 26, 2020). "Alicia Keys Performs New Song 'Underdog' at 2020 Grammys". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 9, 2020.
  13. ^ Rowley, Glenn (2020-01-29). "Alicia Keys Reveals How Kobe Bryant Grammys Tribute Came Together in 'Minutes'". Billboard. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
  14. ^ "Radio 1's Live Lounge - Alicia Keys". BBC Radio 1. Retrieved 2020-08-26.
  15. ^ Hunter-Tilney, Ludovic (2020-02-10). "Alicia Keys in London — intimate glimpses of her new album". Financial Times. Retrieved 2021-07-24.
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  17. ^ "Fox's 'iHeart Living Room Concert for America': TV Review". Variety. March 29, 2020. Retrieved April 9, 2020.
  18. ^ Jensen, Erin (2020-03-30). "'This is weird': Kristen Bell Hosts Star-studded Nickelodeon Coronavirus Special for Kids". USA Today. Retrieved 2021-07-29.
  19. ^ "#FromMilanWithLove". YouTube. 2020-05-03. Retrieved 2021-08-01.
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  21. ^ Jaffe, Matt (2020-04-26). "How Accenture Is Outmaneuvering Uncertainty". Salesforce. Retrieved 2021-02-07.
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  23. ^ "OWN Announces A Super Soul Sunday Facebook Live Special Event With Oprah and Alicia Keys On Sunday, March 29 at 11am PT". Houston Style Magazine. 2020-03-29. Retrieved 2021-10-30.
  24. ^ "Oprah and Alicia Keys: The Interview". Super Soul Sunday. 2020-04-01. Archived from the original on 2021-10-30. Retrieved 2021-10-30.
  25. ^ Warner, Denice (2021-07-24). "Alicia Keys Performs 'Underdog' for 'Dear Class of 2020' Ceremony". Billboard. Retrieved 2021-07-24.
  26. ^ O'Neill, Abby (June 15, 2020). "Alicia Keys: Tiny Desk Concert". NPR. Archived from the original on September 13, 2020. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
  27. ^ Cochrane, Naima (2020-06-20). "A Look At Alicia Keys And John Legend's 'Verzuz' Juneteenth Celebration". Vibe. Retrieved 2021-07-24.
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  30. ^ a b "Alicia Keys releases new single 'Underdog' with music video". 9 January 2020.
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  32. ^ a b "Alicia Keys Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
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  34. ^ "Underdog (Acoustic Version) - Single by Alicia Keys on Apple Music". Apple Music (US). 2 April 2020. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  35. ^ "Underdog (Remix) by Alicia Keys feat. Chronixx & Protoje on Amazon Music". Amazon (UK). Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  36. ^ "Underdog (Nicky Jam & Rauw Alejandro Remix) - Single by Alicia Keys on Apple Music". Apple Music (US). 14 May 2021. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
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  47. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
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  49. ^ "Tónlistinn – Lög" [The Music – Songs] (in Icelandic). Plötutíðindi. Archived from the original on February 10, 2020. Retrieved July 6, 2021.
  50. ^ "Mexico Ingles Airplay". Billboard.
  51. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 20, 2020" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
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  53. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. February 3, 2020. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  54. ^ "Airplay 100 – 24 mai 2020" (in Romanian). Kiss FM. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  55. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
  56. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 35. týden 2020 in the date selector. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  57. ^ "SloTop50 – Slovenian official singles chart". slotop50.si. Archived from the original on 5 June 2020. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  58. ^ "Alicia Keys – Underdog". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
  59. ^ "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  60. ^ "Alicia Keys Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
  61. ^ "Alicia Keys Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  62. ^ "Alicia Keys Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 23, 2020.
  63. ^ "Alicia Keys Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  64. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2020". Ultratop. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
  65. ^ "Rapports Annuels 2020". Ultratop. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
  66. ^ "Rádiós Top 100 - hallgatottsági adatok alapján - 2020". Mahasz. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
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  68. ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2020". hitparade.ch. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  69. ^ "Adult Contemporary Songs – Year-End 2020". Billboard. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  70. ^ "Adult Pop Songs – Year-End 2020". Billboard. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  71. ^ "Austrian single certifications – Alicia Keys – Underdog" (in German). IFPI Austria.
  72. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Alicia Keys – Underdog". Music Canada. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  73. ^ "French single certifications – Alicia Keys – Underdog" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  74. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Alicia Keys; 'Underdog')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
  75. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Alicia Keys – Underdog". Radioscope. Retrieved December 20, 2024. Type Underdog in the "Search:" field.
  76. ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Underdog')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
  77. ^ "American single certifications – Alicia Keys – Underdog". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
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