Empire State Of Mind (Pt. II) Broken Down
Alicia Keys · Vh1 Storytellers [2013]
Grew up in a town,
That is famous as a place of movie scenes
Noise is always loud
There are sirenes all around
And the streets are mean
If I could make it here
I could make it anywhere
That's what they say
Seeing my face in lights
Or my name in marquees found down Broadway
Even if it ain't all it seems
I got a pocketful of dreams
Baby, I'm from
Chorus
New York, concrete jungle where dreams are made of
There's nothing you can't do
Now you're in New York
These streets will make you feel brand new
Big lights will inspire you
Hear it for New York, New York, New York
On the avenue, there ain't never a curfew
Ladies work so hard
Such a melting pot on the corner selling rock
Preachers pray to God
Hail a gypsy cab
Takes me down from Harlem to the Brooklyn Bridge
Someone sleeps tonight with a hunger
For more than from an empty fridge
I'm going to make it by any means
I got a pocketful of dreams
Baby, I'm from
Chorus
New York, concrete jungle where dreams are made of
There's nothing you can't do
Now you're in New York
These streets will make you feel brand new
Big lights will inspire you
Hear it for New York, New York, New York
Chorus
One hand in the air for the big city
Street lights, big dreams, all looking pretty
No place in the world that can compared
Put your lighters in the air
Everybody say yeah, yeah yeaah
Chorus
New York, concrete jungle where dreams are made of
There's nothing you can't do
Now you're in New York
These streets will make you feel brand new
Big lights will inspire you
Hear it for New York
Empire State Of Mind (Pt. II) Broken Down
Alicia Keys delivers a stripped-back interpretation of her signature anthem in this intimate Vh1 Storytellers performance. Originally a high-energy collaboration with Jay-Z, this solo rendition allows Keys to explore the emotional core of the composition without the backing of a full band. The recording highlights her vocal versatility and piano-driven songwriting, showcasing the raw vulnerability that defines much of her discography. By removing the dense production elements of the original hit, the performance emphasizes the lyrical narrative and Keys' dynamic range. This version stands as a testament to her ability to reinvent her own material, offering listeners a more personal connection to a track that has become synonymous with her artistic identity and the broader R&B landscape.

