Underdog (Alicia Keys song)

"Underdog" is a song by American singer and songwriter Alicia Keys. It was written by Keys, Johnny McDaid, Ed Sheeran, Amy Wadge, Jonny Coffer and Foy Vance, and produced by Keys and McDaid. The song was released as the third single from Keys' seventh studio album Alicia (2020).

"Underdog"
Single by Alicia Keys
from the album Alicia
ReleasedJanuary 9, 2020 (2020-01-09)
RecordedDecember 2019
Length3:28
LabelRCA
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Alicia Keys
  • Johnny McDaid
Alicia Keys singles chronology
"Time Machine"
(2019)		 "Underdog"
(2020)		 "Good Job"
(2020)
Music video
"Underdog" on YouTube

On March 27, 2020, the song was remixed by Keys and featured reggae singers Protoje and Chronixx.[1] As of August 2020, the single has been certified gold by the RIAA.

Background

"Underdog" was released to pop radio as the album's third official single in January 2020.[2] The corresponding music video for the song was released in the first half of January 2020 and focuses on rising in situations that may be difficult.[3] In regards to what the song "Underdog" means, Alicia Keys said the following in a statement included in an article about the new song and music video in Rolling Stone:

Some people may think of the word underdog as a negative word, but I see it as a powerful word representing people who may be underestimated and yet still rise to the challenge and exceed expectations[.] I love this song so much because it's about real life and real people and our experiences. We've all been in a place in our lives where we've had to defy the odds. It's never easy. One of my favorite lyrics in the song is, 'They say I would never make it but I was built to break the mold.' I don't think there's a person on the planet that hasn't felt that way.[3]

Chart performance

On February 7, 2020, "Underdog" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at position 93, making it the second single from Alicia to chart on the Hot 100.[4] "Underdog" later peaked at number 69.[5] A commercial success, the song is Keys' biggest mainstream hit in the United States since 2012's Girl on Fire and is among the most sold digital singles of 2020.

Music video

The music video was released on January 9, 2020.[6] Directed by Wendy Morgan, the video shows snapshots of everyday people hustling to improve their everyday circumstances, which are intercut with a dynamic performance from Keys. [7]

Live performances

Keys performed "Underdog" with Brittany Howard backing the performance on acoustic guitar at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards.[8] On March 29, 2020, Keys participated in iHeart Media’s Living Room Concert for America, a benefit to raise awareness and funds for the COVID-19 pandemic.[9]

Charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Austria (IFPI Austria)[42] Gold 15,000
United States (RIAA)[43] Gold 500,000

sales+streaming figures based on certification alone

References
  1. Collins, Latoya (March 27, 2020). "Alicia Keys Recruits Chronixx & Protoje For 'Underdog (Remix)': Listen". DancehallMag. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  2. "Alicia Keys drops 'Underdog'". Manila Standard. January 15, 2020. Retrieved April 9, 2020.
  3. Shaffer, Claire (January 9, 2020). "Alicia Keys Stands Up for the 'Underdog' in New Video" (and Alicia Keys statement therein). Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 9, 2020.
  4. "Chart History: Alicia Keys (Hot 100), Underdog". Billboard. Retrieved April 9, 2020.
  5. "Alicia Keys Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  6. https://mtv.com/news/3152173/alicia-keys-underdog-music-video/
  7. https://www.sonymusic.co.uk/news/alicia-keys-releases-new-single-underdog-with-music-video/
  8. Martoccio, Angie (January 26, 2020). "Alicia Keys Performs New Song 'Underdog' at 2020 Grammys". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 9, 2020.
  9. "Fox's 'iHeart Living Room Concert for America': TV Review". Variety. March 29, 2020. Retrieved April 9, 2020.
  10. "ARIA Australian Top 50 40 Digital Tracks" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. February 10, 2020. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  11. "Austriancharts.at – Alicia Keys – Underdog" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
  12. "Ultratop.be – Alicia Keys – Underdog" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
  13. "Ultratop.be – Alicia Keys – Underdog" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved April 10, 2020.
  14. "Alicia Keys Chart History (Canada AC)". Billboard. Retrieved May 23, 2020.
  15. "Alicia Keys Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved May 23, 2020.
  16. Komerički, Goran (25 November 2019). "ARC 100 - datum: 25. studenoga 2019" (in Croatian). Hrvatska radiotelevizija. Archived from the original on 22 March 2020. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  17. "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – RADIO – TOP 100 and insert 202022 into search. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  18. "Euro Digital Song Sales – April 11, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  19. "Offiziellecharts.de – Alicia Keys – Underdog". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  20. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
  21. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  22. "Mexico Ingles Airplay". Billboard.
  23. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 20, 2020" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40 Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  24. "Dutchcharts.nl – Alicia Keys – Underdog" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  25. "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. February 3, 2020. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  26. "Airplay 100 – 24 mai 2020" (in Romanian). Kiss FM. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  27. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
  28. "Serbia - Radio airplay chart (Settimana 25.2020)" (in Italian). RadioAirplay. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
  29. "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 202035 into search. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  30. "SloTop50 – Slovenian official singles chart". slotop50.si. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  31. "Swisscharts.com – Alicia Keys – Underdog". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved April 26, 2020.
  32. "Alicia Keys Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
  33. "Alicia Keys Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
  34. "Alicia Keys Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 23, 2020.
  35. "Alicia Keys Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  36. "Jaaroverzichten 2020". Ultratop. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
  37. "Rapports Annuels 2020". Ultratop. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
  38. "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 2020" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  39. "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2020". hitparade.ch. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  40. "Adult Contemporary Songs – Year-End 2020". Billboard. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  41. "Adult Pop Songs – Year-End 2020". Billboard. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  42. "Austrian single certifications – Alicia Keys – Underdog" (in German). IFPI Austria.
  43. "American single certifications – Alicia Keys – Underdog". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 15, 2020. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH. 
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