We Are Here

Album: Not Released On An Album (2014)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This stripped-down piano track finds Keys detailing some of the world's current problems.

    Let's talk about Chi-town
    Let's talk about Gaza
    Let's talk about, let's talk about
    Let's talk about Israel
    'Cause right now it is real
    Let's talk about
    Let's talk about Nigeria
    And it's mass hysteria


    Keys penned the song when she was pregnant with her second child. "The day I wrote this song, I was sitting in a circle of people of all ages and we were asked, 'Why are you here." Why am I here?? This really hit me on a deep level," she explained. "I realized no one had ever asked me that question before."

    "As I prepare to give birth to a new child, I can't help and think about the world I'm bringing my baby into," Keys continued. "No matter where we come from, when we see the state of the world today, we can all feel the growing frustration and desire to make a difference. And we all have a voice – we just need to know how to make it heard."'

    I have a vision that I believe is more than a dream, that I know can be our reality," she concluded. "I believe in an empowered world community built on the true meaning of equality - where we are all considered one people, regardless of race, religion, gender, zip code, belief system or sexual orientation."

Comments: 2

  • Davel Xin from NigeriaI really cried when I realized that she mentioned Nigeria and it's mass hysteria in 2020
  • Chioma from NigeriaThis is my best music ever. Much love Aliciakeys
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"They're Playing My Song

A song he wrote and recorded from "sheer spiritual inspiration," Allen's didn't think "Southern Nights" had hit potential until Glen Campbell took it to #1 two years later.

Richard Marx

Richard MarxSongwriter Interviews

Richard explains how Joe Walsh kickstarted his career, and why he chose Hazard, Nebraska for a hit.

Commercials

CommercialsFact or Fiction

Was "Ring Of Fire" really used to sell hemorrhoid cream?

John Doe of X

John Doe of XSongwriter Interviews

With his X-wife Exene, John fronts the band X and writes their songs.

Yoko Ono

Yoko OnoSongwriter Interviews

At 80 years old, Yoko has 10 #1 Dance hits. She discusses some of her songs and explains what inspired John Lennon's return to music in 1980.

Loreena McKennitt

Loreena McKennittSongwriter Interviews

The Celtic music maker Loreena McKennitt on finding musical inspiration, the "New Age" label, and working on the movie Tinker Bell.