The American singer and 15-time Grammy Award winner Alicia Keys has dominated the music industry since her 2001 debut album, Songs In A Minor. The R&B artist has had multiple hits since the album and has sold over 65 million records, which has led her to numerous accomplishments.
The discography that led her to those accomplishments is filled with romantic, uplifting, and melancholy songs. The mix of all three displays her versatility as an artist, allowing her work to be featured in various forms of media, including films and TV shows. Here are some of the best Alicia Keys sync moments.
Sing 2 - “Girl On Fire (feat. Nicki Minaj)
Matthew McConaughey
Reese Witherspoon
Scarlett Johansson
Taron Egerton
Bobby Cannavale
Tori Kelly
Nick Kroll
Halsey
Nick Offerman
Letitia Wright
Eric André
Pharrell Williams
Alicia Keys's 2012 hit “Girl On Fire (feat. Nicki Minaj) " vocalizes confidence and empowers women to overcome life's challenges. The song's rhythm and lyrics will empower anyone to face their fears, as demonstrated in the movie Sing 2.
Porsha (voiced by Halsey) is nervous about swinging on a bungee chord. To help her perform and face her fear, she sings the song to prove to herself that she’s fearless. The scene demonstrated the power of Key’s lyrics and the message she anticipated her audience would take from the song: believing in yourself.
Check out the full Sing 2 soundtrack here.
All American: Homecoming Season 1 Episode 5 - “Unthinkable (I’m Ready)”
Geffri Maya
Cory Hardrict
Sylvester Powell
Camille Hyde
Mitchell Edwards
Netta Walker
Peyton Alex Smith
Kelly Jenrette
Rhoyle Ivy King
Expressing what it is like to fall in love is Keys “Unthinkable (I’m Ready).” The lyrics communicate a love story and being ready to fully experience a loving relationship with someone it feels right with, “I was wonderin', maybe, could I make you my baby? If we do the unthinkable, would it make us look crazy? If you ask me, I'm ready (I'm ready).”
The song is perfect for any romantic moment, as seen in All American: Homecoming. Simone (Geffri Maya) and Damon (Peyton Alex) share a heartfelt conversation about their struggles and challenges. The song underscores the intensity and vulnerability of their discussion, adding depth to the moment.
Check out the full All American: Homecoming soundtrack here.
Grey’s Anatomy Season 6 Episode 13 - “Wait Til You See My Smile”
Ellen Pompeo
Chandra Wilson
James Pickens Jr.
Justin Chambers
Kevin McKidd
Camilla Luddington
Sandra Oh
Caterina Scorsone
Kelly McCreary
Kim Raver
Katherine Heigl
T.R. Knight
The challenges of life can take a smile off of anyone’s face. The struggles can become overwhelming, especially when life changes take place. The lyrics within “Wait Til You See My Smile” describe the overwhelming feeling but also encourage those who are being affected by those challenges to keep going, “Sometimes in life, you don't see straight (Pray to him and he will show) / When your head is in a certain place / Nobody around to make you say (Stand strong and you will grow) / Oooh, wait 'til you see my smile.” The song's theme is displayed in Grey’s Anatomy, season 6, episode 13, “State of Love and Trust.”
The song accompanies various scenes as it plays during the closing montage. It highlights the emotional aftermath of the events in the episode as the characters reflect on their decisions and relationships, adding a hopeful tone to conclude the episode.
Check out the full Grey's Anatomy soundtrack here.
The Rookie Season 6 Episode 2 - “If I Ain’t Got You”
Nathan Fillion
Melissa O'Neil
Eric Winter
Alyssa Diaz
Richard T. Jones
Mekia Cox
Shawn Ashmore
Titus Makin Jr.
Jenna Dewan
Tru Valentino
Afton Williamson
Mercedes Mason
Declaring your love for someone may be nerve-racking, but Keys has the perfect song: “If I Ain’t Got You.” The lyrics express people’s different wants and needs, but Key's life isn't complete unless she has the one person she loves the most.
The song's emotional and romantic ambiance is perfect for any scene involving characters falling for each other. The Rookie exemplifies that in season six, episode two, “The Hammer.” The song helps highlight Nolan's (Nathan Fillion) and Bailey’s (Jenna Dewan) connection as they share their vows while underscoring the characters' deep feelings.
Check out the full The Rookie soundtrack here.
Coach Carter - “You Don’t Know My Name”
Samuel L. Jackson
Rob Brown
Robert Ri'chard
Rick Gonzalez
Nana Gbewonyo
Antwon Tanner
Channing Tatum
Ashanti
Texas Battle
Lacey Beeman
Octavia Spencer
Allison Kyler
“You Don’t Know My Name” lyrically explains a beautiful, one-of-a-kind love story romantics dream about. Going from strangers to getting to know each other’s names, falling in love, and overcoming challenges together. The intimate song is ideal for any romantic on-screen moment to exemplify the characters' love for each other.
In Coach Carter, the song plays during a scene where Kenyon and his girlfriend, Kyra, spend time together. The song helps set the tone for their relationship while adding depth to their connection as they reflect on their emotions and challenges.
Check out the full Coach Carter soundtrack here.
The Great Gatsby - “Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down”
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7.2
Leonardo DiCaprio
Tobey Maguire
Carey Mulligan
Joel Edgerton
Elizabeth Debicki
Isla Fisher
Jason Clarke
Amitabh Bachchan
Callan McAuliffe
Adelaide Clemens
Steve Bisley
Richard Carter
Jay-Z and Alicia Key's homage to the city they were born and raised in, “Empire State of Mind,” became a massive hit in 2009 and still rattles speakers to this day. The song became so popular that Keys released her rendition, “Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down.” Unlike the original, her song is low-tempo and consists of calm vocals.
The song is ideal for people living in a big city with big dreams, like the characters in The Great Gatsby. It plays during the closing credits, tying in with the movie’s themes of ambition and dreams. Its somber tone also portrays Gatby’s journey well and the bittersweet conclusion of his pursuit of the American Dream.
Check out the full The Great Gatsby soundtrack here.
Drumline - “Butterflyz”
Nick Cannon
Zoe Saldaña
Orlando Jones
Leonard Roberts
Earl Poitier
Jason Weaver
Candace Carey
Shay Roundtree
Miguel A. Gaetan
J. Anthony Brown
Afemo Omilami
Tyreese Burnett
Romance decorates the lyrics in “Butterflyz.” The song beautifully illustrates your love for a partner: “You give me butterflyz/ Have me flying so high in the sky/ I can’t control the butterflyz.” The feelings explained throughout the song paint a relatable picture for many who have fallen in love.
The 2002 musical comedy Drumline exemplifies this in a tender moment between two characters, Devon (Nick Cannon) and Laila (Zoe Saldana). The song allows the audience to understand their growing connection and adds a soft and emotional backdrop to their developing relationship throughout the film.
Check out the full Drumline soundtrack here.
All American Season 3 Episode 1 - “Good Job”
Daniel Ezra
Bre-Z
Greta Onieogou
Samantha Logan
Michael Evans Behling
Cody Christian
Karimah Westbrook
Monet Mazur
Jalyn Hall
Chelsea Tavares
Taye Diggs
Hunter Clowdus
Hardships can blind us from our successes and make us forget how good of a job we do despite life’s challenges. Keys has the perfect song to remind you that you’re doing everything right, “Good Job.” It’s essential not to allow life’s challenges to drown you and make you forget everything you have accomplished. The heartfelt lyrics can lift listeners' spirits and remind them to keep going.
The song can also be used to reflect on the hardships one has faced. “Butterflyz” was used for a significant moment of reflection in All American, season 3, episode 1, “Season Pass.” It highlighted the characters' perseverance and aligned with the episode’s theme of overcoming personal and community challenges.
Check out the full All American soundtrack here.
Queen of Katwe - “Back To Life”
Madina Nalwanga
David Oyelowo
Lupita Nyong'o
Martin Kabanza
Taryn "Kay" Kyaze
Esther Tebandeke
Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine
Ethan Nazario Lubega
Nikita Waligwa
Ronald Ssemaganda
Peter Odeke
Philip Luswata
Feeling like an outcast in your environment takes from one’s confidence and can hold someone back from new experiences. To help overcome those feelings and push you through those challenges is the uplifting song, “Back To Life.” The song has themes of overcoming adversity and being resilient. It reflects her journey of overcoming adversity and rising above her circumstances, resonating with the film’s message of hope and perseverance.
The song’s theme fits perfectly with the 2016 Disney film Queen of Katwe. The song plays during the end credits, tying together the film’s message of triumph and celebrating the real-life story of Phiana Mutesi, a Ugandan chess prodigy.
Check out the full Queen of Katwe soundtrack here.
Always Be My Maybe - “Pawn It All”
Ali Wong
Randall Park
Keanu Reeves
James Saito
Michelle Buteau
Vivian Bang
Daniel Dae Kim
Karan Soni
Charlyne Yi
Susan Park
Lyrics Born
Casey Wilson
“Pawn It All” reflects on knowing when to let go of something and the willingness to lose anything to do what you must do. Keys expresses throughout the song how she’ll pawn anything to get through the struggles, “I would give you everything/ Just so I can start my life over again/ Sometimes you gotta let it go/ Just to make it possible.”
The song is featured in the 2019 Netflix original film Always Be My Maybe. The song’s theme of starting over fits the film’s plot well, as both characters experience struggles, reflect on their life choices, and decide whether or not starting over is right.
Check out the full Always Be My Maybe soundtrack here.