| "We Are Here" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single byAlicia Keys | ||||
| Released | September 15, 2014 (2014-09-15) | |||
| Genre | R&B | |||
| Length | 4:44 | |||
| Label | RCA | |||
| Songwriters | ||||
| Producers |
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| Alicia Keys singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "We Are Here" onYouTube | ||||
"We Are Here" is a song by American recording artistAlicia Keys. It was published on September 15, 2014, throughRCA Records. It was written and produced by Keys,Swizz Beatz,Mark Batson, andHarold Lilly and reflects about both national and international social and political issues. The song wonNAACP Image Award for Outstanding Song and was nominated forBest Song with a Social Message at the2014 MTV Europe Music Awards.
"We Are Here" was featured in the short filmWe Rise; that film was part of theNew-York Historical Society's "Hotbed" exhibit about women's suffrage, which ran from November 3, 2017, to March 25, 2018.[1][2][3]
"We Are Here" is just really about how we can all be together. We’re going through witnessing what’s happening in the world and feeling overwhelmed or feeling inspired to do something about it or whatever the case. And so this song really talks about all that and somehow it allows us to have this dialog about why are you here. I think that’s been really powerful. People have been responding to it. I’m looking forward to continuing to spread that dialog, that conversation
The song, written and produced by Keys,Swizz Beatz,Mark Batson, andHarold Lilly, is an up-tempo ballad which describes Keys' frustration with both national and international issues, including theconflict between Israel and Gaza and theoutbreak of the Ebola virus, as well as problems with education and gun laws in the United States.[5] The song debuted on Keys'Facebook page on September 8, 2014, accompanied by a text post explaining Keys' motivations and inspirations for the song. It was released digitally a week later and Keys performed the song onToday on September 15.[4]
Following the song's release, Keys launched a movement, called the We Are Here Movement,[6] calling for a more equal and just world.[7] Some social issues that the movement promotes is ending poverty and oppression, rights for women and children, and environmental activism. On the site of the cause, people can read about and donate to 12 different groups, striving towards, among other things, improving gay rights, fighting racial inequity in the American justice system, and also her own organization, Keep a Child Alive. Keys donated $1 million of her own money divided equally amongst the 12 groups.[7]
Billboard rated the song two stars out of five and gave the song a negative review.[8] The review stated that an attempt "to effect social change through song would hit if it weren't such an overwrought exercise in cliche. The midtempo cut attempts to unify, but its earnestness is embarrassing".[8]
The music video of "We Are Here" premiered on Facebook on September 8, 2014, and was uploaded toYouTube on September 15.[9] The video, which was directed by Art Johnson, is set on top of a skyscraper inNew York City, with Keys playing the piano and singing. On the piano, the words "freedom" and "peace" are written multiple times. The video ends with the words "War is over if you want it".[10][11]
"We Are Here" was performed onToday on September 15, 2014.[12] During the performance, Keys was sitting behind a piano that read "Love".[13]Rap-Up commented that Keys "belted out the inspiring anthem".[14]Vibe wrote that Keys "let her voice scale high over the song".[13] Robbie Daw ofIdolator said that Keys delivered a "touching performance" of the song.[15]
Keys sang "We Are Here" on theElvis Duran and the Morning Show on September 17, 2014.[16] Keys made a surprise appearance at theiHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas on September 19, 2014, and performed "We Are Here".[17][18] During the performance, pictures of people and their #WeAreHere messages were shown.[18] On September 27, 2014, she performed the song together with Amir-Kanoon andIdan Raichel onstage at the 2014Global Citizen Festival inCentral Park inNew York City.[19] On September 29, 2014, Keys appeared onThe View and performed "We Are Here".[20] Keys performed "We Are Here" along with "Empire State of Mind" and "No One" at the 2014We Can Survive Concert held at theHollywood Bowl inLos Angeles on October 24, 2014.[21][22] During an interview forYahoo! Style, Keys performed a snippet of the song forJoe Zee.[23] Keys will perform "We Are Here" live at the2014 MTV Europe Music Awards.[24]
| Chart (2014) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Czech RepublicAirplay (ČNS IFPI)[26] | 96 |
| Belgium Urban (Ultratop Flanders)[27] | 30 |
| Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[28] | 43 |
| France (SNEP)[29] | 111 |
| JapanHot 100 (Billboard)[30] | 55 |
| SlovakiaAirplay (ČNS IFPI)[31] | 47 |
| South Korea (GAON) International Chart[32] | 41 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[33] | 32 |
