When Alicia Keys sings, her lyrics resonate soundly. From the youthfulness of songs heard on her seminal album, 'Songs in A Minor,' to the maturity expressed over the rhythms on 'The Element of Freedom,' the New York native has served up countless tracks with substance. The BoomBox celebrates the chanteuse's way with words with 15 of her best lyrics that speak for the ills and thrills of the heart.

The R&B beauty will perform songs off her famed first effort, 'Songs in A Minor,' during Piano & I: A One Night Only Event With Alicia Keys, taking place at the Beacon Theatre in New York City on June 30. Tune in to the live stream of the intimate show here at 9PM EST.

15
"You give me butterflyz

Got me flying so high in the sky

I can't control the butterflyz"
'Butterflyz' (2001)
M. Caulfield, WireImage
Remember that first high school crush? Well, whether it's teeny bopper feelings or a mature fondness for the opposite sex, those butterflies never get old.

Read 'Butterflyz' Lyrics

14
"Even if it ain't all it seems

I got a pocketful of dreams

Baby, I'm from New York"
'Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down' (2009)
Kevork Djansezian, Getty Images
Alicia Keys prides herself on keeping the faith, a quality she fires out in her lyrics. But, native New Yorker or not, this speaks to those never letting go of a goal.

Read 'Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down' Lyrics

13
There's something special 'bout you

I must really like you

'Cause not a lotta guys are worth my time"
'You Don't Know My Name' (2003)
Kevin Winter, Getty Images
Sometimes a lady just needs to make that first step. Out of character as it may be for some, the piano-playing singer proves that it's better to take a chance by putting all your cards on the table.

Read 'You Don't Know My Name' Lyrics

12
"Still when I'm a mess

I still put on a vest

With an 'S' on my chest

Oh yes, I'm a Superwoman"
'Superwoman' (2007)
Theo Wargo, WireImage
Bold. Strong. Worry-free. That's what the ''As I Am' creator wants women to be. And these are the perfect words to repeat in the face of despair.

Read 'Superwoman' Lyrics

11
"All I wanna know, baby

If what we had was good

How come you don't call me anymore"
'How Come You Don't Call Me' (2001)
Theo Wargo, WireImage
Picking up the phone multiple times to see if the Mr. or Ms. Right Now called is a universal fail most everyone can lay claim to. It's OK, no judgment here.

Read 'How Come You Don't Call Me' Lyrics

10
"You and me together

Through the days and nights

I don't worry 'cause everything's gonna be alright"
'No One' (2007)
Kevin Winter, Getty Images
When giving up just seems easier than sticking through the stress and the mess, Alicia reminds the masses that a good support system always helps.

Read 'No One' Lyrics

09
"I was wondering, maybe

Could I make you my baby

If we do the unthinkable, will it make us look crazy"
'Un-thinkable (I'm Ready)' (2009)
Bryan Bedder, Getty Images
Face it, we've all had thoughts of kicking it with a special someone yet were afraid to speak our mind. Thanks, Alicia, you've spoken for us, once again.

Read 'Un-thinkable (I'm Ready)' Lyrics

08
"If you do the right thing, we can be together

I'm not easy, yeah, you gotta work for it"
'Put It In A Love Song' (2009)
Kevin Mazur, WireImage
Once again, the Grammy-winning singer gives men some insight into what they need to do to snag a good woman.

Read 'Put It In A Love Song' Lyrics

07
"So tonight, I'm gonna find a way to make it without you"
'Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart' (2009)
Jeff Kravitz, AMA2009
Every broken heart is different, but who doesn't want to throw their fist in the air in triumph when they've finally "made it" without the person responsible for the aches and pains.

Read 'Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart' Lyrics

06
"If you're worried, baby, you just gotta let it go

All your hustles ain't for nothing, you just gotta take it slow"
'Troubles' (2001)
Iris, WireImage
The feeling that all the hard work and dedication to something (or someone) goes unnoticed doesn't fall on deaf ears when this inspiring soul sister moves the down-trodden to keep going.

Read 'Troubles' Lyrics

05
"Oh, oh, I never felt this way

How do you give me so much pleasure?

And cause me so much pain"
'Fallin'' (2001)
Steve Grayson, WireImage
Cheers to Alicia Keys for putting into words that tugging feeling of loving vs. hating a irresistible relationship. But in the end, she makes the good seem to outweigh the bad.

Read 'Fallin'' Lyrics

04
"I will keep your secrets

Just think of me as the pages in your diary"
'Diary' (2003)
Carlos Alvarez, Getty Images
Eloquently put, Ms. Keys. The mind is sometimes clogged with thoughts begging to be let out and for those afraid to share what's on the brain, she reaffirms that, in confidence, secrets can be told.

Read 'Diary' Lyrics

03
"I don't wanna forget the present is a gift

And I don't wanna take for granted the time you may have here with me"
'Like You'll Never See Me Again' (2007)
Chris Jackson, Getty Images
Alicia Keys isn't the first artist to use that "present is a gift" line (see Common's 'Be' intro), yet she reminds us to value that special someone today, not tomorrow.

Read 'Like You'll Never See Me Again' Lyrics

02
"You will lose if you choose to refuse to put her first

She will and she can find a man who knows her worth"
'A Woman's Worth' (2001)
Chris Polk, FilmMagic
These two lines the soulful songbird let loose should be front and center inside whichever handbook the male species looks to when referencing "how to deal with women."

Read 'A Woman's Worth' Lyrics

01
"Some people want it all

But I don't want nothing at all

If it ain't you, baby

If I ain't got you, baby"
'If I Aint Got You' (2003)
Peter Kramer, Getty Images
Stacks of money, flashy cars or pricey jewels don't mean anything if there's no one to share the experience of obtaining it with. Plus, belting this out to a certain boo is sure to score points.

Read 'If I Aint Got You' Lyrics

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