"Doesn't Mean Anything"
Single by Alicia Keys
from the album The Element of Freedom
B-side"Dreaming"
ReleasedSeptember 15, 2009
Studio
Length4:35
LabelJ
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Kerry "Krucial" Brothers
  • Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys singles chronology
"Empire State of Mind"
(2009)		 "Doesn't Mean Anything"
(2009)		 "Looking for Paradise"
(2009)
Music video
"Doesn't Mean Anything" on YouTube

"Doesn't Mean Anything" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Alicia Keys. It written and produced by Keys and longtime partner Kerry "Krucial" Brothers for her fourth studio album The Element of Freedom (2009), with its lyrics speaking about the importance of love against materialism and fake needs. The song was released as the lead single from The Element of Freedom on September 15, 2009, by J Records.

"Doesn't Mean Anything" received widespread critical acclaim upon its release. However, it became Keys' least commercially successful lead single at the time as it peaked at number 60 on the US Billboard Hot 100, thus becoming her first lead single not to peak within the top three. It fared better internationally, reaching the top ten in Germany, Japan, Mexico, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

Background

Keys called the song as "very different—it almost feels like you're flying. It has that piano, heavy-drum feeling." She elaborated the song's meaning, saying, "You dream of having all these things, you dream of going all these places. But what's the point of doing that, having that, if the one you want to be there isn't with you?"[1] The song was released through Keys' YouTube channel on September 22, 2009, after her performance at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards along Jay-Z, singing "Empire State of Mind".[2]

Reception

Chart performance

The single was released on the iTunes Store on September 22, 2009 and debuted on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs at number 32, making her highest debut on that chart, and has peaked at number 14.[3] It has also debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 61,[4] making it her highest debut since "No One", which debuted at number 71. It also appeared on the Canadian Hot 100 at number 66.[5] Although it had a higher debut than "No One", "Doesn't Mean Anything" failed to chart high on the Billboard Hot 100, unlike the lead single from her previous album. It is one of Keys' least successful singles to date in the United States and her second lowest peaking song on the Billboard Hot 100. "Doesn't Mean Anything" was released on November 30, 2009 in the United Kingdom. Keys performed the song on The X Factor on November 29, 2009, with a medley of "Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down" and "No One". It debuted at number eight on the UK Singles Chart, becoming Keys highest-charting debut there since "Fallin'" in 2001, and her seventh top ten single in the UK. "Doesn't Mean Anything" peaked at number four on the UK R&B Singles Chart and has spent, so far, fourteen weeks on the UK Singles Chart.[6]

Critical reception

The song received positive reviews from the critics. Mariel Concepcion of Billboard magazine gave the song a positive review, commenting that "A truly confident woman lets herself be vulnerable at the right time" and compared favorably the song to Keys' previous hits 'No One' and 'Superwoman' by saying that "the comparisons are more than welcome, because—as Keys understands so well—everyone needs love, no matter how independent they may be."[7] Nick Levine of Digital Spy gave the song a favorable review, saying that "the production is classic and gimmick-free, the chorus has the same timeless feel that turned 'No One' and 'If I Ain't Got You' into modern standards, and the whole thing oozes class the way a ripe brie oozes cheesey goodness" and then adding "the words 'classic' and 'timeless' apply to the lyrics too."[8]

Music video

The music video for "Doesn't Mean Anything" was filmed on September 27–28, 2009.[9][10] It was directed by P. R. Brown.[4] The video was released on October 19, 2009.[11] In the behind-the-scenes of the video, Keys explained the representation of the mountain climb scene, "Because we all have mountains to climb in our life you know? And you can reach the top, you can climb and you can make it. And as you observe the landscape, the question is 'Are you gonna fly or are you gonna fall?'. And I'm gonna fly, and we all gonna fly." The video ranked at number 42 on BET's Notarized: Top 100 Videos of 2009 countdown.

The music video begins with Keys walking onto the balcony of her New York City apartment, looking out at the city uttering the words, "This beautiful city seems empty. All the people in the world and you can still feel lonely. What's the point of having it all without the person you love. Sometimes you just need to start again in order to fly." The song then starts to play, with Keys playing the piano in her apartment, and also scenes of her sitting on the couch, and looking out of the window at the sunset. Various objects around the apartment then start to disappear, including a photograph on the piano of her and her lover. The scene then changes once her surroundings have all eventually disappeared, showing Keys in a new outfit, in the middle of a desert-like setting (that appears to be the Grand Canyon), with her piano. She is then seen to walk up the path she is on, eventually leading to a mountain. Keys then climbs the mountain, and once she has reached the top, looks out at the landscape surrounding her.

Track listings

Charts

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[49] Silver 200,000^
United States (RIAA)[50] Gold 500,000‡

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Doesn't Mean Anything"
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States September 15, 2009 Digital download J
United Kingdom September 22, 2009 RCA
United States Rhythmic contemporary radio J
October 20, 2009 Contemporary hit radio
Germany November 20, 2009 CD Sony Music
Australia November 30, 2009

References

  1. ↑ Vena, Jocelyn (October 9, 2009). "Alicia Keys to Release The Element of Freedom in December". MTV News. Retrieved October 16, 2009.
  2. ↑ Vozick-Levinson, Simon (September 15, 2009). "Alicia Keys' 'Doesn't Mean Anything' hits the Web: Hear it here". Entertainment Weekly. Time. Retrieved October 16, 2009.
  3. ↑ "Top Hip-Hop and R&B Songs & Singles Charts". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved October 16, 2009.
  4. 1 2 Concepcion, Mariel (October 9, 2009). "Alicia Keys Reveals 'Freedom' Details". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved October 10, 2009.
  5. ↑ Retrieved on October 22, 2009
  6. ↑ Official Charts Company
  7. ↑ "Alicia Keys, "Doesn't Mean a Thing"". Billboard.
  8. ↑ "Music — The Sound — Alicia Keys, it's great to have you back". Digital Spy. September 25, 2009. Retrieved October 31, 2009.
  9. ↑ "On The Set: Alicia Keys 'Doesn't Mean Anything' Video". Rap Radar. September 28, 2009. Retrieved October 31, 2009.
  10. ↑ "On The Set Vol. 2: Alicia Keys 'Doesn't Mean Anything' Video". Rap Radar. September 28, 2009. Retrieved October 31, 2009.
  11. ↑ "Video: Alicia Keys – 'Doesn't Mean Anything'". Rap-Up.com. October 19, 2009. Retrieved December 9, 2009.
  12. 1 2 Doesn't Mean Anything: Alicia Keys: Amazon.co.uk: MP3 Downloads
  13. ↑ "Doesn't Mean Anything - Single by Alicia Keys". Apple Music. September 15, 2009.
  14. ↑ Doesn't Mean Anything / Put It In A Love Song (US 12-inch single vinyl disc). Alicia Keys. J Records. 2009. AKDP1006.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  15. ↑ "The ARIA Report, Week Commencing ~ 28 December 2009 ~ Issue #1035. See p. 4" ARIA Top 100 Singles. National Library of Australia.
  16. ↑ "Alicia Keys – Doesn't Mean Anything" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  17. ↑ "Alicia Keys – Doesn't Mean Anything" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
  18. ↑ "Alicia Keys – Doesn't Mean Anything" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  19. ↑ "Alicia Keys Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard.
  20. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – RADIO – TOP 100 and insert 201000 into search.
  21. ↑ "Alicia Keys Chart History – Euro Digital Songs". Billboard. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
  22. ↑ "Alicia Keys – Chart Search" Billboard European Hot 100 Singles for Alicia Keys.
  23. ↑ "lescharts.com – Français" (in French). Les classement de telechargement single.
  24. 1 2 "Alicia Keys – Doesn't Mean Anything" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  25. ↑ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Alicia Keys". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  26. ↑ "Alicia Keys – Doesn't Mean Anything". Top Digital Download.
  27. ↑ "Alicia Keys Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard.
  28. ↑ "Alicia Keys Chart History: Mexiko Ingles Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved May 23, 2020.
  29. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 45, 2009" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  30. ↑ "Alicia Keys – Doesn't Mean Anything". Top 40 Singles.
  31. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 29, 2015.
  32. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 200952 into search.
  33. ↑ "Alicia Keys – Doesn't Mean Anything" Canciones Top 50.
  34. ↑ "Promusicae (Week: January 1, 2009)" (PDF). Retrieved July 13, 2009.
  35. ↑ "Alicia Keys – Doesn't Mean Anything". Swiss Singles Chart.
  36. ↑ "Alicia Keys: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  37. ↑ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 29, 2015.
  38. ↑ "Alicia Keys Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  39. ↑ "Alicia Keys Chart History (Adult R&B Songs)". Billboard.
  40. ↑ "Alicia Keys Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
  41. ↑ "Alicia Keys Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard.
  42. ↑ "Alicia Keys Chart History (Smooth Jazz Songs)". Billboard.
  43. ↑ "Classifiche annuali dei cd, dvd, compilation più venduti e digital download più scaricati online nel 2009" (in Italian). Federation of the Italian Music Industry. January 19, 2010. Archived from the original on January 23, 2010. Retrieved December 18, 2010.
  44. ↑ "UK Year-End Charts 2009" (PDF). The Official Charts Company. ChartsPlus. Retrieved January 3, 2011.
  45. ↑ "Hot 100 R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved July 10, 2011.
  46. ↑ "2010 Year End Charts – European Hot 100 Singles". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved June 22, 2011.
  47. ↑ "レコード協会調べ 2009年12月16日～2010年12月14日「着うたフル(R)」 2010年有料音楽配信「年間チャート」（通称：レコ協チャート）" [Record Association Analysis: December 16, 2009—December 14, 2010 Full-length Cellphone Download 2010 paid digital sales "Yearly Chart" (Abbreviated: RIAJ Chart)] (PDF). Recording Industry Association of Japan. December 20, 2010. Retrieved December 22, 2010.
  48. ↑ "UK Year-End Charts 2010" (PDF). The Official Charts Company. ChartsPlus. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 28, 2012. Retrieved June 22, 2011.
  49. ↑ "British single certifications – Alicia Keys – Doesn't Mean Anything". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  50. ↑ "American single certifications – Alicia Keys – Doesn't Mean Anything". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  51. ↑ "Doesn't Mean Anything – Single by Alicia Keys". United States: Apple Music. September 15, 2009. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
  52. ↑ "Available for Airplay". FMQB. Archived from the original on November 1, 2009. Retrieved October 8, 2022.
  53. ↑ "ARIA New Releases Singles – Week Commencing 30th November 2009" (PDF). The ARIA Report. Australian Recording Industry Association. November 30, 2009. p. 33. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 5, 2009. Retrieved October 9, 2022 – via Pandora archive.
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