Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys & Diamond Platnumz
Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys & Sampha
Alicia Keys & Tierra Whack
Alicia Keys & Miguel
Alicia Keys & Khalid
Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys & Snoh Aalegra
Alicia Keys & Jill Scott
Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys
Keys' single was released on Juneteenth 2020, at the height of the George Floyd protests. She addresses instances of racial violence and subsequent injustice against Black people in the United States, including Trayvon Martin and Sandra Bland.
[Verse 1]
Simple walk to the corner store
Mama never thought she would be gettin' a call from the coroner
Said her son's been gunned down, been gunned down
"Can you come now?"
Tears in her eyes, "Can you calm down?
Please, ma'am, can you calm down?"
[Pre-Chorus]
But it rained fire in the city that day, they say
A river of blood in the streets
No love in the streets
And then came silence in the city that day, they say
Just another one gone
And they tell her move on
[Chorus]
And she's stuck there, singing
"Baby, don't you close your eyes
This could be our final time
And you know I'm horrible at saying goodbye
And I think of all you coulda done
At least you'll stay forever young
I guess you picked the perfect way to die
Oh, I guess you picked the perfect way to die"
[Verse 2]
New job, new city, new her
Bright-eyed, you would have been proud if you knew her
Flashing lights in the mirror, pull over, pull over
A couple nights in detention and it's over, a whole life's over
[Pre-Chorus]
They came marching in the city that day, they say
Carryin' signs in the streets
Cryin' eyes in the streets
But they heard nothing from the city that day, they say
Just another one gone
And the city moved on
[Chorus]
We're stuck here singing
"Baby, don't you close your eyes
'Cause this could be our final time
And you know I'm horrible at saying goodbye
I'll think of all you coulda done
At least you'll stay forever young
I guess you picked the perfect way to die
Oh, I guess you picked the perfect way to die"
[Bridge]
Another dream lost
Another king and queen lost
Another broken promise they refuse to make right
Oh, another night to live in fear
Oh, another night that you're not here
Another reason to get out there and fight
[Chorus]
But I said, "Baby, don't you close your eyes
'Cause this could be our final time
And you know I'm horrible at saying goodbye
But I'll think of all you coulda done
At least you'll stay forever young
I guess you picked the perfect way to die
Oh, I guess you picked the perfect way..."
Perfect Way to Die was written by Sebastian Kole & Alicia Keys.
Perfect Way to Die was produced by Sebastian Kole & Alicia Keys.
Alicia Keys released Perfect Way to Die on Fri Jun 19 2020.
I have felt called by music like I never have before.
I have been following its lead.
It has led me to the song “A Perfect Way to Die.“
The song title is so powerful and heartbreaking because WE are heartbroken by so many who have died unjustly.
Of course, there is NO perfect way to die. Th...