Released May 28, 2010 Recorded 2009 Label J | Format Digital download Length 4:09 | |
Genre R&B, quiet storm, soul, downtempo | ||
"Un-Thinkable (I'm Ready)" is a song by American singer-songwriter Alicia Keys from her fourth studio album The Element of Freedom (2009). It was initially scheduled to be the fifth single, but it was released as the fourth single. It was her first single to reach number one on the R&B chart in the United States since 2007's "Like You'll Never See Me Again"."Un-Thinkable (I'm Ready)" spent twelve consecutive weeks atop the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop, the longest-running number-one single of 2010, when the single was in its 12th week on top of the chart, Keys has completed a total of 54 weeks at #1 on the chart.
Contents
Composition
Un-thinkable is a sample of artist Goapele song Closer
"Un-Thinkable (I'm Ready)" is a down-tempo R&B song written by Alicia Keys, Aubrey Graham, Kerry Brothers, Jr., and Noah "40" Shebib in the key of B minor. The vocal range spans from D3 to D5 with a moderately slow and simple chord progression of Bm, D major and G major.
Critical reception
Mariel Concepcion from Billboard magazine was positive toward the song noting it as The Element of Freedom's "standout track". Concepcion said "the singer/pianist goes from entertaining puppy love to confessing deeper emotions. Keys sings nervously over extended piano strokes. She finally builds up the courage to share a serious desire with her lover ... atop a building, thumping beat. For an artist who has built her career on songs about love, lust and heartache, Keys has never sounded quite as vulnerable and exposed as she does here." Ashante Infantry from Toronto Star also picked the song as the album's top track saying "Keys is as sexy as she's ever been on the sultry 'Un-Thinkable (I'm Ready)'". Allison Stewart from The Washington Post neither praised nor criticised the song but simple said that Drake's appearance was pointless. "[It fulfills] some sort of unspoken requirement that every female R&B album contain an appearance by at least one cool-but-unthreatening hip-hop star." Molly Lambert from Pitchfork considered the song as the 64th best song of the year saying: "Alicia Keys always puts out one perfect song per album. It's an instant babymaking classic. Skittering beats, trembling synths, deep piano chord progressions, and floating drums. It sounds like it was recorded in a downtempo underwater sex chamber or inside a neon motel sign. It belongs on the Art Laboe Connection forever, with Sade and Minnie Riperton and other sensual heavyweights. It is the eye of the quiet storm".
Chart performance
In the chart week dated May 22, 2010, "Un-Thinkable (I'm Ready)" topped the U.S. Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs chart, having already been present on the chart for eighteen weeks. It remained at the top of the summit for twelve consecutive weeks this becoming her longest running Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart leader, beating her previous best of ten weeks with "No One" (2007). The single was also broke another R&B chart record, this time on the Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart. On June 3, "Un-Thinkable (I'm Ready)" topped the Adult R&B chart, giving Keys her ninth leader on this chart and extended her lead ahead of Toni Braxton, Whitney Houston, Brian McKnight and Luther Vandross, all of whom rank in second place with six chart leaders each. The single also reached number twenty-one on the Billboard Hot 100. To date the song's success on both the Hot 100 and R&B charts make "Un-Thinkable (I'm Ready)" the most successful single from The Element of Freedom. At the end of 2010, following its twelve-week run leading the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop chart, "Un-Thinkable (I'm Ready)" was named the number-one R&B/Hip-Hop song of the year on the end of year charts.
Remix
The official remix of the song features a verse by Canadian rapper Drake was released on iTunes on May 28, 2010. Lloyd Banks released his own remix to the song. Joe Budden would follow up and release his own remix to it as well.
Music video
Keys filmed the music video in Los Angeles with director Jake Nava. Although Drake appears on background vocals, Keys has stated that he does not appear in the video because she said "that would be too obvious". The video tackles issues of interracial dating and as Keys told Rap Up magazine, "The promo clip will highlight the past and present stigmas surrounding the subject." Additionally Chad Michael Murray, best known for playing Lucas Scott in One Tree Hill, plays Keys' love interest. One of the scenes depicts a blood-stained Murray fighting a group of men. The video made its world premiere on May 12, 2010 on Vevo and on BET's 106 & Park. The video features Keys in different decades, from the 1950s to the present. The video was awarded Outstanding Music Video at the 42nd NAACP Awards.
- "Un-Thinkable (I'm Ready)" (remix) featuring Drake – 4:42
- "Wait Til You See My Smile" – 3:12
- "Un-Thinkable (I'm Ready)" (remix) featuring Drake – 4:42