Songfacts®:

• Alicia Keys became a mother for the first time when she gave birth to Egypt Daoud Dean on October 14, 2010. "New Day" seems to be inspired by the singer's feelings for her son. "There's no limitation, no," she sings. "Fill up your life. Let me see your hands up."
  
  Regarding the song's theme, Keys said that for her, "a new day is the possibility to choose how to create the life of your dreams and letting no one stop you. It's a chance to grow. It's a beautiful feeling."
• This was the third single from Keys' fifth album, Girl On Fire, following the title track and "Brand New Me." She had moved to a new label (RCA), and while her sales figures weren't what they used to be, Keys was feeling liberated and empowered, a theme that flows through the album.
• Keys' husband, Kasseem "Swizz Beatz" Dean, who has also helmed tunes for the likes of Jay-Z and Beyoncé, produced the track. "New Day" premiered online on June 28th, 2012.
• The song marks a musical departure for Keys as it sees her stepping away from her piano-led R&B music towards a more percussion-led sound. Speaking with Hip-Hop Wired, Beatz detailed the motivation behind the collaboration. "She's in a whole different creative space, the chorus of 'It's a new day' speaks of everything," he said. "It's a new day for music, it's a new day for her... spiritually [and] mentally."
• 50 Cent released as a single his own version of New Day, which used Keys' vocals from this song as its hook.