Quotes from Alicia Keys

With each new day, I'm learning how to take control in order to have balance in my life. I plan time for myself and my loved ones and take it.

We believe Frederick Nietzsche couldn't have been more right when he said 'without music, life would be a mistake.

People don't expect me to be as funny as I am.

My mixed-race background made me a broad person, able to relate to different cultures. But any woman of colour, even a mixed colour, is seen as black in America. So that's how I regard myself.

I'm not ashamed of what I am and that I have curves and that I'm thick. I like my body.

My mom always said, 'Don't date a guy who thinks he's prettier than you.'

My music comes from many, many, many places. My emotions, my feelings, my thoughts, and conversations I have with people I know who influence me.

I don't think even when you find a person, you can be completely honest, ever. There's still pieces of you that you don't give away. I do believe you always need that place where it's just you, your thoughts, no one else's judgment or anything.

If we took the time to learn more about different places and people, perhaps we would have more empathy for each other.

I'd rather not have anything than be a liar.

I've always been strong-minded, but I wonder.

Stevie Wonder's records introduced me to '70s soul when I was 12 or 13.

I've always been very private, maybe because I discovered my mother, who is a wonderful lady, is very emotional.

For me, doing a show, the excitement of singing live, and the possibility that you're not gonna be perfect - that's the thrill of it.

A Minor is one of my all-time favorite keys to play in. It's a very moody key, and also 'A' is the first letter of my name. It just represents the songs through my eyes.

When I was younger, studying classical music, I really had to put in the time. Three hours a day is not even nice - you have to put in six.

I believe in the limitlessness of humans. We're capable of incredible things. At times, that realization is frightening.

I love my heritage!

There's too much darkness in the world. Everywhere you turn, someone is tryin' to tear someone down in some way; everywhere you go, there's a feeling of inadequacy, or a feeling that you're not good enough. I want to bring a certain light to the world.

I was tired and I had overworked myself and burnt myself out. So I went to Egypt by myself. When I saw what was built there, it made me understand how powerful we are, that we can create anything. And I felt like I needed to create things that were timeless too.

I'm having an unbelievable time on the road. I am taking the time to explore each new city in a way I never have before.

I think I grew up really fast; I grew up in this really fast-paced business, and I never understood what it meant to take a break or take time off or recover, and I paid for it.

I play Beethoven and Bach. At the same time, Biggie is my dog.

No matter how far you are. No matter how long it takes him. Through Distance And Time I'll be waiting.