Music Analysis: If I Ain't Got You (Alicia Keys)

INTRODUCTION
This song was written and produced by American singer-songwriter, Alicia Keys, for her second studio album entitled “The Diary of Alicia Keys”. It was released as a single during February 2004. A remix version (featuring Usher) was released on the bonus CD on selected international versions of the album.



STRUCTURE
(i) Phrase Structure

First of all, let me divide this song to sections.

Section Time
A = 0:03 – 0:26
B = 0:26 – 0:49
C = 0:49 – 1:12
D = 1:12 – 1:38
B’ = 1:38 – 2:02
C = 2:03 – 2:25
D = 2:25 – 3:16
A = 3:16 – 3:45

A = Instrumental Introduction
B = Verse 1
C = Bridge
D = Chorus
B’= Verse 2 (Variation in vocal line)
C = Bridge
D = Chorus X 2
A’= Repeat of Introduction + Extension

Link for the score: http://www.scribd.com/doc/17474461/Piano-Sheet-If-I-Aint-Got-You-Alicia-Keys

Section A and A'
The phrase structure follows a simple period, with 8 bars per phrase. A’ has a 4-bar extension from A that seems to function as a closing passage, and it ends with an ascending chromatic scale without conventional cadences indicated.

Section B and B’
The phrase structure follows a double period that has 16 bars per period, and 4 bars per phrase.

Some people live for the fortune = Antecedent phrase / Antecedent period
Some people live just for the fame = Consequent phrase / Antecedent period

Some people live for the power = Antecedent phrase / Consequent period
Some people live just to play the game = Consequent phrase / Consequent period

Section C
The phrase structure follows a simple period that has 7 bars per phrase.

Some people think that the physical things define what’s within
= Antecedent Phrase
And I’ve been there before, but that life’s a bore, so full of the superficial
= Consequent Phrase

Section D (Chorus)
The phrase structure follows a double period, with an extension on the last bar (4+4+4+5)

Some people want it all but I don't want nothin' at all
= Antecedent phrase / Antecedent period
If it ain't you baby, if I ain't got you baby
= Consequent phrase / Antecedent period

Some people want diamond rings, some just want everything
= Antecedent phrase / Consequence period
But everything means nothing, if I ain't got you, yeah
= Consequent phrase / Consequent period


(ii) Harmonic Analysis
This piece is in G major, however, the key signature is ambiguous. The beginning section starts with triplet “EBG” pattern in Cmaj7, which is IV7 of G major. When "EBG" is played, we hear it as vi in 1st inversion instead, hence suggesting a minor key signature as it is the first chord used. The ambiguity lies in that we expect to hear “ECG” which is IV instead, and this carries on for the whole of section A.

The whole piece is written with major-minor 7th chords (and some dimnished 7ths of course), hence creating a “jazzy” tone colour.

One interesting factor is that in section A, it seems to follow some form of voice leading in the melodic lines (on the on-beat: E – D – C – B), as well as on the bass line (C – B – A – G) which is played in descending sequences.

Another factor that might attribute to the weak key signature is that there are no conventional cadences (i.e. V – I) involved, but instead most of the sections end with ii7 – I7.


HYPERMETER
Although the piece is in 3/4, it gives an allusion that it might be a 6/4 time signature due to the hypermeter. This can be illustrated in the score below.





LYRICS
Being a R&B song, it is inevitable that there are many syncopation in the vocal line. There are some weak syllabus that fall on the strong beat (and vice versa), which makes the song more interesting with this juxtaposition.

For example, in Verse 2, the lyrics goes:
Some people search, for a fountain
The promises forever young

The stress is on "ever" which are the weak beats, whereas "for" is not stressed even though it is on the strong beat.